Public Comment Period for State's Impaired Waters List and TMDL Vision 2.0 Framework

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is releasing public notice and is currently accepting public comments on both the state’s Impaired Waters List along with public feedback on the state’s approach to water quality restoration study prioritization. A virtual public workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd on these topics.

The virtual public workshop is scheduled for May 22nd, 2024 at 3:30PM via Microsoft Teams. Pre-registration is required using this link: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0785c45e-1be8-423f-9e83-815ab30fd392@52ca6a54-4465-4635-bff3-65d0a8412288 Any individual requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this meeting should contact Colin Millar at (401) 537-4256, or the Department via R.I. Relay 711, at least 7 business days prior to the meeting.

Public comments will be accepted until Monday June 10th, 2024 at 4:00PM.

Comments on the state’s Impaired Waters List can be directed to Colin Millar at colin.millar@dem.ri.gov or via mail to Colin Millar, DEM, Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908.

Comments on the state’s TMDL Vision 2.0 Framework can be directed to Jane Sawyers at jane.sawyers@dem.ri.gov or via mail to Jane Sawyers DEM, Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908.

DEM’s Office of Water Resources assesses the quality of the state’s surface waters by comparing available monitoring data against the state’s established water quality criteria to determine whether the waters are suitable for such uses as swimming, fish/shellfish consumption, and aquatic life.  The results of this assessment are presented in the state’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report (Integrated Report), which documents the overall quality of the state’s waters. It includes a five-part Integrated List which provides available information on each of the state’s lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and estuarine waters. The process of conducting the assessment is documented in the Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology at: https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-02/calm24.pdf    

As part of the process, DEM identifies those surface waters that do not meet water quality criteria for a water quality restoration study known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act. These impaired waters are placed on the state’s 303(d) List, named for the Clean Water Act section that establishes the requirement (aka Category 5 List), which also establishes a schedule for development of the federally mandated studies.   The draft 303(d) List is available for public comment on-line on DEM’s website at: https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/303d24.pdf

The U.S. EPA Vision framework was intended to help foster integration across 303(d) program areas and focus U.S. EPA and State efforts to advance the effectiveness of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) Program. Beginning in 2024, states and territories will begin implementation of the USEPA’s 2022 – 2032 Vision for the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program (referred to as “2022 Vision” or “Vision 2.0”). The draft document for Rhode Island’s Vision 2.0 priorities is available here for public feedback: https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/tmdl-ri-vision.pdf