Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760:front:0:p77
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 213608–216979

outcomes that apply to the resource availability scenario, determine the provisional priorities for applying environmental water by applying the principles set out in Division 1 to priority environmental assets and priority ecosystem functions; and
            (d) refine those priorities based on seasonal, operational and management considerations in accordance with section 8.62.
(3) When using the method, a person must have regard to any guidelines published by the Authority.

8.61 Determining the resource availability scenario
A resource availability scenario is one of the following:
            (a) very dry;
            (b) dry;
            (c) moderate;
            (d) wet;
            (e) very wet.

8.62 Seasonal, operational and management considerations
The seasonal, operational and management considerations upon which priorities for applying environmental water are to be refined must be based on the following:
            (a) the best available knowledge of the environmental watering requirements of each priority environmental asset and priority ecosystem function, and of the system as a whole; and
            (b) the ecological objectives and ecological targets for each priority environmental asset and priority ecosystem function; and
            (c) information which identifies ecological responses to hydrology; and
Note: See also paragraph 8.51(1)(a).
            (d) recent flow history at each priority environmental asset and for each priority ecosystem function to assess antecedent conditions; and
            (e) forecasts of likely water availability; and
            (f) operational feasibility; and
            (g) evaluation and review of the results and effectiveness of previous environmental watering.

        Chapter 9—Water quality and salinity management plan

        Part 1—Preliminary

9.01 Simplified outline
(1) This section sets out a simplified outline of this Chapter.
(2) This Chapter sets out the water quality and salinity management plan (item 10 of the table in subsection 22(1) and section 25 of the Act).
(3) The water quality and salinity management plan sets out:
            (a) the key causes of water quality degradation in the Murray‑Darling Basin (Part 2); and
            (b) water quality objectives for Basin water resources (Part 3); and
            (c) water quality targets (Part 4).
Note 1: The water quality and salinity management plan has been prepared having regard to the National Water Quality Management Strategy endorsed by the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (see subsection 25(3) of the Act).
Note 2: Water quality includes salinity: see the definition of water quality in section 1.07.

        Part 2—Key causes of water quality degradation in Murray‑Darling Basin

9.02 Types of water quality degradation and their key causes
(1) The types of water quality degradation in the Murray‑Darling Basin are the following:
            (a) elevated levels of salinity;
            (b) elevated levels of suspended matter;
            (c) elevated levels of nutrients, including phosphorous and nitrogen;
            (d) elevated cyanobacteria cell counts or biovolume, toxins and odour compounds;
            (e) water temperature outside natural ranges;
            (f) dissolved oxygen outside natural ranges;
            (g) elevated levels of pesticides, heavy metals