(a) The water quality goals of the County are to:
(1) protect, maintain, and restore high quality chemical, physical, and biological conditions in the waters of the state in the County;
(2) reverse past trends of stream deterioration through improved water management practices;
(3) maintain physical, chemical, biological, and stream habitat conditions in County streams that support aquatic life along with appropriate recreational, water supply, and other water uses;
(4) restore County streams, damaged by inadequate water management practices of the past, by reestablishing the flow regime, chemistry, physical conditions, and biological diversity of natural stream systems as closely as possible;
(5) help fulfill interjurisdictional commitments to restore and maintain the integrity of the Anacostia River, the Potomac River, the Patuxent River, and the Chesapeake Bay; and
(6) promote and support educational and volunteer initiatives that enhance public awareness and increase direct participation in stream stewardship and the reduction of water pollution.
(b) The federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and state water quality standards require that the County establish regulations governing discharges into protected waters of the state.
(c) To accomplish the purposes of this Chapter, the County Council has established this Article. In administering and enforcing this Article, the County should consider the economic impact of any action it takes or requires.
(d) The County must work in conjunction with municipalities, counties, agencies of the state, and the federal government to establish interagency agreements and to take other steps necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Chapter. (1994 L.M.C., ch. 31, § 1.)