Difference between revisions of "Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB)"

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(Goals and Associated Projects)
(Goals and Associated Projects)
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*''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''
 
*''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 to control water quality in the Central Coast including but not limited to:
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In order to reach these goals, the CCRWQCB has implemented many projects <ref name= "programs"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs / CWB (California Water Board). Programs. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.] </ref> 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 [[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 [[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 those quality thresholds.
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*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 [[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.
 
*The [[Ag Waiver]]: An order under California's Porter-Cologne Act allowing regional water boards to waive farmers' Waste Discharge Requirements during agricultural activities.

Revision as of 14:41, 11 April 2018

Figure 1: California Regional Water Quality Boards [1]

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 [2]. Collectively, these water boards aim to protect human use of water, as well as the environment, to ensure sustainability. The Central Coast Regional Board's mission emphasizes enforcement of water quality, and taking different hydrology and topography of the region into consideration when implementing water quality plans [3].

California State Law

Figure 2: Allocation of duties. Diagram created by Arev Markarian

In 1969 the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act established these nine regional boards (as seen in Figure 1) as California's principal water quality policy and its regulating bodies, as seen in Figure 2. Under this statute, there are certain responsibilities of the SWRCB that don't overlap with regional boards. 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 discharges and distribute National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits [4].

Governance

CCRWQCB

Each Regional Board has part-time members appointed by the Governor per district, and confirmed by the Senate. Each member is appointed for a four year term. The seven CCRWQCB members meet once a month either in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Watsonville, or Salinas.

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:

Links

References

  1. / Newman, Julie. 2012. "New" Ag Waivers from two regional water quality control boards. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance.
  2. / CWB (California Water Board). About The Water Board.
  3. / CWB (California Water Board). Central Coast Regional Board: About Us.
  4. / State of California. Federal, State, and Local Laws, Policy and Regulations. California Environmental Protection Agency. State Water Resources Control Board.
  5. / CWB (California Water Board). Healthy Watersheds - A Vision for the Future.
  6. / CWB (California Water Board). Programs. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.