Difference between revisions of "Monterey Coastkeeper"
(→Litigation) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
| − | The [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monterey-Coastkeeper/107982766474?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal Monterey Coastkeeper] (MCK) is a part of the [ | + | The [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monterey-Coastkeeper/107982766474?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal Monterey Coastkeeper] (MCK) is a part of the [[California_Coastkeeper_Alliance|California Coastkeeper Alliance]] (CCKA), and serves Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, as well as portions of Santa Clara, San Benito, and San Mateo Counties<ref> [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monterey-Coastkeeper/107982766474?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal MCK, Facebook Page] </ref><ref> [[California_Coastkeeper_Alliance|California Coastkeeper Alliance]]</ref>. The MCK aims to protect water quality within this region of Central California, and works in the following arenas: [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/programs/water-quality/agricultural-pollution/ agricultural pollution], [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/programs/water-quality/urban-stormwater/ urban stormwater], and [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/programs/water-quality/watershed-function/ watershed function]<ref name="MCK, Agricultural Pollution"> [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/programs/water-quality/agricultural-pollution/ MCK, Agricultural Pollution] </ref><ref name="MCK, Urban Stormwater"> [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/programs/water-quality/urban-stormwater/ MCK, Urban Stormwater] </ref><ref name="MCK, Watershed Function"> [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/programs/water-quality/watershed-function/ MCK, Watershed Function] </ref>. MCK is managed by [http://www.otterproject.org/ The Otter Project], a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to assist recovery of the California sea otter<ref> [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/programs/ The Otter Project, Programs] </ref><ref> [http://www.otterproject.org/what-we-do/ The Otter Project, What We Do] </ref>. |
==Water Quality Areas of Focus== | ==Water Quality Areas of Focus== | ||
=====Agricultural Pollution===== | =====Agricultural Pollution===== | ||
| − | One area of water quality advocacy that MCK is actively working within, is in agricultural related water quality and pollution<ref name="MCK, Agricultural Pollution" />. The MCK is concerned with water quality degradation associated with pesticide and nutrient runoff from farms, and its impact on the environment. Management of these pollutants in Central California is managed by the [ | + | One area of water quality advocacy that MCK is actively working within, is in agricultural related water quality and pollution<ref name="MCK, Agricultural Pollution" />. The MCK is concerned with water quality degradation associated with pesticide and nutrient runoff from farms, and its impact on the environment. Management of these pollutants in Central California is managed by the [[Central_Coast_Regional_Water_Quality_Control_Board_%28CCRWQCB%29|Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board]] (CCRWQCB) under the [http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb3/water_issues/programs/ag_waivers/index.shtml Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program] (ILRP), known as the [http://ccows.csumb.edu/wiki/index.php/Central_Coast_Region_Agricultural_Waiver 'ag waiver']<ref> [http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb3/water_issues/programs/ag_waivers/index.shtml CCRWQCB, ILRP] </ref>. The Otter Project, and MCK, believe in the farmer's right to use water for agricultural purposes, yet also believes that does not include the right to discharge pollution<ref name="MCK, Agricultural Pollution" />. |
=====Urban Stormwater===== | =====Urban Stormwater===== | ||
| − | Another area of water quality protection and advocacy that MCK is involved with, is in urban stormwater management<ref name="MCK, Urban Stormwater" />. MCK is committed to taking a proactive role in working towards effective [ | + | Another area of water quality protection and advocacy that MCK is involved with, is in urban stormwater management<ref name="MCK, Urban Stormwater" />. MCK is committed to taking a proactive role in working towards effective [[Urban_stormwater_management|stormwater management on the Central Coast of California]]. Management of stormwater runoff is handled within the framework of the Clean Water Act, predominantly under section 402, the [[NPDES|National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System]]. MCK has made comment on Stormwater Management Plans for the [[Urban_stormwater_management_in_the_Monterey_Bay_region|Monterey area]], Salinas, San Luis Obispo, and [[Urban_stormwater_management_in_the_City_of_Santa_Cruz|Santa Cruz]], as well as hiring consultants to help improve some of these plans. |
=====Watershed Function===== | =====Watershed Function===== | ||
| − | The last area of interest for the MCK, is watershed function<ref name="MCK, Watershed Function" />. The MCK believes that healthy watersheds play a vital role in providing habitat for wildlife, and by acting as a filter to improve water quality. [ | + | The last area of interest for the MCK, is watershed function<ref name="MCK, Watershed Function" />. The MCK believes that healthy watersheds play a vital role in providing habitat for wildlife, and by acting as a filter to improve water quality. [[Riparian_corridors_in_the_California_Central_Coast_Region|Riparian corridors]] are an example of an area that can provide these services<ref> [[Riparian_corridors_in_the_California_Central_Coast_Region|CCoWS, Riparian Corridors]] </ref>. The MCK also works to support [[Low_Impact_Development_%28LID%29|Low Impact Development]] (LID), which consists of a wide range of land development practices that help reduce the impact of developed areas on hydrologic function<ref> [http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/ US EPA, Low Impact Development (LID)] </ref>. Ultimately, the MCK supports the management of water and pollution through restoration of natural watershed function. |
==Litigation== | ==Litigation== | ||
| − | On October 21st, 2010, the MCK filed a [http://www.otterproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MCWRA-1-Writ-Petn-Complaint-Endorsed.pdf suit] against the [ | + | On October 21st, 2010, the MCK filed a [http://www.otterproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MCWRA-1-Writ-Petn-Complaint-Endorsed.pdf suit] against the [[Monterey_County_Water_Resources_Agency|Monterey County Water Resources Agency]] (MCWRA), alleging that the MCWRA is violating the [[Porter-Cologne_Water_Quality_Control_Act|Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act]]<ref name="Superior Court of California, Monterey County, MCK vs. MCWRA"> [http://www.otterproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MCWRA-1-Writ-Petn-Complaint-Endorsed.pdf Superior Court of California, Monterey County, MCK vs. MCWRA] </ref>. The suit claimed that the MCWRA illegally discharged waters containing pesticides, nutrients, sediments, and pathogens into subsurface and surface waters in the [[Salinas_river|Salinas River]] watershed that were in excess of water quality standards. These discharges occur during the course of normal MCWRA operation, which includes the operation of a network of infrastructure to move water between reservoirs, users, and [[Aquifers_of_the_Central_Coast|aquifers]]. The suit goes on to claim that these excesses can harm public health, fish and wildlife, and [[Beneficial_uses|beneficial uses]] (BUs). The suit claims that by allowing and contributing to water resource contamination, the MCWRA is breaching its fiduciary obligations under the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_trust_doctrine Public Trust Doctrine]<ref name="Superior Court of California, Monterey County, MCK vs. MCWRA" />. The MCK [http://www.otterproject.org/water-resources-agency-lawsuit/ Water Resources Agency Lawsuit] webpage provides more information and links to various legal documents associated with the case<ref> [http://www.otterproject.org/water-resources-agency-lawsuit/ MCK, Water Resources Agency Lawsuit Webpage] </ref>. |
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 08:08, 1 April 2015
Contents
Summary
The Monterey Coastkeeper (MCK) is a part of the California Coastkeeper Alliance (CCKA), and serves Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, as well as portions of Santa Clara, San Benito, and San Mateo Counties[1][2]. The MCK aims to protect water quality within this region of Central California, and works in the following arenas: agricultural pollution, urban stormwater, and watershed function[3][4][5]. MCK is managed by The Otter Project, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to assist recovery of the California sea otter[6][7].
Water Quality Areas of Focus
Agricultural Pollution
One area of water quality advocacy that MCK is actively working within, is in agricultural related water quality and pollution[3]. The MCK is concerned with water quality degradation associated with pesticide and nutrient runoff from farms, and its impact on the environment. Management of these pollutants in Central California is managed by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB) under the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP), known as the 'ag waiver'[8]. The Otter Project, and MCK, believe in the farmer's right to use water for agricultural purposes, yet also believes that does not include the right to discharge pollution[3].
Urban Stormwater
Another area of water quality protection and advocacy that MCK is involved with, is in urban stormwater management[4]. MCK is committed to taking a proactive role in working towards effective stormwater management on the Central Coast of California. Management of stormwater runoff is handled within the framework of the Clean Water Act, predominantly under section 402, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. MCK has made comment on Stormwater Management Plans for the Monterey area, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz, as well as hiring consultants to help improve some of these plans.
Watershed Function
The last area of interest for the MCK, is watershed function[5]. The MCK believes that healthy watersheds play a vital role in providing habitat for wildlife, and by acting as a filter to improve water quality. Riparian corridors are an example of an area that can provide these services[9]. The MCK also works to support Low Impact Development (LID), which consists of a wide range of land development practices that help reduce the impact of developed areas on hydrologic function[10]. Ultimately, the MCK supports the management of water and pollution through restoration of natural watershed function.
Litigation
On October 21st, 2010, the MCK filed a suit against the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), alleging that the MCWRA is violating the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act[11]. The suit claimed that the MCWRA illegally discharged waters containing pesticides, nutrients, sediments, and pathogens into subsurface and surface waters in the Salinas River watershed that were in excess of water quality standards. These discharges occur during the course of normal MCWRA operation, which includes the operation of a network of infrastructure to move water between reservoirs, users, and aquifers. The suit goes on to claim that these excesses can harm public health, fish and wildlife, and beneficial uses (BUs). The suit claims that by allowing and contributing to water resource contamination, the MCWRA is breaching its fiduciary obligations under the Public Trust Doctrine[11]. The MCK Water Resources Agency Lawsuit webpage provides more information and links to various legal documents associated with the case[12].
References
- ↑ MCK, Facebook Page
- ↑ California Coastkeeper Alliance
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 MCK, Agricultural Pollution
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 MCK, Urban Stormwater
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 MCK, Watershed Function
- ↑ The Otter Project, Programs
- ↑ The Otter Project, What We Do
- ↑ CCRWQCB, ILRP
- ↑ CCoWS, Riparian Corridors
- ↑ US EPA, Low Impact Development (LID)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Superior Court of California, Monterey County, MCK vs. MCWRA
- ↑ MCK, Water Resources Agency Lawsuit Webpage
Disclaimer
This page may contain students's work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.
