Difference between revisions of "Regional approaches to agricultural runoff in California"
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
Major concerns, risks to water quality and resources at stake.... | Major concerns, risks to water quality and resources at stake.... | ||
| − | + | The North Coast RWQCB currently uses “conditional prohibition” to regulate specific types of discharges to waters of the state rather an approach involving comprehensive conditional waivers. Conditional prohibitions are permissible by the region’s Basin Plan and are implemented through existing TMDL programs in order to regulate and evaluate discharges from irrigated agricultural lands. Specifically, a Water Quality Compliance Program for Discharges from Irrigated Lands (Program) is being developed to supplement existing TMDL programs that address water quality impacts of irrigated agricultural lands. This program intends to investigate water quality concerns and meet requirements of the California Water Code, the State Nonpoint Source Policy, and the Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). | |
| − | The North Coast RWQCB | + | |
===Framework=== | ===Framework=== | ||
The aspects listed below have been identified as a starting point for the Program while stakeholder involvement will be used to adjust this framework. | The aspects listed below have been identified as a starting point for the Program while stakeholder involvement will be used to adjust this framework. | ||
| Line 19: | Line 18: | ||
*'''Monitoring''': Tracking management measure implementation and effectiveness and/or participation in a group monitoring program where several representative locations are sampled and assessed for trends in water quality associated with irrigated lands discharges. | *'''Monitoring''': Tracking management measure implementation and effectiveness and/or participation in a group monitoring program where several representative locations are sampled and assessed for trends in water quality associated with irrigated lands discharges. | ||
*'''Reporting''': Reporting to the RWQCB by individuals or by means of a third party group. | *'''Reporting''': Reporting to the RWQCB by individuals or by means of a third party group. | ||
| − | *'''Enforcement''': Enforcement will be dependent on the State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Enforcement Policy. | + | *'''Enforcement''': Enforcement will be dependent on the [http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/enforcement/docs/enf_policy_final111709.pdf/ State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Enforcement Policy]. |
===Stakeholders and Organizations Involved=== | ===Stakeholders and Organizations Involved=== | ||
*North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board [http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/ RWQCB] | *North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board [http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/ RWQCB] | ||
| − | The[http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/irrigated_lands/pdf/120227/Advisory_Group_Charter.pdf/ Advisory Group Charter] provides further information about the role of the Advisory Group and regional sub-groups. | + | The [http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/irrigated_lands/pdf/120227/Advisory_Group_Charter.pdf/ Advisory Group Charter] provides further information about the role of the Advisory Group and regional sub-groups. |
===Status/Current Issues=== | ===Status/Current Issues=== | ||
Revision as of 21:32, 28 March 2012
Reword: "In California, Regional Water Quality Control Boards have the ability to issue conditional waivers to regulate discharge from agricultural irrigation, known as "Ag Waivers". The intent of this program is to prevent agricultural contributions to the impairment water quality as defined in Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.[1] These require the monitoring of water sources in the region potentially impacted by agricultural operations. The Ag Waiver is “conditional” as the Water Quality Control Board has the authority to revoke it at any time. This conditional waiver is reviewed, revised, replaced, or reissued every five years. Growers are required to comply with several conditions, including: discharge prevention and management, water quality monitoring, and corrective actions for identified sources of impairment.[2]
The Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) has a long history in the state of California. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act of 1969 is the primary law regulating the quality of both surface and ground waters. This Act empowers the State Water Resources Control Board as the agency responsible for water quality planning statewide and grants the RWQCBs authority. [5] The RWQCBs are responsible for the enforcement of Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs), this includes the enforcement of all conditional waivers of WDRs. California contains nine Water Quality Control Regions, each regulated by its own RWQCB. Therefore each region regulates discharge from agricultural irrigation independently with different conditions and variations of the Ag waivers."
Contents
Region 1 -- North Coast
Summary
The North Coast RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for the following counties: Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Siskiyou, Sonoma, and Trinity counties.
Characteristics of the region/Dominant land-uses and agricultural types…
Major concerns, risks to water quality and resources at stake.... The North Coast RWQCB currently uses “conditional prohibition” to regulate specific types of discharges to waters of the state rather an approach involving comprehensive conditional waivers. Conditional prohibitions are permissible by the region’s Basin Plan and are implemented through existing TMDL programs in order to regulate and evaluate discharges from irrigated agricultural lands. Specifically, a Water Quality Compliance Program for Discharges from Irrigated Lands (Program) is being developed to supplement existing TMDL programs that address water quality impacts of irrigated agricultural lands. This program intends to investigate water quality concerns and meet requirements of the California Water Code, the State Nonpoint Source Policy, and the Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
Framework
The aspects listed below have been identified as a starting point for the Program while stakeholder involvement will be used to adjust this framework.
- Best management practice implementation: Local expertise will identify discharges and appropriate management practices while landowners will implement chosen practices. Implementation will take place on a schedule with relative flexibility depending on specific circumstances and other factors involved such as local priorities and availability of funds.
- Monitoring: Tracking management measure implementation and effectiveness and/or participation in a group monitoring program where several representative locations are sampled and assessed for trends in water quality associated with irrigated lands discharges.
- Reporting: Reporting to the RWQCB by individuals or by means of a third party group.
- Enforcement: Enforcement will be dependent on the State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Enforcement Policy.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board RWQCB
The Advisory Group Charter provides further information about the role of the Advisory Group and regional sub-groups.
Status/Current Issues
Region 2 -- San Francisco
Summary
The San Francisco RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Santa Clara (north of Morgan Hill), San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano counties.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board RWQCB
Status/Current Issues
Region 3 -- Central Coast
See Conditional waiver of waste discharge requirements for irrigated lands
Region 4 -- Los Angeles
Summary
The Los Angeles RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for Los Angeles and Ventura counties in addition to small portions of Kern and Santa Barbara counties.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board RWQCB
Status/Current Issues
Region 5 -- Central Valley
Summary
The Central Valley RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for the following counties: Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, Butte, Glen, Colusa, Lake, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, Napa, (N. East), Solano (West), Sacramento, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Contra Costa (East), Stanislaus, Toulumne, Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Kings, Fresno, Tulare, Kern. (Very small portions of San Benito, San Luis Obispo) counties.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board valley/ RWQCB
Status/Current Issues
Region 6 -- Lahontan
Summary
The Lahontan RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for the following counties:Modoc (East), Lassen (East side and Eagle Lake), Sierra, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado,Alpine, Mono, Inyo, Kern (East), San Bernardino, Los Angeles (N/E corner) counties.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board RWQCB
Status/Current Issues
Region 7 -- Colorado River Region
Summary
The Colorado River RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for Imperial, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board RWQCB
Status/Current Issues
Region 8 -- Santa Ana
Summary
The Santa Ana RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board RWQCB
Status/Current Issues
Region 9 -- San Diego
Summary
The San Diego RWQCB monitors and regulates water quality for San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties.
Stakeholders and Organizations Involved
- San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board RWQCB
Status/Current Issues
References
Links
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.
