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Show Mississippi 425 Supreme Court.13 The statute does not indicate whether there is a trial de novo, or simply a review of the record made before the Board, at the lower court level. 2.3 Other Agencies Having Water Resource Responsibilities A. WATER QUALITY CONTROL Air and water quality control is the responsibility of the Water Pollution Control Commission.14 While the duties of the Commission encompass the regulation of air pollutants as well as water pollution control, only the responsibilities of the Commission relating to water quality regulation are reviewed here. The Commission is responsible for conducting studies and investigations in order to develop a com- prehensive program for the prevention, control, and abatement of new or existing pollution, and is authorized to receive and administer funds from the Federal Government in carrying out its functions.15 The Commission may adopt standards of water quality to protect the public health and welfare, and the present and prospective future uses of waters of the State. However, the Commission must give notice and conduct a public hearing before adopting water quality standards.16 Standards can be amended if the Commission determines such action to be necessary. As part of its program in adopting water quality standards, the Commission may allow and specify a reason- able time within which persons discharging wastes into the waters of the State must comply with such standards.17 Plans and specifications for the construction or extension of any waste disposal system or outlet for the discharge of wastes into the waters of the State must be submitted to the Commission,18 and a permit must be obtained from the Commission prior to beginning construction.19 This provision extends not only to waste disposal systems, but also includes irrigation projects which by their opera- tion would cause an increase in the discharge of wastes into the waters of the State or would otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological property of any water in an unauthorized manner.20 Mississippi has adopted a water pollution abatement grant pro- gram which allows the State to assist in the costs of construction of waste disposal facilities constructed by political subdivisions of the State; however, no grant can be made for more than 25 percent of the construction cost of the project and the funds which the State makes available must be repaid.21 The Commission may conduct an administrative hearing in those situations where it has reason to believe there has been a violation of the act or an order of the Commission, and may issue orders prohibit- ing, controlling, or abating the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the State.22 Any person aggrieved by a final order of the ™ Sec. 5956-25. « Sec. 7106-113. 15 Sec. 7106-116. 18 Sec. 7106-119. » Sec. 7106-119. 18 Sec. 7106-116. M Sec. 7106-118. *>Id. 21 Sees. 7106-141 to 7106-152. ** Sees. 7106-116 ana 7106-120. |
