ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
    January 24, 2002
     
    IN THE MATTER OF:
     
    PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO
    AMMONIA NITROGEN STANDARDS
    35 ILL. ADM. CODE 302.212, 302.213, AND
    304.122
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    R02-19
    (Rulemaking – Water)
    ORDER OF THE BOARD (by C.A. Manning):
    On January 17, 2002, the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies (IAWA) filed a
    proposal for rulemaking under Section 27 of the Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS
    5/27 (2000)), to change regulations governing ammonia found in the Board’s rules at 35 Ill.
    Adm. Code 302.212, 302.213, and 304.122. The petition was accompanied by a motion to waive
    the 200-signature requirement of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 102.202(f).
     
    IAWA does not propose to change the general water quality standard for total ammonia
    nitrogen. Instead, IAWA proposes to change both the acute and general use water quality
    standards for un-ionized ammonia, and to add a calculation for sub-chronic ammonia. IAWA
    also proposes repeal of a relief mechanism for Effluent Modified Waters,” asserting that the
    mechanism has been unused.
     
    IAWA states that the changes are based on a new National Criteria Document (NCD) for
    ammonia issued in 1999 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The
    updated NCD constitutes USEPA’s scientific recommendations regarding ambient
    concentrations of ammonia that protect freshwater and aquatic life. Pet. at 4.
    1
     
     
    Finally, IAWA states that corresponding changes would also be necessary to
    implementing rules adopted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Agency) in 35 Ill.
    Adm. Code Part 355 “Determination of Ammonia Nitrogen Water Quality Based Effluent Limits
    for Discharges to General Use Waters.” Along with its petition to change the Board's rules, “for
    informational purposes,” IAWA has provided a copy of the changes it believes necessary to the
    Agency’s rules. IAWA’s petition states “it is IAWA's understanding that the Agency will
    proceed with the rulemaking for these draft rules.” Pet. at 2; Exh. 2.
     
    The Board grants IAWA’s motion to waive the signature requirement, and accepts the
    proposal for hearing. The Board directs the hearing officer assigned to this matter to schedule
    hearings as required by Title VII of the Act.
     
    IT IS SO ORDERED.
     
    1
    The petition filed by IAWA shall be referred to as “Pet. at ___.”
     
    2
     
    I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, hereby certify that the
    Board adopted the above order on January 24, 2002, by a vote of 7-0.
     
     
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
     
    Dorothy
    M.
    Gunn,
    Clerk
    Illinois
    Pollution
    Control
    Board
     
     

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