Public Notice from Georgia Environmental Protection Division

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GEORGIA’S RULES FOR WATER QUALITY CONTROL

CHAPTER 391-3-6

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the authority set forth below, the Environmental Protection Division (hereinafter, "EPD") of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources proposes amendments to the Rules for Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6.  Specific amendments are proposed to Rule 391-3-6-.03, “Water Use Classifications and Water Quality Standards” (hereinafter, the “proposed rule amendments”), pertaining to the Triennial Review process.  The Director of EPD certifies that the proposed rule amendments are authorized by 40 CFR 131.4, and EPD is delegated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement Section 303, 304(a), and 307(a) of the Clean Water Act.

This notice, together with an exact copy of the proposed rule amendments[1], a synopsis, and statement of rationale of the proposed rule amendments, is being provided to all persons who have requested in writing that they be placed on a notification list.  These documents may be viewed at https://epd.georgia.gov/chapter-391-3-6-rules-water-quality-control or during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Watershed Protection Branch file room, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, SW, West Tower, Balcony, Suite 418, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334.  Copies may also be requested by contacting the Watershed Protection Branch at (404) 463-1511 or the Environmental Protection Division Director’s Office at 1-888-373-5947.  Additional supporting technical documents are available for viewing at https://epd.georgia.gov/triennial-review-water-quality-standards or during normal business hours at the Watershed Protection Branch file room.

To provide the public an opportunity to comment upon and provide input into the proposed rule amendments, a public hearing will be held at the following time and location:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 (1:00 – 3:00 p.m.) in the EPD Training Center located at 4244 International Parkway, Suite 116, Atlanta, Georgia 30354. 

At the public hearing, anyone may present data, make a statement, comment or offer a viewpoint or argument either orally or in writing.  Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical or economic nature, as well as previously recorded messages, must be submitted in writing for the official record.  Oral statements should be concise.

Written comments are welcomed.  In order to be included in EPD’s summary to the Board of Natural Resources, written comments should be received on or before May 25, 2018.  Written comments may be emailed to EPDComments@dnr.ga.gov or sent via regular mail addressed to: Elizabeth Booth, Watershed Planning and Monitoring Program, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, SW, Suite 1152, East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334.  If you choose to e-mail your comments, please include the words “Water Quality Standards Triennial Review” in the subject line to help ensure that your comments will be forwarded to the correct staff.

The proposed rule amendments will be considered for adoption by the Board of Natural Resources at its meeting at 9:00 a.m. on June 27, 2018 at the DNR Board Room, 2 MLK Jr. Drive SE, Suite 1252 East, Atlanta, Georgia 30334.  The meeting is open to the public.   

For further information, please contact Elizabeth Booth of the Watershed Protection Branch, Watershed Planning and Monitoring Program, at (404) 463-4929.