NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Land Use Management
Water Monitoring and Standards Program
Bureau of Water Quality Standards and Assessment

Notice of Rule Proposal
Ground Water Quality Standards: Proposed Readoption and Recodification with Amendments, N.J.A.C. 7:9-6 as N.J.A.C. 7:9C

Public Notice
Take notice that the Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to recodify and amend the Ground Water Quality Standards (GWQS) rules at N.J.A.C. 7:9-6 (proposed N.J.A.C. 7:9C). Amendments include updating language and outdated references throughout the rule, revising the subsections concerning criteria derivation, and updating many of the health based criteria and practical quantitation levels for specific ground water pollutants listed in the GWQS based on current scientific information in risk assessment and analytical capability. In addition, interim specific criteria developed and used by the Department since 1993 are being codified as specific criteria in Appendix Table 1. These rules are promulgated under the authority of the New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq.) and the Water Quality Planning Act 58:11A-1 et seq.).

An opportunity for public comment on the GWQS will be published concurrently with this proposal to address items that are being adopted without change in this proposal.

The proposal is scheduled for publication in the New Jersey Register on October 4, 2004. A copy of the proposal is available from the Bureau of Water Quality Standards and Assessment at (609) 777-1753, and also may be accessed through the Department's web site (PDF). Copies can also be obtained from Westlaw Publishing at 1-800-808-WEST. Please be advised that there may be a fee for obtaining a copy of the proposal from some sources.

Take notice that the rule proposal published in the Oct 4, 2004 NJ Register contained typographical errors in the "Summary of Changes to the GWQS" table. View the Notice of Administrative Correction (PDF).

A public hearing concerning the proposal is scheduled as follows:

Monday, November 15, 2004
3 PM to 5 PM or close of testimony whichever occurs first, and 6 PM to 8 PM or close of testimony, whichever occurs first
Public Hearing Room, 1st Floor
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
401 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey

Written comments may be submitted until January 3, 2005 to:

NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Leslie W. Ledogar, Esq.
ATTN: DEP Docket No. 16-04-09/405
Office of Legal Affairs
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0402

Take notice that the comment period for this rule proposal was extended from December 3, 2004 to January 3, 2004, as published in the December 20, 2004 NJ Registe. View the Notice of Extension of Comment Period.