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COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT <br /> WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION <br /> REGULATION NO. 35 <br /> CLASSIFICATIONS AND NUMERIC STANDARDS <br /> FOR <br /> GUNNISON AND LOWER DOLORES RIVER BASINS <br /> 35.1 AUTHORITY <br /> These regulations are promulgated pursuant to section 25-8-101 et seq. C.R.S., as amended, and <br /> in particular, 25-8-203 and 25-8-204. <br /> 35.2 PURPOSE <br /> These regulations establish classifications and numeric standards for the Gunnison River/Lower <br /> Dolores River Basins, including all tributaries and standing bodies of water. This includes all or <br /> parts of Gunnison, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, Mesa, Saguache and Hinsdale Counties. This also <br /> includes the lower Dolores River and its tributaries in Dolores, Montrose, Mesa and San Miguel <br /> Counties. The classifications identify the actual beneficial uses of the water. The numeric <br /> standards are assigned to determine the allowable concentrations of various parameters. <br /> Discharge permits will be issued by the Water Quality Control Division to comply with basic, <br /> narrative, and numeric standards and control regulations so that all discharges to waters of the <br /> state protect the classified uses. (See Regulation No. 31, section 31.14). It is intended that these <br /> and all other stream classifications and numeric standards be used in conjunction with and be an <br /> integral part of Regulation No.31 Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water. <br /> 35.3 INTRODUCTION <br /> These regulations and tables present the classifications and numeric standards assigned to stream <br /> segments listed in the attached tables (See section 35.6(4)). As additional stream segments are <br /> classified and numeric standards for designated parameters are assigned for this drainage system, <br /> they will be added to or replace the numeric standards in the tables in section 35.6(4). Any <br /> additions or revisions of classifications or numeric standards can be accomplished only after <br /> public hearing by the Commission and proper consideration of evidence and testimony as <br /> specified by the statute and the "basic regulations". <br /> 35.4 DEFINITIONS <br /> See the Colorado Water Quality Control Act and the codified water quality regulations for <br /> definitions. <br /> 35.5 BASIC STANDARDS <br /> (1) TEMPERATURE <br /> All waters of the Gunnison River/Lower Dolores River Basins are subject to the following <br /> standard for temperature. (Discharges regulated by permits, which are within the permit <br /> limitations, shall not be subject to enforcement proceedings under this standard). Temperature <br /> shall maintain a normal pattern of diurnal and seasonal fluctuations with no abrupt changes and <br /> shall have no increase in temperature of a magnitude, rate, and duration deemed deleterious to <br /> the resident aquatic life. Generally, a maximum 3°C increase over a minimum of a four-hour <br /> period, lasting 12 hours maximum, is deemed acceptable for discharges fluctuating in volume or <br /> temperature. Where temperature increases cannot be maintained within this range using Best <br /> Management Practices (BMP), Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BATEA), <br /> 1 <br />