Wetland-specific water quality criteria

Ohio has created a wetland designated use, wetland-specific narrative criteria, criteria for discharges to wetlands and a wetland antidegradation policy.

The narrative criteria read as follows:

(A) The hydrology necessary to support the biological and physical characteristics naturally present in wetlands shall be protected to prevent significant adverse impacts on:

(1) Water currents, erosion or sedimentation patterns;
(2) Natural water temperature variations;
(3) Chemical, nutrient and dissolved oxygen regimes of the wetland;
(4) The movement of aquatic fauna;
(5) The pH of the wetland; and
(6) Water levels or elevations, including those resulting from ground water recharge and discharge.

(B) (1) Water quality necessary to support existing habitats and the populations of wetland flora and fauna shall be protected to prevent significant adverse impacts on:

(a) Food supplies for fish and wildlife;
(b) Reproductive and nursery areas; and
(c) Dispersal corridors...

(2) Water quality shall be protected to prevent conditions conducive to the establishment or proliferation of nuisance organisms...

(C) Conditions shall not occur that will have a significant adverse impact on the ability of the wetland to be used for wetland-dependent recreational opportunities in or on the water.”

(OAC 3745-1-51)

Visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/rules/3745-1.html and look for OAC 3745-1-50 through 3745-1-54 for more details.

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