Sec. 2. (a) The board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that are necessary to the implementation of:
(1) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), as in effect January 1, 1988; and
(2) the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f through 300j), as in effect January 1, 1988;
except as provided in IC 14-37.
(b) "Degradation" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-50.5.
(c) "Outstanding national resource water" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-149.5.
(d) "Outstanding state resource water" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-149.6.
(e) "Watershed" has the meaning set forth in IC 14-8-2-310.
(f) The board may designate a water body as an outstanding state resource water by rule if the board determines that the water body has a unique or special ecological, recreational, or aesthetic significance.
(g) Before the board may adopt a rule designating a water body as an outstanding state resource water, the board must consider the following:
(1) Economic impact analyses, presented by any interested party, taking into account future population and economic development growth.
(2) The biological criteria scores for the water body, using factors that consider fish communities, macro invertebrate communities, and chemical quality criteria using representative biological data from the water body under consideration.
(3) The level of current urban and agricultural development in the watershed.
(4) Whether the designation of the water body as an outstanding state resource water will have a significant adverse effect on future population, development, and economic growth in the watershed, if the water body is in a watershed that has more than three percent (3%) of its land in urban land uses or serves a municipality with a population greater than five thousand (5,000).
(5) Whether the designation of the water body as an outstanding state resource water is necessary to protect the unique or special ecological, recreational, or aesthetic significance of the water body.
(h) Before the board may adopt a rule designating a water body as an outstanding state resource water, the board must make available to the public a written summary of the information considered by the board under subsections (f) and (g), including the board's conclusions concerning that information.
(i) Upon request by the house of representatives or senate committees on environmental affairs, the commissioner shall present information that supports a water body designation as an outstanding state resource water in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the designation of an outstanding state resource water in effect on January 1, 2000, remains in effect.
(k) For a water body designated as an outstanding state resource water, the board shall provide by rule procedures that will:
(1) prevent degradation; and
(2) allow for increases and additions in pollutant loadings from an existing or new discharge if:
(A) there will be an overall improvement in water quality for the outstanding state resource water as described in this section; and
(B) the applicable requirements of rules adopted by the board under this section are met.
(l) The procedures provided by rule under subsection (k) must include the following:
(1) A definition of significant lowering of water quality that includes a de minimis quantity of additional pollutant load:
(A) for which a new or increased permit limit is required; and
(B) below which antidegradation implementation procedures do not apply.
(2) Provisions allowing the permittee to choose application of one (1) of the following for each activity undertaken by the permittee that will result in a significant lowering of water quality in the outstanding state resource water:
(A) Implementation of a water quality project in the watershed of the outstanding state resource water that will result in an overall improvement of the water quality of the outstanding state resource water.
(B) Payment of a fee, not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), based on the type and quantity of increased pollutant loadings, to the department for deposit in the outstanding state resource water improvement fund established under section 14 of this chapter for use as permitted under that section.
(3) Criteria for the submission and timely approval of projects described in subdivision (2)(A).
(4) A process for public input in the approval process.
(5) Use of water quality data that is less than seven (7) years old and specific to the outstanding state resource water.
(6) Criteria for using the watershed improvement fees to fund projects in the watershed that result in improvement in water quality in the outstanding state resource water.
(m) For a water body designated as an outstanding state resource water after June 30, 2000, the board shall provide by rule antidegradation implementation procedures before the water body is designated in accordance with this section.
(n) A water body may be designated as an outstanding national resource water only by the general assembly after recommendations for designation are made by the board and the interim study committee on environmental affairs established by IC 2-5-1.3-4.
(o) Before recommending the designation of an outstanding national resource water, the department shall provide for an adequate public notice and comment period regarding the designation. The commissioner shall present a summary of the comments and information received during the comment period and the department's recommendation concerning designation to the house of representatives or senate committees on environmental affairs in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 not later than ninety (90) days after the end of the comment period. The committee shall consider the comments, information, and recommendation received from the department, and shall convey its recommendation concerning designation to the general assembly within six (6) months after receipt.
(p) This subsection applies to all surface waters of the state. The department shall complete an antidegradation review of all NPDES general permits. The department may modify the general permits for purposes of antidegradation compliance. After an antidegradation review of a permit is conducted under this subsection, activities covered by an NPDES general permit are not required to undergo an additional antidegradation review. An NPDES general permit may not be used to authorize a discharge into an outstanding national resource water or an outstanding state resource water, except that a short term, temporary storm water discharge to an outstanding national resource water or to an outstanding state resource water may be permitted under an NPDES general permit if the commissioner determines that the discharge will not significantly lower the water quality downstream of the discharge.
(q) Subsection (r) applies to:
(1) an application for an NPDES permit subject to IC 13-15-4-1(a)(2)(B), IC 13-15-4-1(a)(3)(B), or IC 13-15-4-1(a)(4); or
(2) an application for a modification or renewal of an NPDES permit;
that proposes new or increased discharge that would result in a significant lowering of water quality as defined in subsection (l)(1).
(r) For purposes of an antidegradation review with respect to an application referred to in subsection (q), the applicant shall demonstrate at the time the application is submitted to the department, and the commissioner shall review:
(1) an analysis of alternatives to the proposed discharge; and
(2) subject to subsection (s), social or economic factors indicating the importance of the proposed discharge if alternatives to the proposed discharge are not practicable.
(s) Subject to subsection (t), the commissioner shall consider the following factors in determining whether a proposed discharge is necessary to accommodate important economic or social development in the area in which the waters are located under antidegradation standards and implementation procedures:
(1) Creation, expansion, or maintenance of employment.
(2) The unemployment rate.
(3) The median household income.
(4) The number of households below the poverty level.
(5) Community housing needs.
(6) Change in population.
(7) The impact on the community tax base.
(8) Provision of fire departments, schools, infrastructure, and other necessary public services.
(9) Correction of a public health, safety, or environmental problem.
(10) Production of goods and services that protect, enhance, or improve the overall quality of life and related research and development.
(11) The impact on the quality of life for residents in the area.
(12) The impact on the fishing, recreation, and tourism industries.
(13) The impact on threatened and endangered species.
(14) The impact on economic competitiveness.
(15) Demonstration by the permit applicant that the factors identified and reviewed under subdivisions (1) through (14) are necessary to accommodate important social or economic development despite the proposed significant lowering of water quality.
(16) Inclusion by the applicant of additional factors that may enhance the social or economic importance associated with the proposed discharge, such as an approval that:
(A) recognizes social or economic importance; and
(B) is given to the applicant by:
(i) a legislative body; or
(ii) other government officials.
(17) Any other action or recommendation relevant to the antidegradation demonstration made by a:
(A) state;
(B) county;
(C) township; or
(D) municipality;
potentially affected by the proposed discharge.
(18) Any other action or recommendation relevant to the antidegradation demonstration received during the public participation process.
(19) Any other factors that the commissioner:
(A) finds relevant; or
(B) is required to consider under the Clean Water Act.
(t) In determining whether a proposed discharge is necessary to accommodate important economic or social development in the area in which the waters are located under antidegradation standards and implementation procedures, the commissioner:
(1) must give substantial weight to any applicable determinations by governmental entities; and
(2) may rely on consideration of any one (1) or a combination of the factors listed in subsection (s).
(u) Each exceptional use water (as defined in IC 13-11-2-72.5, before its repeal) designated by the board before June 1, 2009, becomes an outstanding state resource water on June 1, 2009, by operation of law.
(v) Beginning June 1, 2009, all waters of the state are classified in the following categories:
(1) Outstanding national resource waters.
(2) Outstanding state resource waters.
(3) Waters of the state as i defined in IC 13-11-2-265.
(4) High quality waters as described in 40 CFR 131.12(a)(2).
(w) The board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to establish a process to designate a water body as a limited use water as described in 40 CFR 131.12.
[Pre-1996 Recodification Citation: 13-1-3-4(a) part.]
As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.140-2000, SEC.17; P.L.1-2001, SEC.16; P.L.78-2009, SEC.15; P.L.81-2011, SEC.1; P.L.53-2014, SEC.124; P.L.112-2016, SEC.17; P.L.135-2026, SEC.146.
