455B.193  Qualifications for collection of credible data.
  1.  For purposes of this part, all of the following shall apply:
  a.  Data is not credible data unless the data originates from studies and samples collected by the department, a professional designee of the department, or a qualified volunteer. For purposes of this paragraph, “professional designee” includes governmental agencies other than the department, and a person hired by, or under contract for compensation with, the department to collect or study data.
  b.  All information submitted by a qualified volunteer shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by the department. The qualified volunteer shall submit a site specific plan with data which includes information used to obtain the data, the sampling and analysis plan, and quality control and quality assurance procedures used in the monitoring process. The qualified volunteer must provide proof to the department that the water monitoring plan was followed. The department shall review all data collected by a qualified volunteer, verify the accuracy of the data collected by a qualified volunteer, and determine that all components of the water monitoring plan were followed.
  c.  The department shall retain all information submitted by a qualified volunteer submitting the information for a period of not less than ten years from the date of receipt by the department. All information submitted shall be a public record.
  d.  The department shall adopt rules establishing requirements for a person to become a qualified volunteer.
  2.  The department of natural resources shall develop a methodology for water quality assessments as used in the section 303(d) lists and assess the validity of the data.
2000 Acts, ch 1068, §10; 2000 Acts, ch 1232, §73; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §143