Neila Seaman Director Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 [log in to unmask] 515-277-8868 From: [log in to unmask]: [log in to unmask]: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:08:23 -0500Subject: Iowa DNR's Water Quality Listserv: October 8th issue From Iowa DNR Water Quality: 1. Antidegradation Policy and Implementation rulemaking request to be presented at the October EPC meeting. 2. Private sewage disposal systems rulemaking request to be presented at the October EPC meeting. 1. Antidegradation Policy and Implementation rulemaking request to be presented at the October EPC meeting. Adam Schnieders, [log in to unmask] At the October 14th meeting, the Environmental Protection Commission will be asked to approve a notice of intended action to initiate rulemaking to amend 567 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 61(455B), "Water Quality Standards." The changes being proposed will propose the following: · Incorporate by reference the document entitled “Iowa Antidegradation Implementation Procedure,” which proposes an approach to be followed in assessing and minimizing degradation of Iowa’s surface waters, · Update antidegradation policy language with four tier approach, · Remove High Quality (Class HQ) and High Quality Resource (Class HQR) designated uses, as they are being replaced by the four tier approach. Antidegradation policy is one of the three components of water quality standards (i.e. designated uses, water quality criteria to protect those uses, and antidegradation policy). The purpose of the antidegradation policy is to set minimum requirements for the state to follow in order to conserve, maintain, and protect existing uses and water quality. The department is required by 40 CFR 131.12(a) to develop and adopt a statewide antidegradation policy and to identify procedures for implementing the policy. The department is proposing a four-tiered approach and guidance document establishing procedures for implementing the antidegradation policy. The previous draft versions of the antidegradation policy rule, implementation procedures, and other related items can be found at the following web address: http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/standards/antidegradation.html. Should the notice be approved, six public hearings are anticipated to be held in December in Storm Lake, Atlantic, Manchester, Washington, Clear Lake, and Des Moines. More information will be provided in a future listserv on the specifics for public comment opportunities or see the EPC agenda. The October EPC Meeting Agenda is available at this website: http://www.iowadnr.com/epc/08oct14a.html. 2. Private sewage disposal systems rulemaking request to be presented at the October EPC meeting. Daniel Olson, [log in to unmask] At the October 14th meeting, the Environmental Protection Commission will be asked to approve a notice of intended action to initiate rulemaking to amend 567 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 69(455B), " Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems," and Chapter 64(455B), “Wastewater Construction and Operation Permits”. The following is a summary of the proposed amendments to the rules: · Title changed to “Private Sewage Disposal Systems” to match Iowa Code · Changes and additions to definitions · Addition of a time of transfer inspection section · Addition of final inspection requirement and database tracking · Changes to the requirements for discharging systems and NPDES permitting · Changes to septic tank sizing and configuration · Addition of soil loading rates to absorption system sizing · Addition of requirements for grease traps, tank abandonment, pump vaults, at-grade soil systems, EPS aggregate, peat filters and textile filters. · Removal of some applications of free access sand filters and waste stabilization ponds. · Additional requirements for aerobic treatment units. · General permit 4 will change to include only those discharging onsite systems that pose a substantial risk to water quality. · IAC 567-Chapter 64.15 will change to reflect the change in effective dates of the NPDES General Permit #4. Should the notice be approved, three public hearings are anticipated to be held in December in Iowa City, Fort Dodge, and Des Moines. More information will be provided in a future listserv on the specifics for public comment opportunities or see http://www.iowadnr.com/water/npdes/rulemaking.html. The October EPC Meeting Agenda is available at this website: http://www.iowadnr.com/epc/08oct14a.html. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/