Opinion ID: 1318039
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Connecticut's Water Quality Standards Pursuant to the Clean Water Act

Text: Two narrative water quality standards figure prominently in this case. Connecticut Surface Water Quality Standard No. 1, as amended, states: It is the State's goal to restore or maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of surface waters. Where attainable, the level of water quality that provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water shall be achieved. Connecticut Dep't of Envtl. Prot., Water Quality Stds. at 1 (effective Dec. 17, 2002), http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/water/water_ quality_standardsl/wqs.pdf. Connecticut Surface Water Quality Standard No. 2 states: Existing and designated uses such as propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, recreation, public water supply, agriculture, industrial use and navigation, and the water necessary for their protection [are] to be maintained and protected. Id. Pursuant to these standards, the CTDEP Commissioner shall not issue any certificate or permit for any regulated discharge, dredging activity or discharge of fill and dredged materials unless the Commissioner finds that all existing and designated uses as defined in these water quality standards will be protected fully. Id., App. E-1; see also id. at 1 (Surface Water Quality Std. No. 2). The coastal waters at issue in this petition are denominated by Connecticut as either SA or SB/SA. SA waters are designated for habitat for marine fish, other aquatic life and wildlife; shellfish harvesting for direct human consumption; recreation; industrial water supply; and navigation. Id. at 15 (Coastal Waters Classifications and Criteria). SB waters are designated for habitat for marine fish, other aquatic life and wildlife; commercial shellfish harvesting; recreation; industrial water supply; and navigation. Id. While waters in the intermediate SB/SA classification may not currently support one or more of the uses designated for SA waters, e.g., shellfish harvesting for direct human consumption, the state's goal for such waters is the achievement of Class SA Criteria and attainment of Class SA designated uses. Id. Indeed, SA classification is a default classification for marine waters in Connecticut. See id. at 7. Thus, to the extent the impact of the proposed pipeline on shellfish harvesting is at issue on this petition, we note that all marine waters in Connecticut appear to be designated for shellfish harvesting unless the state has specifically established a lesser water quality classification in a given area. See id. at 7, 15. [5]