DANR Seeks Comments on Waterbody Report and National 303(d) Program Vision

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 27, 2022
Media Contact: Brian Walsh, brian.walsh@state.sd.us
 
DANR Seeks Comments on Waterbody Report and
National 303(d) Program Vision
 
PIERRE S.D. – The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is seeking public comments on the draft 2022 Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment (Integrated Report). The draft Integrated Report is required under the federal Clean Water Act and is used by the state to identify impaired waterbodies in South Dakota. The draft Integrated Report also includes the National 303(d) Program Vision.
 
“Water quality is a critical issue in South Dakota, and the Integrated Report drives our state water quality programs,” said DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts. “Gathering and reviewing public input is an important step in the process before we finalize the report and send it to EPA for approval.”
 
DANR is accepting comments through March 4, 2022. Interested parties can submit comments online at DANR’s One-Stop Public Notice page, email them to Josh Strobel, or submit them in writing to:
 
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Watershed Protection Program
523 East Capitol Avenue – Joe Foss Building
Pierre, South Dakota 57501-3181
 
A copy of the draft Integrated Report and Program Vision are available on DANR’s One-Stop Public Notice page. Copies can also be obtained by emailing Josh Strobel or contacting him at 605.773.6710.
 
The draft 2022 Integrated Report contains a surface water quality assessment of South Dakota’s waters, a description of South Dakota’s water quality monitoring programs, information on pollutants causing impairments of the water bodies, and identification of waters targeted for total maximum daily load (TMDL) development. A TMDL is a determination of the amount of pollution a waterbody can receive and still maintain water quality standards.
 
The draft 2022 report lists 179 waterbodies or waterbody segments needing a TMDL determination. Of those listed, 95 are stream or river segments and 84 are lakes that periodically do not meet water quality standards.
 
The National 303(d) Program Vision serves as a planning tool for states to implement effective strategies to meet water quality goals. The Vision contains six elements considered important to the process and defines prioritization for TMDL development with consideration for alternative or protection approaches. South Dakota’s original Vision strategy was first published in the 2016 Integrated Report and South Dakota is on schedule to meet TMDL Vision priorities by the September 30, 2022, deadline. South Dakota will be working with EPA to develop new Vision priorities for the 2024 Integrated Report cycle.
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