Section 323.1041. Purpose.

The purpose of the water quality standards as prescribed by these rules is to establish water quality requirements applicable to the Great Lakes, the connecting waters, and all other surface waters of the state, to protect the public health and welfare, to enhance and maintain the quality of water, to protect the state's natural resources, and to serve the purposes of Public Law 92-500, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et  seq.,  Part 31, Water Resources Protection, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.3101 to 324.3119, and the Great Lakes water quality agreement enacted November 22, 1978, and amended in 1987. These standards may not reflect current water quality in all cases. Water quality of certain surface waters of the state may not meet standards as  a result of natural causes or conditions unrelated to human influence. Where surface waters of the state may have been degraded due to past  human activities and attainment of standards in the near future is not economically or technically achievable, these standards shall be used to improve water quality. These standards are the minimum water quality requirements by which the surface waters of the state shall be managed.

History: 1979 AC; 1986 AACS; 1994 AACS; 2006 AACS.