The Environmental Quality Board invites comments on a proposed regulation adding 17 new or updated Water Quality Standards. (formal notice)  DEP is inviting comments on changes to the Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy related to cyanide. (formal notice)

Water Quality Standards

The Board is proposing updated or new aquatic life and human health criteria for cadmium, carbaryl, tributyltin, acetone, barium, boron, chloroform, formaldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone, metolachlor, resorcinol, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1,4-dioxane, chlorophenoxy herbicide (known as 2,4-D) and xylene.

The proposal makes these changes, among others--

-- New Aquatic Life Criteria: Carbaryl and Tributyltin

-- Revised Aquatic Life Criteria: Cadmium

-- New Human Health Criteria: 1,4-Dioxane, Chlorophenoxy herbicide (2,4-D)

-- Revised Human Health Criteria- Less Stringent: Acetone, Formaldehyde, Metolachlor, Resorcinol, Chloroform

-- Revised Human Health Criteria- More Stringent: Barium, Boron, Meth ethyl ketone,  1,2,3-trichloropropane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, Chlorophenoxy herbicide (2,4-D) and Xylene

-- Human Health Criteria- No Change: Acrylamide, 2-Butoxy ethanol, cyclohexylamine, strontium, benzyl chloride

The October 7 PA Bulletin notice includes a summary discussion of the changes being proposed.  Visit the EQB’s July 11, 2023 meeting information for more background.

Toxics Strategy

In a related invitation, the Department of Environmental Protection is asking for comments on a revision to the Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy related to an analysis method for cyanide. (formal notice)

Public Hearing         

A virtual public hearing has been scheduled on both these proposals for November 14 starting at 1:00 p.m. 

Persons wishing to present testimony on changes to Water Quality Standards are requested to contact Casey Damicantonio for the Department and the Board, (717) 783-8727 or RA-EPEQB@pa.gov,   at least 1 week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time to present testimony

Persons wishing to present testimony at the Water Toxics Strategy are requested to contact Michael (Josh) Lookenbill at (717) 787-9637 or mlookenbil@pa.gov,  at least 1 week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time to present testimony.

Click Here for hearing details.  [when published]

Read PA Bulletin Notices

Be sure to read both PA Bulletin notices for more details on how to submit comments and other background--

-- EQB Water Quality Standards: (formal notice) 

-- DEP Water Toxics Strategy: (formal notice)

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

NewsClips This Week:

-- PA Capital-Star: PA House Committee Hears Testimony On Riparian Stream Buffer Bill

-- Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, Partners: October Is Riparian Buffer Month!  Join Special Events Near You! Build Awareness. Share Tips, Facts!

-- WVIA: Earth Conservancy Receives EPA Funding To Restore Abandoned Mine Lands In Espy Run Creek In Luzerne County

-- USGS Study: Floodplains In Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Watersheds Provide $124 Million+ In Annual Water Quality, Sediment Trapping Benefits

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Tree Cover Declines, Pavement Spreads Across Chesapeake Watershed, Lancaster, Chester, Cumberland, York Counties Included

-- Williamsport Sun: Williamsport Council Approves Consent Order With EPA On Following Stormwater Discharge Regulations

-- LancasterOnline: Mountville Holds Community Watershed Event Oct. 7

-- Erie Times: Will Proposed Gannon University Great Lakes Research & Education Center Be Housed In Blasco Library?

-- Warren Times: Warehouse Growth Worrying PA Environmental Groups

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Oct. 6 RiverWatch Video Report

Related Articles This Week:

-- Stroud Water Research Center Honors Laura Turner Seydel Of Captain Planet Foundation With Freshwater Excellence Award  [PaEN]

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

-- Agencies Celebrate Eastern Hellbender License Plate Recognizing PA’s Clean Water Ambassador; Shale Gas Development On DCNR Land Threatens Habitat  [PaEN]

-- Maryland's Conowingo Pay For Success Program Funding Now Available In PA’s Susquehanna River Watershed For Projects To Reduce Nutrient Pollution  [PaEN]

-- Apply Now For Climate-Smart Agriculture Grants From Penn State College Of Agricultural Sciences, Partners  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension: New Program Offers Free Technical Assistance To Transition To Organic Production Agriculture

-- Could Your Land Benefit From A Forested Riparian Stream Buffer?  Contact The Western PA Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Quality Board, DEP Invite Comments On Changes To Water Quality Standards & Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy; Hearing Nov. 14  [PaEN]

-- Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed: 300+ Attend 11th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum Uniting Hundreds Of Conservation Advocates, Constituents And Organizations  [PaEN]

-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals Host Oct. 24 Webinar - Science Meets Community Engagement: The Delaware River Watershed Initiative  [PaEN]

-- PA Clean Water Academy Releases 2 New Courses On Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, 2024 Integrated Water Quality Report Viewer  [PaEN]

-- Audubon Society Of Western PA, Buffalo Creek Coalition To Host Webinars On Spread Of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Oct. 17 And Aquatic Invasive Species Nov. 14  [PaEN]

-- Pike County Conservation District: What Is The Conservation Districts' Role?  [PaEN]

-- The Allegheny Front: Three Rivers Waterkeeper Citizen Monitoring Finds Plastics Maker Styrenics LLC Discharging Plastic Nurdles Into Ohio River, Threatens Lawsuit To Stop Them  - By Reid Frazier  [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania Students Join Others At Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Summit To Take Action On Climate Change  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 6, 2023]

10/9/2023