# New Oregon Streamflow Assessment Tool Aids Clean Water Act Compliance

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/12/new-oregon-streamflow-assessment-tool-aids-clean-water-act-compliance/
- Published: 2011-12-03T03:54:23-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

_Methodology will help determine when permits are required for projects impacting
streams_

**_Portland, OR – _**The challenging task of determining if a particular stream 
is protected under federal and state fill and disposal regulations just became a
little easier. The new Streamflow Duration Assessment Method for Oregon will help
natural resource professionals, consultants and regulators identify whether a fill
or removal project with potential stream impacts must obtain permits.

Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act and Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law require
permits to protect water resources when someone plans to place soil, dredged or 
other material in regulated waters.

This new method provides a consistent, repeatable and quick way to identify whether
an Oregon stream is intermittent, perennial or ephemeral. Intermittent streams, 
which flow seasonally, and perennial streams, which flow continuously, are typically
subject to both state and federal regulations. Ephemeral streams only flow after
rainfall or during snowmelt, and under current agency practice are protected under
the Clean Water Act if they have a significant effect on the integrity of larger
downstream waters.     

The science-based tool was released in November after a two-year trial run. The 
method was tested and refined at over 170 sites in western and eastern Oregon during
both the wet and dry seasons. During the field trial, the initial 21 indicators 
were reduced to just 7 reliable indicators.

The method proved accurate in many environments including natural, modifed and braided
channels. It is a scientific tool that is useful anytime the duration of streamflow
must be determined, and may help identify other stream-related issues. Because of
the demonstrated benefit in Oregon, the method is already being adapted for use 
in Idaho and Washington.

“We think this tool will help people understand when to get a permit and help the
permitting process move faster and more smoothly,” said EPA’s Dr. Tracie Nadeau,
Environmental Scientist. “Many people collaborated to develop and refine this assessment
method, which uses solid science to help protect the waters of Oregon and the United
States.”

The Streamflow Duration Assessment Method for Oregon was developed by scientists
and technical experts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the Oregon Department of State Lands. The method is recommended
for use whenever there is uncertainty about streamflow duration. 

**_Sources:_Environmental Protection Agency: [http://www.epa.gov/region10/sdam.html](http://www.epa.gov/region10/sdam.html)

Oregon Department of State Lands: [http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/PERMITS/streamflow.shtml](http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/PERMITS/streamflow.shtml)

U.S. Army Crops of Engineers:

[Click to access streamflow_assessment_book.pdf](http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/regulatory/docs/streamflow_assessment_book.pdf)

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 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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