Opinion ID: 2075830
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Downstream Impact

Text: Appellees next argue that the Board erred in refusing to hear evidence on the downstream impact on water quality caused by hypothetical discharges of the proposed facility. We disagree. The Board correctly reasoned that at subsequent discharge permit proceedings, the Town would have to show that the quality of downstream waters would not be degraded below their classifications by effluent from the treatment plant. Board Decision, Finding 11(s). Classifications are not sized to accommodate discharges. Rather, discharges must accommodate the existing downstream uses of the receiving waters and the classifications. Id. 11(r). The Board must be permitted to exercise reasonable discretion in limiting the scope of evidence offered before it. We believe that the Board's refusal to hear the proffered evidence as premature was within its discretion.