The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ or commission) announces the availability of the draft July 2008 Update to the Water Quality Management Plan for the State of Texas (draft WQMP update).

The Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) is developed and promulgated in accordance with the requirements of federal Clean Water Act, §208. The draft WQMP update includes projected effluent limits of indicated domestic dischargers useful for water quality management planning in future permit actions. Once the commission certifies a WQMP update, the update is submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. For some Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permits, the EPAs approval of a corresponding WQMP update is a necessary precondition to TPDES permit issuance by the commission. The draft WQMP update may contain service area populations for listed wastewater treatment facilities, designated management agency information and total maximum daily load (TMDL) updates.

A copy of the draft July 2008 WQMP update may be found at Water Quality Management Plan: Updates. A copy of the draft may also be viewed at the TCEQ Library, Building A, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas.

Written comments on the draft WQMP update may be submitted to Nancy Vignali, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, MC 150, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Comments may also be faxed to (512) 239-4420, but must be followed up with the submission and receipt of the written comments within three working days of when they were faxed. Written comments must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 9, 2008. For further information or questions, please contact Ms. Vignali at (512) 239-1303 or by e-mail at nvignali@tceq.state.tx.us.