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The attached table from Regulation 34 displays the site specific, numeric standards applied to the Upper San <br /> JuanRiver and its tributaries. Generally, the Upper San Juan has good quality water and stringent water quality <br /> standards. <br /> Anti-Degradation Designations <br /> The Commission can also designate some segments as "Outstanding Waters". This designation specifies that <br /> there can be no degradation of water quality below what currently exists. Generally, Outstanding Waters has <br /> only been applied to wilderness areas and national parks, although it has been applied in a few other segments <br /> in the state. <br /> Permits <br /> Surface water permits are issued by the Water Quality Control Division for industrial, and private or public <br /> wastewater discharges. These permits have strict numeric limits which are designed to meet water quality <br /> standards in the segments where the discharge is located and in downstream segments. The Division (and <br /> sometimes municipalities) also issues stormwater permits which include Best Management Practices for many <br /> activities that disturb surface soils above a certain acreage. As noted above, other state agencies also issue <br /> permits for certain activities that are designed to protect water quality. <br /> Tribal Reservations <br /> Some of the water bodies in the San Juan/Dolores River Basin cross boundaries of the reservations of the <br /> Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes. The Commission has included water quality classifications and <br /> standards on lands within the boundaries of these reservations in agreement with the Southern Ute and Ute <br /> Mountain Ute Indian Tribes in order to avoid a gap in the classifications and standards adopted for the river <br /> basins in question. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has not yet been granted authority by U.S. EPA to conduct <br /> its own water quality program because of the patchwork nature of the reservation. U.S. EPA has granted the <br /> Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe's application for treatment as a state with respect to adoption of water quality <br /> standards. If tribes adopt standards stricter than what currently exists under the Commission standards, then <br /> upstream discharges outside of the reservation boundaries could face stricter permit limits to insure those <br /> downstream standards are met. <br /> Contacts. <br /> Southwestern Water Conservation District or San Juan Citizens Alliance <br /> 970-247-1302 or water@frontier.net 970-259-3583 or meghan@sanjuancitizens.org <br /> ocs.fortlewis.edufriverprotection <br />