WATER QUALITY ACT OF 1965 - IMPACT ON THE DAIRY AND FOOD INDUSTRY

On May 10, 1966 the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration was transferred to. the Department of the Interior and Secretary Stewart L. Udal immediately issued guideliries to the States for setting of water quality standards on the interstate waters. Under the Federal Water Quality Act of 1965 the States are required to set quality standards on interstate waters by June 30, 1967. If a State fails to set adequate standards they will be set by the Secretary of the Interior. By May lOth, 1966, twenty seven States had indicated their intention to meet the '67 deadline. The guidelines require that economic, health, conservation, and aesthetic values be considered in determining the most appropriate use of a stream and that the States hold public hearings before setting quality standards. Secretary Udall said "President Johnson has made it clear that no one has the right to use America's rivers and America's waterways that belong to all the people as a sewer". The May, 1966, guidelines for establishing water quality standards for interstate waters under the Water Quality Act of 1965, Public Law 89-234, provide that standards adopted by a State will become standards applicable if: 1. The State authorities file by October 2, 1966, a letter of intent that the State after public hearings will, before June 30, 1967, adopt water quality criteria applicable to interstate waters or portions thereof within the State, and a plan for the implementation and enforcement of the criteria; 2. The State subsequently adopts such criteria and plan; and, 3. The Secretary determines that the State criteria and plan are consistent with the purposes of the Act.