Regulatory Revision discussion with Albert Ettinger (Environmental Law
and Policy Center) and Nina Bell (Northwest Environmental Advocates)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

EPA Headquarters

Attendees:

EPA OW:  Christina Christensen, Grace Robiou, Shari Barash, Manjali
Vlcan, Fred Leutner, Heather Goss, Chelsea Morris

EPA OGC:  Peter Ford, Heidi Karp, Jessica Hall

Outside groups:  Albert Ettinger (Environmental Law and Policy Center)
and Nina Bell (Northwest Environmental Advocates)

Summary:

OW-OST had a conference call with Albert Ettinger (Environmental Law and
Policy Center) and Nina Bell (Northwest Environmental Advocates) on
October 5, 2010 to hear their views on the proposed revisions to the
water quality standards regulation.   

In particular, they provided OST with feedback on proposed revisions to
antidegradation and variances.  

Specific comments included the connection between variances and non
point sources, examples of "boundaries" for variances, the role of Tier
1 in the antidegradation policy, methods for identification of high
quality waters (Tier 2), and coordination between states and EPA in the
development of states' WQS.

