Approval of Wasteload Allocations. The EPA is required by 303(d) of the Clean Water Act to review and approve/disapprove the allowable wasteloads established by the States within thirty days after submission. An additional thirty days is allowed to make necessary revisions to disapproved identifications and loads. All final approval of wasteload allocations are to be incorporated by the States into their water quality management plans through the Continuing Planning Process required under 303(e) of the Act. Although some wasteload allocations were submitted as part of the 303(e) basin plans and 208 Water Quality Management plans, these have not been formally approved by EPA. By linking the allocation approval/appeal process to the Water Quality Management Planning requirements, the wasteload allocation process has not been utilized effectively. On a case-by-case basis, EPA has been concurring with the States’ allocations for NPDES permits and 201 plans; however, no formal wasteload allocation approval process has been finalized to date. It is the intent of EPA to link the wasteload allocation review process to the NPDES permitting process where possible. Currently, all of the models discussed in Section III B have been used by Region IV states for both permits and funding purposes. Details on the development and use of models is generally contained in modeling or wasteload allocation methodology document developed by the States and submitted to EPA for approval. The States of Georgia and South Carolina have recently updated their methodology documents to include information developed in recent years. These updated documents have been reviewed and approved by EPA. Through this approval process, EPA can assure that comparable allocations are being developed for all States in the region. In addition, up-front agreement on modeling procedures helps to eliminate specific model application disagreements. Therefore, the States agree to update their modeling procedures (except for Georgia and South Carolina) during FY 83 for approval by EPA. EPA agrees to expeditiously review the procedures and exercise reasonable flexibility in that review. Approval of the methodology will then provide a basis for EPA approval of wasteload allocations developed in accordance with such methodology and will eliminate the necessity for an in- depth review of every allocation. Proposed wasteload allocations would be submitted to EPA for approval, along with the draft permits and would be specifically referenced as was...
