Group Memory
September 24, 2001
DRCOG - 2480 West 26^th Avenue


Agenda

12:30 p.m. Agenda Review, Introductions, Announcements

12:40 p.m. Legislative Update

1:00 p.m. WQCC Update (Paul Frohardt)

1:15 p.m. Updates from ASIWPCA annual meeting (Dave Holm)

1:30 p.m. New federal 303(d ) reports (Mark Pifher)

2:00 p.m. Break

2:15 p.m. Overview on Antidegradation Significance Determination Guidance Document (Sarah Johnson)

2:45 p.m. Division's Mixing Zone's guidance (Dave Akers)
-include current guidance and issues yet to be addressed

3: 15 p.m. Working Group Updates
-include work group objectives, products, and progress

4:00 p.m. Develop and agree on next steps/agenda items

4:10 p.m. Adjourn

Legislative Update

Interim Water committee has been meeting for informational meetings:

• A bill is being considered to create an Interim Permanent Water Committee
• Committee had a briefing on the right to float (a bill on the right to float will likely not happen this session)
• South Platte wild and scenic (they will send a letter not supporting this federal designation)
• At interim committees request, Mark Pifher sent letter to relevant federal agencies asking them to consider state laws

There will likely be changes to state irrigation laws

There is a need for increase in discharge fees-will likely be introduced

The topic of general growth issues will likely contain generic water issues to consider as well.

WQCC Update (Paul Frohardt)

The appeal filed regarding Section 401 certification (re: A-Basin matter) has been settled

July rule making: Water classification/standards scheduled for final action in October meeting

Informational hearing on 303 (d) listing criteria has been moved to March 2002

DIMP standards rulemaking moved from February to April 2002

The additional issues raised by EPA regarding Mixing zones still need to be addressed in guidance document - Informational hearing in January 2002

Notice of Intent to Commence Civil Action reagarding EPA's failure to approve certain Colorado water quality standards for radionuclides (letter from WQCC to Geoff Grubbs is on web site)

October Meeting:

• Annual rule making re: state revolving funds
• The first Issues Scoping Hearing (re: Upper and lower Colorado river basin)
• Informational briefing re: Arkansas river compact from David Robbins
• Annual informational hearing for public input re: water quality issues

November meeting:

• Issues formulation hearing (Arkansas, Rio Grande)
• Site specific water standard (re: pH standards of the Arequa Gulch/Upper Arkansas)

Web calender for WQCC: Please let Paul Frohardt know about all meetings

Nonpoint Source Forum October 29th-30th Conference

New Federal 303(d) Reports (Mark Pifher)

A handout is available upon request

ASIWPCA Update-Two Harbors, MN, August 23, 2001 - (Dave Holm)

Issues Summary

STANDARDS ISSUES

•  Arsenic MCL
•  Nutrients
  
•  316 Effluent Guidelines
  
•  Chlorine gas

TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS

Federal TMDL Issues

• Mercury TMDLs
  
• Cost of TMDLs
  
• EPA's motion 7/16 to hold American Farm Bureau TMDL Rule Lawsuit in abeyance
  
• 8/9 FR notice Delaying effective date of the TMDL regulation by 18 months
• 2000 TMDL Rule: Recent Actions
  
• 2002 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report
  
• Integrated List of All Waters
  
• Listing Guidance Issues
  
• TMDL Implementation Under Current [85/92] Rule
  
• Two-step WLA/LA Approach
  
• Key Rule Issues
  
• 2003 TMDL Rule: Outreach/Listening

PERMITS ISSUES

• Petitions to with draw State Authorization
  
• Talent Decision: 9th Circuit Decision requires NPDES permits for direct application of pesticides, herbicides, algaecides, and piscicides to "waters of the U.S."
  
• CAFO Rule
  - Functionally Equivalent State Programs
  - EPA's Use of SDWA and RCRA authorities e.g. Seaboard Farms
• CSO/SSO Program
  
• National Permit Backlog Reduction Campaign
  
• States' Permit Program Funding Issues
  
• Capacity Development

NON POINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT

• State-Based Nonpoint Source Programs And Funding Mechanisms
  
• Source Water Protection/State Experiences
  - Delineation
  - Contaminant inventory
  - Susceptibility analysis
  - Protection
  - Public participation

DRINKING WATER PROGRAM

• New Rules, Implementation Requirements
  
• Stakeholder Involvement Expectations
  
• Nationwide Capacity Development Experiences
  
• Costs of Implementing SDWIS State/State Experiences

NUTRIENT CRITERIA

Power point presentation by Geoff Grubbs

Antidegradation Significance Determination Guidance Document (Sarah Johnson)

Guidance document available by e-mail (contact Sarah Johnson at sarah.johnson@state.co.us)

Division's Mixing Zone's guidance (Dave Akers)

• Informational hearing was in August
  
• Issues that still need to be addressed:
  - Where the commission may want to reduce the mixing zone size
  - How will endangered species be handled?
  
• The next version of the guidance document will be out in the middle of October
  
• Guidance will be considered by the WQCC during January 4th meeting

Working Group Updates

[Please see working group updates seperately listed on CWQF website]

Next Steps

• Get summary update of nutrient criteria work group from Bob McConnell ( Lisa)
• Next meetings October 31 9:00 CDPHE and November 26 DRCOG 10:30-12:30
  
• Get summary of funding issues from Dave now 2 work groups: 1. Permit funding issues next meeting October 11 CO water congress 2. Non-point source funding September 28th 10:00 pm CDPHE Carson room
  
• Get summary re: Sediment guidance from Bob McConnell (Lisa), next meeting: TBA
  
• Next meeting bring sign in sheet with column for permission to add information to the web site database

Retreat date change to June 26-27, Glenwood Springs

Agenda: November 26th

• Legislative update
  
• WQCC update
  
• Workgroup updates
  
• Permit funding update (draft bill - Dave Holm)
  
• Whole Effluent toxicity (Mark Pifher)
  
• Arid west water quality study (Paul will follow up)
  
• Develop and agree on the next steps