Public Notice: EPA’s Action to Add Waters to Arizona’s 2020-2022 List of Impaired Waters due to Methylmercury in Fish Tissue under Clean Water Act, Section 303(d)
Summary
EPA is soliciting public comments on its action to add two waterbodies as impaired by methylmercury in fish tissue to Arizona’s 2020-2022 List of Impaired Waters under Clean Water Act, Section 303(d).
The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires each state identify those waters within its boundaries that do not meet applicable state water quality standards. This list is referred to as the Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters and is approved or disapproved by EPA.
On June 16, 2022, EPA issued its decision to partially approve and partially disapprove Arizona’s 2020-2022 List of Impaired Waters. EPA found Arizona’s decision not to list two waters was inconsistent with the provisions of Arizona’s water quality standards for methylmercury in fish tissue. These criteria are designed to protect the public from exposure to harmful levels of mercury when consuming fish from Arizona waterways. EPA has identified Horsethief Lake (Yavapai County) and Santa Fe Lake (Coconino County) as impaired by methylmercury in fish tissue and as requiring Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) under Clean Water Act, Section 303(d).
EPA is soliciting public comments on the addition of these two waterbodies as impaired by methylmercury in fish tissue. After considering public comments and making any revisions EPA deems appropriate, EPA will transmit the listing to the State.
Applicants or Respondents
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Surface Water Standards, Monitoring & Assessment UnitUnited States