# MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT: Additional Materials Shared During Region 8 Outreach Meetings on the Proposed Rule

for Docket EPA

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FROM: Lisa McClain

‐ Vanderpool, Region 8

TO: Water Docket

Region 8 shared the following widely available documents during their outreach meetings:

• The current definition for Waters of the US: http://www.gpo.go v/fdsys/pkg/CFR

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title33

‐ vol3/pdf/CFR

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‐ title33

‐ vol3

‐ part328.pdf

• Waters of the US Website: http://www2.epa.gov/uswaters

• Science Advisory Board review of connectivity report and proposed rule:

http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fe drgstr_activites/Watershed%20Connectivity

%20Report!OpenDocument&TableRow=2.2#2

.

• Proposed definition of Water of the US: http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014

‐ 06/documents/proposed_regulatory_wus_text_40cfr230_0.pdf

• Proposed definition with explanations and

appendices : http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA

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0001

• Executive Summary: FR pages 22190

– 22195 (or pages 4

– 9 if viewing the pdf

electronically.)

o Riparian area definition: FR page 22199 (or page 13)

o Floodplain definition: FR page 22199 (or page 13)

o Other waters: FR pages 22211

– 22217 (or page 25

‐ 31)

o Proposed Waters of th e US definition: FR pages 22262

– 22263 (or page 76

‐ 77)

Waters of the U.S. Kinetic Text

https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=svi9mN4v5lQ

Waters of the U.S.: Agriculture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i KqXQReYyUI&feature=youtu.be

Waters of the U.S.: General

https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=QasJw_O9DNA

Waters of the U.S.: Economy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akLa1LuYS1o

Ordinary High Water Mark Explained:

https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=htpiTnAYy

‐ I

Waters of the U.S.: Adjacent Waters and Floodplains Explained

https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=snrq6cbayS0Waters of the U.S.Proposed Rule:Additional Background andInformationJulia McCarthyStream BiologistUSEPA Region 8WhatisexemptfromtheCleanWaterAct?WhatiscoveredundertheCleanWaterAct?WhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?WhatiscoveredundertheCleanWaterAct?WhatisexemptfromtheCleanWaterAct?WhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?TheCleanWaterActpermittingrequirementsapplywhenthereisdischargeofapollutantfromapointsourceintoaWateroftheU.S.e.g., oil spille.g., CAFOe.g., dredge and fillWhatisexemptfromtheCleanWaterAct?AmIregulatedundertheCleanWaterAct?WhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?NOCHANGE:Thisproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.NoYe sAmIregulatedundertheCleanWaterAct?NOCHANGE:Thisproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.NoYe sWhatisexemptfromtheCleanWaterAct?WhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?What is exempt from theClean Water Act?•PriorConvertedCroplandandWasteTreatmentSystemsareNOTWatersoftheU.S.underthecurrentregulatorydefinition*TheseexemptionsarenotchangedandtheproposedruledoesnotchangehowtheseexemptionsareimplementedWhat is exempt from theClean Water Act?•Agricultural stormwater discharges.•Return flows from irrigated agriculture.•Normal farming, silviculture, and ranching practices.•Upland soil and water conservation practices.•Construction and maintenance of farm or stock ponds orirrigation ditches on dry land.•Maintenance of drainage ditches.•Construction or maintenance of farm, forest, and temporarymining roads.*Exemptionsforagriculturalactivitiesarenotaffectedbytheproposedrule• Exemptionsareself‐implementing•ApprovalfromEPAortheCorpsofEngineersisnotrequired• Section404(f)exemptionsapplyaslongastheactivitiesdonotbringanareaofwatersintoanewusethatmayimpairthefloworreducethereachofthosewaters.• Ifyouareunsure,callyourlocalCorpsoffice.What is exempt from theClean Water Act?NoYe sNOCHANGE:Thisproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.AmIregulatedundertheCleanWaterAct?AmIexemptfromtheCleanYe sWaterAct?NoWhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?AmIregulatedundertheNoCleanWaterAct?NOCHANGE:ThisYe sproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.AmIexemptfromtheCleanYe sWaterAct?NoWhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?The Clean Water Act (CWA)•TheCWAcovers“navigablewaters,”definedinthestatuteas“watersoftheUnitedStatesincludingtheterritorialseas”•Thestatutedoesnotfurtherdefine“WatersoftheU.S.,”butleavesittoCorpsandEPAtoadddetailthroughrulemaking•Thecurrentregulatorydefinitionisessentiallyunchangedsincethelate1970sWhat is the current definitionof Waters of the U.S.?•Traditionally Navigable Waters: waters used ininterstate or foreign commerce (past, presentand future)•Territorial seas•Interstate waters•Impoundments of waters of the U.S.•Intrastate waters, where their use, degradation,or destruction could affect interstate commerce•Tributaries of above waters•Wetlands adjacent to above watersWhat is the current definitionof Waters of the U.S.?Ordinary High Water MarkWetlandsWhat is the current definitionof Waters of the U.S.?•Some ditches are Waters of the U.S., for example:–If a ditch receives water from a regulated streamand discharges into a regulated water.–If a ditch drains water from a spring or wetland intoa regulated waterway.How did the Supreme Courtaffect implementation of theseregulations?•RiversideBayview(1985):Upheldagencies’regulatorydefinition,including“adjacentwetlands”aswatersoftheU.S.•SWANCC(2001):UseofwaterbymigratorybirdsisnotasufficientbasisforCWAjurisdiction.•RapanosandCarabell(2006):Relativeflowpermanenceandsignificantnexusareusedasstandardsforcase‐by‐caseevaluationofjurisdictionHow did the Supreme Courtaffect these regulations?•Traditionally Navigable Waters: waters used ininterstate or foreign commerce (past, presentand future)•Territorial seas•Interstate waters• Impoundments of waters of the U.S.• Intrastate waters, where their use, degradation,or destruction could affect interstate commerce• Tributaries of above waters• Wetlands adjacent to above watersAmIregulatedundertheNoCleanWaterAct?NOCHANGE:ThisYe sproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.AmIexemptfromtheCleanYe sWaterAct?NoWhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?NOCHANGEtosomeCHANGESPROPOSEDforADDEDasNOTdefinitionssomedefinitionsWatersoftheU.S.AmIregulatedundertheNoCleanWaterAct?NOCHANGE:ThisYe sproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.AmIexemptfromtheCleanYe sWaterAct?NoWhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?NOCHANGEtoCHANGESPROPOSEDforADDEDasNOTthesedefinitions:somedefinitionsWatersoftheU.S.TraditionalNavigableWatersInterstateWatersTerritorialSeasImpoundmentsofWOUSAmIregulatedundertheNoCleanWaterAct?NOCHANGE:ThisYe sproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.AmIexemptfromtheCleanYe sWaterAct?NoWhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?NOCHANGEtoCHANGESPROPOSEDforADDEDasNOTthesedefinitions:somedefinitionsWatersoftheU.S.TraditionalNavigableWatersInterstateWatersTerritorialSeasImpoundmentsofWOUSProposed Rule:What are Waters of the U.S.?•Tributariesarejurisdictionalwhentheymeettheregulatorydefinitionoftributary.TheRuledefinestributaryasProposed Rule:What are Waters of the U.S.?•Adjacentwatersarejurisdictional.• Existingregulationsdefine“adjacent”as“bordering,contiguousorneighboring.”Proposed Rule:What are Waters of the U.S.?•Thelanguageaboutintrastatewaterswithaneffectoninterstatecommerceis removed.AmIexemptfromtheCleanWaterAct?AmIregulatedundertheCleanWaterAct?WhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?NOCHANGE:Thisproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.NoYe sYe sNoNOCHANGEtothesedefinitions:CHANGESPROPOSEDforthesedefinitions:ADDEDasNOTWatersoftheU.S.TraditionalNavigableWatersTributariesInterstateWatersAdjacentWatersTerritorialSeasOtherWatersImpoundmentsofWOUSAmIexemptfromtheCleanWaterAct?AmIregulatedundertheCleanWaterAct?WhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?NOCHANGE:Thisproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.NoYe sYe sNoNOCHANGEtothesedefinitions:CHANGESPROPOSEDforthesedefinitions:ADDEDasNOTWatersoftheU.S.TraditionalNavigableWatersTributariesInterstateWatersAdjacentWatersTerritorialSeasOtherWatersImpoundmentsofWOUSProposed Rule:What waters are NOT waters ofthe US?•Irrigatedareasthatwouldreverttouplandifirrigationceased•Artificiallakesorpondscreatedondrylandandusedexclusivelyforstockwatering,irrigation,settlingbasinsorricegrowing• Smallornamentalwaterscreatedondryland• Wate‐rfilleddepressionscreatedincidentaltoconstructionactivity•Groundwater,includinggroundwaterdrainedthroughsub‐surfacedrainagesystems•Gulliesandrillsandnon‐wetlandswalesProposed Rule:What ditches are now exempt?•Ditchesthatareexcavatedwhollyinuplands,drainonlyuplands,andthathavelessthanperennialflow•Ditchesthatdonotcontributeflow,eitherdirectlyorthroughanotherwater,toatraditionallynavigablewater,interstatewaterorterritorialseaAmIexemptfromtheCleanWaterAct?AmIregulatedundertheCleanWaterAct?WhatarecurrentlyWatersoftheU.S.?Howdoesthischangeundertheproposedrule?NOCHANGE:Thisproposedruledoesn’taffectyouractivity.NoYe sYe sNoNOCHANGEtothesedefinitionsCHANGESPROPOSEDforthesedefinitionsADDEDasNOTWatersoftheU.S.TraditionalNavigableWatersTributariesCertainwaterfeaturesInterstateWatersTerritorialSeasAdjacentWatersOtherWaters2typesofditchesImpoundmentsofWOUSPlease provide comments!!!The EPA and the Corps want your inputon the Proposed RuleThe 90 day public comment period endsonJuly 21, 2014www.epa.gov/uswaters

# Region 8 EPA and Colorado Agriculture Stakeholder Meeting Agenda

July 15, 2014 from 8:30 am

– 12:00 pm

Arkansas Room

– Colorado Dept. of Agriculture Building

305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield, Colorado

Contact: Rebecca Perrin (303-312-6311)

8:30

– 8:45 am Check in

8:45

– 9:00 am Introductions and Welcome

Introductions & Housekeeping - Rebecca Perrin, EPA Region 8 (R8)

Welcome

– Ron Carleton, Deputy Commissioner CDA

9:00

– 9:30 am Proposed Worker Protection Standard Rulemaking Overview

Richard Pont, Office of Pesticides Programs, EPA HQ

– via phone

9:30

– 10:30 am Proposed Waters of the US Definition Rulemaking Overview

Karen Hamilton, EPA R8 Aquatic Resource Protection & Accountability Unit

Julia McCarthy, EPA R8 Clean Water Act 404 Program

10:30

– 10:45 am Break

10:45

– 11:15 am Clean Air Act 111d

– EPA Clean Power Plan Overview

Laura Farris, EPA R8 Air Program

11:15

– 11:45 am EPA National Agriculture - Air Quality Update

Robin Dunkins, Office of Air and Radiation, EPA HQ

– via phone

11:45

– 12:00 pm Announcements and Closing

Next CO Ag Stakeholder meeting

– Rebecca Perrin, EPA R8

 Proposed date

– Oct? Nov?

 Feedback and future topics?

# References and other Resources:

Proposed Worker Protection Standard Rulemaking additional information:

http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/workers/proposed/

Proposed Waters of the US Definition Rulemaking Additional Information:

http://www2.epa.gov/uswaters and http://www2.epa.gov/uswaters/ditch-myth

Regi stration for the July 16, 2014 “Waters of the US – Clarifying Misconceptions” Webinar:

http://mp118885.cdn.mediaplatform.com/118885/ml/mp/4000/5345/5417/37758/Lobby/default.htm

Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule:

http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/clean-power-plan-proposed-rule

EPA’s Clean Air Act and Agriculture website:

http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/lcaa.html

Implementation Principles for Addressing Agricultural Equipment Under the Clean Air Act:

http://epa.gov/airquality/agriculture/docs/statmentofprinciples.pdf

# Region 8 EPA and North Dakota Agriculture Stakeholder Meeting Agenda

Sept. 25, 2014 from 8:30 am

– 12:00 pm

North Dakota Soybean Council office

1555 43rd St S, Suite 103 Fargo, North Dakota

Contact: Rebecca Perrin (303-312-6311)

8:30

– 8:45 am Check in

8:45

– 9:00 am Introductions and Welcome

Introductions - Rebecca Perrin, EPA Region 8 (R8) Agriculture Advisor

Welcome:

x Scott Rising, North Dakota Soybean Council

x Dan Wogsland, North Dakota Grain Growers Association

x Rebecca Perrin, EPA R8 Agriculture Advisor

9:00

– 9:15 am EPA Engagement Opportunities

Rebecca Perrin, EPA R8 Agriculture Advisor

9:15

– 9:45 am Proposed New Source Performance Standards for Grain Elevators

Bill Schrock, Office of Air and Radiation, EPQ HQ

– via phone

9:45

– 10:15 am Farm Hero Program

Antonio Bravo, Office of Water, EPA HQ

– via phone

10:15

– 10:30 am Break

10:30

– 11:30 am Proposed Waters of the US Definition Rulemaking Overview

Karen Hamilton, EPA R8 Aquatic Resource Protection & Accountability Unit

Rebecca Perrin, EPA R8 Agriculture Advisor

11:30

– 12:00 pm Closing Discussion

– Future Engagement Opportunities

Rebecca Perrin, EPA R8 Agriculture Advisor

x Should we hold future meetings?

x How often and what is the best time of year for meetings?

x Feedback on this meeting format?

x Ideas for future topics?

Final Agenda 9-18-14

# References and other Resources:

Proposed New Source Performance Standards for Grain Elevators :

http://www.epa.gov/ttn /atw/nsps/grain/genspspg.html

Farm Hero Program:

http://www2.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/farmer-heroes-manage-nutrients-farm

Proposed Waters of the US Definition Rulemaking Additional Information:

http://www2.epa.gov/uswaters and http://www2.epa.gov/uswaters/ditch-myth

Final Agenda 9-18-14