Executive Summary: The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) petitioned the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) at its July 8, 2014 regular public meeting to conduct the triennial review of New Mexico’s Water Quality Standards, 20.6.4 NMAC. A review of the Standards on a three-year basis is required by Section 303(c) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). Along with the petition, NMED presented its proposed amendments and narrative explanation. The Boards & Commissions Administrator docketed the matter as WQCC 14-05(R). The changes made during this Triennial Review included:
- Segment-specific standards for aquatic life protections in the Mimbres and San Juan River basins;
- A new temporary standards provision in 20.6.4.10 NMAC;
- Updates to the piscicide provision in 20.6.4.16 NMAC for applications under the EPA permit program and for public input or hearing requests when applications are not covered under an EPA permit;
- Listing of ephemeral waters under Section 20.6.4.97 NMAC pursuant to Subsection C of Section 20.6.4.15 NMAC; and
- Clarifications of criteria applicability, updates to methods and corrections of grammatical errors.
Document | Author | Date |
Public Notice | SWQB | April 28, 2014 |
Public Comment Draft | SWQB | April 28, 2014 |
WQCC Hearing Petition Request | SWQB | June 25, 2014 |
Order for Hearing | WQCC | July 8, 2014 |
Scheduling Order | WQCC | July 10, 2014 |
Procedural Order | WQCC | July 10, 2014 |
Hearing Notice in NM Register | SWQB | October 30, 2014 |
Pleading Log for WQCC 14-05(R) | WQCC | Various Dates of Filing |
Scheduling Order Modified | WQCC | January 30, 2015 |
Hearing Notice for Newspaper | SWQB | ~August 1, 2015 |
Hearing Transcripts (Vol. 1, 2, 3 and 4) | WQCC | October 13-16, 2015 |
Final Order and Statement of Reasons | WQCC | January 10, 2017 |
Integrated Rule 20.6.4 NMAC | SWQB | March 2, 2017 |
Submittal Letter to EPA | SWQB | |
EPA’s Response and Technical Support Document (TSD) | EPA | June 8, 2017 |
EPA’s Approval for CWA and Revised TSD | EPA | August 11, 2017 |
WQCC Response to TSD | WQCC |