Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 9.124 - Environmentally sensitive watersheds(a) In addition to possessing exceptional water quality, watersheds with high quality streams may also have other outstanding environmental values related to hydrology, topography, geology, vegetation, wildlife or the general undeveloped character of the watershed. In many instances, the wild, scenic, natural, scientific, or educational values of the watershed may far outweigh the water quality concern. These values may also exist in watersheds with less than high quality streams. Since many of these values are also of Statewide importance, the Commonwealth should develop a broader protection program for environmentally sensitive watersheds.(b) It shall be the environmental policy of the Commonwealth to protect watersheds having Statewide environmental values which may be rare, unique, fragile, or threatened and restore and maintain high quality streams within these watersheds.