Urban Discharges to Areas of Special Biological Significance on Monterey Peninsula
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A watershed-related issue examined by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.
Contents
Summary
In the 1974, 34 California coastal regions were designated by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) as Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) in an effort to preserve unique and sensitive marine ecosystems. Under the California Ocean Plan the SWRCB prohibited the discharge of pollution into ASBS. The Two ASBS in Monterey County are Carmel Bay and Pacific Grove, including Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge and Hopkins Marine life Refuge. Monterey and Pacific Grove discharge stormwater into Pacific Grove ASBS. Pebble Beach and Carmel discharge into Carmel ASBS. The prohibition of discharges into ASBS were largely ignored until the advent of stormwater discharge permits, regional stormwater plan requirements and threat of fines for non compliance. There are 348 discharges into Carmel Bay ASBS and 246 discharges into Pacific Grove ASBS. Many discharges are urban runoff from city drains, road runoff, golf course and private homes discharging from pipes and dumping directly into ocean water. Officials from Monterey Peninsula cities have been reluctant to comply with the state mandate, contending zero discharge is economically unreasonable and lacks scientific basis. All involved municipalities and agencies have filed for exemption from discharge prohibition. The exemption permit requires no alteration to the natural water quality of the ASBS and places the burden on the cities to prove no waste is entering the ASBS. While some municipalities argue over the interpretation of the California Ocean Plan, feasibility studies are being conducted for runoff diversions and stormwater recycling.
Location
Carmel Bay ASBS includes 6.2 miles of coastline from Pescadero Point to Granite Point and contains Carmel Bay State Marine Reserve and is adjacent to Point Lobos. The watershed for Carmel Bay ASBS includes the city of Carmel and extends into the Carmel Valley watershed. Pacific Grove ASBS includes 3.2 miles of coastline surrounding the city of Pacific Grove and contains Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge and Hopkins Marine Life Refuge. Pacific Grove lies within the Pacific Grove/Marina watershed. Discharges from Monterey and Pebble Beach are also affected.
Resource/s at stake
Urban stormater runoff is the largest source of coastal pollution. Urban stormwater runoff picks up pollutants such as pathogens, heavy metals, nutrients, oil and grease, pesticides, sediments, toxic chemicals and trash from a variety of urban sources including lawns, golf courses, roads, vehicles, domestic animals and industry. Carmel Bay ASBS is a hightly productive marine ecosystem including rare species of deep water marine invertebrates and endangered sea otter. Pacific Grove ASBS is rich in tide pools, kelp forest important for supporting fish populations. The Hopkins Marine reserve is a no take area, important for supporting fish diversity and scientific research. The Central Coast Ambiant Monitoring Program has observed high levels of coliform in Carmel Bay ASBS, as well as chloride, dissolved solids and sulfate levels which exceed water quality standards. High levels of silt and nutrient pollution threaten coral that reside in Carmel Bay. 34% of sea otters tested in the region were infected with a parasite associated with cat feces and is associated with high levels of sea otter mortality. Shellfish from Pacific Grove ASBS contain elevated levels of heavy metals. Economic resources are at stake also. Some municipalities contend they do not have the economic or scientific resources to meet monitoring requirements. The city of Pacific Grove has implemented an urban runoff diversion project to collect dry weather flows into the sewer system. The feasibility of capturing wet weather flows, treating and recycling stormwater for irrigation is currently being investigated. It is likely to require substantial investment.
Stakeholders
The cities of Pacific Grove and Carmel are major stake holders directly effected by ASBS designation and State Water Resources Control Board enforcement. City of Monterey and Pebble Beach Cooporation are also stakeholders. Monterey Marine Sanctuary, local fisheries, coastal tourism and organizations such as Ocean Conservancy, Monterey Coastkeeper, Surf Rider Foundation and Friends of the Otter have an interest in coastal urban runoff and its effects.
Laws, policies, & regulations
In 1974 SWRCB designates 34 coastal marine locations Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) and prohibits pollution discharges to these areas. 1987 Federal Clean Water Act Ammendment requires every city to draft and implement Stormwater Management Plans and apply for discharge permits. 2001 California Ocean Plan provides coastal discharge limits and requires elimination of non point source discharge into ASBS.
Systems
... What elements of the biophysical system are/were involved?...
Science
...What scientific studies are or would be relevant / already completed?...
Tools
...What analytical (e.g. modeling) tools were or could be used?...
Future research
...What knowledge gaps remain?...
...Suggest a CWSP MS thesis topic that could contribute to the issue...
...Suggest a topic for a hypothetical study that had unlimited resources...
References
...Proust, M. 1901. Poetica nausea. J. Nauseum. pp 1-9999.
Links
- Other Watershed Issues
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.
