Continuing Planning Process (CPP) and Antidegradation Implementation Methodology Public Participation Process

2020 Draft CPP

The Continuing Planning Process (CPP) is required by the Clean Water Act (CWA) § 303(e) [33 U.S.C. § 1313(e)], 40 C.F.R. § 130.5, and Ark. Code Ann. § 8-4-208(a). Arkansas developed and obtained approval of the CPP on January 24, 1983. Subsequent modifications were made in July 1989, November 1991, April 1993, January 1995, and June 1999.

The general purpose of the CPP is to describe the principal operational procedures of the state of Arkansas water quality management programs and permits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages states to review and revise their existing CPP as necessary. CPP review is not mandated in a certain timeframe. However, EPA does have authority to approve the CPP.

Draft Antidegradation Implementation Methodology

This is the implementation methodology for Arkansas’ Antidegradation Policy in Chapter 2 of APC&EC Rule 2.

The Antidegradation Implementation Methodology, as required by 40 CFR § 131.12, details how the tiers of water quality protection are applied to waters and the process to allow lowering of water quality in a high quality water. This process considers a number of factors, including the classification of the waterbody, consideration of non-degrading and less degrading alternatives to the proposed activity, and comparison of economic and social benefits of the lowering of water quality proposed by the activity.

Timeline of Events

Public Notice Comments