EPA News Release (Region 7): EPA Approves Kansas’ List of Impaired Waters

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101   Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations   EPA Approves Kansas’ List of Impaired Waters   Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov   Environmental News   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   (Kansas City, Kan., June 7, 2012) - EPA has approved Kansas’ list of impaired waters, which removes 561 waters from the previous impaired waters list and adds 121 waters. Today’s decision brings the total number of impaired waters in the state to 1,330.   The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) submitted its impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval as required by the Clean Water Act. The act requires EPA to review the state’s list of impaired waters to determine if the state reasonably considered available water quality-related data, and identifies waters to be listed.   “The list of impaired waters is used by federal, state and local agencies to set priorities for development of pollution controls and restoration of polluted waters,” said Karl Brooks, EPA regional administrator. “KDHE should be commended for the progress that has been made to improve Kansas lakes and streams.”   A water body is placed on the impaired waters list when monitoring finds that pollutant levels prevent the lake, river, or stream from attaining its beneficial uses. Beneficial uses in Kansas include human recreation, agricultural water supply, and maintaining healthy aquatic life.   EPA’s June 5, 2012, decision letter provides a more detailed description of EPA’s review and the basis for this action. The decision letter, including the 2012 impaired waters list, is available at www.epa.gov/region7/newsevents/legal.   # # #   More information about water-related activities in EPA Region 7   Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7     Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.     View all Region 7 News Releases     You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355