Great Salt Lake Water Quality Steering Committee

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Great Salt Lake Water Quality Steering Committee
Direction of the Steering Committee and Science
Panel How are we doing?

• November 17, 2005

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Great Salt Lake Water Quality Steering Committee

• UDEQ established the Great Salt Lake Water
  Quality Steering Committee to guide the process
  of developing numeric standards for the lake.
• This group consists of federal and state
  regulatory agencies, other public entities,
  conservation organizations, recreation groups,
  and industrial users of the lake.

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Purpose (Aug. 18, 2005)
GSL Water Quality Steering Committee

• To recommend site-specific numeric water quality
  standards, beginning with selenium, for the open
  waters of Great Salt Lake that will
• Prevent impairment of beneficial uses and
• Sustain the natural resources of the lake and
  associated wetlands.

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Objectives (Aug. 18, 2005)
GSL Water Quality Steering Committee

• Create a partnership among stakeholders including
  industry, government agencies, and
  non-governmental organizations.
• Conduct a transparent public process.
• Establish and maintain a scientific advisory
  panel.
• Sponsor and guide scientific research.
• Adhere to federal and statutes, regulations and
  guidelines for standards development.

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Decision Making (Sept. 21, 2004)
GSL Water Quality Steering Committee

• A quorum consists of at least 2/3 of Committee
  members.
• For procedural items 2/3 vote of quorum.
• For substantial items 75 approval by Committee
  members prior to forwarding recommendations to
  Water Quality Board.
• When 75 approval is not achieved position
  papers of all opinions will be forwarded to Water
  Quality Board.

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Draft Process Chart for GSL Water Quality Work
Group
Revised July 26, 2004
Reviews objectives Determines final scope of
project Agrees on sampling methodology Reviews
existing data Develops water quality criteria
methodology for GSL Recommends additional
research Forwards recommendations to Steering
Committee
Organizes stakeholder meeting Develops draft
objectives Develops draft process chart Develops
draft organizational chart Works by
consensus Reports back to Work Group at key
points in process Forms the Science Panel
Steering Committee evaluates Science Panel
recommendations Convenes Work Group
(stakeholders) update meeting Forwards final
recommendations to DWQ
Performs additional research/monitoring,
literature search and review Presents results to
DWQ / Science Panel
EPA approves final numeric standards
Meets to hear and provide feedback on Steering
Committee progress report
DWQ prepares recommendations to go to Board
GSL Water Quality Work Group (stakehldrs)
GSL Water Quality Work Group (stakehldrs)
GSL Water Quality Work Group (stakehldrs)
Steering Comm.
Science Panel
Steering Comm.
DWQ
DWQ Board
Private Contractors
DWQ / Science Panel
Steering Comm.
DWQ
EPA
Modifies/endorses objectives Modifies/endorses
process chart Suggests additions to Steering
Committee Suggests additions to Science Panel
Evaluates Science Panel recommendations Convenes
Work Group (stakeholders) update meeting Forwards
Science Panel research requests and
recommendations to DWQ Secures funding to support
research
Contracts with outside private entities to
complete data collection and analysis Periodically
updates Water Quality Board on progress
Science Panel evaluates new data/old data and
provides recommendations for numeric standards
Meets to hear and provide feedback on Steering
Committee update report
Board approves/disapproves recommendations Approve
d recommendations forwarded to EPA
24 months
4 months
Aug. 2004
Aug. 2006
Dec. 31, 2006
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Charges and Duties
GSL Science Panel

• Review goals, objectives, decision making
  procedures, and Science Panel Charges.
• Review membership and recommend adjustments or
  additional expertise needed.

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Charges and Duties
Cont.
GSL Science Panel

• Prepare scope of work for a consultant or
  contractor to
• Gather and review literature on features of GSL
  ecosystem.
• Gather and review site-specific and outside data
  on ecotoxicology of selenium.
• Gather and review data to define the lake
  chemistry.
• Provide for independent peer review of scientific
  studies as needed.

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Charges and Duties
Cont.
GSL Science Panel

• Identify gaps in scientific understanding.
• Specify appropriate sampling and laboratory
  methodologies for selenium in Great Salt Lake.
• Prioritize other water contaminants of concern
  and suggest methods to include in present study,
  provided that such activities do not interfere
  with the development of a selenium standard.
• Prioritize and recommend research needed.

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Charges and Duties
Cont.
GSL Science Panel

• Assist Steering Committee and the Division of
  Water Quality in
• Selection of research contractors
• Periodic review of contractors and work plans
• Recommend funding sources
• Interpret literature and results of site-specific
  studies and agree on conclusions toward the
  standard.

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Charges and Duties
Cont.
GSL Science Panel

• Periodically report to Steering Committee on
  progress and significant findings.
• Recommend standard(s) to Steering Committee.
• Review and comment on continued monitoring of
  selenium accumulation in GSL ecosystem.