The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board is considering the adoption of revised waste discharge requirements for the Unimin Corp. Plant and the Howard Estate in Ione.

The revisions, which would reclassify the tailings waste and require changes in tailings disposal to protect the water quality, will be discussed at public hearings Sept. 11 and 12. Electronic copies of the proposed waste discharge requirements, or WDRs, are available to view and download at www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/tentative. Copies of the September 2003 standard provisions and reporting requirements that would also be adopted may also be obtained at the Web site. Comments can be sent in writing to the attention of Ross Atkinson at the water board by noon on Aug. 15. Materials received after this date will not be accepted or incorporated into the administrative record.

Contact Atkinson at (916) 464-4614 or ratkinson@waterboards.ca.gov.