The Water Resources Department proposed amendments to regulations governing allocation of new groundwater rights. The amendments would, among other things, redefine the criteria for making a finding of groundwater availability based on the presence of reasonably stable water levels, avoidance of substantial interference with existing rights to appropriate surface water, and a finding that the proposed groundwater pumping rate is likely to be obtainable given the expected yield of the proposed well(s). Hearings will be held April 4, April 18, May 16, and May 21, 2024.

The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing laboratory certification. The amendments would give the NC WW/GW Laboratory Certification Branch the authority to certify for the parameter known as "PFAS." A hearing will be held March 20, 2024. Comments are due April 30, 2024. See https://files.nc.gov/oah/documents/2024-03/Volume-38-Issue-17-March-1-2024.pdf?VersionId=HkD76.zCGLliQyNyAbaI.e.ynPvacwP3.

The Environmental Protection Division proposed amendments to regulations governing air quality control. The amendments would specify the dollar-per-ton rate for annual emissions fees, reference the Fee Manual for state fiscal year 2025 fees, and change the date that administrative fees start being calculated. A hearing will be held April 1, 2024. Comments are due April 8, 2024. See https://epd.georgia.gov/chapter-391-3-1-air-quality-control.

The State Water Control Board adopted amendments to regulations governing the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. The amendments bring references to 40 C.F.R. 136 up to date with the federal requirements published in the July 1, 2023, update. See https://register.dls.virginia.gov/vol40/iss14/v40i14.pdf (pp. 1167-228).

The Water Development Board proposed amendments to regulations governing regional water planning. The amendments would add a requirement that regional water planning groups provide data related to recommended large water management strategies to comply with HB 1565. Comments are due April 8, 2024.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed amendments to regulations governing administrative penalties. The amendments would remove section B to align with statutory changes and allow the agency to use standard state administrative penalties rather than separate detailed penalty amounts based on the lead and copper rules. A hearing will be held April 5, 2024. Comments are due the same date.

The Department of Environmental Conservation proposed amendments to regulations governing permit hearing procedures.

The Department of Environmental Quality adopted amendments to regulations governing the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board. The amendments revise provisions pertaining to third-party review of claims and corrective action plans, and clean up administrative rules that are no longer utilized. See https://sosmt.gov/docs/118/2024/62951/issue-4-current (pp. 329-31).

The Department of Health proposed to adopt the FYY-2023 Intended Use Plan for the Drinking Water Systems Improvements Revolving Loan Fund Emerging Contaminants program. The plan would outline proposed projects to be funded and the terms of assistance for the program. A hearing will be held March 21, 2024. See https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACProposed/00027389a.pdf.

The Department of Health proposed to adopt the FYY-2023 Intended Use Plan for the Drinking Water Systems Improvements Revolving Loan Fund Lead Service Line Replacement program. The plan would outline proposed projects to be funded and the terms of assistance for the program. A hearing will be held March 21, 2024. See https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACProposed/00027393a.pdf.