Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 100-199 - Environmental Protection - General › Chapter NR 121 - Areawide Water Quality Management Plans › Section NR 121.05 - Content of areawide water quality management plans

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Subject to sub.
				(2), the following elements shall be included in each areawide water quality
				management plan prepared or approved by the department.
(a)
Planning area
				boundaries.
The delineation in map form of the area for which the plan
				is being prepared.
(b)
Water quality assessment.
An assessment of existing and
				potential water quality problems within the planning area including a general
				assessment of both point and nonpoint sources of pollution contributing to the
				problems.
(c)
Inventories
				and forecasts.
1. An inventory of
				municipal and industrial source of pollutants.
2. Current demographic and economic growth
				data.
3. Population forecasts for
				20 years in 5-year increments developed in the following manner:
a. The state population forecast for the
				state water quality management plan shall be consistent with that generated by
				the Wisconsin department of administration (DOA) and with the forecast provided
				by the U.S. department of commerce, bureau of economic analysis
				(BEA).
b. Single county forecasts
				prepared by multi-county regional planning agencies (established in s.
				66.0309,
				Stats.) for the purpose of areawide water quality management planning shall be
				consistent with the range of the regional forecast generated by DOA. Single
				county forecasts prepared by single county planning agencies shall be expressed
				within the range of the county forecast generated by DOA. Single county
				forecasts inconsistent with the range of DOA regional forecasts and single
				family [county] forecasts falling outside of the range provided by DOA may be
				used if special approval is obtained from the natural resources board.
Note: Due to an apparent error, "family" was substituted for
				  "county" in Natural Resources Board Order No. WQ-55-80, which amended subd. 1.
				  b.
c. The population
				forecasting methodology used by designated regional or county planning agencies
				to apportion county forecasts to minor civil divisions (MCD) and individual
				sewer service areas shall be consistent with standards developed by DOA. If
				these agencies do not prepare MCD forecasts, the department will request that
				DOA do so. If DOA chooses not to prepare MCD forecasts, the department will do
				so.
4. Existing and
				projected land use patterns including the delineation of sewer service areas as
				described in par. (g).
(d)
Water quality standards.
Applicable state water quality standards and any suggested revision of such
				water quality standards.
(e)
Total maximum daily loads.
For each water quality limited
				segment, the total allowable maximum daily load of pollutants during critical
				water quality conditions for each specific water quality criterion being
				violated or expected to be violated.
(f)
Waste load allocations.
For each water quality limited segment, the individual load allocation for
				point sources of pollutants for the 5-year period following plan
				preparation.
(g)
Nonindustrial wastewater treatment and collection system plan.
1. The most cost-effective regional
				wastewater systems for all urban areas shall be identified over a 20-year
				planning period based upon an analysis of alternative waste treatment system
				configurations. Wherever possible, applicable recommendations of approved
				facility plans shall be used to determine the urban area's treatment needs.
				This analysis shall be consistent with s.
				NR
				110.09, and shall include a cost-effectiveness
				analysis of regional versus individual treatment plants for the outlying areas
				including subsurface waste disposal systems. Water quality and other
				environmental impacts shall be considered.
2. Sewage collection system needs shall be
				identified through the delineation of a sewer service area for existing and
				proposed treatment systems for the 20-year planning period such that:
a. The sewer service area is determined in
				such a fashion as to promote cost-effective and environmentally sound waste
				collection and treatment.
b. The
				sewer service areas are delineated based on a 20-year population forecast
				approved by the department, and municipally approved population density
				standards.
c. Major areas
				unsuitable for the installation of waste treatment systems because of physical
				or environmental constraints are to be excluded from the service area. Areas to
				be considered for exclusion from the sewer service area because of the
				potential for adverse impacts on the quality of the waters of the state from
				both point and nonpoint sources of pollution include but are not limited to
				wetlands, shorelands, floodways and floodplains, steep slopes, highly erodible
				soils and other limiting soil types, groundwater recharge areas, and other such
				physical constraints.
d. Ten-year
				service area boundaries may also be included in addition to the 20-year sewer
				service boundaries.
3.
				The plan shall include criteria for the construction of future treatment
				systems within the areawide planning area. These criteria shall be consistent
				with, but may be more specific or restrictive than those contained in s.
				NR
				110.08(5), if warranted by regional
				and local considerations.
4. For
				nondesignated areas of the state, a detailed identification of the regional
				waste treatment system, including the delineation of sewer service areas will
				be carried out for selected urban areas within standard metropolitan
				statistical areas and for urban areas with a population of over 10,000.
a. The preparation of the plan will be
				carried out if possible by a local planning agency under contract with the
				department.
b. A local policy
				advisory committee made up of representatives of the various local units of
				government in the planning area shall be established, or an existing body used,
				to assist the department in the preparation of the plan and to act in an
				advisory role to the department in matters concerning the implementation of the
				plan.
(h)
Industrial waste treatment system needs.
The anticipated
				industrial point source waste load reductions required to attain and maintain
				applicable water quality standards and effluent limitations for at least a
				20-year planning period.
(i)
Nonpoint source control needs.
1. The best management practices needed to
				produce a basic level of control of nonpoint source of pollutants throughout
				the planning area shall be identified and evaluated. Watersheds will be
				identified in the plan and the general water quality problems for each
				assessed.
2. Priority watershed
				plans shall be prepared for [on] a priority basis by the department and
				applicable designated agencies. The contents of priority watershed plans are
				described in s.
				NR
				120.08.
Note: Due to an apparent error "for" was substituted for "on"
				  in Natural Resources Board Order No. WQ-55-80, which amended subd. 2.
(j)
Residual
				waste control needs.
An identification of the necessary controls to be
				established over the disposition of residual wastes.
(k)
Land disposal needs.
An
				identification of the necessary controls to be established for the disposal of
				pollutants on land or in a subsurface excavation site.
(L)
Target abatement dates.
Target abatement dates or schedules of compliance for all significant
				dischargers, nonpoint source control measures, residual and land disposal
				controls and stormwater system needs.
(m)
Recommended regulatory
				programs.
Recommended regulatory programs needed to implement the
				state water quality management plan.
(n)
Designated management
				agencies.
The identification of those agencies recommended for
				designation to carry out the provisions of the areawide plan.
(o)
Environmental, social, economic
				impact.
An assessment of the environmental, social and economic
				impacts of carrying out specific significant recommendations of the
				plan.