WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLAN, SAN FRANCISCO BAY BASIN
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (Water Board) is initiating the triennial review process for the Water Quality Control Plan, San Francisco Bay Basin (Basin Plan). The Basin Plan is the master policy document that contains descriptions of the legal, technical, and programmatic bases of water quality regulation in the San Francisco Bay Region, including water quality standards.
The purpose of the triennial review is to examine and update the focus of Water Board planning efforts, including TMDL projects. Section 13240 of the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and Section 303(c)(1) of the federal Clean Water Act require a review of basin plans at least once each three-year period to keep pace with changes in regulation, new technologies, policies, and physical changes within the region.
A public workshop on the Basin Plan Triennial Review will be held:
DATE: Tuesday March 27, 2012
TIME: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Elihu M. Harris State Building
2nd Floor, Room 10
1515 Clay Street
Oakland, California 94612
STAFF CONTACT: Richard Looker
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 622-2451 (ph)
email: rlooker@waterboards.ca.gov
This notice solicits public input for the preparation of the Water Board’s triennial review workplan. Written comments can be submitted via regular or electronic mail and are due by April 17, 2012.
The Water Board is responsible for reviewing the Basin Plan and is required to identify those portions of the Basin Plan that are in need of modification or new additions, and adopt standards as appropriate. The review includes a public workshop and a public hearing to allow the public to identify issues for the Water Board to consider for incorporation into its Basin Plan.
Water Board staff has prepared an initial list of candidate issues for inclusion in the Water Board’s triennial review workplan. These candidate issues include updates to beneficial uses, water quality objectives, implementation, and plans and policies. These projects include, but are not limited to:
- Evaluate the municipal supply beneficial use for groundwater aquifers along the Bay fringe
- Complete the policy to protect stream and wetland systems
- Develop numeric nutrient criteria to interpret existing narrative criteria for biostimulatory substances
- Update the On-Site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Implementation Plan
- Develop Salt and Nutrient Management Plans
- Develop Low-Threat Site Closure Requirements
- Establish Environmental Screening Levels (ESLs) for Groundwater Cleanups
- Update the Basin Plan’s Toxicity Testing Requirements
We encourage input from interested parties to assist staff to identify and prioritize Basin Plan amendment projects that will best address the water quality planning needs of our region. It is important to identify the scope, timing and critical nature of potential projects, as the Water Board is limited in terms of the staff resources that are available to complete the projects. A brief description of all the issues being considered by Water Board staff is attached to this email and also can be found at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/basin_planning.shtml#triennialreview
After public input is received, the Water Board will adopt, by resolution, a priority list of Basin Planning projects to be pursued. The public hearing on the resolution is anticipated to occur in the Fall of 2012.
Brief Issue Description 2012 Triennial Review 3-2-12
Triennial Review Solicitation Period:
Solicitation Period Opens Friday March 2, 2012
Public Workshop Tuesday March 27, 2012
Final date for Submitting Comments Tuesday April 17, 2012
Public Hearing Fall 2012
