Introductions and Participant Expectations
Introduces the course, instructors, and participants. Addresses participant expectations.
Overview of EPA, the Clean Water Act, and the Water Quality Standards Program
Presents an overview of the course, the roles of EPA, States and Tribes in the development of Water Quality Standards, a discussion of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and an overview of Water Quality Standards and their implementation.
Waters of the U.S.
Provides an overview of what is a “water of the U.S.” and what waters may not be covered under the Clean Water Act.
Designated Uses
Covers State and Tribal designated use classifications, what designated uses are required, when and how designated uses can be revised, and the distinction between designated and existing uses.
Use Attainability Analyses
Provides a basic understanding of the role of Use Attainability Analyses in revising designated uses, explains when a Use Attainability Analysis is required, and discusses some examples.
Human Health Criteria
Discusses the components of and calculation of EPA’s criteria recommendations to protect human health for both carcinogens and non-carcinogens. Introduces fish tissue criteria and fish consumption advisories.
Aquatic Life Criteria
Discusses how EPA develops criteria recommendations for the protection of aquatic life, and summarizes site-specific modification procedures.
Biological Criteria
Provides an overview of the biocriteria program, including the development of biocriteria and the use of biological information in water quality programs.
Nutrient Criteria
Provides an overview of the development of EPA’s numeric nutrient criteria, other defensible ways of developing criteria, and the application of State/Tribal nutrient criteria in Water Quality Standards.
Bacteria Criteria
Provides an understanding of EPA’s current water quality criteria for bacteria and information on the relationship between the water quality criteria and the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000. |
Antidegradation Policy Requirements
Provides an understanding of how State/Tribal antidegradation policies help protect existing water quality.
Tools for Achieving Standards
Provides a summary of the alternative Water Quality Standards tools that States and Tribes can use (i.e. variances, compliance schedules, etc.) when standards cannot be attained immediately.
Economic Considerations
Provides a basic understanding of when and how it is appropriate to consider economic factors within the Water Quality Standards process and how to evaluate decisions based on a finding of substantial and widespread economic and social impacts.
Mixing Zones
Defines and outlines EPA’s recommendations and published guidance for State/Tribal mixing zone policies.
Water Quality Standards Submittal and Approval Process
Describes the administrative process by which EPA reviews State and Tribal adopted Water Quality Standards. Discusses the types of approvals possible and Federal Water Quality Standards promulgation procedures.
401 Certification
Provides an overview of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and how States and Tribes can use it in reviewing federal permits/licenses that authorize a discharge to waters of the U.S.
Implementation of Water Quality Standards
Presents the process by which adopted Water Quality Standards are implemented: monitoring and assessment, Total Maximum Daily Loads, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program.
Water Quality Standards on Tribal Lands
Provides information on the requirements for Tribes to administer the Water Quality Standards program.
Wrap-Up
Determines if participant expectations of the training course were met. Seeks to obtain feedback on the usefulness of the course and suggestions for improving the Academy. |