The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 31 PA Bulletin announcing the availability of draft technical guidance on Documenting and Reporting Measurable, Incremental Improvements in Water Quality of Streams, Rivers and Lakes.

The purpose of these guidelines is to explain the process for the Department staff, and others involved in water quality monitoring, in documenting and reporting measurable, incremental improvements for water quality in streams, rivers and lakes towards an impairment free condition.

The information collected through the guidelines will be used to develop the Department's biennial Pennsylvania Improving Waters Report, which is not meant to replace the biennial Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment (Sections 305(b) and 303(d)) Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Instead, the Pennsylvania Improving Waters Report will illustrate water quality attainment successes described in the Integrated Report and share information about surface waters that show incremental improvement.

Comments on the technical guidance are due November 30.

A copy of the draft technical guidance will be available on DEP’s eComment webpage and comments may be submitted via that same page.

For more information, contact Diane Wilson by calling 717-787-3730 or send email: diawilson@pa.gov.

11/2/2015