The Division of Water Pollution Control has announced the availability of the Draft 2012 303(d) list of impaired Tennessee waters. The 303(d) list identifies segments of streams and lakes that currently fail to meet designated water quality standards, or are expected to do so within the next two years. Both the 2012 Draft 303(d) list and the previous 2010 303(d) list are available on the Division’s web site.
Stream segments listed on the 303(d) list are considered threatened or impaired by pollution and become a priority for the Division’s water quality improvement efforts, including more stringent enforcement of existing permit limits and additional or more stringent limits in new and renewed permits.
The 303(d) public notice provides information on the public hearings that the Division will conduct during the month of August to solicit comments on the draft list. The Division will accept comments submitted on or before August 17, 2012. Once the Division responds to any comments received during the public comment period, it will submit a final document to U.S. EPA for review and approval.
