MAPP's Assessment and Listing Process is driven by Vermont's State Water Quality Standards. In 2014 the Watershed Management Division of the VT Department of Environmental Conservation completed a review and update of the Vermont Water Quality Standards. A triennial review of State water quality standards is required by the Clean Water Act.
Some of the amendments incorporated into the 2014 Standards include:
- Housekeeping changes associated with the transfer of rulemaking authority from the Natural Resources Board (NRB) to the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) (e.g. replacing references to the NRB with references to ANR), pursuant to Act 138 of 2012, Sections 20-28;
- Revisions to the E. coli criteria for the protection of waters for swimming for consistency with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) guidance under Section 304(a) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA);
- Numerous technical revisions to toxic substances criteria contained within "Appendix C" of the current Rule, including the addition of criteria for chloride (de-icing salt) for consistency with EPA's guidance under Section 304(a) of the CWA;
- The addition of a new phosphorus criteria framework for inland lakes and ponds and wadeable streams to comply with EPA's National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria promulgated under Section 304(a) of the CWA.
The revised Standards, technical supporting documentation and additional information on water quality regulations and rules may be found at the Division's Laws, Regulations and Rule page.