Public comment period open for ADEM’s list of polluted waters

The draft 2008 303d list of water quality-impaired water bodies has been published by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, who is accepting public comments on the draft list.  Comments are due to ADEM by 5 pm on March 12.  To view the public notice and the draft list, go to http://www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/PublicNotice.htm and click “Other”. Water bodies listed on the 303d list do not have sufficient water quality to meet their designated uses. Once on the list, ADEM must prepare a clean-up plan (Total Maximum Daily Load) to determine the needed reductions in pollution. Be sure to check out the Fact Sheet that details the changes that have been made since the 2006 list including water bodies added to or removed from the list.  There are 18 segments proposed for addition to the list and 19 proposed to be removed (mostly due to TMDL approval). 

If you have data or information about a waterbody in your area that you think is polluted or not meeting its designated uses, please submit comments to ADEM during the public comment period. Polluted waters that have TMDLs are not shown on the 303d but are listed as Category 4A waters in the 305b report, also available on ADEM’s website. Or you can view the 305b water categorization list here.  You can also view Section 303 of the Clean Water Act for more information on listing requirements.  Stay tuned for more information about the draft 303d list from the Alliance. If you have any questions about the list or how to participate in the public comment period, please Email April Hall on our staff.