[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 21]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR131.32]

[Page 411-412]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 131_WATER QUALITY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
         Subpart D_Federally Promulgated Water Quality Standards
 
Sec.  131.32  Pennsylvania.

    (a) Antidegradation policy. This antidegradation policy shall be 
applicable to all waters of the United States within the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, including wetlands.
    (1) Existing in-stream uses and the level of water quality necessary 
to protect the existing uses shall be maintained and protected.
    (2) Where the quality of the waters exceeds levels necessary to 
support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in 
and on the water, that quality shall be maintained and protected unless 
the Commonwealth finds, after full satisfaction of the inter-
governmental coordination and public participation provisions of the 
Commonwealth's continuing planning process, that allowing lower water 
quality is necessary to accommodate important economic or social 
development in the area in which the waters are located. In allowing 
such degradation or lower water quality, the Commonwealth shall assure 
water quality adequate to protect existing uses fully. Further, the 
Commonwealth shall assure that there shall be achieved the highest 
statutory and regulatory requirements for all new and existing point 
sources and all cost-effective and reasonable best management practices 
for nonpoint sources.
    (3) Where high quality waters are identified as constituting an 
outstanding National resource, such as waters of National and State 
parks and

[[Page 412]]

wildlife refuges and water of exceptional recreational and ecological 
significance, that water quality shall be maintained and protected.
    (b) [Reserved]

[61 FR 64822, Dec. 9, 1996]