8 CAR PT. 21

APPENDIX F

Factors Considered In Adding the Designated Use of Extraordinary Resource Water, Ecologically Sensitive Waterbody, or Natural and Scenic Waterway to a Waterbody or Waterbody Segment

The Commission shall consider the following supporting documentation in determining whether a waterbody should be designated as an Extraordinary Resource Water, Ecologically Sensitive Waterbody, or Natural and Scenic Waterway:

1. (A) Location – The waterbody is within the boundaries of or flows through or is adjacent to state or federal forest land, parks, natural areas, nature preserves, refuges, or wildlife management areas, or the watershed may include remote, primitive, or relatively undeveloped areas;
2. (B) Existing water quality – pristine, naturally-occurring, or unique;
3. (C) Ecological value – The presence of water quality and physical habitat that supports threatened, endangered, or sensitive species, the presence of any threatened, endangered, or sensitive species, and/or water quality that supports an exceptional high diversity of aquatic species (fish or benthic macroinvertebrates) as categorized by an appropriate index of biological integrity (IBI) protocol;
4. (D) Presence of physical or chemical characteristics that provide an unusual or uncommon aquatic habitat;
5. (E) Special attributes of the waterbody that make it an outstanding resource, including but not limited to the presence of archeological sites, historical sites, or rare or valuable wildlife habitat;
6. (F) Aesthetic Value- the presence of scenic areas or sites or scenic beauty resulting from natural features of the basin such as flow, topography, geology, ecology, physiography (i.e., waterfalls, gorges, rapids, or other special features), or the presence of characteristics giving the waterbody unique or unusual attributes;
7. (G) Recreational Value- Use of the waterbody for:
8. (1) Fishing, rafting, kayaking, camping, family outings, backpacking, bird watching, etc.,
9. (2) Presence of hiking trails or scenic road or highway alongside, and
10. (3) Attracting tourism;
11. (H) Use of the waterbody for educational, scientific, or research purposes;
12. (I) Presence of rare and/or irreplaceable natural areas; and
13. (J) Impacts the designation may have on current uses, upstream users, downstream users, and potential future uses of the waterbody or waterbody segment.