<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 26.08.02.03" title_num="26" subtitle_num="08" chapter_num="02" heading="Surface Water Quality Criteria.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Applicability.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Surface water quality criteria shall apply:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In fresh water streams and rivers:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>For toxic substances, under the conditions stipulated in Regulations .03-2A and .05A, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Under design stream flow for all other substances;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>In tidal waters:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>For toxic substances, under the conditions stipulated in Regulations .03-2A and .05A, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Under average tidal conditions during design stream flows for all other substances;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Outside of any mixing zones which may be designated by the Department.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the natural water quality of a stream segment is not consistent with the criteria established for the stream then:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The natural conditions do not constitute a violation of the water quality standards; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The water quality to be maintained and achieved is not required to be substantially different from that which would occur naturally.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>When coal remining permits are issued under §301 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. §1311), a variance to the specific water quality criteria for pH, iron, and manganese in the State's water quality standards may be given at the discretion of the Department for the duration of the remining activity. This variance may not be given if there is no demonstrated potential for improved water quality from the remining operation and if degradation of existing in-stream conditions is likely to occur.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>General Water Quality Criteria. The waters of this State may not be polluted by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Substances attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other waste that will settle to form sludge deposits that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Are unsightly, putrescent, or odorous, and create a nuisance, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Interfere directly or indirectly with designated uses;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Any material, including floating debris, oil, grease, scum, sludge, and other floating materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other waste in amounts sufficient to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be unsightly;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Produce taste or odor;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Change the existing color to produce objectionable color for aesthetic purposes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Create a nuisance; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Interfere directly or indirectly with designated uses;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>High temperature or corrosive substances attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other waste in concentrations or combinations which:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Interfere directly or indirectly with designated uses, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Are harmful to human, animal, plant, or aquatic life;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Acute toxicity from any discharge outside the mixing zone established under Regulation .05 of this chapter for the application of acute criteria for protection of aquatic life; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Toxic substances attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes in concentrations outside designated mixing zones, which:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Interfere directly or indirectly with designated uses, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Are harmful to human, plant, or aquatic life.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>