Notice of Public Meeting for Updates on Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards - June 17, 2021

Notice of Public Meeting for Updates on Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards
May 14, 2021

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Watershed Protection Branch will hold a virtual public meeting to review and discuss proposed changes to the Georgia Rules for Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6.03 (Water Use Classifications and Water Quality Standards) that were initiated at the beginning of the 2019 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards, in February 2019. The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021 beginning at 9:30 am on the Zoom web conferencing platform.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public and interested stakeholders the opportunity to learn about the proposed water use classification (designated use) changes that were requested via public comment at the beginning of the 2019 Triennial Review, and the subsequent analysis EPD has performed to date. A variety of stakeholder groups requested that the water use classification of a large set of state waters be changed to include “Recreation”. The specific criteria for “Recreation” waters can be found in section (6)(b) of the current criteria and use classification document linked immediately below. State waters currently classified as “Recreation” can be found in section (14) of the same document.

• Current EPD water quality criteria and water use classifications (PDF)
• EPD Water Quality Standards web page

Zoom Meeting Details:

June 17, 2021 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Meeting registration link: https://gaepd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpcemuqD0vEt0G1t4iUhuXAtJ1cwFzHFAT

After registering at the link provided above, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting via the Zoom app or via telephone. 

At the virtual public meeting, anyone may make a statement, or offer comments either orally or in writing. Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical or economic nature, as well as previously recorded messages, should be submitted in writing.   

Written comments are also welcomed and must be received by close of business on Friday, June 25, 2021. Written comments may be emailed to EPD.Comments@dnr.ga.gov or sent via regular mail to: EPD Watershed Protection Branch, Watershed Planning and Monitoring Program, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Suite 1152, East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334. If you choose to e-mail your comments, please include the words “Triennial Review Comments” in the subject line to help ensure that your comments will be forwarded to the correct staff.