Submission Guidelines

Proposals to Change the Water Quality

Classification of Maine Waters

Introduction

You are invited to submit proposals to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (the Department) on changes to the classification of specific surface waters. The Department is required to periodically conduct classification studies and consult with the public and interested state and federal agencies for the purpose of reviewing the appropriateness of assigned water quality classifications and proposing changes in water classification for Maine waterbodies. The last Re-Classification initiative was completed in 2005 and the Department is now embarking on the process to prepare a Water Quality Re-Classification proposal for the 123^rd Legislature (Session opening January 2009).

Maine’s Water Classification law is designed to protect and maintain water quality. The law directs the implementation of water management actions for a water body or segment of a water body based on Maine’s tiered classifications (Riverine Class AA, A, B and C and Marine Class SA, SB and SC). By state law, all of Maine’s lakes are assigned to Class GPA so there are no classification options. All water quality classifications for Maine waterbodies are designed to attain the Interim Goals of the U.S. Clean Water Act or higher. Appendix A provides a summary of the uses and criteria that apply to each waterbody type and water quality classification. Proposals may be submitted at the address below at any time before June 1, 2008.

What do you need to know?

• Maine’s Water Quality Classification System is goal-based.

When proposing an upgrade in classification, recommend waters that either presently attain or with reasonable application of improved treatment or Best Management Practices (BMPs), could reasonably be expected to attain, the standards and criteria of a higher proposed class.

• In Classes AA, A and SA Maine law places significant restrictions on human activities that might pose a risk of degradation of water quality. More allowances for human activities are permitted in Classes B, C, SB and SC. For example Class AA prohibits wastewater discharge and hydropower while Class C allows these activities.

When proposing a waterbody for upgrade in classification consider the interests and activities of other users of the resource and how the proposed change in classification may affect them.

• If you are proposing a downgrade for a water segment, please contact Susan Davies directly. Downgrades are only approved by the Department and the United States Environmental Protection Agency when it can be proven that it is impossible for the waterbody to attain its assigned standards and criteria.

Schedule

Questions and where to Submit

Susan P. Davies, Water Quality Standards Coordinator

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

SHS 17

Augusta, Maine 04333

207-287-7778

Susan.p.davies@maine.gov

Subject Line: “Re-Classification Proposal”

Information to be Submitted with Re-Classification Proposals

1. Waterbody Name

2. Location of proposed change in classification

• Provide features easily identified on a DeLorme Atlas map or include Geographic Information System (GIS) coordinates and/or submit a map with the proposed area clearly marked;

• Provide the geographic limits of the proposed change,

3. Write a brief statement that justifies why the waterbody should be considered for classification change.

For Class AA and SA proposals identify the waterbodies qualifications for: “Outstanding ecological, social, scenic, economic or reacreational importance”.

4. State how the proposed change will affect other users of the waterbody, for example holders of wastewater or stormwater discharge permits or holders of land-development permits.

5. Provide water quality data if available (and source of data), that documents the attainment status of the candidate waterbody relative to the designated uses and criteria of the proposed classification.

6. Provide a summary of known human activities in the watershed of the proposed re-classification that might jeopardize attainment of standards of the proposed classification, for example land-use altering activities, landfills, hazardous waste sites, wastewater discharges, etc.

Appendix A

Note: See MRSA Article 4-A §464 Classification of Maine Waters for complete text.

Designated Uses and Criteria for Maine River and Stream Classifications

* "g.m." means geometric mean and "inst." means instantaneous level

**Numeric biocriteria in Maine rule Chapter 579, Classification Attainment Evaluation Using Biological Criteria for Rivers and Streams

Designated Uses and Criteria for Maine Marine Classifications