How can water quality standards protect wetlands?
Water Qaulity standards have three primary components: designated uses, criteria to protect those uses, and an antidegradation policy. States designate uses based on the functions and values of their wetlands. At a minimum, these uses must meet the CWA goals to protect and propagate fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and for recreation in and on the water. States may also designate uses associated with unique functions and values of wetlands such as floodwater storage and ground-water recharge. States also adopt criteria to protect those uses. Criteria can be general narrative statements such as “maintain natural hydrologic conditions, including hydroperiod, hydrodynamics, and natural water temperature variations necessary to support vegetation which would be present naturally.” Criteria may also include specific numeric values such as dissolved oxygen concentration of 5.0 mg/l. State antidegradation policies include provisions for full protection of existing uses (functional), maintenance
