Designated uses action checklist

1) Develop the list of existing uses in your watershed.

2) Get a copy of your water quality standards. Go to River Network’s searchable database at www.rivernetwork.org/cleanwater/cwa_search.asp or EPA’s water quality standards website at www.epa.gov/wqsdatabase/.

3) Identify which designated uses your water quality agency has included in the state-wide standards. Compare them to your list of uses.

4) Determine which uses have been designated specifically for the rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands and estuaries in your watershed.

5) Identify any waters whose existing uses may not be adequately protected by the uses that have been designated.

6) Provide your water quality agency with information (pictures, newspaper articles, personal letters, notes from your interviews with river users, etc.) to demonstrate the full range of existing uses for each waterbody.

7) Identify any waters without recreation or aquatic life designated uses. Ask for a “use attainability analysis” (scientific evaluation) for each.

8) Watch for proposals to remove uses or “downgrade” waterbodies. Insist on “use attainability analyses” and defend against removal of any uses that are existing.

9) Support or initiate the designation of any additional uses necessary.

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