(1) Where the attainable condition of existing and designated uses for the water body would be fully protected using an alternative criterion, site-specific criteria may be adopted.

(a) The site-specific criterion must be consistent with the federal regulations on designating and protecting uses (currently 40 C.F.R. 131.10 and 131.11); and

(b) The decision to approve a site-specific criterion must be subject to a public involvement and intergovernmental coordination process.

(2) The site-specific analyses for the development of a new water quality criterion must be conducted in a manner that is scientifically justifiable and consistent with the assumptions and rationale in "Guidelines for Deriving National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and their Uses," EPA 1985; and conducted in accordance with the procedures established in the "Water Quality Standards Handbook," EPA 1994, as revised.

(3) The decision to approve the site-specific criterion must be based on a demonstration that it will protect the existing and attainable uses of the water body.

(4) Site-specific criteria are not in effect until they have been incorporated into this chapter and approved by the USEPA.