11 AAC 95.825. Water quality monitoring

(a) This section establishes the water quality monitoring requirements for private forest land, state forest land, and other public land as defined in AS 41.17.950 .

(b) The department, with due deference to the Department of Environmental Conservation, will, in its discretion, instruct the forest landowner, timber owner, operator, or forest manager to conduct routine or comprehensive water quality monitoring for the purpose of assessing the impacts of operations on water quality and protected water uses, and for the purpose of demonstrating the effectiveness of best management practices in meeting water quality standards. In determining the type and level of monitoring that will occur, the department will, in its discretion, and with due deference to the Department of Environmental Conservation, consider the

(1) likelihood of a significant impact on water quality;

(2) sensitivity of the receiving environment;

(3) availability of suitable personnel at the operating location to conduct and report the monitoring;

(4) contribution that water quality observation will make to other water quality data being collected in the area; and

(5) availability of monies.

(c) Routine monitoring will include, at a minimum, visual turbidity observations in association with each operation. Monitoring may also be required for water temperature. The forest landowner, timber owner; operator, or forest manager may request reevaluation of the requirement to monitor water temperature by a higher level of authority. The specific monitoring parameters, locations, techniques, and sampling intervals will be determined by the department, with due deference to the Department of Environmental Conservation and in consultation with the forest landowner, timber owner, operator, or forest manager.

(d) If routine monitoring is required, the forest landowner, timber owner, operator, or forest manager shall

(1) at regular intervals, make water quality observations at one or more representative locations when the operation or activity is in progress;

(2) use simple, conventional, or qualitative assessment techniques for water quality measurement; and

(3) report each month to the department and to the Department of Environmental Conservation the observations made, data collected, and measures taken to correct any identified problem.

(e) Comprehensive monitoring may include biological, chemical, and physical measurements, including sediment. The department, with due deference to the Department of Environmental Conservation, will develop comprehensive monitoring plans, in consultation and cooperation with the Department of Fish and Game, the timber industry, forest managers, affected landowners, operators, and the affected public. The participants shall meet at least annually to discuss and develop monitoring plans. Forest landowners, timber owners, operators, and forest managers shall participate in the implementation of comprehensive monitoring plans in cooperation with the agencies.

History: Eff. 6/10/93, Register 126

Authority: AS 41.17.010

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