ASCE Comments on Proposed EPA Rule

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently offered comments on the proposal to withdraw the July 2000 regulation issued under the Clean Water Act to implement the "total maximum daily load" program. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Withdrawal of Revisions to the Water Quality Planning and Management Regulation and Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program in Support of Revisions to the Water Quality Planning and Management Regulation, 67 Fed. Reg. 79,020 (Dec. 27, 2002) (to be codified at 40 C.F.R. parts 9, 122, 123, 124, and 130).

EWRI and ASCE members are directly and materially affected by the proposed changes to the water-quality planning and management regulations in their professional practice areas, including environmental engineering, water resources engineering and water resources planning and management.

The EPA has concluded that the total maximum daily load (TMDL) rule of July 2000 cannot serve "as the blueprint for an efficient and effective TMDL Program" without significant changes. ASCE does not agree. The July 2000 rule is necessary to ensure that progress continues to be made to implement the TMDL program, to preserve the nation's endangered watersheds, and to aid in the control of non-point source pollutants. Therefore the Society encourages the EPA to retain the July 2000 regulation.

For more information on the ASCE comments visit http://www.asce.org/pdf/TMCLsDocketIDOWcover.pdf