8 CAR § 21-202 – High quality waters

(a) Where the quality of the waters exceeds levels necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water, that quality shall be maintained and protected unless the state finds, after full satisfaction of the intergovernmental coordination and public participation provisions of the State of Arkansas’ Continuing Planning Process, that allowing lower water quality is necessary to accommodate important economic or social development in the area in which the waters are located.
(b) In allowing such degradation or lower water quality, the state shall assure water quality adequate to protect existing uses fully.
(c) Further, the state shall assure that:
1. (1) There shall be achieved the highest statutory and regulatory requirements for all new and existing point sources; and
2. (2) The provisions of the Arkansas Water Quality Management Plan be implemented with regard to nonpoint sources.