18 AAC 70.235 - Site-specific criteria

(a) The department may establish a site-specific water quality criterion that modifies a water quality criterion set out in 18 AAC 70.020(b) in regulation as described in (c) of this section.

(b) Repealed 12/28/2006.

(c) Upon application, or on its own initiative, the department will, in its discretion, set site-specific criteria in regulation if the department finds that the evidence reasonably demonstrates that the site-specific criterion will fully protect designated uses in 18 AAC 70.020(b) and that

(1) for reasons specific to a certain site, a criterion in 18 AAC 70.020(b) is more stringent or less stringent than necessary to ensure full protection of the corresponding use class; or

(2) a criterion would be better expressed in terms different from those used in 18 AAC 70.020(b).

(d) The department will set a site-specific criterion under (c) of this section for the "growth and propagation of fish, shellfish, other aquatic life, and wildlife" use classes in 18 AAC 70.020(a) (1)(C) and 18 AAC 70.020(a) (2)(C) only if the department finds that the evidence is sufficient to reasonably demonstrate that

(1) the species or habitats present, or expected to be present under natural conditions, are more sensitive or less sensitive to a substance than indicated by the criterion, and a site-specific criterion is required to prevent adverse effects or to alleviate an unnecessarily restrictive general criterion; or

(2) the natural characteristics of the receiving environment would increase or reduce the biological availability or the toxicity of a substance, or otherwise alter the substance, and a site-specific criterion is required to prevent adverse effects or to alleviate unnecessarily restrictive general criterion.

(e) An applicant seeking a site-specific criterion under this section shall provide all information that the department determines is necessary to modify an existing criterion. The department will, in a timely manner, request and review for completeness, information submitted under this subsection. In all cases, the burden of proof is on the applicant seeking a site-specific criterion.

Notes

18 AAC 70.235

Eff. 11/1/97, Register 143; am 4/29/99, Register 150; am 12/28/2006, Register 180

Authority:AS 46.03.010

AS 46.03.020

AS 46.03.050

AS 46.03.070

AS 46.03.080

AS 46.03.100

AS 46.03.110

AS 46.03.710

AS 46.03.720