Impaired Waters Listing Process Timeline

The first step in assessing a waterbody’s health is to determine its designated uses and the water quality criteria that are associated with those uses. These provide a benchmark of quality that the waterbody is expected to meet. If a waterbody is not meeting its designated uses and water quality standards, it will be considered to be added to the list of Impaired Waters. The steps that are followed to add a waterbody to the 303(d) list are as follows:

• Conduct Targeted Monitoring to identify the status of waters that may be degraded (ongoing)
• Compile and evaluate results and compare the results against impaired water listing methodology (ongoing)
• Propose waterbodies for inclusion in the impaired waters list (Six to Nine Months Prior to USEPA Submittal (9/07-12/07) including:
  • Provide spatial extent of waterbody (from WATERS or from the Surface Water Data Viewer).
  • Identify impairments and associated pollutants for the listing.
  • Provide a summary of data used to make the recommendation, including the location and methodology.
• Evaluate proposals against listing methodology and data requirements. This is a technical review of proposed listings is conducted by the state's Impaired Waters Coordinator and a team of experienced Water Quality Biologists and Watershed Coordinators. (Ongoing)
• Public Comment on the proposed updates, changes, and delistings (30-Day Public Comment Period) (February 19, 2008 – March 19, 2008).
• Incorporation of Public Comments (March 20, 2008 - March 31, 2008)
• Submit Final Proposed Impaired Waters List Updates (and Statewide Integrated Reporting Submittal) to USEPA (spring/summer 2008)
• USEPA Feedback on Proposed Changes (Spring/Summer, 2008)
• State Response to USEPA Comments (Summer, 2008)
• Resubmittal of List to USEPA (August, 2008)
• USEPA Approval of Complete or Partial Submittal (September 30, 2008)
• State Publication of Complete, Approved Impaired Waters List (October, 2008)

Incorporating the Final, Approved Impaired Waters List into Wisconsin Water Quality Planning:

• Incorporation of changes into the Watershed Program´s continuing management process (see below)
  • Impaired Water Priority
  • Impaired Water Category
  • Impaired Water Status
  • Watershed Targeted Monitoring Schedule
  • Total Maximum Daily Load Development or Environmental Accountability Project
  • Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation
  • Evaluation Monitoring