Public Notice 3661 is hereby amended.
A. CRITERIA FOR SCENIC STREAM DESIGNATION:
Minimum Standards
1. Each stream or segment of
stream subject to evaluation for candidacy and possible inclusion into
Mississippi's Scenic Streams Stewardship Program must be on the State of
Mississippi's list of officially designated "PUBLIC WATERS". If this
requirement is met, then the stream must meet at least ONE of the following
requirements:
a. Listed as a stream
recreational area in a publication by a government agency, or by a statewide
conservation group, professional association, or recreation
organization.
b. Traverses or is
adjacent to a state or national park, forest, refuge, wildlife management area,
monument or other major public land.
c. Exhibits existing or potential use for
recreational boating (motorized boating, rowing, canoeing, kayaking or
tubing).
d. Possesses accessible
unique scenic or historical sites.
e. Supports plants and/or animals that are
unique or of special concern.
2. If the stream or segment of stream in
question meets the above standards it will be subjected to the evaluation
system listed below that addresses (1) BIOLOGICAL, (2) PHYSICAL, (3) HUMAN
INTERACTION and (4) HISTORICAL criteria. Scores will be determined within each
of these four criteria areas and then summed for a total score. A minimum score
will determine whether the stream or section of stream is eligible for
nomination as a candidate stream for the Mississippi Scenic Stream Stewardship
Program. For those considered eligible, scores will be used to establish
priorities among the streams with streams receiving the highest score(s)
receiving attention first. Ultimate inclusion into the system will be through
agency and legislative processes.
B. BIOLOGICAL CRITERIA:
Mississippi enjoys a rich heritage of flora and fauna
associated with stream ecosystems. For measurement and comparative purposes,
the biological status of Mississippi streams can be categorized by professional
freshwater biologists experienced with the state's aquatic fauna and their
supporting ecosystems. The biological status of a stream can be based upon
available historical information, recent information and personal experience.
Streams are assigned one of four ratings based on consensus of two or more
professional freshwater biologists designated by the state:
1. Superior - Known to support high aquatic
species diversity AND endangered or threatened species or species of
concern.
2. Significant - Known to
support high aquatic species diversity OR endangered or threatened species or
species of concern.
3. Viable -
Known to support a viable aquatic plant and animal community including
exploitable fishery resources.
4.
Non-viable or unknown - Very low aquatic species diversity, OR aquatic plant
and animal community obviously degraded, stressed by environmental perturbation
OR there is insufficient information on the system OR lack of consensus by
biologists conducting the evaluation.
C. PHYSICAL CRITERIA:
Stream ecosystem functioning and aesthetic qualities from
human perspective are determined to a large degree by physical features. In
this regard there are three integrated components: (t) watershed and/or
floodplain, depending on stream type, (2) riparian (stream side) zones, and (3)
channel(s). Connectivity among these components is critical to biological
interactions with stream environments and to human recreational activities
(e.g., canoeing, boating, swimming, fishing, camping, hunting) associated with
streams. Special interest features (e.g., waterfalls, natural meanders and
access to backwater locations, bluffs, sand and/or gravel bars, large trees)
should be noted and given consideration. The physical status of Mississippi
streams can be categorized by the biological team (mentioned above) in
conjunction with a state-employed specialist experienced in development of
state parks and recreational areas. Streams are assigned one of four ratings
based on consensus of team members:
1.
Superior - Unaltered channel, relatively stable, undisturbed stream banks
(minimum average width per linear mile of stream channel is 100 feet on both
banks) with mature growth woody vegetation of characteristic riparian flora
(e.g., tupelo gum, cypress, river birch); at least 35% of the watershed
forested or, if a floodplain river ecosystem, maintains connectivity with its
floodplain (i.e., at least 35% of the floodplain subject to overbank flooding
at least once every two years) OR contains physical features of special
interest.
2. Significant - Channel
not altered within last 5 years. Undisturbed, or moderately disturbed stream
banks (minimum average width per linear mile of stream channel is 50 feet on
both banks), but stable with vigorous regenerating vegetative growth; 1015% of
watershed forested or, if a floodplain river ecosystem, at least 15% of the
floodplain subject to overbank flooding at least once every two
years.
3. Protective - Channel not
altered within last 5 years. Stream banks relatively stable but moderately
disturbed (minimum average width per linear mile of stream channel is 35 feet
on both banks) and with patchy, regenerating vegetative growth. Watershed with
highly fragmented forests or, if a floodplain river ecosystem, at least 15% of
the floodplain subject to overbank flooding at least once every five
years.
4. Poor - Channel altered
within last 5 years OR lack of consensus by members of the evaluation
team.
D. HUMAN
INTERACTION CRITERIA:
The Scenic Streams Stewardship Program for Mississippi should
help link persons to their cultural heritage through interactions with stream
resources. Interactions can be consumptive (e.g., fishing), non-consumptive
(e.g., swimming, canoeing, camping), or founded on aesthetics. A spectrum of
human value systems regarding streams precludes implementation of precise
definition. There are, however, two broad categories that should be evaluated
by a team composed of biologists, recreation specialists and environmental
(i.e. water) quality) professionals: water quality and public use.
1. Water Quality (Criteria adapted from those
used by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality)
2. Uses - Public Water Supply (PWS),
Recreation (REC), Fish and Wildlife (FW)
3. Support of Use:
a. Fullv Supporting:
i. PWS - No drinking water source
restrictions or advisories, and no waters requiring more than conventional
treatment.
ii. REC - No bathing
area closures or restrictions in effect during reporting period; OR not more
than 10% of the fecal coliform samples examined during the last six years
exceed a density of 400 pr 100 ml.
iii. FW - No fish consumption restrictions or
bans are in effect. Criterion exceeded in 10% or less of measurements for
anyone physical or chemical pollutant or stressor; OR reliable data indicate
functioning, sustainable biological communities (flora and fauna) none of which
has been modified beyond the natural range of the reference
condition.
b. Partially
Supporting:
i. PWS - Public water supply
provided by the stream requires more than conventional treatment due to
contaminant concentrations in source water.
ii. REC - On average, one bathing area
closure per year of less than one week's duration; OR fecal coliform exceed 400
per 100 ml in more than 10% of the samples examined.
iii. FW - Waters used for fishing, but listed
currently by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality as having a
"restricted consumption" advisory. Criterion for anyone physical or chemical
pol1utant or stressor for which a state numerical water quality standard exists
is exceeded in 11-25% of the measurements; OR at least one biological
assemblage (e.g., fish, macro-invertebrates, or algae) indicates less than full
support with moderate modification of the biological community noted.
c. Not Supporting:
i. PWS - One or more contamination-based
closures of a drinking water source.
ii. REC - On average, one bathing area
closure per year of more than one week's duration; OR more than one area
closure per year or fecal coliform exceed 2000 per 100 ml in more than 10% of
the samples examined.
iii. FW -
Waters used for fishing, but currently listed by the Commission on
Environmental Quality as having a "no consumption" advisory; or a "commercial
fishing" ban. Criterion for anyone physical or chemical pol1utant or stressor
for which a state numerical water quality standard exists is exceeded in more
than 25% of the measurements; OR at least one biological assemblage (e.g.,
fish, macroinvertebrates, or algae) indicates non-support with severe
modification of the biological community noted.
4. Note: POSTED WATERS: Surface waters may be
officially posted for a number of reasons to protect the health and welfare of
the public. These reasons include fish consumption advisories; commercial
fishing bans; contact recreation restrictions or bans; and closures of public
water supply sources. Support of Use score will be reduced by 50% for the
presence of one or more postings formally adopted for a stream.
E. Level of Confidence in Degree
of Use Support
1. Extensive Amount of
Monitoring Data
a. PWS - An assessment based
on ambient monitoring data collected from "source water" very near a public
water supply system intake, and sufficient to determine the presence of Safe
Drinking Water Act contaminants. Finished water monitoring data is also
reviewed.
b. REC - An assessment
based on monitoring data collected two to three times a week annually or during
key seasons.
c. FW - An assessment
based on the analysis of multiple sampling events for two consecutive years
during the past five years for which fish tissues were analyzed for a
comprehensive suite of parameters; OR physical and chemical data were collected
over at least three of the last five years with sufficient frequency and
parametric coverage to capture acute events, chronic conditions and all other
potential physical and chemical impacts. Sediment quality may also have been
monitored. In addition, toxicant sampling is included, as well as water column
and sediment toxicity; OR biological data are derived from direct biological
and habitat measures during key seasons of the year using an eco-regional
reference condition approach and two organism groups (e.g., aquatic insects and
fish).
2. Moderate
Amount of Monitoring Data
a. PWS - An
assessment based on "finished water" monitoring data and sufficient ambient
monitoring data collected from "source water" to determine the likely presence
of Safe Drinking Water Act contaminants. The ambient monitoring is not
necessarily in close proximity to a public water system intake.
b. REC - An assessment based on monitoring
data from at least monthly visits to a site during a minimum of a two-year
period. An intensive bacteriological survey with many samples collected over a
period of a few days would also be in this assessment level.
c. FW - An assessment based on the analysis
of multiple sampling events during the past five years (not necessarily
consecutive) for which fish tissues were analyzed for a selected suite of
parameters.
d. Physical and
chemical data were collected over at least three of the last five years with
sufficient frequency and parametric coverage to capture acute events and most
potential physical and chemical impacts and includes toxicant sampling and/or
toxicity sampling as appropriate. Biological data are derived from direct
biological and habitat measures during key seasons of the year.
3. Limited Amount of Monitoring
Data
a. PWS - An assessment based on "finished
water" monitoring data. Ambient monitoring data collected from "source water"
are limited and mayor may not be in close proximity to the public water system
intake.
b. REC - An assessment
based on monitoring data from multiple visits to a site for less than a
two-year period. The multiple visits generally occur less often than monthly or
are part of a limited special study.
c. FW - An assessment based on the analysis
of one sampling event during the past five years for which fish tissues were
analyzed for a single parameter or a limited suite of parameters.
d. Physical and chemical data, while
routinely collected, are limited in frequency or period of record to critical
periods of the year, or to short term special studies; but include toxicant
sampling and or toxicity testing as appropriate. Biological data are derived
from limited screening level information.
4. Scoring: Overall Water Quality Score =
(USE + DEGREE) x (CONFIDENCE) Where: USE is the Designated Use, DEGREE is the
degree of Use Support, and CONFIDENCE is the level of Confidence in the Use
Support determination.
F. Public Use
1. Criteria Economics, Access, Navigability,
Sensory, Fishing, Camping.
2.
Evaluation.
a. Economics:
i. High - recreational activities support
more than four privately owned recreational-based services (e.g., launching
ramps, tackle stores, canoe rentals, camping areas).
ii. Medium - recreational activities support
two to four privately owned recreational-based services.
iii. Low - recreational activities support
less than two privately owned recreational- based services.
b. Access:
i. High - more than three access points which
permit launching of small boats (less than or equal to 14 feet total length) or
canoes.
ii. Medium - two to three
access points which may not permit launching of small boats or
canoes.
iii. Low - less than two
access points which may not permit launching of small boats or
canoes.
c. Navigability:
i. High - water depth and flow allow year
round use by small boats or canoes and the stream is free from obstructions
that completely block the stream channel.
ii. Medium - water depth and flow may
restrict year round use by small boats or canoes and the stream may possess
some across-channel obstructions.
iii. Low - water depth and flow only permit
seasonal use by small boats or canoes and the stream possesses numerous
obstructions, many of which completely block the stream channel.
d. Sensory:
i. Sight:
(a) High - no visible signs of pollution or
foreign discharges or materials.
(b)Medium - few locations with visible signs
of pollution or foreign discharges or materials.
(c) Low - generally degraded by visible signs
of pollution or foreign discharges or materials.
ii. Sounds:
(a) High - only occasional and intermittent
noises from residential, recreational or rural roads, settlements and
agricultural/forestry operations.
(b) Medium-occasional highway, railroad,
agricultural/ forestry operation noises and frequent residential or
recreational noises.
(c) Low -
frequent noise of any type or occasional industrial or urban noises.
iii. Odors:
(a)High - no unnatural odors
present.
(b)Medium - occasional
unnatural odors present, but they are not strong (e.g., industrial,
residential, agricultural).
(c) Low
- unnatural odors occur often or a strong odor occurs at one or more locations.
e. Fishing:
i. High - Populations of sport and commercial
fishes support or could support viable fisheries for more than 5
species.
ii. Medium - Populations
of sport and commercial fishes support or could support viable fisheries for
two to five species.
iii. Low -
Populations of sport and commercial fishes support or could support viable
fisheries for less than two species.
f. Camping: (Note: Most overnight trips on
streams incorporate linear distances of between 12 and 15 miles of stream
channel.)
i. High - More than six upland or
sandbar campsites exist along stream sections appropriate for overnight trips
by small boats or canoes OR at least one campsite every 2-3 miles.
ii. Medium - Between three and six upland or
sandbar campsites exist along stream sections appropriate in length for
overnight trips by small boats or canoes OR at least one campsite every 4-5
miles.
iii. Low - Fewer than three
upland or sandbar campsites exist along stream sections appropriate in length
for overnight trips by small boats or canoes OR fewer than one campsite every
4-5 miles.
G. HISTORICAL CRITERIA:
Mississippi has a rich and varied history with respect to its
streams. The natural history of flora and fauna reveals dynamic interactions of
these organisms with our stream ecosystems. Prior to European settlement,
Native Americans tended to use streams as the focal points for their
civilizations. European exploration and settlement utilized streams as the
highways for commerce and conquest. All of these factors tend to leave their
traces along our streams. Thus an important component of determining special
status for streams in Mississippi rests within the realm of their historical
significance and subsequently their ability to help us better know ourselves.
Within each level of evaluation the three historical components are addressed:
natural history, prehistoric, historic. These criteria should be evaluated by
professional historians employed by the State of Mississippi.
1. Highly Significant - Natural history,
prehistoric and/or historic features are known to exist in association with the
stream.
2. Important - There is a
high to medium probability that natural history, prehistoric and/or historical
features exist in association with the stream.
3. Poor - There are no known features and the
probability of them existing is low.
