This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding water quality in Arizona. It introduces new provisions, such as establishing a water quality program aimed at restoring and maintaining the integrity of the state's waters (14. Establish a water quality program to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of this state's waters.). Additionally, it mandates the adoption of a permit program for discharges into non-WOTUS protected surface waters and requires public notice and comment opportunities for water quality standards (3. Adopt, by rule, a permit program for the discharge of dredged or fill material into non-WOTUS protected surface water for the PURPOSES of implementing a permit PURSUANT to 33 United States Code section 1344.). The bill also modifies existing language by removing certain outdated provisions and clarifying the director's responsibilities. For instance, it deletes the requirement for the director to apply surface water quality standards established as of January 1, 2021, for non-WOTUS protected waters and instead emphasizes the need for public engagement in the rulemaking process (For non-WOTUS protected surface waters, the director shall apply surface water quality standards established as of January 1, 2021, until specifically changed by the director pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection.). Furthermore, it enhances the criteria for adding waters to the protected surface waters list by requiring consideration of cultural or religious significance to federally recognized Indian tribes (6. The director shall consider any claim by a federally recognized Indian tribe that the water is of cultural or religious importance to the tribe.).

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-203, 49-221, 49-222, 49-255.01, 49-255.02, 49-255.03, 49-255.04, 49-371, 35-146, 35-147, 49-210, 49-241.02, 49-243, 49-201, 37-1121, 38-503, 49-223, 111-353, 3-525, 49-104, 41-1028, 49-323