EPA is extending the comment period and rescheduling the public hearing for its proposed rule to promulgate water quality standards for the State of Kansas. If promulgated as final standards, they would supersede aspects of Kansas's water quality standards that EPA disapproved in 1998.
In furtherance of EPA's 1998 disapproval action, EPA is proposing: that all discharges to stream segments for which continuous flow is sustained primarily through the discharge of treated effluent shall protect the States' designated uses; that 7Q10, 4B3, or other scientifically defensible design flows approved by EPA shall be used to implement the State's chronic aquatic life criteria; that 1Q10, 1B3, or other scientifically defensible design flows approved by EPA shall be used to implement the State's acute aquatic life criteria; implementation procedures for use when applying the States' antidegradation policy to determine whether to allow a lowering of surface water quality by point sources of pollution where nonpoint sources also contribute the pollutant of concern to that body of water; and, an aquatic life use for one stream segment and a primary contact recreation use for 1,292 stream segments and 164 lakes.
In addition, under its discretionary authority to address State standards that the Administrator determines are inconsistent with the Clean Water Act, EPA is proposing: that water quality standards in Kansas apply to all privately owned surface waters in Kansas that are waters of the U.S.; and numeric human health criteria for alpha- and beta-endosulfan. EPA originally established a deadline of September 1, 2000, for the submission of public comments on this proposed rule. In response to concerns raised by stakeholders, EPA is extending the comment period until October 16, 2000 and is rescheduling the public hearings. It is EPA's intent to provide the public and all stakeholders an adequate period of time to fully analyze the issues, to prepare comprehensive comments and to assemble any available data. EPA is rescheduling the public hearings from July 27, 2000 to September 13 and 14, 2000 to provide additional time for interested parties to prepare for the hearings.