What does antidegradation do for lakes?
Iowa prohibits wastewater discharges to lakes, but there are other permitted activities that affect lakes, such as storm water permits and state water quality certification for wetland permits. Antidegradation rules would apply to these permits. Also, if a lake is designated as an Outstanding Iowa Water, then activities that now require a general permit, such as construction site sediment control, would require an individual permit. Activities allowed under a general permit do not require a public notice or opportunity for public comment. Individual permits assure the pollution prevention plan for the project gets a more rigorous review and allow the public to participate in the decision.
