SECTION 155:40-1-3. Water Quality Standards Implementation Plan

  Subsection B of Section 1-1-202 of Title 27A of the Oklahoma Statutes specifies that each state environmental agency shall promulgate a Water Quality Standards Implementation Plan (WQSIP) for its jurisdictional areas of environmental responsibility. The rules in this chapter are in direct fulfillment of this requirement.

(1)   In fulfillment of the statutory mandate for a WQSIP, the OCC hereby adopts by reference a WQSIP policy document (dated December 22, 2008) on file and available via the OCC website, the OCC office, and the OCC Water Quality Division office. This document has undergone extensive review and comment by the Commission, OWRB, and the WQSIP working group comprised of members of other agencies required to produce the document.

(2)   In accordance with the statutory mandate for WQSIP, the OCC will review the WQSIP policy document at least every three years from the promulgation of this rule to determine whether revisions are necessary. The OCC WQSIP policy document review will comprise both an intra-agency review and edit (as necessary), which will be followed by a peer review and comment process through the WQSIP working group or similar review panel.

(3)   As a general statement of agency policy, programs and activities within the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) will be managed and conducted to protect the beneficial uses of the state's waters and to maintain water quality standards, including enforcement of the anti-degradation clause specified therein.

[Source: Added at 26 Ok Reg 1018, eff 5-11-09]