Difference between revisions of "Beneficial Uses (BUs) of waterbodies in California's Central Coast Region"
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| − | + | A beneficial use (BU) is a human or ecological use for a waterbody officially recognized by federal, state, and regional agencies charged with monitoring and restoring water quality in the United States.<ref name = "designated uses">[https://cfpub.epa.gov/watertrain/pdf/modules/introtocwa.pdf Introduction to the Clean Water Act. 1972. Environmental Protection Agency. [accessed 2020 March 30] ] </ref> Under the 1972 [[Clean Water Act]], waterbodies are required to have BU designations which indicate what uses waterbodies should ultimately support regardless of current conditions. BU designations for waterbodies are then referred to as designated beneficial uses, or simply designated uses (DU), which guide management and conservation planning.<ref name="designated"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb9/water_issues/programs/basin_plan/docs/update082812/Chpt_2_2012.pdf Chapter 2: Beneficial Uses. 2017 Dec 18. State of California San Francisco Water Quality Control Board. [accessed 2020 Mar 30]]</ref> Importantly, current DUs do not exclude the removal or addition of future designations. | |
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==Categories== | ==Categories== | ||
| − | + | The [[Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB)]] operates under state law to uphold state and federal water quality standards in the region. BUs recognized by the CCRWQCB are as follows:<ref name="WaterQCP"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/publications_forms/publications/basin_plan/docs/2019_basin_plan_r3_complete.pdf Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. 2019. Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin, June 2019 Edition. California Environmental Protection Agency] </ref> | |
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* '''Agricultural Supply (AGR)'''- water used for farming, ranching, or horticulture that includes, but is not limited to irrigation, stock watering, and grazing land survival. | * '''Agricultural Supply (AGR)'''- water used for farming, ranching, or horticulture that includes, but is not limited to irrigation, stock watering, and grazing land survival. | ||
| − | * ''' | + | *'''Aquaculture (AQUA)'''- water for aquaculture or mariculture operations including, but not limited to, propagation, cultivation, maintenance, or harvesting of aquatic plants and animals for human consumption or bait purposes. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Preservation of Biological Habitats of Special Significance (BIOL)'''- marine life refuges, ecological reserves, and designated areas where the preservation and enhancement of natural resources requires special protection. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Cold Fresh Water Habitat (COLD)'''- water that support cold water ecosystems, including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including invertebrates. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Commercial and Sport Fishing (COMM)''' water for commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or other organisms, including, but not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption or bait purposes. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Estuarine Habitat (EST)'''- water that support estuarine ecosystems, including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of estuarine habitats, vegetation, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g., estuarine mammals, waterfowl, shorebirds), and the propagation, sustenance, and migration of estuarine organisms. |
| − | * '''Water | + | * '''Fresh Water Replenishment (FRESH)'''- water for natural or artificial maintenance of surface water quantity or quality. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Groundwater Recharge (GWR)'''- water for natural or artificial recharge of groundwater for purposes of future extraction, maintenance of water quality, or halting saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. |
| − | * ''' | + | *'''Hydropower Generation (POW)'''- water for hydropower generation. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Industrial Service Supply (IND)'''- water for industrial activities that do not depend primarily on water quality, including, but not limited to, mining, cooling water supply, hydraulic conveyance, gravel washing, fire protection, and oil well repressurization. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Marine Habitat (MAR)'''- water that support marine ecosystems, including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g., marine mammals, shorebirds). |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR)'''- water that support habitats necessary for migration, acclimatization between fresh water and salt water, and protection of aquatic organisms that are temporary inhabitants of waters within the region. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN)'''- water for community, military, or individual water supply systems, including, but not limited to, drinking water supply. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Navigation (NAV)'''- water for shipping, travel, or other transportation by private, military, or commercial vessels. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Industrial Process Supply (PROC)'''- water for industrial activities that depend primarily on water quality. |
| − | * '''Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE)'''- | + | *'''Inland Saline Water Habitat (SAL)'''- water that support inland saline water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic saline habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including invertebrates. Soda Lake is a saline habitat typical of desert lakes in inland sinks. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE)'''- waters that support habitats necessary for the survival and successful maintenance of plant or animal species established under state and/or federal law as rare, threatened, or endangered. |
| − | * '''Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN)'''- high quality | + | * '''Water Contact Recreation (REC-1)'''- water for recreational activities involving body contact with water where ingestion of water is reasonably possible. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Non-Contact Water Recreation (REC-2)'''- water used for human recreation requiring proximity to water where bodily contact and ingestion of water is reasonably possible.water for recreational activities involving proximity to water, but not normally involving contact with water where water ingestion is reasonably possible. |
| + | * '''Shellfish Harvesting (SHELL)'''- water that support habitats suitable for the collection of crustaceans and filter-feeding shellfish (e.g., clams, oysters, and mussels) for human consumption, commercial, or sport purposes. | ||
| + | * '''Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN)'''- water that support high quality aquatic habitats suitable for reproduction and early development of fish. | ||
| + | * '''Warm Fresh Water Habitat (WARM)'''- water that support warm water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including invertebrates. | ||
| + | * '''Wildlife Habitat (WILD)'''- waters that support wildlife habitats, including, but not limited to, the preservation and enhancement of vegetation and prey species used by wildlife, such as waterfowl. | ||
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
| − | + | Below are identified beneficial uses for the [[Carmel River Lagoon]] that have not yet been authorized as BU designations.<ref name=WaterQCP/> While in many waterbodies, BU designations have been made, not all waterbodies in the region have BU designations. | |
*Groundwater Recharge (GWR) | *Groundwater Recharge (GWR) | ||
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*Water Contact Recreation (REC-1) | *Water Contact Recreation (REC-1) | ||
*Non-Contact Water Recreation (REC-2) | *Non-Contact Water Recreation (REC-2) | ||
| − | * | + | *Wildlife Habitat (WILD) |
*Cold Fresh Water Habitat (COLD) | *Cold Fresh Water Habitat (COLD) | ||
| − | * | + | *Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR) |
| − | * | + | *Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN) |
*Preservation of Biological Habitats of Special Significance (BIOL) | *Preservation of Biological Habitats of Special Significance (BIOL) | ||
*Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE) | *Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE) | ||
| − | * | + | *Estuarine Habitat (EST) |
| − | * | + | *Commercial and Sport Fishing (COMM) |
| + | *Shellfish Harvesting (SHELL) | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 13:46, 8 April 2020
A beneficial use (BU) is a human or ecological use for a waterbody officially recognized by federal, state, and regional agencies charged with monitoring and restoring water quality in the United States.[1] Under the 1972 Clean Water Act, waterbodies are required to have BU designations which indicate what uses waterbodies should ultimately support regardless of current conditions. BU designations for waterbodies are then referred to as designated beneficial uses, or simply designated uses (DU), which guide management and conservation planning.[2] Importantly, current DUs do not exclude the removal or addition of future designations.
Categories
The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB) operates under state law to uphold state and federal water quality standards in the region. BUs recognized by the CCRWQCB are as follows:[3]
- Agricultural Supply (AGR)- water used for farming, ranching, or horticulture that includes, but is not limited to irrigation, stock watering, and grazing land survival.
- Aquaculture (AQUA)- water for aquaculture or mariculture operations including, but not limited to, propagation, cultivation, maintenance, or harvesting of aquatic plants and animals for human consumption or bait purposes.
- Preservation of Biological Habitats of Special Significance (BIOL)- marine life refuges, ecological reserves, and designated areas where the preservation and enhancement of natural resources requires special protection.
- Cold Fresh Water Habitat (COLD)- water that support cold water ecosystems, including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including invertebrates.
- Commercial and Sport Fishing (COMM) water for commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or other organisms, including, but not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption or bait purposes.
- Estuarine Habitat (EST)- water that support estuarine ecosystems, including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of estuarine habitats, vegetation, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g., estuarine mammals, waterfowl, shorebirds), and the propagation, sustenance, and migration of estuarine organisms.
- Fresh Water Replenishment (FRESH)- water for natural or artificial maintenance of surface water quantity or quality.
- Groundwater Recharge (GWR)- water for natural or artificial recharge of groundwater for purposes of future extraction, maintenance of water quality, or halting saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.
- Hydropower Generation (POW)- water for hydropower generation.
- Industrial Service Supply (IND)- water for industrial activities that do not depend primarily on water quality, including, but not limited to, mining, cooling water supply, hydraulic conveyance, gravel washing, fire protection, and oil well repressurization.
- Marine Habitat (MAR)- water that support marine ecosystems, including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g., marine mammals, shorebirds).
- Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR)- water that support habitats necessary for migration, acclimatization between fresh water and salt water, and protection of aquatic organisms that are temporary inhabitants of waters within the region.
- Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN)- water for community, military, or individual water supply systems, including, but not limited to, drinking water supply.
- Navigation (NAV)- water for shipping, travel, or other transportation by private, military, or commercial vessels.
- Industrial Process Supply (PROC)- water for industrial activities that depend primarily on water quality.
- Inland Saline Water Habitat (SAL)- water that support inland saline water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic saline habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including invertebrates. Soda Lake is a saline habitat typical of desert lakes in inland sinks.
- Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE)- waters that support habitats necessary for the survival and successful maintenance of plant or animal species established under state and/or federal law as rare, threatened, or endangered.
- Water Contact Recreation (REC-1)- water for recreational activities involving body contact with water where ingestion of water is reasonably possible.
- Non-Contact Water Recreation (REC-2)- water used for human recreation requiring proximity to water where bodily contact and ingestion of water is reasonably possible.water for recreational activities involving proximity to water, but not normally involving contact with water where water ingestion is reasonably possible.
- Shellfish Harvesting (SHELL)- water that support habitats suitable for the collection of crustaceans and filter-feeding shellfish (e.g., clams, oysters, and mussels) for human consumption, commercial, or sport purposes.
- Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN)- water that support high quality aquatic habitats suitable for reproduction and early development of fish.
- Warm Fresh Water Habitat (WARM)- water that support warm water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including invertebrates.
- Wildlife Habitat (WILD)- waters that support wildlife habitats, including, but not limited to, the preservation and enhancement of vegetation and prey species used by wildlife, such as waterfowl.
Examples
Below are identified beneficial uses for the Carmel River Lagoon that have not yet been authorized as BU designations.[3] While in many waterbodies, BU designations have been made, not all waterbodies in the region have BU designations.
- Groundwater Recharge (GWR)
- Water Contact Recreation (REC-1)
- Non-Contact Water Recreation (REC-2)
- Wildlife Habitat (WILD)
- Cold Fresh Water Habitat (COLD)
- Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR)
- Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN)
- Preservation of Biological Habitats of Special Significance (BIOL)
- Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE)
- Estuarine Habitat (EST)
- Commercial and Sport Fishing (COMM)
- Shellfish Harvesting (SHELL)
References
- ↑ Introduction to the Clean Water Act. 1972. Environmental Protection Agency. [accessed 2020 March 30 ]
- ↑ Chapter 2: Beneficial Uses. 2017 Dec 18. State of California San Francisco Water Quality Control Board. [accessed 2020 Mar 30]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. 2019. Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin, June 2019 Edition. California Environmental Protection Agency
Links
- Monterey Bay Area TMDL Listings
- Approaches to TMDL Development and Implementation in the Monterey Bay Area
- Total Maximum Daily Loads for Chlorpyrifos and Diazinon in Lower Salinas River Watershed in Monterey County, California
- Total Maximum Daily Load for Fecal Coliform for the Lower Salinas River Watershed, Monterey County, California
- Total Maximum Daily Load for Nutrients in Lower Salinas River Watershed, Monterey County, California
Disclaimer
This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.
