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Regulation Updates
The DHEC Board approved the Notice of Final Regulation amending R.61-68, Water Classifications and Standards. R.61-68 establishes appropriate goals and water uses to be achieved, maintained, and protected; general rules and water quality criteria to protect classified and existing water uses; and an antidegradation policy to protect and maintain the levels of water quality necessary to support and maintain those existing and classified uses. Section 303(c)(2)(B) of the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) requires South Carolina’s water quality standards be reviewed and revised, where necessary, at least once every three years. Referred to as the triennial review, this required process consists of reviewing and adopting, where appropriate, the Environmental Protection Agency’s updated numeric and narrative criteria according to Section 304(a) and Section 307(a) of the CWA.
The DHEC Board approved the Notice of Final Regulation amending R.61-69, Classified Waters. R.61-69 establishes South Carolina’s site-specific water quality standards and provides a listing of all named and specific unnamed waterbodies, their classifications, and locations. The Bureau proposes amending R.61-69 to clarify and correct, as needed, waterbody names, counties, classes, and descriptions. The Bureau also proposes stylistic changes for overall improvement of the text of the regulation.
Both regulations required approval from the General Assembly and will be discussed during the 2023 Legislative Session.
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