What happens to my QAPP once it is submitted to the EPA Region 6 Water Quality Protection Division?
Once the QAPP is received by your project officer, in the State and Tribal Programs Section (6WQ-AT), a copy is sent to the Watershed Management Section (6WQ-EW) or the Marine and Estuarine Section (6WQ-EM), both located in the Ecosystems Protection Branch (6WQ-E). After a brief review of the QAPP to determine the kinds of monitoring to be conducted and EPA program involvement, it is assigned to one or more (usually three) reviewers, based on their specific technical expertise. For example, a QAPP for a use attainability study might be assigned to a water quality standards expert, a fisheries biologist, and someone with a general ambient monitoring background. One of the reviewers is assigned as the lead, and the lead compiles any comments or suggestions for a response to the State and Tribal Programs Section (6WQ-AT). This review period is generally limited to thirty days. The project officer then compiles their comments with any received from the Ecosystems Protection Branch, makes a
