Notice of Final Public Comment Period for Revised Use of Attainability Analysis and Proposed Amendments to the Surface Water Quality Standards
VILLAGE OF RUIDOSO AND CITY OF RUIDOSO DOWNS REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT JOINT USE BOARD UPDATE TO USE ATTAINABILITY ANALYSIS AND PROPOSED WATER QUALITY STANDARDS CHANGES FOR THE LOWER RIO RUIDOSO AND UPPER RIO HONDO IN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
The Village of Ruidoso and City of Ruidoso Downs Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Joint Use Board (JUB) invites the public to comment on the revised Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) and proposed amendments to the surface water quality standards (20.6.4. NMAC) for the lower Rio Ruidoso and upper Rio Hondo in Lincoln County, New Mexico.
As required by the federal Clean Water Act and the New Mexico Water Quality Act, the state has established water quality standards for its surface waters. The standards identify the water quality goals for a water body, or portion thereof, by designating the use or uses of the water and by setting criteria that protect those designated uses.
A UAA is a scientific study that assesses the factors affecting the attainment of designated use. In accordance with 40 CFR 131 and 20.6.4.15 NMAC, the JUB, with assistance from Environmental Science Associates, has conducted a UAA for the lower Rio Ruidoso and upper Rio Hondo in Lincoln County.
Updates to the UAA, along with the proposed water quality standards amendment, are available on the JUB website at https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/news-info.
The Final Draft UAA was originally posted in September 2017 for a public review and comment period. The public comment period was extended twice, ending in February 2018. The JUB decided in 2020 to resume the UAA process by revising the Final Draft UAA document based on information that was obtained during the 2017 – 2018 extended comment period and is releasing this Revised Final Draft UAA for a second public review and comment period of 30 days. This final comment period begins January 20, 2021, and closes February 20, 2021, at 5:00 PM MST. Comments for inclusion in the public record must be submitted in writing to Jim Good at Environmental Science Associates, 5309 Shilshole Ave. NW, Suite 200, Seattle, WA, 98107; or by e-mail: jgood@esassoc.com.
