Water Quality Standards Regulations: Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this tribe.

EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy. For each document listed under "Tribal Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes", EPA has made a reasonable effort to identify parts of the standards that are disapproved or are otherwise not in effect for CWA purposes. Additionally, please note the documents may also contain provisions that EPA does not have the authority and duty to act on under the Clean Water Act because the provisions are not water quality standards.

• What is a New or Revised Water Quality Standard Under CWA 303(c)(3)? - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) (108.04 KB)

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Authority to Administer Standards Program

This tribe was granted treatment in a manner similar to a state (TAS) on March 28, 2018.

• Press Release: EPA Approves Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Application to Implement Water Quality Standards Program (April 2, 2018)
• Cover Letter and Decision Document (pdf) (1.2 MB)
  • Appendix 1 - Index of Selected Materials Considered by the EPA (pdf) (346.75 KB)
  • Appendix 2 - Response to Comments (pdf) (707.6 KB)
  • Appendix 3 - Maps of the Reservation and Trust Land Surface Waters (pdf) (4.5 MB)

EPA approved the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s (SUIT) application for Treatment in a Similar Manner as a State (TAS) for the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(c) Water Quality Standards (WQS) and 401 Certification programs for all tribal lands held in trust at the time of approval .  EPA determined that the SUIT met the requirements of CWA Section 518(e) and 40 C.F.R. § 131.8, and therefore approved the Tribe's application.

Higher Resolution Maps

• Southern Ute Indian Reservation Trust Land Status for SUIT TAS Application - Basic Map (pdf) (5.21 MB)
  • Southern Ute Indian Reservation Trust Land Status for SUIT TAS Application - La Plata River Basin (pdf) (798.12 KB)
  • Southern Ute Indian Reservation Trust Land Status for SUIT TAS Application - Animas River Basin (pdf) (2.82 MB)
  • Southern Ute Indian Reservation Trust Land Status for SUIT TAS Application - Pine River Basin (pdf) (3.39 MB)
  • Southern Ute Indian Reservation Trust Land Status for SUIT TAS Application - Peidra River Basin (pdf) (3.46 MB)
  • Southern Ute Indian Reservation Trust Land Status for SUIT TAS Application - San Juan River Basin (pdf) (3.73 MB)

Materials from Previous Comment Opportunity

• TAS Application for Southern Ute Indian Tribe with Transmittal Letter (pdf) (15.15 MB, March 2, 2015)
• Fact Sheet: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Water Quality Standards - Program Authority Application (pdf) (1.54 MB, January 2017, EPA 820-S-17-001)
• Supplement to TAS Application: Letter to Kimberly Varilek (pdf) (202.64 KB, June 16, 2016)
• Supplement to TAS Application: Letter to Shaun McGrath (pdf) (186.68 KB, November 28, 2016)
• Supplement to TAS Application: Email from Dale Vinton (pdf) (183.28 KB, July 26, 2016)

Note: If you need assistance reading the above documents, contact George Parrish at (303) 312-7027.

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Tribal Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes

• EPA approved the initial water quality standards for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe on April 15, 2022, and approved the Tribe's revised water quality standards on April 24, 2025. 
  • Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation (pdf) (1.09 MB) (Effective April 24, 2025)

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Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

• None at this time.