This document provides suggestions for interested states and WQS-authorized tribes on how they could modernize – that is, incorporate technologies into – their Water Quality Standards (WQS) public hearing process consistent with federal public hearing requirements at 40 CFR 25.5. This document does not impose any requirements on states or WQS-authorized tribes. This document does not constitute a regulation, nor does it change or substitute for any Clean Water Act provision or EPA regulations.

• Press Release: EPA Releases New Resource to Help States and Tribes Improve Water Quality Standard Public Hearings - June 13,2019

• Modernizing Public Hearings for Water Quality Standard Decisions Consistent with 40 CFR 25.5 (PDF)(31 pp, 686 K, June 2019, EPA 823-F-19-005)