Sec.22a-339d-3. Technical program elements

(a) Diagnostic feasibility study requirements. Diagnostic feasibility studies consist of those necessary plans and studies which directly relate to the development of eutrophication abatement programs. The diagnostic portion of a study consists of lake water quality monitoring and data acquisition to characterize trophic conditions, and watershed studies to identify sources of nutrients and sediments contributing to eutrophication. The feasibility portion of a study consists of an evaluation of alternative methods and procedures to abate eutrophication by control of watershed sources of nutrients and sediments and by management of water quality conditions within the lake.

(1) Content of diagnostic feasibility studies.

The content of the diagnostic feasibility study shall be determined by the Commissioner based on a pre-study conference with the applicant and its consultant regarding the precise plan of study and resulting scope of services to be performed. If deemed appropriate by the Commissioner, a second conference may be held following the diagnostic portion of the study and prior to the feasibility portion of the study. Diagnostic feasibility studies shall address each of the following as determined appropriate by the Commissioner:

(A) a description of the physical characteristics of the lake including location, surface area, mean depth, maximum depth, volume, bathymetry, major hydrologic inflows and outflows, and outflow structures;

(B) a description of the type and amount of public access to the lake;

(C) a review of historical water quality data and the scopes and findings of previous diagnostic feasibility studies;

(D) maps and descriptions of lake watershed characteristics including bedrock geology, soils, slopes, wetlands, land use, and existing zoning;

(E) identification of existing and potential sources of nutrients and sediments including but not limited to residential land, roadway drainage, streambank erosion, construction related erosion, agricultural practices (in consultation with the County Soil and Water Conservation District), and migratory waterfowl and gulls;

(F) lake water quality monitoring data to characterize trophic conditions and identify problems. A quality assurance project plan shall be prepared for proposed monitoring. At a minimum, monitoring shall be conducted at spring overturn, early summer, and late summer and shall include as appropriate secchi disk transparency, temperature and dissolved oxygen structure of the water column, phytoplankton densities and identification of dominant species, nitrogen and phosphorus structure of the water column, mapping of areal extent and density of macrophytes, and physical and chemical characteristics of lake sediments;

(G) field and laboratory quality assurance and quality control documentation records;

(H) a description of the historical and existing biological resources of the lake, particularly fish and waterbird populations;

(I) a review of historical recreational uses of the lake and a description of the uses that are presently impaired by eutrophication;

(J) a review of alternative procedures and methods for controlling watershed sources of nutrients and sediments including technical feasibility, potential adverse environmental impacts, preliminary design of structural elements, and estimate costs;

(K) a review of existing local watershed management programs and a recommended program to insure implementation of best management practices to control watershed sources of nutrients and sediments;

(L) a review of alternative methods and procedures for management of water quality within the lake including technical feasibility, potential adverse environmental impacts, preliminary design of structural elements, and estimated costs;

(M) a recommended eutrophication abatement program identifying selected lake management alternatives and watershed management alternatives including estimated capital costs, estimated operation and maintenance costs, implementation schedules, and post implementation monitoring and estimated costs;

(N) a review of the legal, financial, institutional and managerial resources of local authorities and a recommended management plan to insure local implementation of the eutrophication abatement program;

(O) identification of easements and rights-of-way necessary to implement the eutrophication abatement program;

(P) identification of federal, state, and local permits required to implement the eutrophication abatement program;

(Q) a summary of public participation in the development of the recommended eutrophication abatement program;

(R) if the applicant receives funding under the Federal Act, all other information necessary to comply with 40 CFR Part 35 Subpart H, Appendix A.

(Effective July 27, 1988)