Bill seeks to limit state's water regulations: Pending legislation would limit New Mexico's water-quality regulations to levels no stricter than federal standards. (Ben Neary, "New Mexican", Santa Fe)
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Clean Water Act -- Oklahoma Update Impaired Waters: Subject: Draft 2006 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report: Public Meeting & Comment Period. The Draft 2006 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report is a document required by the federal Clean Water Act and is a comprehensive assessment of water quality in Oklahoma’s streams and lakes. Based on water quality data contributed by state and federal agencies, waterbodies are categorized according to their compliance with Water Quality Standards and adequacy of available data. Impaired waterbodies not meeting minimum standards are identified. Based on the data and associated problems presented in the report, State agencies will develop water quality management plans to help control polluting activities and clean up impaired waters. Areas, where additional data may be needed, are identified. State agencies also use the report to describe ground water quality and to develop ground water plans and programs. This report meets the requirements of sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. DEQ will be conducting an informal public meeting to help foster understanding of the report and solicit comments. The meeting will consist of a short presentation, an informal question and answer session, and an opportunity for public comments. During the meeting, anyone can give oral or written comments. Staff members from DEQ and other involved state agencies will be on hand at the meeting to address questions about the report. The public meeting will be held: 6:30 P.M., Monday, July 2nd, 2007 Department of Environmental Quality, 1st Floor Multipurpose Room 707 North Robinson, Oklahoma City, OK IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED, COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MONDAY, JULY 9, 2007. The draft report is available over the Internet from the DEQ web site: www.deq.state.ok.us/WQDnew Requests for further information should be directed to Dr. Elena Jigoulina, Water Quality Division, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1677, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101-1677, by telephone at (405) 702-8200, or by e-mail at elena.jigoulina@deq.state.ok.us
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EPA Issues Interpretive Statement on Pesticides and Water and Seeks: EPA is issuing an interpretive statement and a proposed rule in response to recent court decisions highlighting the need for EPA clarification regarding Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting requirements for the application of pesticides to or over the nation's waters.
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Federal environmental regulations relevant to agriculture: (Washington, D.C. - June 13, 2007) EPA today announced a new Web site containing an easy and succinct look-up tool listing federal environmental regulations that could potentially apply to agriculture. Knowing the regulations beforehand will allow farmers to address these issues before they become problems. This Web site is an outgrowth of EPA's National Strategy for Agriculture, signed by EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson in May 2006, which aims to improve communication, collaboration and innovation with the agricultural community to build a more environmentally productive relationship. The Web site was developed by EPA's Cross Media Agriculture Team, which regularly brings senior level management staff from different agency offices together to discuss issues and develop comprehensive strategies for reducing farmers' environmental footprints. More information on the agriculture regulatory matrix: http://epa.gov/agriculture/llaw.html
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OK-Legislators to study merger of OWRB & DEQ: Author : Erin Boeckman, Staff Writer, Date : 06/12/2007, (OK) Consolidation of two state agencies, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Department of Environmental Quality, is the subject of one of the studies to be undertaken by legislators during the interim. One of the 93 approved House studies is Interim Study 2007H-007, by Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman. It will examine the feasibility of consolidating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board with the Department of Environmental Quality. The study has been assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee, of which DeWitt is the chairman. The directors of both agencies scheduled for scrutiny said they would cooperate fully with the study. "We're interested in good government and efficient government," said Duane Smith, executive director of the OWRB. "I don't necessarily believe that efficiencies are gained or money saved simply by combining agencies. But, we are willing to look at it and see what comes of it." The premier example of the board's collaboration with DEQ is in the implementation of the Clean Water Act, said DEQ Executive Director Steve Thompson. The OWRB sets water quality standards for all agencies in the state that have responsibility over water quality, Thompson said. DEQ then issues permits based on protecting those standards, he said. As for any duplication of services, Smith said he is not aware of any duplicated efforts or overlapping programs. If there are any such instances, they need to be addressed, he said. Thompson said he is not aware of any duplication of services, but it is up to the Legislature to make that determination. The two agencies will present the requested information to legislators and visit with them about the operations of the two entities, he said. DEQ will cooperate with the Legislature to investigate whether there may be efficiencies in combining the two agencies, Thompson said. Smith said he and the OWRB staff are not going into the interim study with any preconceived notions. They are willing to work with the Legislature in the hopes of improving the management of the state's water resources, he said. Meetings on the approved interim studies are set to begin July 10 and will be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays. The studies have been referred to full standing committees and may be referred to subcommittees, at the discretion of the full committee chair people.
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