# CHAPTER 4-8 WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

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- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

CHAPTER 4-8 WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
4-8-1

Findings
(a) The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have a primary interest in the protection, control,
conservation, and utilization of the water resources of the Colville Indian Reservation. It is the purpose of
this Chapter to establish Tribal Water Quality Standards for the surface waters and ground waters located
within the exterior boundaries of the Colville Indian Reservation. The quality of all surface and
groundwater on the Reservation shall be protected to insure the health, economic, aesthetic and cultural
well being of all people residing upon the Colville Indian Reservation.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

(b) The human activities and factors which may adversely affect the quality of surface and ground waters
on the Colville Indian Reservation and the natural resources which they support shall be regulated to protect
and maintain the high quality of such waters and preserve their continued domestic, agricultural, industrial,
recreational, cultural and other beneficial uses. The economy, health, safety and welfare of the people
residing and doing business on the Colville Indian Reservation may be adversely affected by human
activities carried out by both Indian and non-Indian people on trust and fee land within the Colville Indian
Reservation. Inadequate control of such activities can contaminate and degrade surface and groundwater
resources on which many people depend for domestic, agricultural, industrial, business, recreational,
cultural and other uses.
(c) The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have jurisdiction to enforce Tribal Water Quality
Standards in order to protect the economy, health, safety and welfare of the Reservation community.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

4-8-2

Territory Covered
The provisions of this Chapter, known as the Water Quality Standards Chapter of the Colville Law and
Order Code, shall apply to all surface and groundwaters of the Colville Indian Reservation. Every human
activity taking place on the Colville Indian Reservation which may affect the quality of the surface and
groundwater resources of the Reservation shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter.

4-8-3

Administration
The Environmental Trust Department of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation shall
administer this Chapter. From time to time, and as it deems appropriate, the Department may recommend
that the Business Council amend this Chapter. The Environmental Trust Department may propose that the
Business Council adopt a Fee Schedule for the purpose of establishing fees which may be charged for
permits and other administrative services provided by the Department under this Chapter.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

4-8-4

Definitions
(a) “Background conditions” means the biological, chemical, and physical conditions of a water body,
upstream from the point or non-point source of any discharge under consideration. Background sampling
location in an enforcement action would be upstream from the point of discharge, but not upstream from
other inflows. If several discharges to any water body exist, and enforcement action is being taken for
possible violations to the standards, background sampling would be undertaken immediately upstream from
each discharge.
(b) “Best Management Practices” or “BMP’s” means a generic term describing minimum acceptable land
use practice required to meet applicable Water Quality Standards.
(c) The “Colville Environmental Quality Commission” or “CEQC” means the environmental
administrative appellate body of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation as provided for under
Chapter 4-23 of the Colville Tribal Code.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

(d) “Ceremonial and Religious water use” means activities involving traditional Native American spiritual
practices which involve, among other things, direct contact with water.
(e) “Council” or “Tribal Council” means the Colville Business Council of the Confederated
Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

(f) “Department” means the Environmental Trust Department of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville
Reservation.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

(g)“Director” means the Director of the Environmental Trust Department.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

(h) “EPA” means the US Environmental Protection Agency.
(j) “Fecal coliform” means that portion of the coliform group which is present in the intestinal tracts and
feces of warm-blooded animals as detected by the product of acid or gas from lactose in a suitable culture
medium within twenty-four (24) hours at 44.5 plus or minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.
(k) “Geometric mean” means the nth root of a product of n factors.
(l) “Ground water” means all water occurring below the ground surface within the exterior boundaries of
the Colville Indian Reservation including but not limited to unconfined, semi-confined, and confined
aquifers and all other water occurring within subsurface geologic formations, rock, and soil.
(m) “Mean detention time” means the time obtained by dividing a reservoir’s mean annual minimum total
storage by the thirty (30) day, ten (10) year low-flow from the reservoir.
(n) “Non-point source” means any source contributing to water quality degradation where that degradation
cannot be accounted for by any point source, including but not limited to, runoff from agriculture,
silviculture, construction, and mining.
(o) “Permit” means a document issued by a public body which specifies waste treatment and control
requirements and waste discharge conditions.
(p) “pH” means the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration.
(q) “Person” means any individual; association of individuals; partnership; private, public, tribal, or
municipal corporation; tribal enterprise; company; business enterprise; any county, tribal, federal, state, or
local government; or any governmental entity.
(r) “Point source” means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to
any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discreet fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal
feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged.
(s) “Pollutant” includes but is not limited to dredged spoil, soil, slurry, solid waste, incinerator residue,
sewage, sewage and industrial sludge, garbage and trash, chemical waste, biological nutrient, biological
material, radioactive material, heat, discarded equipment, material and plant matter, rock, sand, gravel, mine
tailings, discarded containers, and all other industrial, municipal or agricultural waste.
(t) “Pollution” means artificially made or induced change in the chemical, physical or radiological
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

characteristics of water.
(u) “Primary contact recreation” means activities where a person would have direct contact with water to
the point of complete submergence, including but not limited to skin diving, swimming, and water skiing.
(v) “Reservation” means the Colville Indian Reservation established on July 2, 1872 by Executive Order
containing 1,389,000 acres more or less.
(w) “Reservation population” means all persons who reside on or otherwise conduct business or other
activities on any lands, whether trust or fee, within the exterior boundaries of the Colville Indian
Reservation.
(x) “Reservation resources” or “Reservation environment” means land, surface and ground water, fish,
biota, plants, animals, air, wildlife and capital improvements on the Colville Indian Reservation.
(y) “Secondary contact recreation” means activities where a person’s water contact would be limited to the
extent that bacterial infections of eyes, ears, respiratory or digestive systems or urogenital areas would
normally be avoided (such as wading or fishing).
(z) “Surface water” means all water above the surface of the ground within the exterior boundaries of the
Colville Indian Reservation including but not limited to lakes, ponds, reservoirs, artificial impoundments,
streams, rivers, springs and seeps.
(aa) “Temperature” means water temperature expressed in degrees Celsius (ºC).
(bb) “Tribe” means the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
(Amended 9/2/10, Certified 9/9/10, Resolution 2010-622)

(bb) “Tribal Water Quality Standards,” “Water Quality Criteria,” or “Water Quality Standards” means the
numerical quantification of specific regulatory parameters to protect ambient surface and ground water
quality provided for by this Chapter.
(cc) “Turbidity” means the clarity of water expressed as nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) and measured
with a calibrated turbidimeter.
(dd) “Wildlife habitat” means the waters and surrounding land areas of the Reservation used by fish, other
aquatic life and wildlife at any stage of their life history or activity.
4-8-5

General Considerations
The following general guidelines shall apply to the Water Quality Standards and classifications set forth in
sections 4-8-6 through 4-8-8.
(a) At the boundary between waters of different classifications, the Water Quality Standards for the higher
classification shall prevail.
(b) The Water Quality Standards herein established shall not apply within an authorized dilution zone
adjacent to or surrounding a wastewater discharge.
(c) Waste discharge permits will not be issued which would allow violations of Tribal Water Quality
Standards.
(1) However, persons discharging wastes in compliance with the terms and conditions of permits
shall not be subject to civil penalties on the basis that the discharge violated Tribal Water Quality
3
(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

Standards.
(2) Permits shall be subject to modification by the Department whenever it appears to the
Department that the discharge may violate Tribal Water Quality Standards. Modifications of
permits, as provided herein, shall be subject to the same administrative review procedures as
originally issued permits.
(d) Non-Point Sources and Tribal Water Quality Standards:
(1) It is recognized that many activities not subject to a waste discharge permit system are now
taking place within the Reservation and it is further recognized that such activities may be in
conflict with applicable Tribal Water Quality Standards until such time as a regulatory program is
in place to control such non-permitted activities. Any such regulatory program shall provide
methods or means whereby such activities shall comply with Tribal Water Quality Standards.
Person conducting non-point source activities for which a regulatory program may be developed
may however, not be subject to civil sanctions for violation of Tribal Water Quality Standards if
such activities are either:
(A) Conducted in accordance with applicable best management practices set forth by the
Tribe; or
(B) Subject to and in compliance with any regulatory order(s) issued by the Department.
(2) Best management practices or regulatory orders described in subsection 4-8-5(d)(1) shall be
subject to modification by either the Council or the Department whenever it appears that the
discharge may violate Tribal Water Quality Standards. Modification of best management practices
or regulatory orders, as provided herein, shall be subject to the same administrative review
procedures as the originally issued best management practices or regulatory orders.
(e) The Water Quality Standards herein established for the total dissolved gas shall not apply when the
stream flow exceeds the seven (7) day, ten (10) year frequency flood.
(f) The total area and/or volume of a receiving water assigned to a dilution zone shall be as described in a
valid discharge permit as needed and shall be limited to that which will:
(1) Not cause acute moralities or sport, food, or commercial fish and shellfish species of
established biological communities within populations or important species to a degree which
damages the ecosystem; and
(2) Not diminish aesthetic values or other beneficial uses disproportionately.
(g) The antidegradation policy of the Tribe, which is a regulatory requirement of this Chapter shall be
applicable to all surface and ground waters of the Reservation. The antidegradation policy provides that:
(1) Existing beneficial uses shall be maintained and protected and no further degradation which
would interfere with or become injurious to existing beneficial uses shall be allowed.
(2) No further degradation of any surface or ground waters lying within areas designated as unique
water quality management areas shall be allowed.
(3) Whenever surface or ground waters are in fact of a higher quality than provided for by
applicable Water Quality Standards, the existing higher water quality shall be protected. Wastes,
other materials, and substances which may reduce the existing quality of such surface or ground
4

(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

waters shall not be allowed to enter such waters. Except that the Department may allow such
wastes, other materials, and substances to be placed in such waters in those instances where:
(A) It is clear that overriding considerations of the public interest will be served thereby,
and
(B) All wastes and other materials and substances proposed for discharge into the said
waters shall have first been subject to all known, available, and reasonable methods of
treatment prior to such discharge.
(4) Whenever the natural conditions of surface or ground waters in their unaltered state and not
affected by human activity are of a lower quality than the Water Quality Standards assigned
thereto by this Chapter, the natural conditions shall constitute the applicable Water Quality
Standards.
(5) The criteria and special conditions established in sections 4-8-6 through 4-8-8 may be modified
for a specific water body, on a temporary basis not to exceed sixty (60) days, when necessary to
accommodate essential activities, respond to emergencies, or to otherwise protect the public
interest. Such modification may for good cause be extended for an additional sixty (60) days. All
such modifications shall be issued in writing by the Director or his designee subject to such terms
and conditions as he or she may prescribe. The aquatic application of herbicides which may result
in water use restrictions shall be considered an activity for which a temporary modification may
generally be issued subject to conditions specified by the Department.
(6) No degradation of water quality shall be allowed if such degradation may interfere with or
become injurious to existing water uses or may cause long-term or irreparable harm to the
Reservation environment.
(7) No waste discharge permit shall be issued for any proposed discharge which may violated
established Water Quality Standards, except as provided for under section 4-8-9(c).
(h) In applying Water Quality Standards the Department shall give due consideration to the precision and
accuracy of the sampling and analytical methods used as well as existing conditions at the time.
(i) The analytical testing methods used to measure or otherwise evaluate Water Quality Standards shall to
the extent practicable, be in accordance with the most recent editions of “Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater,” published by the American Public Health Association, American
Water Works Association, and the Water Pollution Control Federation, and “Methods for Chemical
Analysis of Water and Wastes,” published by the EPA, and other or superseding methods published and/or
approved by the Department following consultation with and concurrence of the EPA.
(j) Deleterious concentrations of radioactive materials for all classes shall be as determined by the lowest
practicable concentration attainable and in no case shall exceed EPA Drinking Water Regulations for
radionuclides, as published in the Federal Register of July 9, 1976, or subsequent revisions thereof.
(k) Deleterious concentrations of toxic, or other non-radio-active materials, shall be determined by the
Department in consideration of the “Quality Criteria for Water,” published by EPA in 1976, and as revised,
as an authoritative source for criteria and/or other relevant information.
(l) Nothing in this Chapter shall be interpreted to prohibit the establishment of effluent limitations for the
control of the thermal component of any discharge in accordance with Section 316 of the Federal Clean
Water Act (P.L. 95-217 as amended).
5

(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

4-8-6

General Water Use and Criteria Classes
The following criteria shall apply to the various classes of surface waters on the Colville Indian
Reservation:
(a) Class I (Extraordinary):
(1) General characteristics: Water quality of this class shall markedly and uniformly exceed the
requirements for all or substantially all uses.
(2) Characteristic uses: Characteristic uses may included, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Water supply (domestic, industrial, and agricultural).
(B) Stock watering.
(C) Fish and shellfish: Salmonid migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; other fish
migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting.
(D) Ceremonial and religious water use.
(E) Recreation (primary contact recreation, sport fishing, boating and aesthetic
enjoyment).
(F) Commerce and navigation.
(3) Water quality criteria:
(A) Fecal coliform organisms - freshwater: Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a
geometric mean value of 50 organisms/100 mL, with not more than ten (10%) percent of
samples exceeding 100 organisms/100 mL.
(B) Fecal coliform organisms - saline water: Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a
geometric mean value of 14 organisms/100mL, with not more than ten (10%) percent of
samples exceeding 43 organisms/100mL.
(C) Dissolved oxygen - freshwater: Dissolved oxygen shall exceed 9.5 mg/L.
(D) Dissolved oxygen - saline water: Dissolved oxygen shall exceed 7.0 mg/L. When
natural conditions, such as upwelling, occur, causing the dissolved oxygen to be
depressed near or below 7.0 mg/L, natural dissolved oxygen levels can be degraded by up
to 0.2 mg/L by man-caused activities.
(E) Total dissolved gas shall not exceed one hundred-ten (110%) percent of saturation at
any point of sample collection.
(F) Temperature shall not exceed 16.0ºC (freshwater) and 13.0ºC (saline water) due to
human activities. Temperature increases shall not, at any time, exceed t=23/(T+5)
(freshwater) or t=8/(T-4) (saline water).
(i) When natural conditions exceed 16.0ºC (freshwater) and 13.0ºC (saline
water), no temperature increase will be allowed which will raise the receiving
water temperature by greater than 0.3ºC.
6

(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

(ii) For purposes hereof, “t” represents the permissive temperature change across
the dilution zone; and “T” represents the highest existing temperature in this
water classification outside of any dilution zone.
(iii) Provided that temperature increase resulting from non-point source activities
shall not exceed 2.8ºC, and the maximum water temperature shall not exceed
16.3ºC (freshwater).
(G) pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5 (freshwater) or 7.0 to 8.5 (saline water) with
a man-caused variation within a range of less than 0.5 units.
(H) Turbidity shall not exceed 5 NTU over background turbidity when the background
turbidity is 50 NTU or less, or have more than a 10 percent increase in turbidity when the
background turbidity is more than 50 NTU.
(I) Toxic, radioactive, or deleterious material concentrations - shall be below those of
public health significance, or which may cause acute or chronic toxic conditions to the
aquatic biota, or which may adversely affect any water use.
(J) Aesthetic values shall not be impaired by the presence of materials or their effects,
excluding those of natural origin, which offend the senses of sight, smell, touch, or taste.
(b) Class II (Excellent):
(1) General characteristics: Water quality of this class shall meet or exceed the requirements for all
or substantially all uses.
(2) Characteristic uses: Characteristic uses may include but not be limited to the following:
(A) Water supply (domestic, industrial, and agricultural).
(B) Stock watering.
(C) Fish and shellfish: Salmonid migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; other fish
migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; crayfish rearing, spawning, and harvesting.
(D) Wildlife habitat.
(E) Ceremonial and religious water use.
(F) Recreation (primary contact recreation, sport fishing, boating and aesthetic
enjoyment).
(G) Commerce and navigation
(3) Water quality criteria:
(A) Fecal coliform organisms - freshwater: Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a
geometric mean value of 100 organisms/100 mL, with not more than ten (10%) percent of
samples exceeding 200 organisms/100 mL.
(B) Fecal coliform organisms - saline water: Fecal coliform organism shall not exceed a
geometric mean value of 14 organisms/100 mL, with not more than ten (10%) percent of
7

(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

samples exceeding 43 organisms/100 mL.
(C) Dissolved oxygen - freshwater: Dissolved oxygen shall exceed 8.0 mg/L.
(D) Dissolved oxygen - saline water: Dissolved oxygen shall exceed 6.0 mg/L. When
natural conditions, such as upwelling occur causing the dissolved oxygen to be depressed
near or below 6.0 mg/L, natural dissolved oxygen levels can be degraded by up to 0.2
mg/L by man-caused activities.
(E) Total dissolved gas shall not exceed one hundred-ten (110%) percent of saturation at
any point of sample collection.
(F) Temperature shall not exceed 18.0ºC (freshwater) or 16.0ºC (saline water) due to
human activities. Temperature increases shall not, at any time, exceed t=28 / (T+7)
(freshwater) or t-12 / (T-2) (saline water).
(i) When natural conditions exceed 18.0ºC (freshwater) and 16.0ºC (saline
water), no temperature increase will be allowed which will raise the receiving
water temperature by greater than 0.3ºC.
(ii) For purposes hereof, “t” represents the permissive temperature change across
the dilution zone; and “T” represents the highest existing temperature in this
water classification outside of any dilution zone.
(iii) Provided that temperature increase resulting from non-point source activities
shall not exceed 2.8ºC and the maximum water temperature shall not exceed
18.3ºC (freshwater).
(G) pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5 (freshwater) or 7.0 to 8.5 (saline water) with
a man-caused variation within a range of less than 0.5 units.
(H) Turbidity shall not exceed 5 NTU over background turbidity when the background
turbidity is 50 NTU or less, or have more than a 10 percent increase in turbidity when the
background turbidity is more than 50 NTU.
(I) Toxic, radioactive, or deleterious material concentrations - shall be below those of
public health significance, or which may cause acute or chronic toxic conditions to the
aquatic biota, or which may adversely affect any water use.
(J) Aesthetic values shall not be impaired by the presence of materials or their effects,
excluding those of natural origin, which offend the senses of sight, smell, touch, or taste.
(c) Class III (Good):
(1) General characteristics: Water quality of this class shall meet or exceed the requirements for
most uses.
(2) Characteristic uses: Characteristic uses may include but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Water supply (industrial, agricultural).
(B) Stock watering.
8

(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

(C) Fish and shellfish: salmonid migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; other fish
migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; crayfish rearing, spawning, and harvesting.
(D) Wildlife habitat.
(E) Recreation (secondary contact recreation, sport fishing, boating and aesthetic
enjoyment).
(F) Commerce and navigation.
(3) Water quality criteria:
(A) Fecal coliform organisms - freshwater: Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a
geometric mean value of 200 organisms/100mL, with not more than 10 percent of
samples exceeding 400 organisms/100 mL.
(B) Fecal coliform organisms - saline water: Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a
geometric mean value of 100 organisms/100 mL, with not more than 10 percent of
samples exceeding 200 organisms/100 mL.
(C) Dissolved oxygen - freshwater: Dissolved oxygen shall exceed 6.5 mg/L.
(D) Dissolved oxygen - saline water: Dissolved oxygen shall exceed 5.0 mg/L. When
natural conditions, such as upwelling, occur, causing, the dissolved oxygen to be
depressed near or below 5.0 mg/L, natural dissolved oxygen levels can be degraded by up
to 0.2 mg/L by man-caused activities.
(E) Total dissolved gas shall not exceed 110 percent of saturation at any point of sample
collection.
(F) Temperature shall not exceed 21.0ºC (freshwater) or 19.0ºC (saline water) due to
human activities. Temperature increases shall not, at any time, exceed t=34/(T+9)
(freshwater) or t=16/T (saline water).
(i) When natural conditions exceed 21.0ºC (freshwater) and 19.0ºC (saline
water), no temperature increase will be allowed which will raise the receiving
water temperature by greater than 0.3ºC.
(ii) For purposes hereof, “t” represents the permissive temperature change across
the dilution zone; and “T” represents the highest existing temperature in this
water classification outside of any dilution zone.
(iii) Provided that temperature increase resulting from non-point source activities
shall not exceed 2.8ºC, and the maximum water temperature shall not exceed
21.3ºC (freshwater).
(4) pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5 (freshwater) or 7.0 to 8.5 (saline water) with a mancaused variation with a range of less than 0.5 units.
(A) Turbidity shall not exceed 10 NTU over background turbidity when the background
turbidity is 50 NTU or less, or have more than a 20 percent increase in turbidity when the
background turbidity is more than 50 NTU.
9

(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

(B) Toxic, radioactive, or deleterious material concentrations shall be below those which
adversely affect public health during characteristic uses, or which may cause acute or
chronic toxic conditions to the aquatic biota, or which may adversely affect characteristic
water uses.
(C) Aesthetic values shall not be reduced by dissolved, suspended, floating, or submerged
matter not attributed to natural causes, so as to affect water use or taint the flesh of edible
species.
(d) Class IV (Fair):
(1) General characteristics: Water quality of this class shall meet or exceed the requirements of
selected and essential uses.
(2) Characteristic uses: Characteristic uses may include but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Water supply (industrial).
(B) Stock watering.
(C) Fish (salmonid and other fish migration).
(D) Recreation (secondary contact recreation, sport fishing, boating and aesthetic
enjoyment).
(E) Commerce and navigation.
(3) Water quality criteria:
(A) Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a geometric mean value of 200
organism/100 mL, with not more than 10 percent of samples exceeding 400
organisms/100 mL.
(B) Dissolved oxygen shall exceed 4.0 mg/L, natural dissolved oxygen levels can be
degraded by up to 0.2 mg/L by man-caused activities.
(C) Temperature shall not exceed 22.0ºC due to human activities. Temperature increases
shall not, at any time, exceed t=20/(T+2).
(i) When natural conditions exceed 22.0ºC, no temperature increase will be allowed
which will raise the receiving water temperature by greater than 0.3ºC.
(ii) For purposes hereof, “t” represents the permissive temperature change across the
dilution zone; and “T” represents the highest existing temperature in this water
classification outside of any dilution zone.
(D) pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 9.0 with a man-caused variation within a range
of less than 0.5 units.
(E) Turbidity shall not exceed 10 NTU over background turbidity when the background
turbidity is 50 NTU or less, or have more than a 20 percent increase in turbidity when the
background turbidity is more than 50 NTU.
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

(F) Toxic, radioactive, or deleterious material concentrations shall be below those which
adversely affect public health during characteristic uses, or which may cause acute or
chronic toxic conditions to the aquatic biota, or which may adversely affect characteristic
water uses.
(G) Aesthetic values shall not be interfered with by the presence of obnoxious wastes,
slimes, aquatic growths, or materials which will taint the flesh of edible species.
(e) Lake Class:
(1) General characteristics: Water quality of this class shall meet or exceed the requirements for all
or substantially all uses.
(2) Characteristic uses: Characteristic use may include but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Water supply (domestic, industrial, and agricultural);
(B) Stock watering;
(C) Fish and shellfish: Salmonid migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; other fish
migration, rearing spawning, and harvesting; crayfish rearing, spawning and harvesting;
(D) Wildlife habitat;
(E) Ceremonial and religious water use.
(F) Recreation (primary contact recreation, sport fishing, boating and aesthetic
enjoyment).
(G) Commerce and navigation.
(3) Water quality criteria:
(A) Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a geometric mean value of 50
organisms/100 mL, with not more than 10 percent of samples exceeding 100
organisms/100 mL.
(B) Dissolved oxygen - no measurable decrease from natural conditions.
(C) Total dissolved gas shall not exceed 110 percent of saturation at any point of sample
collection.
(D) Temperature - no measurable change from natural conditions.
(E) pH - no measurable change from natural conditions.
(F) Turbidity shall not exceed 5 NTU over background conditions.
(G) Toxic, radioactive, or deleterious material concentrations shall be less than those
which may affect public health, the natural aquatic environment, or the desirability of the
water for any use.
(H) Aesthetic values shall not be impaired by the presence of materials or their effects,
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

excluding those of natural origin, which offend the senses of sight, smell, touch, or taste.
(f) Special Resource Water Class (SRW):
(1) General characteristics: Water quality of this class will be varied and unique as determined by
the Department. These are fresh or saline waters which comprise a special and unique resource to
the Reservation.
(2) Characteristic uses: Characteristic uses may include but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Wildlife habitat.
(B) Natural food chain maintenance.
(3) Water quality criteria:
(A) Fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed natural conditions.
(B) Dissolved oxygen - no measurable decrease from natural conditions.
(C) Total dissolved gas shall not vary from natural conditions.
(D) Temperature - no measurable change from natural conditions.
(E) pH - no measurable change from natural conditions.
(F) Turbidity shall not exceed 5 NTU over background conditions.
(G) Toxic, radioactive, or deleterious material concentrations shall not exceed those
found in the state of nature.
(H) Aesthetic values shall not be impaired by the presence of materials of their effects,
excluding those of natural origin, which offend the senses of sight, smell, touch, or taste.
4-8-7

General Classifications
General classifications applying to various surface water bodies not specifically classified under section 48-8 are as follows:
(a) All unclassified surface waters that are tributaries to Class I waters are classified Class I.
(b) Except for those specifically classified otherwise, all lakes of less than 2000 mg/L TADS and their
feeder streams on the Colville Indian Reservation are classified as Lake Class and Class I, respectively.
(c) All lakes on the Colville Indian Reservation with average TADS levels equal or exceeding 2000 mg/L
and their feeder streams are classified as Class I Saline and Class I respectively unless specifically
classified otherwise.
(d) All reservoirs with a mean detention time of greater than fifteen (15) days are classified Lake Class.
(e) All reservoirs with a mean detention time of fifteen (15) days or less are classified the same as the river
section in which they are located.
(f) All reservoirs established on preexisting lakes are classified as Lake Class.
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

(g) All other unclassified waters of the Reservation are classified as Class II.
4-8-8

Specific Classifications
Specific classifications for surface waters of the Colville Indian Reservation are as follows:
(a) Streams
Alice Creek......................................................................................................................................... Class III
Anderson Creek.................................................................................................................................. Class III
Armstrong Creek ................................................................................................................................ Class III
Barnaby Creek.......................................................................................................................................Class II
Bear Creek........................................................................................................................................... Class III
Beaver Dam Creek ................................................................................................................................Class II
Bridge Creek .........................................................................................................................................Class II
Brush Creek...........................................................................................................................................Class II
Buckhorn Creek................................................................................................................................... Class III
Cache Creek ........................................................................................................................................ Class III
Canteen Creek ........................................................................................................................................Class I
Capoose Creek..................................................................................................................................... Class III
Cobbs Creek ........................................................................................................................................ Class III
Columbia River from Chief Joseph Dam to Wells Dam........................................................................Class II
Columbia River from northern Reservation
boundary to Chief Joseph Dam ................................................................................................Class I
Cook Creek.............................................................................................................................................Class I
Copper Creek....................................................................................................................................... Class III
Cornstalk Creek................................................................................................................................... Class III
Cougar Creek..........................................................................................................................................Class I
Coyote Creek.........................................................................................................................................Class II
Deerhorn Creek ................................................................................................................................... Class IV
Dick Creek........................................................................................................................................... Class III
Dry Creek ...............................................................................................................................................Class I
Empire Creek....................................................................................................................................... Class III
Faye Creek..............................................................................................................................................Class I
Forty Mile Creek ................................................................................................................................. Class III
Gibson Creek..........................................................................................................................................Class I
Gold Creek ............................................................................................................................................Class II
Granite Creek ........................................................................................................................................Class II
Grizzly Creek ...................................................................................................................................... Class III
Haley Creek......................................................................................................................................... Class IV
Hall Creek .............................................................................................................................................Class II
Hall Creek, West Fork............................................................................................................................Class I
Iron Creek............................................................................................................................................ Class III
Jack Creek ........................................................................................................................................... Class III
Jerred Creek............................................................................................................................................Class I
Joe Moses Creek.................................................................................................................................. Class IV
John Tom Creek .................................................................................................................................. Class III
Jones Creek ............................................................................................................................................Class I
Kartar Creek ........................................................................................................................................ Class III
Kincaid Creek...................................................................................................................................... Class IV
King Creek .......................................................................................................................................... Class IV
Klondyke Creek......................................................................................................................................Class I
Lime Creek .......................................................................................................................................... Class III
Little Jim Creek ................................................................................................................................... Class III
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

Little Nespelem ....................................................................................................................................Class II
Louie Creek ......................................................................................................................................... Class III
Lynx Creek............................................................................................................................................Class II
Manila Creek ....................................................................................................................................... Class III
McAllister Creek ................................................................................................................................. Class III
Meadow Creek .................................................................................................................................... Class III
Mill Creek .............................................................................................................................................Class II
Mission Creek .................................................................................................................................... Class IV
Nespelem River .....................................................................................................................................Class II
Nez Perce Creek .................................................................................................................................. Class III
Nine Mile Creek ....................................................................................................................................Class II
Nineteen Mile Creek ........................................................................................................................... Class III
No Name Creek .....................................................................................................................................Class II
North Nanamkin Creek........................................................................................................................ Class III
North Star Creek.................................................................................................................................. Class III
Okanogan River from Reservation
north boundary to Columbia River..........................................................................................Class II
Olds Creek..............................................................................................................................................Class I
Omak Creek...........................................................................................................................................Class II
Onion Creek ..........................................................................................................................................Class II
Parmenter Creek .................................................................................................................................. Class IV
Peel Creek ........................................................................................................................................... Class IV
Peter Dan Creek .................................................................................................................................. Class IV
Rock Creek.............................................................................................................................................Class I
San Poil River.........................................................................................................................................Class I
Sanpoil, West Fork ................................................................................................................................Class II
Seventeen Mile Creek ......................................................................................................................... Class III
Silver Creek......................................................................................................................................... Class III
Sitdown Creek .......................................................................................................................................Class II
Six Mile Creek .................................................................................................................................... Class IV
South Nanamkin Creek........................................................................................................................ Class III
Spring Creek........................................................................................................................................ Class III
Stapaloop Creek .................................................................................................................................. Class III
Stepstone Creek................................................................................................................................... Class III
Stranger Creek.......................................................................................................................................Class II
Strawberry Creek................................................................................................................................. Class III
Swimptkin Creek ................................................................................................................................. Class III
Three Forks Creek ..................................................................................................................................Class I
Three Mile Creek................................................................................................................................. Class IV
Thirteen Mile Creek ..............................................................................................................................Class II
Thirty Mile Creek..................................................................................................................................Class II
Trail Creek........................................................................................................................................... Class III
Twenty-five Mile Creek ...................................................................................................................... Class III
Twenty-one Mile Creek....................................................................................................................... Class III
Twenty-three Mile Creek .................................................................................................................... Class III
Wannacot Creek .................................................................................................................................. Class III
Wells Creek ............................................................................................................................................Class I
Whitelaw Creek................................................................................................................................... Class IV
Wilmont Creek ......................................................................................................................................Class II
(b) Lakes
Apex Lake ....................................................................................................................................................LC
Big Goose Lake ............................................................................................................................................LC
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

Bourgeau Lake .............................................................................................................................................LC
Buffalo Lake.................................................................................................................................................LC
Camille Lake ................................................................................................................................................LC
Cody Lake ....................................................................................................................................................LC
Crawfish Lake ..............................................................................................................................................LC
Elbow Lake ..................................................................................................................................................LC
Fish Lake ......................................................................................................................................................LC
Gold Lake.....................................................................................................................................................LC
Great Western Lake......................................................................................................................................LC
Johnson Lake................................................................................................................................................LC
LaFleur Lake ................................................................................................................................................LC
Little Goose Lake .........................................................................................................................................LC
Little Owhi Lake ..........................................................................................................................................LC
McGinnis Lake .............................................................................................................................................LC
Nicholas Lake...............................................................................................................................................LC
Omak Lake ............................................................................................................................................... SRW
Owhi Lake ................................................................................................................................................ SRW
Penley Lake .............................................................................................................................................. SRW
Rebecca Lake ...............................................................................................................................................LC
Round Lake ..................................................................................................................................................LC
Simpson Lake ...............................................................................................................................................LC
Soap Lake................................................................................................................................................. SRW
Sugar Lake ...................................................................................................................................................LC
Summit Lake ................................................................................................................................................LC
Twin Lakes............................................................................................................................................... SRW
4-8-9

Permits
(a) No person shall discharge any waste from a point source into Reservation waters without having first
obtained a permit from either the BPA or the Department, as applicable.
(b) The Department may, through the issuance of regulatory permits, directives, and orders, control
miscellaneous waste discharge not covered by section 4-8-9(a).
(c) From time to time the Department may authorize certain temporary activities which may temporarily
reduce water quality below those set by this Chapter (4-8-5 and 4-8-6) when such activities found to be
overriding public benefit, provided that all such temporary authorizations shall be for a thirty (30) day
period or less.
(d) The Department may in furtherance of section 4-8-9(b) require any prospective or current discharge to,
among other things, perform such water quality monitoring tasks as might be necessary to determine the pre
and post discharge conditions, mixing zone requirements, and permit parameters.
(e) To ascertain whether the regulations, waste disposal permits, orders, and directives promulgated and/or
issued by the Department, the Council, or EPA are being complied with a continuing surveillance program
shall be conducted by the Department. This continuing surveillance program shall include, among other
things, the following:
(1) Inspecting treatment and control facilities;
(2) Monitoring and reporting waste discharge characteristics; and
(3) Monitoring receiving water quality.
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

4-8-10 Violations, Enforcement and Civil Penalties
(a) The Department shall be notified of all suspected violations and accidental discharges.
(1) Any person may apply in writing to the Department and the Department will initiate an
investigation and take action upon any suspected or alleged violation of any provision of this
Chapter or of any order, permit, or regulation issued or promulgated under the authority of this
Chapter.
(2) Any person engaged in any operation or activity which results in a spill or discharge which
may cause pollution of the water of the Reservation contrary to this Chapter shall immediately
notify the Department. Any person who fails to notify the Department as soon as he either knows
or should have known about the spill or discharge is deemed in violation of this Chapter and, upon
an administrative finding thereof after notice and hearing as provided by the Colville
Administrative Procedures Act, shall be levied an administrative civil penalty of not more than ten
thousand dollars ($10,000) per day that such violation continues.
(b) Notice of Alleged Violations:
(1) Wherever the Department has reason to believe that there has occurred a violation of an order,
permit, or other requirement issued or promulgated under authority of this Chapter, the Director
shall cause written notice to be served personally or by certified mail return-receipt requested upon
the alleged violator or its agent for service of process. The notice shall state the provision alleged
to be violated, the facts alleged to constitute a violation, and may include the nature of any
corrective action proposed to be required.
(2) Each cease and desist and clean-up order issued pursuant to sections 4-8-10(d) and 4-8-10(e)
shall be accompanied by or have incorporated in it the notice provided for in subsection 4-810(b)(1) of this section unless such notice shall have prior thereto been given.
(c) Hearing Procedures for Alleged Violation:
(1) In any notice given under section 4-8-10(b), the Department may require the alleged violator to
appear before it for a hearing and to answer each alleged violation. Such hearing shall be held no
sooner than fifteen (15) days after service of this notice, except the Department may set an earlier
date for hearing if so requested by the alleged violator or if any emergency exists. This hearing
shall be conducted in accordance with the Colville Administrative Procedures Act.
(2) If the Department does not require an alleged violator to appear for a hearing, the alleged
violator may request the hearing. Such request shall be in writing and shall be filed with the
Department no later than thirty (30) days after service of the notice under section 4-8-10(b). If
such a request is filed, a hearing shall be held within a reasonable time.
(3) If a hearing is held pursuant to the provisions of this section, it shall be recorded and this
record be made available to the public. All parties may respond to the notice served under section
4-8-10(b) and may present evidence and argument on all issues, call witnesses, and conduct crossexamination required for a full disclosure of the facts as provided for in the Colville
Administrative Procedures Act.
(d) Hearing Procedures for Alleged Violation: Upon a finding and determination, after hearing, that a
violation of a permit provision, Departmental directive or order has occurred, the Department may suspend,
modify, or revoke the pertinent permit, or take such other action with respect to the violation as may be
authorized by applicable law.
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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

(e) Cease and Desist Orders: If the Department determines, with or without a hearing, that there exists a
violation of any provision of this Chapter or of any order, permit, or other requirement of this Chapter, the
Department may issue a cease and desist order. Such order shall set forth the provision alleged to be
violated, the facts alleged to constitute the violation, and the time by which acts or practices complained of
must be terminated.
(f) Clean-Up Orders: The Department may issue orders to any person to clean up material which he, or his
employee, or his agent has accidentally or purposely dumped, spilled, or otherwise deposit in or near
Reservation waters which may pollute them. The Department may also request that the Tribal attorney
proceed and take appropriate action.
(g) Restraining Orders and Injunctions: In the event any person fails to comply with either a cease and
desist order or a clean-up order which order or orders are not subject to stay pending administrative or
judicial review, the Department may request the Tribal attorney to investigate, and if appropriate, bring suit
for temporary injunction to prevent any further or continued violation of such order or orders. In any such
suit the findings of the Department based upon evidence in the record, shall be given due difference by any
reviewing administrative body or court.
(1) Emergencies shall be given precedence over all other such matters pending in Tribal Court.
The institution of such injunction proceedings by the Tribal attorney on behalf of the Department
shall confer upon such court exclusive jurisdiction to determine finally the subject matter of the
proceedings.
(h) Civil Penalties:
(1) Any person who violates any provision of any permit issued under this Chapter or any final
cease and desist order or clean-up order shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten
thousand ($10,000) per day for each day during which such violation occurs.
(2) Penalty amounts shall be determined after hearing and may be collected by the Tribe by action
instituted in Tribal Court by the Tribal attorney for collection of such penalty. A stay of any order
of the Tribe pending judicial review shall not relieve any person from any liability under
subsection 4-8-10(h)(1) of this section, but the reason for the request for judicial review shall be
considered in the determination of the amount of the penalty.
(i) Falsification and Tampering: Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or
certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained
under this Chapter, or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device
or method required to be maintained under this Chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than
five hundred dollars ($500) for each individual instance. Each day that invalid monitoring data is generated
as a result of such wrongful action shall constitute a separate violation.
(j) Proceeding by Other Parties:
(1) The factual or legal basis for proceedings or other actions that shall result from a violation of
this Chapter inure solely to the benefit of the Tribe is not intended by this Chapter, in any way, to
create new private rights or to enlarge existing private rights. A determination that water pollution
exists or that any standard has been disregarded or violated, whether or not a proceeding or action
may be brought by the Department or the Tribe, shall not create by reason thereof any presumption
of law or finding of fact which shall inure to or be for the benefit of any person other than the
Tribe.
(2) A permit issued pursuant to this Chapter may be introduced in any court of law as evidence
17

(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

that the permittee's activity is not a public or private nuisance. Introduction into any evidence of
such permit and evidence of compliance with the permit conditions shall constitute a prima facie
case that the activity to which the permit pertains is not public or private nuisance.
4-8-11 Waiver of Regulations
Whenever a strict interpretation of this Chapter would result in extreme hardships the Department may
waive or modify such regulation or portion thereof, provided such waiver or modification is consistent with
the intent of this Chapter and no public health hazard will result.

4-8-12 Cooperation with Public Agencies—Grants and Gifts
The Department is authorized subject to approval of the Tribal Council, to accept, receive, disburse, and
administer grants or other funds or gifts from any source, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of
this Chapter and to consult and cooperate with federal and state agencies in matters pertaining to this
Chapter. The Department is authorized to negotiate, subject to approval by the Tribal Council, intergovernmental agreements and other cooperative agreements which may create, modify, or change duties
established by this Chapter, providing that creation of new regulatory requirements or changes in existing
regulatory requirements must comply with the procedural requirements of the Colville Administrative
Procedure Act applicable to rule-making actions before such regulations become effective.
4-8-13 Statutes and Trust Responsibility Not Modified
Nothing in this Chapter as now or hereafter modified shall modify or waive any requirements to comply
with applicable federal laws and regulations. Nothing in this Chapter as now or hereafter amended shall be
construed to modify, waive or impair the trust responsibility of the United States.
4-8-14 Severability
Should any part of this Chapter be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason such declaration shall
not affect the validity of the remainder of this Chapter.
(Chapter 4-8 Adopted 8/6/84, Resolution 1984-526)
(Amended 1/18/85, Resolution 1985-20)

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(September 2010 version of Chapter 4-8)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aconfederated_colville%3A46a4a27154c48626. Public record. Not legal advice.