39-3617. DESIGNATION OF OUTSTANDING RESOURCE WATERS. Any person may request, in writing to the board of environmental quality, that a stream segment may be considered for designation as an outstanding resource water. The board shall recommend to the legislature those stream segments the board proposes for designation as outstanding resource waters. The legislature shall determine by law which such stream segments to designate as outstanding resource waters. Stream segments so designated shall be included in a list of outstanding resource waters to be compiled and updated by the department of environmental quality in its rules governing water quality standards. Interim status or special protection shall not be provided to streams recommended by the board prior to legislative designation as an outstanding resource water. No state agency shall delay actions, or deny or delay the processing or approval of any permit for a nonpoint source activity based on nomination of a segment for designation as an outstanding resource water, or while the legislature is considering such designation.
History:
[39-3617, added 1995, ch. 352, sec. 1, p. 1175; am. 2001, ch. 103, sec. 33, p. 279.]