Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB)
Contents
Background
The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB) is one of the nine boards that jointly works with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to sustain clean and abundant water for the residents of the state of California (Figure 1). The water boards aim to protect the environment, as well as the sustainable use of water across the state[2]. The Central Coast Regional Board's mission emphasizes upholding water quality standards, and taking different hydrology and topography of the region into consideration when implementing water quality plans [3].
California State Law
In 1969 the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act established the nine regional boards as California's principal bodies regulating water quality. Under this statute, there are certain responsibilities of the SWRCB that don't overlap with regional boards, as seen in Figure 2. The State Water Board allocates funds, guides regional projects and reviews regional decisions. The State Water Board is also in charge of allocating rights of surface water, whereas regional boards are to regulate point source discharges and distribute National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. Together, the water boards protect groundwater and surface waters of California [4].
Governance
CCRWQCB
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Goals and Associated Projects
CCRWQCB has established short-term, water quality goals under their "Vision of Healthy Watersheds" framework, that are beneficial to the health of its customers. [5]. By the year 2025, these goals include:
- 80% of the aquatic habitat is healthy, and the remaining 20% is exhibiting positive trends towards reaching a sustainable and healthy standard
- 80% of lands located within a watershed will be properly managed to maintain essential watershed functions. The remaining 20% will show positive trends in key watershed perspectives
- 80% of groundwater in the Central Coast region will be clean, and the remaining 20% will exhibit positive trends towards key parameters of water quality in the Central Coast region
In order to reach these goals, the CCRWQCB has implemented many projects [6] to control water quality in the Central Coast including but not limited to:
- The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Programs for Managing Impaired Bodies: Each impaired water body identified under The 303d list of Impaired Waterbodies in the Central Coast Region (R3) is assigned a TMDL program to control the pollutants found.
- The Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program: This program monitors bodies of water, providing water quality data, assuring impaired bodies' TMDL programs are furthered.
- The Basin Plan: Yearly master plan outlines water quality requirements for different uses, and associated plans to reach objectives.
- The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System: This permit program regulates point source discharge of pollutants into water bodies.
- The Ag Waiver: An order under California's Porter-Cologne Act allowing regional water boards to waive farmers' Waste Discharge Requirements during agricultural activities.
Links
- State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
- Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Region
- The 303d list of Impaired Waterbodies in the Monterey Bay Region
- Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program
- Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)
- The 303d list of Impaired Waterbodies in the Central Coast Region (R3)
References
- ↑ / Newman, Julie. 2012. "New" Ag Waivers from two regional water quality control boards. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance.
- ↑ / CWB (California Water Board). About The Water Board.
- ↑ / CWB (California Water Board). Central Coast Regional Board: About Us.
- ↑ / State of California. Federal, State, and Local Laws, Policy and Regulations. California Environmental Protection Agency. State Water Resources Control Board.
- ↑ / CWB (California Water Board). Healthy Watersheds - A Vision for the Future.
- ↑ / CWB (California Water Board). Programs. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.