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Jun 15, 2019

Water: Maine DEP's Hierarchy of estuarine & marine risk

Condensed from:
Classification of Maine estuarine & marine waters. 
The Hierarchy of Risk. MDEP  In three parts

1. Current classifications. Local 

Hancock County. All estuarine and marine waters lying within the boundaries of Hancock County and that are not otherwise classified are Class SB waters.
Bucksport (1) All tidal waters - Class SC. \

Waldo County. All estuarine and marine waters lying within the boundaries of Waldo County and that are not otherwise classified are Class SB waters.
Stockton Springs.Tidal waters lying northerly of the southernmost point of land on Verona Island - Class SC

Knox County.  All estuarine and marine waters lying within the boundaries of Knox County and that are not otherwise classified are Class SB waters.
Rockland. Tidal waters lying westerly of a line running between the southernmost point of land on Jameson Point and the northernmost point of land on Battery Point, Owls Head - Class SC.

2. Classification System

Class SA waters allow impoundments and very restricted discharges, so the risk of degradation while quite small, does increase since there is some small human intervention in the maintenance of the ecosystem. 

Class SB have fewer restrictions on activities but still maintain high water quality criteria. 

Class SC have the least restrictions on use and the lowest (but not low) water quality criteria.  Class SC waters are still good quality, but the margin for error before significant degradation might occur in these waters in the event of an additional stress being introduced (such as a spill or a drought) is the least.

3. The Hierarchy of Risk in Determining Water Classification 

The  Water classification system should be viewed as a hierarchy of risk, more than one of use or quality,

The risk is defined as the possibility of a breakdown of the ecosystem,  and loss of use due to either natural or human-caused events. 

Ecosystems that are more natural in their structure and function can be expected to be more resilient to a new stress and to show more rapid recovery. Classes AA, GPA and SA involve little risk since activities such as waste discharge and impoundment are prohibited. The expectation to achieve natural conditions is high and degradation is unlikely. 



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