MESO > Newsletters > Volume Index
On July 8, 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency announced its intention to re-evaluate the current aquatic life criteria for ammonia under Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act to determine if a revision is warranted based on new toxicity data for aquatic organisms. The EPA is also soliciting any additional pertinent toxicity data or information that may be useful in re-evaluating these criteria. Water quality criteria developed under Section 304(a) are based solely on data and scientific judgements. They do not consider economic impacts or the technological feasibility of meeting the criteria in ambient water. While not legally binding in and of themselves, Section 304(a) criteria recommendations provide a scientific basis to States and tribes for adopting water quality standards. The criteria also provide a scientific basis for EPA to develop water quality standards where appropriate under Section 303(c) of the CWA.
The EPA has established an public docket for this action under Docket ID No. OW-2004-0012. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any data received, and other information related to this action. An electronic version of the public docket is available through the EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. EPA Dockets may be used to submit or view data and information, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select "search," then enter the appropriate docket identification number.
Data and information must be submitted on or before August 9, 2004. For further information contact Amie Howell, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Health and Ecological Criteria Division (4304T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20460; telephone: (202) 566-1143; e-mail: howell.amie@epa.gov.
Federal Register, Volume 69, Number 130, Thursday, July 8, 2004, pp. 41262-41264 (13.3 KB text file or 56.4 KB Adobe™ Acrobat™ file).
 |
Special Edition: July 8, 2004 |