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Your Input is Important to a Successful Tribal
Water Quality Standards (WQS) Variance

A EPA

Discharger and
authorized Tribe
determine that a
WQS variance is

needed to
improve water
quality.

Collaborate with
the authorized
Tribe, such as
participating in a
workgroup, and
ask:

•	why a WQS
variance is
needed and how
it will improve
water quality

•	how long water
quality

improvements
will take

The authorized
Tribe proposes
a WOS variance,

ana requests
public comment
on the WQS
variance and
supporting
documentation.

The authorized
Tribe holds

public
hearings and
obtains public
input.

If proceeding,
the authorized
Tribe adopts

the WQS
variance after
considering
public input.

The
authorized
Tribe submits
the WQS
variance
package to
EPAfor
review.

If approved b\
EPA, the WQS
variance is
implemented.

The authorized
Tribe reevaluates
the WQS
variance, with
public input,
to see if more can
be done to
improve
water quality.

WQS VARIANCE PROCESS

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OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE INPUT

Review the
documentation
and analyses.

Provide written
comments.

Ask how the
authorized Tribe
will use your
feedback to
refine the WQS
variance.

Participate in the

public hearings.

Provide input on:

•	the goals for
water quality
improvement

•	the discharger
requirements

•	the timeframe
for achieving
goals and
requirements.

Read the
adopted WQS
variance and
the response to
comments
document.

Ask that
progress
reports and
monitoring
results be made

available so that
you can track
water quality
improvements.

Provide your

input
if there are
other activities
that could help
mprove water
quality.

Office of Water 823-F-24-002

Visit the EPA's WQS Variance website for more information. 0 ft?:!

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