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

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[[File:boards.jpg|250px|thumb|Figure 1: California Regional Water Quality Control Boards <ref name="png1">[http://ucnfanews.ucanr.edu/Articles/Feature_Stories/_New__Ag_Waivers_from_two_regional_water_quality_control_boards / Newman, Julie. 2012. "New" Ag Waivers from two regional water quality control boards. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance.]</ref>]]
 
== Background ==
 
== Background ==
The Central Coast region of the Regional Water Quality Control Boards of California is one of nine regions that is dedicated towards providing abundant clean water for human use and environmental protection to sustain California's future. <ref name = "about regions"> https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/about_us/ </ref> The task of protecting and enforcing the many uses of water throughout the economic, residential, and environmental aspects of the region is an ongoing challenge for the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. <ref name = "about regions"/> The Central Coast region protects 378 miles of coastline and 3559 square miles of groundwater basins. The area includes Santa Cruz and Monterey Peninsula, the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys, and the Santa Barbara Plains. <ref name = "about regions"/>
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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<ref name = "about regions"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/about_us / CWB (California Water Board). About The Water Board.]</ref>. The CCRWQCB's mission emphasizes upholding water quality standards, and taking different hydrology and topography of the region into consideration when implementing water quality plans <ref name = "about"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/about_us / CWB (California Water Board). Central Coast Regional Board: About Us.]  </ref>.
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===California State Law===
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In 1969 the [[Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act]] established the nine regional boards as California's principal bodies responsible for regulating water quality. Under this statute, there are certain objectives that are solely the responsibility of the [[CCRWQCB]], and some that are solely the responsibility of the [[SWRCB]] that don't overlap, as seen in Figure 2. The State Water Board allocates funds, guides regional programs, reviews regional decisions and allocates rights of surface water, among other duties. Regional Water Boards regulate point source discharges and distribute [[National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System]] permits, among other duties. Together, the water boards protect groundwater and surface waters of California <ref name= "laws"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/nps/encyclopedia/0a_laws_policy.shtml / State of California. Federal, State, and Local Laws, Policy and Regulations. California Environmental Protection Agency. State Water Resources Control Board.] </ref>.
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[[File:water.png|250px|thumb|Figure 2: Allocation of duties. Diagram created by Arev Markarian ]]
  
 
== Governance ==
 
== Governance ==
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Each of the nine Regional Water Boards nominally have nine, and sometimes fewer part-time members <ref name="mem"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/about_us/board_members.html / CWB (California Water Board). Members. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.] </ref> appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate, for four-year terms <ref name="g"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/about_us/waterboards_structure.html / CWB (California Water Board). Water Boards Structure. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.] </ref>. The CCRWQCB board members meet once a month either in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Watsonville, or Salinas county offices <ref name ="h"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/board_info/agendas/2018/2018_agendas.html / CWB (California Water Board). Agendas 2018. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.] </ref>.
  
===== ''[[State Water Resources Control Board]]'' =====
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== Goals and Associated Programs ==
* '''Felicia Marcus''' (Chair)
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* '''Steven Moore''' (Vice Chair)
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* '''Tam M. Doduc'''
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* '''Dorene D'Adamo'''
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* '''E. Joaquin Esquivel'''
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The CCRWQCB has established short-term, water quality goals under their "Vision of Healthy Watersheds" framework, to push the Central Coast region's water use towards the standards of the State's Global Warming Solutions Act <ref name = "measurable goals"> [https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/publications_forms/publications/vision / CWB (California Water Board). Healthy Watersheds - A Vision for the Future.] </ref>. By the year 2025, :
  
===== ''CCRWQCB'' =====
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*''80% of the aquatic habitat will be healthy, and the remaining 20% will exhibit positive trends towards reaching a sustainable and healthy standard''
* '''Dr. Jean-Pierre Wolff''' (Chair)
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* '''Dr. Monica S. Hunter''' (Vice Chair)
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* '''Karina Cervantez'''
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* '''Bruce Delgado'''
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* '''Jane Gray'''
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* '''Michael Johnston'''
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* '''Jeffrey Young'''
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== Summary ==
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The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board ([[CCRWQCB]]) is comprised of nine part-time members appointed by the governor of California and confirmed by the Senate. The CCRWQCB's "basin plan" encompasses the hydrologic areas of the Central Coast region, issuing waste discharge requirements, enforcement action against violators, and monitoring water quality. <ref name = "about"> https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/about_us/ </ref>
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== Vision ==
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Widespread toxicity in surface waters, pollutant loading to groundwater, and degradation of watersheds are three key factors that the Central Coast region is facing. The CCRWQCB is essential to setting standards and making critical decisions to address these issues. <ref name = "vision"> https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/publications_forms/publications/vision/docs/Agencies_ltr.pdf </ref> The Central Coast Water Board has developed a "Vision of Healthy Watersheds" to protect and enhance the Central Coast watersheds in order to promote healthy and sustainable water that meets regional standards. <ref name = "vision"/> The vision establishes and structures work towards promoting the highest quality water standards and anticipates challenges and opportunities in water quality that would position the agency to respond quickly to unexpected issues that may arise. <ref name = "vision"/>
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== Basin Plan ==
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The [[Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Region]] designates beneficial uses and water quality goals for the Central Coast region. It also includes programs that implement the achievement of water quality objectives. <ref name = "central coast basin plan"> https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/publications_forms/publications/basin_plan/ </ref>
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== Measurable Goals ==
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CCRWQCB is seeking to establish short-term, water quality goals that are beneficial to the health of its customers. <ref name = "measurable goals"> https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/publications_forms/publications/vision/ </ref> By the year 2025, these goals include:
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*''80% of the aquatic habitat is healthy, and the remaining 20% is exhibiting positive trends towards reaching a sustainable and healthy standard''
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*''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 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''
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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''.
 
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== Impaired Waterbodies ==
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On December 9, 2016, CCRWQCB's staff approved recommendations to update [[The 303d list of Impaired Waterbodies in the Monterey Bay Region]]. <ref name = "MB polluted"> https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdl/303d_list.html#New_link </ref> The 303d list is a compilation of waterbodies that are considered polluted in the United States. <ref name = "EPA"> https://www.epa.gov/tmdl </ref>
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== Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program ==
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The Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program ([[CCAMP]]) is the CCRWQCB's water quality monitoring and assessment program. It is funded primarily by the State Water Board's [[Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)]] along with a private endowment from the [[Bay Foundation of Morro Bay]]. <ref name = "CCAMP"> http://www.ccamp.us/ccamp_org/about_ccamp.html </ref>
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CCAMP strives to achieve goals and objectives that would establish healthy watersheds throughout the Central Coast. Programmatic objectives include: <ref name = "CCAMP"/>
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* ''Providing data to support the establishment, review, and revision of water quality objectives''
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* ''Determining whether water quality objectives are attained (CWA Section 305(b))''
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* ''Identifying impaired waters (CWA Section 303(d))''
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* ''Assessing the overall health of Central Coast watersheds for aquatic life and human uses''
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* ''Supporting the implementation and evaluation of Water Board management programs''
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* ''Providing water quality information to users in accessible forms to support decision-making''
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* ''Collaborating with other monitoring programs to promote effective and efficient monitoring''
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Monitoring objectives for CCAMP include: <ref name = "CCAMP"/>
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* ''Assessing watershed condition on a five-year rotational basis, using multiple indicators of health''
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* ''Assessing long-term water quality trends at the lower ends of coastal creeks''
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* ''Conducting periodic assessments of harbors, estuaries, lakes and near-shore waters using multiple indicators of health''
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* ''Supporting investigations of other water quality problems, including emerging contaminants, sea otter health, pathogenic disease, toxic algal blooms and others''
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== Wastewater Permitting and Water Quality Certification ==
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In order to reach these goals, the CCRWQCB has implemented many programs <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:
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*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.
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*The [[Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program]]: This program monitors bodies of water, providing water quality data, assuring impaired bodies' [[TMDL]] programs are furthered.
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*The [[Basin Plan]]: Yearly master plan outlines water quality requirements for different uses, and associated plans to reach objectives.
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*The [[National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System]]: This permit program regulates point source discharge of pollutants into water bodies.
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*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 ==
 
== Links ==
  
Link to CCRWQCB site: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb3/
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*[[State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)]]
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*[[Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Region]]
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*[[Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program]]
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*[[Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)]]
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*[[The 303d list of Impaired Waterbodies in the Central Coast Region (R3)]]
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*[[Ag Waiver]]
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*[[TMDL]]
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*[[Porter-Cologne Act]]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Latest revision as of 16:42, 12 April 2018

Figure 1: California Regional Water Quality Control 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 (Figure 1). The water boards aim to protect the environment, as well as the sustainable use of water across the state[2]. The CCRWQCB'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 responsible for regulating water quality. Under this statute, there are certain objectives that are solely the responsibility of the CCRWQCB, and some that are solely the responsibility of the SWRCB that don't overlap, as seen in Figure 2. The State Water Board allocates funds, guides regional programs, reviews regional decisions and allocates rights of surface water, among other duties. Regional Water Boards regulate point source discharges and distribute National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, among other duties. Together, the water boards protect groundwater and surface waters of California [4].

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

Governance

Each of the nine Regional Water Boards nominally have nine, and sometimes fewer part-time members [5] appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate, for four-year terms [6]. The CCRWQCB board members meet once a month either in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Watsonville, or Salinas county offices [7].

Goals and Associated Programs

The CCRWQCB has established short-term, water quality goals under their "Vision of Healthy Watersheds" framework, to push the Central Coast region's water use towards the standards of the State's Global Warming Solutions Act [8]. By the year 2025, :

  • 80% of the aquatic habitat will be healthy, and the remaining 20% will exhibit 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 programs [9] 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). Members. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
  6. / CWB (California Water Board). Water Boards Structure. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
  7. / CWB (California Water Board). Agendas 2018. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
  8. / CWB (California Water Board). Healthy Watersheds - A Vision for the Future.
  9. / CWB (California Water Board). Programs. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.