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June 30, 2008 <br />Changes in zoning and significant development projects require approvals from the County in a <br />public process including legal notice. <br />D. Water Quality (Factor 4) <br />The issue of water quality is to be addressed by the Management Plan Alternative. The <br />Stakeholder Group will develop a water quality monitoring plan and, if appropriate, a <br />management plan to protect the identified ORVs. If the monitoring program determines that <br />water quality standards are not being met, or the standards are insufficient to protect ORVs, then <br />the Stakeholder Group may collect and analyze additional water quality data, develop a water <br />quality management plan, become involved in the WQCD's basin evaluation process, propose <br />site specific standards or a control regulation, and /or participate in TMDL development and <br />implementation. <br />The following provides some background on water quality regulation in Colorado. The Colorado <br />Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) <br />recognizes Recreation and Aquatic Life as classified uses of surface waters in Colorado and has <br />adopted water quality standards that are deemed to be protective of these uses. The State of <br />Colorado has classified Upper Colorado River Stream Segment 03 for the protection of primary <br />contact recreation and cold water aquatic life and has adopted specific standards for the <br />protection of these uses (5 CCR 1002 -33). This segment is described as the main stem of the <br />Colorado River from the outlet of Lake Granby to the confluence with the Roaring Fork River. <br />Upper Colorado River Stream Segment 03 is also designated as "Reviewable" under the anti - <br />degradation rules of the WQCC. This means that the existing water quality should be protected <br />unless it can be shown in a formal review process that the proposed degradation is necessary to <br />accommodate important social and economic development in the area where the waters are <br />located. <br />Water quality standards and classifications are reviewed in a formal public process every five <br />years. This review process is occurring now and the Colorado Water Quality Control Division <br />has provided a fairly detailed summary of existing water quality in Upper Colorado River <br />Segment 03. This review process provides an opportunity to evaluate whether existing quality is <br />being maintained, to propose changes to the protective standards and classifications, or to object <br />to changes proposed by others. <br />The state system also allows for site specific standards when deemed appropriate. Basin control <br />regulations can also be developed for specific classes of state waters (Section 25 -8 -205, C.R.S.). <br />Final oversight of this program is by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). <br />Changes to this system would require significant changes to Federal and State legislation. <br />E. Issues that Have the Potential to Affect ORVs (Factor 5) <br />The intention of the Wild & Scenic Management Plan Alternative is to develop a collaborative <br />plan that balances permanent protection of the BLM ORVs; certainty for the Stakeholder Group; <br />water project yield; and flexibility for water users. There are numerous issues that may be <br />relevant to protection of BLM's identified ORVs, including, but not limited to: changes in <br />upstream water uses, increased diversions by existing water projects, development of new water <br />-25- <br />