Minnesota Administrative Rules

7050.0250 ANTIDEGRADATION PURPOSE.

The purpose of the antidegradation provisions in parts 7050.0250 to 7050.0335 is to achieve and maintain the highest possible quality in surface waters of the state. To accomplish this purpose:

A.

existing uses and the level of water quality necessary to protect existing uses shall be maintained and protected;

B.

degradation of high water quality shall be minimized and allowed only to the extent necessary to accommodate important economic or social development;

C.

water quality necessary to preserve the exceptional characteristics of outstanding resource value waters shall be maintained and protected; and

D.

proposed activities with the potential for water quality impairments associated with thermal discharges shall be consistent with section 316 of the Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1326.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 115.03; 115.44

History:

41 SR 545

Published Electronically:

December 9, 2016