Triennial Review of Surface Water Quality Standards
Enforcement Actions
Electronic Documents Submittal
Recent General Permit Authorizations
Proposed Rules and Regulations
Rules and Regulations
Triennial Review of Surface Water Quality Standards
Wyoming’s surface water quality standards (Water Quality Rules, Chapter 1) implement relevant sections of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). The Clean Water Act requires states to review, and revise as necessary, surface water quality standards every three years.
Wyoming’s Current Triennial Review Chronology:
Water and Waste Advisory Board Meeting 2, October 15, 2024- December 12, 2024: On October 15, 2024, the Water Quality Division released for public comment proposed revisions to Water Quality Rules, Chapter 1, Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards, and corresponding proposed revisions to Water Quality Rules, Chapter 2, Permit Regulations for Discharges to Wyoming Surface Waters, that address changes made to Chapter 1. The Water Quality Division will accept public comments until 5 PM on November 15, 2024. The proposed revisions and comments will be considered by the Water and Waste Advisory Board during their December 12, 2024, meeting. The rule materials, including responses to the comments received during the June 13, 2024, Water and Waste Advisory Board meeting and associated written comment period, are available at https://deq.wyoming.gov/shwd/wwab/ under the “Upcoming Meeting” tab.
Water and Waste Advisory Board Meeting 1, April 11, 2024 – June 13, 2024: On April 11, 2024, the Water Quality Division released for public comment proposed revisions to Water Quality Rules, Chapter 1, Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards, and corresponding proposed revisions to Water Quality Rules, Chapter 2, Permit Regulations for Discharges to Wyoming Surface Waters, that address changes made to Chapter 1. The Water Quality Division presented proposed revisions to the Water and Waste Advisory Board during their June 13, 2024, meeting. Proposed revisions to Chapter 1 that were released for public comment and considered by the Water and Waste Advisory Board during the June 13, 2024, meeting are available under the “Triennial Review Materials Archive” button on this webpage. The Water Quality Division hosted an informational webinar on April 30, 2024. A recording of the webinar is available here.
Collaborative Stakeholder Process, March 2021 – June 2021: The Water Quality Division worked with the Ruckelshaus Institute, a division of the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming, on a collaborative stakeholder process. Approximately 30 representative stakeholder organizations were invited to participate in the Triennial Review Stakeholder Group and discussed potential revisions during a series of seven meetings.
Initial Public Scoping, August 9, 2018 – October 12, 2018: On August 9, 2018, the Water Quality Division released a triennial review scoping document outlining topics the Water Quality Division had identified for consideration during the upcoming triennial review. The Water Quality Division also sought public comment on any aspects of Wyoming’s surface water quality standards that should be considered as part of the triennial review. The Water Quality Division accepted public comments at hearings on September 24, 2018, in Casper, and September 28, 2018, in Cheyenne, and written comments by 5 PM on October 12, 2018. The public notice and scoping document are available under the “Triennial Review Materials Archive” button on this webpage.
Process:
1. Scoping
Scoping is the process of soliciting input from the public on any aspects of Wyoming’s surface water quality standards that should potentially be modified during the upcoming revision.
2. Water and Waste Advisory Board
Once a draft of proposed revisions and a statement of reasons has been developed, the Water Quality Division Administrator will share these with the public for feedback and consult with the Water and Waste Advisory Board (board).
3. Environmental Quality Council
Following the board process, the Administrator will propose revisions to the Director. The Director will initiate the formal rulemaking process and bring proposed revisions before the Environmental Quality Council (council). The council will consider the proposed revisions along with any comments.”
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4. Legislative Service Office, Governor
Once adopted by the council, the rules are submitted to the Legislative Service Office and Governor. The Legislative Service Office will conduct a review and confer with the Management Council. The Management Council will submit its approval or recommendations for amendment or rescission to the Governor. The Governor may approve or disapprove the rule. Once approved by the Governor, the rules are filed with the Secretary of State.
5. United States Environmental Protection Agency
Once approved by the Governor, revisions to Wyoming’s surface water quality standards are submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the CWA.
Eric Hargett, Program Supervisor (Cheyenne)
Surface Water Quality Standards
307-777-7079