Current Status of the 2012 Integrated Report: Methods Document Review

The Department is soliciting comments on the draft 2012 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Methods (Methods Document). The draft 2012 Methods Document includes a description of the data quality requirements and the methods to be used by the Department to evaluate water quality data and assess compliance with water quality standards and attainment of designated uses, as well as the rationale for placement of assessment units on the 2012 List of Water Quality Limited Waters ("303(d) List"). This Methods Document was prepared in accordance with the New Jersey Water Quality Management Planning rules at N.J.A.C. 7:15-6.2 and is intended to satisfy New Jersey’s requirement to provide a description of the methodology used to develop a statewide List of Water Quality Limited Waters under Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(d)). The 2012 Methods Document must be finalized before the 2012 303(d) List is generated and submitted to USEPA.

Draft Methods Document

A public notice announcing availability of the draft 2012 Methods Document and requesting comments was published in the New Jersey Register on December 5, 2011. The public comment period ends on January 4, 2011. Written comments may be submitted electronically to debra.hammond@dep.state.nj.us or or via regular mail to:

Debra Hammond, Chief
Water Monitoring and Standards
Bureau of Water Quality Standards and Assessment
PO Box 420, Mail Code 401-04I
401 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey, 08625-0420

2012 Integrated Report Schedule/Milestones

• Data Collection:

• Data collected between January 1, 2006-December 31, 2010
• Data solicitation notice published on April 4, 2011 (see 43 N.J.R. 887(a))
• Data submittal (via WQDE or WQX) Through July 1, 2011
  

• Methods Document:
  • Draft Methods Document
    • Public notice seeking comments published on December 5, 2011 (see 43 N.J.R. 887(a))
    • Public comment period ends on January 4, 2012

Additional Information

Additional information about the Integrated Report Process is available on the General Information web page. All current and historic water quality assessment documents, as well as relevant USEPA guidance, are available on this Web site's Technical Support and Related Documents web page. For more information, please contact the Bureau of Water Quality Standards and Assessment at (609) 777-1753.