Skip to main content
Loading…
Article II. Beneficial Uses
This article is included in your selections.
This section is included in your selections.

An effective water quality control plan requires determination of the beneficial water uses which are to be designated and maintained. The term “beneficial use” refers to both the existing, potential or historical use of that particular waterway. Beneficial use definitions are listed in Table 1 below. This chapter identifies beneficial water uses in the YIR and projects probable future uses.

Table 1. Beneficial Use Definitions

Agricultural Supply (AGR)

Uses of water for farming, horticulture, or ranching including, but not limited to, irrigation, stock watering, or support of vegetation for range grazing.

Preservation of Areas of Special Biological Significance (BIO)

Includes marine life refuges, ecological reserves and designated areas of special biological significance; areas where kelp propagation and maintenance are features of the marine environment requiring special protection.

Cold Freshwater Habitat (COL)

Uses of water that support cold water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including invertebrates.

Commercial and Sport Fishing (COMM)

Uses of water for commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or other organisms including, but not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption or bait purposes.

Cultural (CUL)

Uses of water for ceremony and other cultural activities as defined by Yurok tradition.

Estuarine Habitat (EST)

Uses of water that support estuarine ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of estuarine habitats, vegetation, fish, shellfish, or wildlife.

Freshwater Replenishment (FRSH)

Uses of water for natural or artificial maintenance of surface water quantity or quality (e.g., salinity).

Ground Water Recharge (GW)

Uses of water for natural or artificial recharge of ground water for purposes of future extraction, maintenance of water quality, or halting of saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.

Marine Habitat (MAR)

Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife.

Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MGR)

Uses of water that support habitats necessary for migration or other temporary activities by aquatic organisms, such as anadromous fish.

Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN)

Uses of water for community or individual water supply systems including, but not limited to, drinking water.

Hydropower Generation (PWR)

Uses of water for hydropower generation.

Navigation (NAV)

Uses of water used for travel, or other transportation by private or commercial vessels.

Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE)

Uses of water that support habitats necessary, at least in part, for the survival and successful maintenance of plant or animal species established under state or federal law as rare, threatened or endangered.

Water Contact Recreation (REC-1)

Uses of water for recreational activities involving body contact with water, where ingestion of water is reasonably possible.

Noncontact Water Recreation (REC-2)

Uses of water for recreational activities involving proximity to water, but not normally involving body contact with water, where ingestion of water is reasonably possible.

Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPN)

Uses of water that support high quality aquatic habitats suitable for reproduction and early development of fish.

Warm Freshwater Habitat (WARM)

Uses of water that support warm-water ecosystems.

Wildlife Habitat (WLD)

Uses of water that support terrestrial ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation and enhancement of terrestrial habitats, vegetation, wildlife, or wildlife water and food sources.

[Res. 04-46 § 2.1, adopted, 8/25/2004.]