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 Water Quality Division initiated scoping for a triennial review of Wyoming’s surface water quality standards in August 2018. At that time, DEQ released a public notice and scoping document. The public was invited to provide comments at public hearings on September 24, 2018 in Casper or September 28, 2018 in Cheyenne or submit written comments by 5 PM on October 12, 2018.
In response to requests for more stakeholder participation in the review process, DEQ worked with the Ruckelshaus Institute, a division of the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming, to assist WDEQ-WQD with 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 from March 2021 to June 2021.
Based on the feedback provided during the initial scoping period, stakeholder process, and internal review, WDEQ developed a preliminary draft of Chapter 1 that was shared with EPA in May 2023.
Considering all the feedback received during the scoping period, DEQ developed proposed revisions to Water Quality Rules, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, and other associated materials. These materials, including responses to the comments received during scoping, are available at: https://deq.wyoming.gov/shwd/wwab/ under the “Upcoming Meeting” tab. The materials and any comments received will be considered by the Water and Waste Advisory Board during their June 13, 2024, meeting in Casper and will inform future revisions of Chapter 1.
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.
Lindsay Patterson, Program Supervisor (Cheyenne)
Surface Water Quality Standards
307-777-7079