Key Concepts

Introduction: What's Covered in This Module?

This module discusses the requirement that water quality standards include a framework and methodology for deciding if, when, and how water quality that exceeds the CWA 101(a) goal can be degraded by regulated activities and when that water quality must be maintained. Answers to the following questions are provided:

• In what situations can a State or Tribe consider allowing degradation of water quality?
• What is required when addressing antidegradation questions?
• How do requirements address different types of uses or waters?
• What does EPA look for when reviewing a State or Tribe's approach to antidegradation issues?

At the end of the module is a brief quiz intended to touch on some key concepts regarding a State or Tribe's antidegradation program that are further examined in the classroom session of this module.

This module's main pages and brief quiz at the end take about 15 minutes to complete.