Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
1.1. Scope. -- This rule establishes the procedures by which the Department of Environmental Protection shall implement the State's water quality anti-degradation policy found at 47 CSR 2-4.1.2. Authority. -- W. Va. Code § 22-11-7b(d).1.3. Filing Date. -- April 11, 2008.1.4. Effective Date. -- July 1, 2008.1.5. Applicability. 1.5.a. Except as noted, the antidegradation implementation procedures herein apply to regulated activities that have the potential to affect water quality. The level of review required will depend upon the existing uses of the water segment that would be affected, the level of protection ("tier") assigned to the applicable water segment, the nature of the activity, and the extent to which existing water quality would be degraded.1.5.b. Nonpoint source activities will be deemed to be in compliance with antidegradation requirements with the installation and maintenance of cost-effective and reasonable best management practices in accordance with 47 CSR 2-4.1.b. These include, but are not limited to, best management practice programs for silviculture administered by the Division of Forestry, programs for oil and gas operations administered by the Office of Oil and Gas of the Department of Environmental Protection, nonpoint source construction activities, and reasonable land, soil and water conservation measures and practices applied to agricultural nonpoint sources.1.5.c. Where applicable and practical, the antidegradation procedure and review shall be integrated into and proceed concurrently with existing environmental processes and reviews pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.1.5.d. Information contained within existing environmental processes and reviews, such as environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, facilities plans, and findings of no significant impact, may be used to provide part or all of the requirements of the antidegradation procedure and review.