|
Module 1: Introductions and Participant Expectations
Introduces the course, instructors, and participants. Addresses participant expectations.
Module 2: 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 (WQS) and their implementation.
Module 3: 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.
Module 4: 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.
Module 8: 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.
Module 9: Aquatic Life Criteria
Discusses how EPA's develops criteria recommendations for the protection of aquatic life, and summarizes site-specific modification procedures.
Module 11: Biological Criteria
Provides an overview of the biocriteria program, including the development of biocriteria and the use of biological information in refining aquatic life designated uses.
Module 12: 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.
Module 14: Antidegradation Policy Requirements
Provides an understanding of how State/Tribal antidegradation policies help protect existing water quality.
Module 15: Variances
A WQS variance is a short-term change to water quality standards. This module provides an overview of the requirements for WQS variances and their appropriate use in water quality management.
Module 16: 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. |
Module 17: Mixing Zones
Defines and outlines EPA's recommendations and published guidance for State/Tribal mixing zone policies.
Module 18: WQS Submittal and Approval Process
Presents an overview of the administrative process required for submission of State and Indian Tribal water quality standards. Describes the 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.
Module 19: Endangered Species Act and the Water Quality Standards Program
Presents a brief overview of the Endangered Species Act and how it applies to the water quality standards approval process.
Module 19a: 401 Certification
Provides an overview of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and how States and Indian Tribes can use it in reviewing federal permits/licenses that authorize a discharge to waters of the US.
Module 20: Implementation of Water Quality Standards
Presents the process by which adopted water quality standards are implemented: monitoring and assessment, Total Maximum Daily Loads, and point source permitting.
Module 21: Water Quality Standards on Indian Reservations
Provides information on the requirements for Indian Tribes to administer the water quality standards program.
Module 23: Wrap-Up/Feedback
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.
Module 24: Bacteria Criteria
Provides an understanding of EPA's current '304(a) water quality criteria for bacteria and information on the relationship between the water quality criteria and the BEACH Act of 2000.
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.
Tools for Achieving Standards
Provides a summary of alternative water quality standards and other tools states and tribes can use when standards cannot be attained immediately. |