EPA Revises Approval Rules

for Water Quality Standards  

June 12, 2000

EPA has revised its regulation that specifies when new and revised State and Tribal water quality standards become effective for Clean Water Act purposes. Under EPA*™s regulation, such new and revised standards, if submitted to EPA after the effective date of the final rule, will not be used for Clean Water Act purposes until approved by EPA. The final rule also provides that standards already in effect and submitted to EPA by the effective date of the new rule may be used for Clean Water Act purposes, whether or not approved by EPA. The regulation became effective May 30, 2000.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/ost/standards/alaska/