The interested party review (IPR) process is designed to allow interested parties, stakeholders or citizens to make comments regarding the rule prior to adoption. The IPR process is the second step in the rulemaking process. Whereas the Early Stakeholder Outreach process asked for general comments on anticipated rule changes, the IPR process asks interested parties, stakeholders or citizens to make comments on the draft rule language developed by Ohio EPA.

During the IPR process, Ohio EPA is required to submit a Business Regulation Impact Analysis (BIA) to the Common Sense Initiative Office (CSIO). CSIO has two options for the BIA:
1. Prepare and send recommendations to Ohio EPA for eliminating or reducing adverse impacts.
2. Allow 16 days to pass without preparing and sending recommendations.

Based on comments received from interested parties or the CSIO, Ohio EPA may choose to revise the rules further before proposing them to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR).

Please see below for a listing of draft rules the Agency has made available for interested party review.

No Change Water Quality Standards (OAC Chapter 3745-1)

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-1 contains Ohio’s standards for water quality. Water quality standards (WQS) are state regulations or rules that protect lakes, rivers, streams and other surface water bodies from pollution. The rules in Chapter 3745-1 contain the following: terms and definitions; methods used to quantify water quality and the biological community; beneficial use designations including aquatic life, water supply, and recreation; numeric levels and narrative statements (water quality criteria) protective of the beneficial use designations; and an antidegradation policy.

This rulemaking includes review of four of these rules. Please see the fact sheet and draft rules below for specific information.

For more information about the Water Quality Standards program, visit the Water Quality Standards Program web page.

Available documents

• Letter to Interested Parties
• Fact Sheet
• Draft Common Sense Initiative (CSI) Business Regulation Impact Analysis Form

Draft Rules

For additional information or to submit comments

Submit comments by e-mail: dsw_rulecomments@epa.ohio.gov

If you would like further information about this rulemaking, please contact Mariah Hood at Mariah.Hood@epa.ohio.gov or (614) 644-2865.

WQS rules — Definitions, Methods, Mahoning river, and Lake Erie Standards

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-1 contains Ohio’s standards for water quality. Water quality standards (WQS) are state regulations or rules that protect lakes, rivers, streams and other surface water bodies from pollution. The rules in Chapter 3745-1 contain the following: terms and definitions; methods used to quantify water quality and the biological community; beneficial use designations including aquatic life, water supply, and recreation; numeric levels and narrative statements (water quality criteria) protective of the beneficial use designations; and an antidegradation policy.

This rulemaking includes review of four of these rules. Please see the fact sheet and draft rules below for specific information.

For more information about the Water Quality Standards program, visit the Water Quality Standards Program web page.

Available documents

• Letter to Interested Parties
• Fact Sheet
• Draft Common Sense Initiative (CSI) Business Regulation Impact Analysis Form

Draft Rules

For additional information or to submit comments

Submit comments by e-mail: dsw_rulecomments@epa.ohio.gov

If you would like further information about this rulemaking, please contact Mariah Hood at Mariah.Hood@epa.ohio.gov or (614) 644-2865.