Rock River Basin
Assessment:
In 2003, Illinois EPA convened a process in an effort to redefine
how Illinois plans for and protects water quality throughout the
State. The Basinwide Management Advisory Group or B-MAG was formed.
The group developed a set of consensus-based recommendations to
be immediately implemented within the context of a pilot program
in Illinois. For more information about B-MAG and their recommendations,
visit http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/watershed/facility-planning.
B-MAG recommended that Illinois EPA begin the pilot process with
the development of the Rock River Basin Assessment.
B-MAG and Illinois EPA agree that under a watershed approach to
water quality protection, the Illinois EPA Water Quality Management
Plan would become a compilation of watershed-specific plans that
identify both point and nonpoint source pollution control strategies.
These strategies would emerge from the consideration of the condition
of the waterbody and the needs of the communities and landowners
within the watershed.
The premise behind a watershed approach is that many water quality
and ecosystem problems can best be solved at the local watershed
level rather than at the individual waterbody or discharger level.
Activities in a watershed have a direct influence on the quality
of the water resources and their designated use. Understanding
what a watershed is and the particular components of a watershed
are the first steps in protecting water quality and related resources.
Watershed management can help with the use, protection and restoration
of water quality and related resources, while allowing for economic
growth and development.
Under the pilot project, River Basin Assessments are the precursor
to watershed planning. Generically speaking, this state-led effort
involves data collection and an evaluation of water quality in
the river basin over a period of time. The River Basin Assessment
also includes the federally mandated (under Section 305(b) of the
Clean Water Act) “Use Support Assessment.” This subsection
of the River Basin Assessment provides “designated uses”
for each waterbody in the state. While one might say that the inclusion
of such an element represents a “top down” approach
to watershed planning and protection, the B-MAG believes that the
local determination of a desired state for a waterbody (which must
be sufficiently strict so as to meet the Designated Uses) is important.
It is important to note what the River Basin Assessment is not.
It is not a prescriptive set of detailed recommendations for public
policy. It is not an implementation document.
As such, it is a “snapshot” view of the condition
of the area’s water resource.
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