Introduced

March 15, 2023

S. 640

Introduced by Senate - Agriculture and Natural Resources

S. Printed 03/15/23--S.

Read the first time March 15, 2023

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A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE Department of Health and Environmental Control, RELATING TO Water Classifications and Standards, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5119, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   The regulations of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, relating to Water Classifications and Standards, designated as Regulation Document Number 5119, and submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to the provisions of Article 1, Chapter 23, Title 1 of the S.C. Code, are approved.

SECTION 2.   This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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SUMMARY AS SUBMITTED

BY PROMULGATING AGENCY.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Sections 48-1-10 et seq., the Department of Health and Environmental Control ("Department") establishes appropriate goals and water uses to be achieved, maintained, and protected; general rules and water quality criteria to protect classified and existing water uses; and an antidegradation policy to protect and maintain the levels of water quality necessary to support and maintain those existing and classified uses. Section 303(c)(2)(B) of the federal Clean Water Act ("CWA") requires South Carolina's water quality standards be reviewed and revised, where necessary, at least once every three years. Referred to as the triennial review, this required process consists of reviewing and adopting, where appropriate, the Environmental Protection Agency's updated numeric and narrative criteria. The Department amends R.61-68 to adopt the criteria the Department deems necessary to comply with federal regulatory recommendations and revisions.

In this revision and amendment of R. 61-68, the Department adopts a revised recreational water quality criteria for bacteria to reflect the most current final published criteria in accordance with the CWA. The Department also makes stylistic changes for overall improvement of the text of the regulation.

The Department had a Notice of Drafting published in the February 25, 2022, South Carolina State Register.

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