Tribal Water Quality Standards in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
Regional Water Quality Standards Information
WQS Home
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Recent Actions and Request for Comments
Tribal Participation in the Water Quality Standards Program
Proposed Water Quality Standards for Indian Country
Tribal Water Quality Standards in Idaho, Oregon and Washington
Tribal Water Quality Standard Program Contacts
Video "Our Water Our Future: Saving Our Tribal Life Force Together"
Tribal Water Program Activities
Tribal Information on Environmental Programs in Pacific Northwest and Alaska
Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards
Recent Actions and Request for Comments on Northwest and Alaska Tribal Water Quality Standards
Approval of Lummi Nation WQS (WA)
On June 1, 1999 the Lummi Nation submitted an application to EPA for “treatment in the same manner as a State” (TAS) under Section 518 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the purpose of administering WQS and certifying that discharges authorized by Federal permits and licenses comply with those water quality standards. On March 5, 2007, EPA approved the Tribe’s TAS application, authorizing the Tribe to administer WQS under Section 303(c) of the CWA and to provide water quality certifications pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA for all surface waters within the boundaries of the Lummi Indian Reservation. On September 4, 2007 EPA received the Lummi Nation WQS for review. EPA approved the WQS on September 30, 2008.
Shoshone-Bannock Tribe TAS (ID)
EPA Region 10 completed its review of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) application for “treatment in the same manner as a state (TAS).” After reviewing the application and comments provided by the State of Idaho, EPA found that the Tribes meet the eligibility criteria of Section 518(e) of the CWA and EPA regulations at 40 CFR § 131.8(a). Therefore, on September 5, 2008, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are eligible to adopt water quality standards and seek EPA approval, pursuant to Section 303(c) of the CWA, and to certify that discharges comply with those water quality standards, pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA, for all surface waters of the Fort Hall Reservation.
Swinomish Tribe TAS (WA)
On April 18, 2008 EPA approved the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of Washington (Tribe) application for “treatment in the same manner as a State”. After reviewing the application and comments provided by the State of Washington, EPA found that the Tribe meets the eligibility criteria of Section 518(e) of the CWA and EPA regulations at 40 CFR § 131.8(a). Therefore, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is eligible to adopt water quality standards and seek EPA approval, pursuant to Section 303(c) of the CWA, and to certify that discharges comply with those water quality standards, pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA, for all surface waters of the Swinomish Reservation.
Contact: Sally Brough, (brough.sally@epa.gov), 206-553-1295
For links to tribal water quality standards, please see:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/wqslibrary/tribes.html#r10
What are Water Quality Standards (WQS)?
Water quality standards are the foundation of the water quality-based control program mandated by the Clean Water Act. Water Quality Standards define the goals for a waterbody by designating its uses, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect water quality from pollutants.
A water quality standard consists of four basic elements:
- designated uses of the water body (e.g., recreation, water supply, aquatic life, agriculture),
- water quality criteria to protect designated uses (numeric pollutant concentrations and narrative requirements),
- an antidegradation policy to maintain and protect existing uses and high quality waters, and
- general policies addressing implementation issues (e.g., low flows, variances, mixing zones).