Public Comment Period and Public Hearing

Every three years states and tribes with delegated authority for their Clean Water Act, WQS Program, hold a formal open comment opportunity to gather comments and suggestions for potential modifications to those rules. This ‘triennial review’ for Michigan’s Part 4 Rules, WQS, and Part 8 Rules, Water Quality-Based Effluent Limit Development for Toxic Substances, promulgated pursuant to Part 31, Water Resources Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, is currently underway and public comments will be accepted between July 30 and September 21, 2021.

In addition to accepting written comments, the Water Resources Division will conduct an online public hearing September 16, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., as an additional way to accept suggested modifications to the Part 4 and Part 8 Rules. Oral comments will be taken during the public hearing.

You may register for the online public hearing at the Hearing Registration Webpage. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you do not have internet access and would like to join by PHONE ONLY, please use the following phone number:  636‑651-3142, and use conference code 374288. Preregistration is not required to attend the meeting. Individuals interested in participating can click the link above at the start of the event (1:00 p.m.).

Beginning July 30, 2021, written comments may be submitted to Kevin Goodwin, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Water Resources Division, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, Michigan, 48909-7958 or GoodwinK@Michigan.gov. Deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on September 21, 2021.

Copies of the current rules may be obtained at Michigan.gov/WaterQuality under Laws, Rules, & Standards or by contacting Kevin Goodwin at 517‑290-4198 or GoodwinK@Michigan.gov.

Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation at the meeting should contact Kevin Goodwin at 517-290-4198 or GoodwinK@Michigan.gov, by September 2, 2021, to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation, and/or other assistance.