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Show In addition, EPA regulations in 40 CFR 131.12 ( a)( 3) require the states to ensure that " where high quality waters constitute an outstanding National resource, such as waters of national and state parks and wildlife refuges, and waters of exceptional recreational or ecological significance, that water quality shall be maintained and protected." As a National Park Service unit containing waters of outstanding recreational and ecological significance, Glen Canyon is eligible for consideration under this program. The Service believes that such designation could increase recognition of the importance of these waters and contribute to maintaining their high quality. In accordance with this national policy, Arizona adopted designation criteria and an implementation policy for protection of high- quality waters ( the Arizona Water Quality Control Council Unique Waters Policy) in April, 1981 ( A. C. R. R. Title 9, Chapter 21, Section 102, Subsections C- E). In 1984, the National Park Service made initial application, currently being revised at the State's request, to nominate the waters of the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry as an Arizona " Unique Water of Exceptional Recreational and Ecological Significance." Utah has a program for designating " anti- degradation segments" that could provide similar protection of water quality and associated resource values for waters of the recreation area within the State of Utah. However, the Utah program is presently oriented toward protecting drinking water supplies. Options for designating the lake or other waters of the recreation area in Utah under this program should therefore be explored with state officials. III. A. 2. Management alternatives and impacts. Alternative A: No action Under this alternative, no further action to designate outstanding national resource waters in the recreation area would be undertaken. In all probability, a National Park Service decision not to seek special anti- degradation status for the waters of Lake Powell would not have an adverse effect on the maintenance of water quality, because it is already NPS policy to maintain high water quality in accordance with state and federal regulations. For example, the existing Utah regulations state ( Section 2.3.1): " Water whose existing quality is better than the established standards for the designated uses will be maintained at high quality unless it is determined by the Committee, after appropriate intergovernmental coordination and public participation in concert with the Utah continuing planning process, that a change is 21 |