Rule 3745-4-01 | Purpose and applicability.
(A) The purpose of this chapter, credible data rules, is to establish criteria for three levels of credible data for a surface water quality monitoring and assessment program established by the director and to establish the necessary training and experience for persons to submit credible data, thereby increasing the information base upon which to enhance, improve and maintain water resource quality in Ohio. All data submitted under the credible data program that meet the specified requirements, shall be stored and made accessible to both the public and other state agencies in a computerized data base. Except as provided in paragraph (D) of this rule, persons collecting and submitting data to Ohio EPA for consideration as credible data must have status as a qualified data collector (QDC) as provided in rule 3745-4-03 of the Administrative Code.
(B) Participation in this program is voluntary except for the requirement under section 6111.54 of the Revised Code that each state agency in possession of surface water quality data shall submit the data to Ohio EPA in a format designated by the director. No later than March thirty-first of each year, state agencies shall submit surface water quality data for the preceding year to Ohio EPA.
(C) This chapter establishes requirements for study plan design, sample collection, analytical methods, data assessment, and quality assurance and quality control procedures that are associated with credible data at level 1, level 2 and level 3.
(1) Level 1 data are collected and submitted to Ohio EPA for purposes of public awareness and educational activities. The specifications associated with level 1 data are commensurate with the training and methods associated with established science education programs and citizen monitoring programs.
(2) Level 2 data are collected and submitted to Ohio EPA for the purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of pollution controls for point sources and nonpoint sources and initial screening of water quality problems to determine if additional study is needed. Level 2 data may also serve the purpose of public awareness and educational activities. The specifications associated with level 2 data are commensurate with a higher degree of training and more rigorous test methods than level 1.
(3) Level 3 is the highest level of credible data that are used for a variety of regulatory purposes specified in section 6111.52 of the Revised Code, and may also serve those purposes associated with level 1 and level 2 data. The specifications associated with level 3 data are commensurate with the training, skills and test methods used by Ohio EPA and by other professional environmental organizations. These high standards are necessary to ensure that level 3 data are of the caliber necessary to make and defend regulatory and management decisions involving surface water resources in Ohio.
(D) Data deemed credible by rule.
(1) The data originating from studies conducted and samples collected by Ohio EPA, Ohio EPA's contractors, federal environmental agencies including the United States environmental protection agency, and other state environmental agencies shall be deemed credible at the appropriate level according to the specifications set forth in this chapter.
(2) Unless the director identifies reasons why the data are not credible, data shall be considered credible for the submitted purposes if the data meet one or more of the following requirements:
(a) Data were submitted pursuant to the requirements of a permit issued by a state agency including, but not limited to, compliance sampling results submitted pursuant to national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permits and compliance sampling results from licensed public water systems with surface water intakes conducted pursuant to Chapters 3745-81 and 3745-90 of the Administrative Code.
(b) Data were submitted pursuant to findings and orders issued by the director.
(c) Data were submitted pursuant to a court order.
(E) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as granting approval for the collection of any wildlife without obtaining a wild animal collecting permit from the chief of the division of wildlife, Ohio department of natural resources pursuant to section 1533.08 of the Revised Code and performing the duties specified in section 1533.09 of the Revised Code. The collection of federally listed endangered and threatened species is not authorized by this chapter.
Supplemental Information