1. Watershed Staff Videoconference October 17, 2012

2. antidegradation Why antidegradation? “…restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” Designated uses Criteria to support designated uses Antidegradation provisions Designated uses Criteria to support designated uses Antidegradation provisions 2

3. What is antidegradation? 3

4. antidegradation How does antidegradation work? Outstanding resources (Tier 3) Outstanding resources (Tier 3) High water quality (Tier 2) High water quality (Tier 2) Existing uses (Tier 1) Existing uses (Tier 1) Levels of protection 4

5. Tier 2 protection Tier 2 protection Prevents unnecessary degradation of high water quality 5 Variability Long-term average Water quality criterion

6. Long-term average Variability Tier 2 protection Tier 2 protection Permanent exceedance of water quality standard is prohibited 6 Water quality criterion

7. What is antidegradation review? 7

8. What happens if a proposal would lower high water quality? Procedure triggered Antidegradation Assessment: 1.Alternative analysis 2.Social/economic justification Antidegradation Assessment: 1.Alternative analysis 2.Social/economic justification Agency review & preliminary determination Public participation Agency final determination 8

9. Why revise the rule? 9

10. Review trigger Exemptions Proposed changes Scope of implementation Physical alterations / existing uses Clarify Restricted ORVW protection Public participation 10 Parameters of concern

11. Proposed changes 11 Name change

12. Rule format Proposed changes 12 Purpose statement reflects federal regulations More definitions Antidegradation procedures sequentially follows the review process

13. Review trigger Proposed changes 13

14. Exemptions Proposed changes Emergency response actions Class 7 waters (under specific conditions) Temporary and limited impacts 14

15. Activities that impact waters of the state CWA regulatory authority exists 15 No regulatory control, but implementation mechanisms may exist (Size ≠ scale of activities) Scope of implementation Current scope of antidegradation implementation

16. Activities that impact waters of the state CWA regulatory authority exists Proposed rule increases scope of implementation 16 No regulatory control, but implementation mechanisms exist (Size ≠ scale of activities) Scope of implementation

17. Proposed changes Widened scope of implementation - requires separate procedures for: Individual NPDES wastewater permits and individual 401 certifications; and Individual NPDES stormwater permits and general authorizations 17

18. Parameters of concern Proposed changes Parameters to be reviewed are identified early, allowing for an effective alternatives analysis 18

19. Physical alterations / existing uses Proposed changes 19

20. Clarify Restricted ORVW protection Proposed changes 20

21. Public participation Proposed changes 21

22. Public participation coincides with the comment periods for permits and certifications Public participation 22

23. Rulemaking next steps 2007 Start Initial stakeholder meetings Response to comments/ questions Water quality forum direction Proposed changes Initial draft More internal/ external input 23 Revise rule SONAR development “Administrative” process Adopt EPA approve