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Show on aquatic wildlife are not well understood. • Consider the possibility of establishing a DNR wetland strategy. • Need to improve inter- agency coordination to protect water quality. Water Quality Management for Great Salt Lake The Utah Water Quality Board and DWQ have been charged by the state Legislature to maintain, protect and enhance the quality of Utah's surface water and groundwater resources. The statutory authorities of the board and division are located in Chapter 19- 5 of the Utah Code. The overall program missions of the board and the division are to protect public health and all beneficial uses of water by maintaining and enhancing the chemical, physical and biological integrity of Utah's waters. Facilities in Utah that produce, treat, dispose of or otherwise discharge waste water must obtain a discharge permit from the DWQ under the Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ( UPDES). UPDES permits are required for all industrial, municipal and federal facilities, except those located on Native American lands. After a discharge application is received, a wasteload evaluation is developed to determine specific discharge limitations, required treatment and monitoring. Each permit includes effluent limitations and requirements for monitoring, reporting and sludge use or disposal requirements. Permit duration is usually five years or less, with provision for renewal. To establish discharge standards, the Utah Water Quality Board has classified the waters of the state based on their beneficial uses and has defined numerical and narrative standards for discharges to those waters to protect beneficial uses. The main water use classes are: Class 1 Protected for use as a raw water source for domestic water systems. Class 2 Protected for in- stream and recreational use and aesthetics. Class 3 Protected for in- stream use by aquatic wildlife. Class 4 Protected for agriculture uses including irrigation of crops and stock watering. Class 5 GSL. Protected for primary and secondary contact recreation, aquatic wildlife and mineral extraction. Most of the main classes are divided into sub- classes which address specific pollutants and beneficial uses. GSL is in its own class ( Class 5). Primary and secondary recreation, aquatic wildlife and mineral extraction are the defined beneficial uses of the lake's waters. Numerical water quality standards have not been established for GSL, but DWQ has established narrative standards for discharges to the lake and permits for waste water discharges are established on a case- by- case basis. Applications for waste water discharges are reviewed and regulated by the Water Quality Board to prevent the addition of pollutants which would be injurious to the defined uses. The general policy is that, to the extent feasible, no pollutants ( discharges) should be delivered to the lake in 54 |