Water Quality Criteria; Notice of Availability; 1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia

Zusammenfassung

Pursuant to Section 304(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the publication and availability of the 1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia (1999 Update), containing EPA's recommended ammonia criteria for the protection of freshwater aquatic life. These criteria are EPA's recommendations for States, Territories, and authorized Tribes to use as guidance in adopting water quality standards. Water quality standards form the basis for establishing enforceable, water quality- based effluent limitations in CWA permits. These criteria constitute the Agency's current recommended Section 304(a) criteria for ammonia, and will continue to serve as such until EPA publishes a revision. In August 1998, EPA published the 1998 Update of Ambient Water Criteria for Ammonia and asked for public comment. The 1999 Update published today incorporates revisions made in response to comment on the 1998 Update, and supercedes all previous freshwater ammonia criteria.