Sec. 149.5. “Outstanding national resource water”, for purposes of section 50.5 of this chapter and IC 13-18-3, means a water designated as such by the general assembly after recommendations by the environmental rules board and the interim study committee on environmental affairs (established by IC 2-5-1.3-4) under IC 13-18-3-2(n) and IC 13-18-3-2(o). The designation must describe the quality of the outstanding national resource water to serve as the benchmark of the water quality that shall be maintained and protected. Waters that may be considered for designation as outstanding national resource waters include water bodies that are recognized as:

(1) important because of protection through official action, such as:

(A) federal or state law;

(B) presidential or secretarial action;

(C) international treaty; or

(D) interstate compact;

(2) having exceptional recreational significance;

(3) having exceptional ecological significance;

(4) having other special environmental, recreational, or ecological attributes; or

(5) waters with respect to which designation as an outstanding national resource water is reasonably necessary for protection of other water bodies designated as outstanding national resource waters.

As added by P.L.140-2000, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.1-2001, SEC.13; P.L.78-2009, SEC.5; P.L.53-2014, SEC.115.