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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: December 24, 2004
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM WILL HOLD PUBLIC WORKSHOP THURSDAY, JANUARY 6 ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GROUNDWATER QUALITY REGULATIONS
Public Hearing to be Held on January 20

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that it will hold a public workshop to discuss proposed amendments to groundwater quality rules and regulations on Thursday, January 6 at 4 p.m. in Room 300 at DEM Headquarters at 235 Promenade Street in Providence. A public hearing on the proposed amendments will be held on January 20 at 4 p.m. at the same location.

Numerous changes to current groundwater quality regulations are proposed. The most significant of them will eliminate the requirement for groundwater quality certification for many projects, tighten the criteria for groundwater quality certifications for individual sewage disposal systems from 10,000 gallons per day to 5,000 gallons per day, and require stockpiles of road salt to be covered in areas where groundwater is classified GA or GAA. The proposed regulations will also eliminate the requirement for a separate municipal or large water supplier wellhead protection plan, since other state mandated planning requirements will satisfy wellhead protection requirements. In addition, the regulations include proposed revisions and updates to groundwater classification and wellhead protection area maps.

The proposed regulations, supporting documents, and the draft maps are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by selecting "Publications/Regulations", then "Proposed Regulations", then "Notice re: Proposed Amendments to Groundwater Quality Regulations". Map drafts can also be viewed at DEM's Office of Technical and Customer Assistance at DEM Headquarters. Copies of the proposed regulations can also be obtained by calling Ernie Panciera at 222-4700 ext. 7603.

DEM encourages the submission of written comments prior to the date of the public hearing, although the public comment period will remain open until January 28 at 4 p.m. Comments should be sent to Mr. Panciera at DEM's Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908-5767.

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