OAR 340-041-0230: Basin-Specific Criteria (North Coast): Beneficial Uses to Be Protected in the North Coast Basin

[Note: The amended beneficial uses designated in this rule, adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission on November 16, 2023, are not applicable for Clean Water Act purposes until approved by the U.S. EPA. For applicable uses prior to EPA approval see “Beneficial Uses of Oregon's Waters” on DEQ’s Water Quality Standards website (https://www.oregon.gov/deq/wq/Pages/WQ-Standards-Uses.aspx).] (1) Water quality in the North Coast Basin (see Figure 1) must be managed to protect the designated beneficial uses shown in Table 230A (November 2003). (2) Designated fish uses to be protected in the North Coast Basin are shown in Figures 230A, 230B, 230I and 230J (October 2023). (3) For purpose of protecting active resident trout spawning areas, as required by OAR 340-041-0016 (1): (a) The dissolved oxygen spawning criteria will apply to the salmonid spawning locations and times shown on OAR 340-041-0230: Figure 230J. (b) In addition to the salmonid spawning areas shown on Figure 230J, DEQ will determine where additional active spawning areas used by resident trout occur as data becomes available. DEQ will identify additional spawning habitat and areas determined to be active resident trout spawning areas in a publicly available inventory. The determinations recorded in the inventory will be incorporated into the designated use tables and maps in OAR 340-041 periodically through rulemaking. When resident trout spawning is determined to be an existing use based on the best available data and is added to the resident trout spawning inventory, DEQ will apply the spawning criteria for dissolved oxygen to protect the existing trout spawning use. (4) Coastal water contact recreation use is to be protected in all North Coast Basin marine waters and in coastal waters designated in Figures 230C through 230H (August 2016). (5) Shellfish harvesting use is to be protected in all North Coast Basin marine waters and in coastal waters as designated in Figures 230Cthrough 230H (August 2016). [NOTE: View a PDF of Figures and Tables by clicking on "Tables" link below.] [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]