Section NR 102.53 - Reporting, public participation, and approvals(1) REPORT DEVELOPMENT. For development of the biennial assessment report and section 303 (d) list, the department shall assemble, evaluate, and submit water quality-related data, information, and assessment protocols to U.S. EPA.(2) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. (a) The department shall solicit assessment data from citizens and partner groups prior to the waterbody assessment process. Readily available data sets that meet minimum data requirements and are submitted in the department's specified format during the biennial data solicitation period shall be considered by the department when conducting assessments.(b) The department shall hold a public informational hearing and a public comment period of at least 30 days on the draft list of assessments and any proposed changes to the section 303 (d) list. The department shall provide notice of the public informational hearing and information regarding where written comments may be submitted on its website and through an electronic notification system. Note: Prior to the data solicitation period under par. (a), the department provides an opportunity for the public to comment on the assessment guidance. The department generally responds to comments received during the comment periods for the assessment guidance and the draft section 303 (d) list. The department will provide a template for data submittal on the department's waterbody assessment website. The public can subscribe to the electronic notification system for the water quality standards program on the department's home page at http: //dnr.wi.gov/.
(3) SUBMITTAL OF RESULTS TO U.S. EPA. After the public participation process is completed, the department shall submit waterbody assessment results to U.S. EPA Region 5 by April 1 of every even numbered year for approval. Assessment results shall be submitted in a report that integrates both statewide condition and individual waterbody assessment results to satisfy the requirements of sections 305 (b) and 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act, respectively. Note: U.S. EPA has authority to approve or disapprove the section 303 (d) list.
(4) PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL SECTION 303 (D) LIST. The U.S. EPA-approved section 303 (d) list shall be made public and available on the department's website.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 102.53
Adopted by, CR 19-094: cr. Register September 2022 No. 801, eff. 10/1/2022