The Department of Ecology proposed amendments to regulations governing water quality standards for surface waters. The amendments would update aquatic life toxics criteria in Table 240 and footnotes; make minor non-substantive edits to correct typographical errors, calculation errors, and formatting errors; and cite federal regulations for human health criteria where they apply for CWA purposes. Hearings will be held April 4 and 10, 2024. Comments are due May 7, 2024.

The Division of Drinking Water proposed amendments to regulations governing drinking water source protection for groundwater sources. The amendments would remove special construction criteria for sewer mains, laterals, and maintenance holes when locating new groundwater sources in Source Protection Zone 2, and add sewer maintenance holes to the list of facilities needing special construction requirements in Zone 1. Comments are due May 1, 2024.

The Division of Drinking Water proposed to repeal and reenact regulations governing facility design and operation of pump stations. The reenacted regulations would remove redundant requirements and reorganize for clarity, maintaining the original content while enhancing readability. Comments are due May 1, 2024. See https://rules.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/b20240401.pdf (pp. 151-58).

The Division of Drinking Water proposed amendments to regulations governing facility design and operation of public drinking water sources. The amendments would delete references to specific rules regarding water pump usage, wellhouse construction, and special construction requirements for sewer mains. Comments are due May 1, 2024. See https://rules.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/b20240401.pdf (pp. 140-51).

The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing aquatic life criteria. The amendments would update aquatic life criteria for toxic substances based on EPA's latest recommendations and ensure clarity and consistency for CWA implementation by removing nonregulatory guidance values for toxic pollutants. A hearing will be held April 23, 2024. Comments are due May 3, 2024.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed amendments to regulations governing water quality certifications as part of a five-year review. The amendments would revise provisions on §401 definitions, applicability, water quality certification application requirements and procedures, and mitigation for impacts to streams. A hearing will be held May 9, 2024. Comments are due the same date.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed amendments to regulations governing water quality standards as part of a five-year review. The amendments would revise provisions on wetland definitions, narrative criteria, antidegradation, and numeric chemical criteria for wastewater discharges to wetlands. A hearing will be held May 9, 2024. Comments are due the same date.

The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing endangered and threatened species. The amendments would clarify requirements concerning the take, possession, sale, propagation, transport, import, export, transfer, barter, trade, and stocking of endangered, threatened, or special concern species, including permit application procedures, regulations for take and possession without permits, and reporting requirements. A hearing will be held May 21, 2024. Comments are due May 31, 2024.

The Department of Environmental Protection proposed to adopt a new rule on single-use paper, plastic carryout bags, and polystyrene foam food service products. The new rule would implement N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.126 by codifying the Act’s restrictions on the sale and distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products, and outline definitions, prohibitions, exemption extensions, temporary waivers, and enforcement penalties. A hearing will be held May 1, 2024. Comments are due May 31, 2024.