Nebraska Department of
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WAT129
03/2008
2008 Surface Water Quality Integrated Report
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Below is information from the cover letter that accompanied the draft 2008 Surface Water Quality Integrated Report, which was submitted by DEQ to EPA on March 26, 2008. Click on the pdf above to view the full integrated report.
Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) require periodic reports on the status of the State’s water quality. Similar to 2004-06 for the 2008 reporting cycle, EPA has recommended the preparation and submittal of a single water quality monitoring and assessment report to fulfill the CWA requirements. The combined report has been labeled the “Integrated Report” and is intended to be a comprehensive report on water quality and the State’s intentions for addressing those waters not supporting the assigned beneficial uses. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has opted to prepare such a report to meet the CWA obligations. Specifically, the report follows the EPA guidance and includes 5 Categories of waterbody assessments/status with those waters included in Category 5 making up the Section 303(d) list.

To accommodate the reporting process, the Methodologies for Waterbody Assessments and Development of the 2008 Integrated Report for Nebraska was drafted, submitted to EPA Region 7 for review and comment in November 2007 and ultimately utilized in the preparation of the 2008 Integrated Report. The methodology document was also made available for public review and comments from February 12 to March 12, 2008.

In accordance with the regulations the NDEQ assembled and considered “all existing and readily available water quality-related data and information”. The initial part of this process included an e-mail notification (copy attached) sent to data collection agencies and other stakeholder requesting surface water quality data and related information be submitted for review and usage in the preparation of the Integrated Report.

The final draft report was made available for a (minimum) 30-day public review with the period ending March 12, 2008. The availability of the report was announced in public notice sections of the: Omaha World-Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, Grand Island Independent, Norfolk Daily News, North Platte Telegraph, and the Scottsbluff Star Herald. As well, the report was made available through the Department’s Internet site and announcement e-mails were sent to stakeholders and other interested parties.

As a result of the public notice, no comments were received within the allotted 30-day period. Letters and emails were letters were received after the comment period ended from:
Although late, the Department will make an exception and accept these comments which were reviewed and responses prepared. Minor changes were made to the report with those specifically being:
In accordance with 40 CFR Part 130.7, the following items have been included within this submittal package:
According to the CWA and 40 CFR Part 130.7(d)(2), the Regional Administrator shall approve or disapprove the listing no later than 30 days after the date of submission.

Please note that EPA Region VII has not yet acted upon the 2006 Integrated Report which is causing concern. Also note that EPA Headquarters has committed to meeting the 30 day deadline for the 2008 Report.

Upon approval, the Integrated Report will be incorporated as part of the water quality management plan. If a portion or all of the Integrated Report is disapproved, the Department will await EPA’s proposed revision(s) that according to 40 CFR Part 130.7(d)(2), will be placed on public notice 30 days following the date of disapproval (within 60 days of the date of this letter).

If you should have any questions regarding the final 2008 Nebraska Water Quality Integrated Report or any of the information provided to support this list, feel free to contact Patrick O’Brien of my staff at 402/471-3382.

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Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
1200 "N" Street, Suite 400
P.O. Box 98922
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
(402) 471-2186