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Uses and Criteria: Turbidity
Part II–Designated Uses and Criteria
Turbidity
173-201A-200
Fresh water designated uses and criteria.
Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.48 and 90.54 RCW. 03-14-129 (Order 02-14), §
173-201A-200, filed 7/1/03, effective 8/1/03.
(e) Aquatic life turbidity criteria. Turbidity is measured in "nephelometric
turbidity units" or "NTUs." Table 200 (1)(e) lists the maximum turbidity
criteria for each of the aquatic life use categories.
Table 200 (1)(e) Aquatic Life Turbidity Criteria in Fresh Water
|
Use Category |
Percent Saturation |
| Char Spawning and Rearing |
Turbidity shall not exceed:
- 5 NTU over background when the background is 50 NTU or less; or
- A 10 percent increase in turbidity when the background turbidity
is more than 50 NTU.
|
| Core Summer Salmonid Habitat |
Same as above. |
| Salmonid Spawning, Rearing, and Migration |
Same as above. |
| Salmonid Rearing and Migration Only |
Turbidity shall not exceed:
- 10 NTU over background when the background is 50 NTU or less; or
- A 20 percent increase in turbidity when the background turbidity
is more than 50 NTU.
|
| Non-anadromous Interior Redband Trout |
Turbidity shall not exceed:
- 5 NTU over background when the background is 50 NTU or less; or
- A 10 percent increase in turbidity when the background turbidity
is more than 50 NTU.
|
| Indigenous Warm Water Species |
Turbidity shall not exceed:
- 10 NTU over background when the background is 50 NTU or less; or
- A 20 percent increase in turbidity when the background turbidity
is more than 50 NTU.
|
- The turbidity criteria established under WAC 173-201A-200 (1)(e) shall
be modified, without specific written authorization from the department, to
allow a temporary area of mixing during and immediately after necessary
in-water construction activities that result in the disturbance of in-place
sediments. This temporary area of mixing is subject to the constraints of
WAC 173-201A-400 (4) and (6) and can occur only after the activity has
received all other necessary local and state permits and approvals, and
after the implementation of appropriate best management practices to avoid
or minimize disturbance of in-place sediments and exceedances of the
turbidity criteria. A temporary area of mixing shall be as follows:
- For waters up to 10 cfs flow at the time of construction, the point
of compliance shall be one hundred feet downstream from the activity
causing the turbidity exceedance.
- For waters above 10 cfs up to 100 cfs flow at the time of
construction, the point of compliance shall be two hundred feet
downstream of the activity causing the turbidity exceedance.
- For waters above 100 cfs flow at the time of construction, the point
of compliance shall be three hundred feet downstream of the activity
causing the turbidity exceedance.
- For projects working within or along lakes, ponds, wetlands,
estuaries, marine waters or other nonflowing waters, the point of
compliance shall be at a radius of one hundred fifty feet from the
activity causing the turbidity exceedance.
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Last updated October 2007
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