Basin Plan

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
(Note: clickable links to Chapter sub-headings are contained within each Chapter)

Title Page

            I.          Function of the Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) .................................................. I-1
            II.          Legal Basis and Authority .............................................................................................. I-1
            III.         The Central Coast Region.............................................................................................. I-2
            IV.       The Regional Board ....................................................................................................... I-5
            V.         History of Basin Planning and the Basin Plan .................................................................. I-5
            VI.        Triennial Review and Basin Plan Amendment Procedure ................................................... I-6
            VI.A.     Continuing Planning ....................................................................................................... I-6

Chapter 2. PRESENT AND POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL USES

I. Present and Potential Beneficial Uses ............................................................................ II-1
II. Beneficial Uses Definition .............................................................................................. II-1

Chapter 3. WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES

            I.          Considerations in Selecting Water Quality Objectives ..................................................... III-1
            II.          Water Quality Objectives............................................................................................... III-2
                  II.A.      Antidegradation Policy............................................................................................ III-2
                        II.A.1.       Objectives for Ocean Waters ......................................................................... III-2
                        II.A.2.       Objectives for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries................. III-3
                              II.A.2.a.       General Objectives................................................................................ III-3
                                                         Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) ......................................... III-5
                                                         Agricultural Supply (AGR)............................................................. III-5
                                                         Water Contact Recreation (REC-1)................................................ III-5
                                                         Non-Contact Water Recreation (REC-2) ...................................... III-10
                                                         Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD).................................................. III-10
                                                         Warm Freshwater Habitat (WARM).............................................. III-10
                                                         Fish Spawning (SPWN) ............................................................. III-10
                                                         Marine Habitat (MAR) ................................................................ III-12
                                                         Shellfish Harvesting (SHELL) ...................................................... III-12
                        II.A.3.       Water Quality Objectives for Specific Inland Surface Waters
                                                Enclosed Bays and Estuaries ............................................................. III-12
                        II.A.4.       Objectives for Ground Water ........................................................................ III-14
                              II.A.4.a.       General Objectives ............................................................................. III-14
                                                         Municipal and Domestic Supply ................................................. III-14
                                                         Agricultural Supply (AGR) .......................................................... III-14
                        II.A.5.       Objectives for Specific Ground Waters........................................................... III-15

Chapter 4. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

            I.          Regional Water Quality Control Board Goals ................................................................. IV-2
            II.          General Control Actions and Related Issues................................................................... IV-2
            III.         Control Actions Under State Water Resources Control Board Authority............................. IV-2
            IV.        Control Actions to be Implemented by Other Agencies with
                              Water Quality or Related Authority.......................................................................... IV-3
            V.         Control Actions Under Regional Board Authority............................................................. IV-3
                  V.A.      Waste Discharge Restrictions................................................................................. IV-3
                        V.A.1.      Water Quality Certification............................................................................. IV-3
                        V.A.2.      National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System............................................. IV-3
                        V.A.3.      Waste Discharge Requirements..................................................................... IV-4
                        V.A.4.      Waivers........................................................................................................ IV-4
                        V.A.5.      Prohibitions and Prohibition Exemptions......................................................... IV-4
                        V.A.6.      Enforcement Actions..................................................................................... IV-4
                        V.A.7.      Best Management Practices.......................................................................... IV-5
                        V.A.8.      Compliance Schedules.................................................................................. IV-6
                  V.B.      Nonpoint Source Program....................................................................................... IV-7
            VI.        Waste Discharge Program Implementation..................................................................... IV-8
                  VI.A.     Effluent Limits ....................................................................................................... IV-8
                        VI.A.1.     Stream Disposal .......................................................................................... IV-8
                        VI.A.2.     Estuarine Disposal........................................................................................ IV-9
                        VI.A.3.     Ocean Disposal ........................................................................................... IV-9
                        VI.A.4.     Land Disposal .............................................................................................. IV-9
                              VI.A.4.a.     Wastewater Disposal.......................................................................... IV-10
                        VI.A.5.     Reclamation and Reuse............................................................................... IV-11
                        VI.A.6.     Pretreatment Programs ............................................................................... IV-12
                        VI.A.7.     Sludge Treatment ....................................................................................... IV-12
                  VI.B.     Municipal Wastewater Management Plans ............................................................ IV-13
                        VI.B.1.     Big Basin Hydrologic Unit ........................................................................... IV-13
                        VI.B.2.     Pajaro River Hydrologic Unit ........................................................................ IV-15
                        VI.B.3.     Carmel River Hydrologic Unit ....................................................................... IV-16
                        VI.B.4.     Santa Lucia Hydrologic Unit......................................................................... IV-17
                        VI.B.5.     Salinas River Hydrologic Unit ....................................................................... IV-17
                        VI.B.6.     Estero Bay Hydrologic Unit ......................................................................... IV-19
                        VI.B.7.     Carrizo Plain Hydrologic Unit ....................................................................... IV-21
                        VI.B.8.     Santa Maria River Hydrologic Unit ................................................................ IV-21
                        VI.B.9.     San Antonio Creek Hydrologic Unit .............................................................. IV-22
                        VI.B.10.   Santa Ynez River Hydrologic Unit ................................................................ IV-22
                        VI.B.11.   South Coast Hydrologic Unit ....................................................................... IV-23
                  VI.C.     Industrial Wastewater Management....................................................................... IV-24
                  VI.D.     Solid Waste Management..................................................................................... IV-25
                        VI.D.1.     Solid Waste Discharge Prohibitions ............................................................. IV-26
                  VI.E.     Storm Water Management ................................................................................... IV-26
                  VI.F.     Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program............................................................ IV-27
                  VI.G.     Military Installations.............................................................................................. IV-28
                  VI.H.     Spills, Leaks, Investigations, and Cleanup Program................................................. IV-32
                  VI.I.      Underground Storage tank Program....................................................................... IV-34
                  VI.J.      Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks.................................................................. IV-35
                  VI.K.     California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 15................................................. IV-36
                        VI.K.1.     Solid and Liquid Waste Requirements
                                                (Landfills and Surface Impoundments).................................................. IV-37
                        VI.K.2.     Wastewater Sludge/Septage Management.................................................... IV-38
                        VI.K.3.     Mining Activities (Nonfuel Commodities)........................................................ IV-39
                        VI.K.4.     Other Industrial Activities............................................................................. IV-40
                  VI.L.     Resource Conservation Recovery Act (Subtitle D).................................................... IV-41
                  VI.M.    Solid Waste Water Quality Assessment Test......................................................... IV-42
            VII.       Hazardous Waste Compliance Issues.......................................................................... IV-43
                  VII.A.    Reportable Quantities of Hazard43ous Waste and Sewage Discharges..................... IV-43
                  VII.B.    Proposition 65...................................................................................................... IV-43
            VIII.       Nonpoint Source Measures ........................................................................................ IV-44
                  VIII.A.   Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments...................................................... IV-45
                  VIII.B.   Urban Runoff Management ................................................................................... IV-46
                        VIII.B.1.    Source Controls ......................................................................................... IV-46
                        VIII.B.2.    Street Cleaning .......................................................................................... IV-47
                        VIII.B.3.    Treatment .................................................................................................. IV-47
                        VIII.B.4.    Control of Urbanization................................................................................. IV-48
                  VIII.C.   Agricultural Water and Wastewater Management ................................................... IV-48
                        VIII.C.1.    Federal-State Permits Governing Agricultural Operations................................ IV-48
                        VIII.C.2.    Animal Confinement Operations ................................................................... IV-49
                        VIII.C.3.    Irrigation Operations - Need for Salt Management .......................................... IV-49
                        VIII.C.4.    Improved Salt Management Techniques ........................................................ IV-50
                        VIII.C.5.    Mushroom Farm Operations ........................................................................ IV-52
                              VIII.C.5.a.    Typical Mushroom Farm Operation...................................................... IV-52
                              VIII.C.5.b.    Types of Wastes Discharged .............................................................. IV-52
                              VIII.C.5.c.    Possible Water Quality Problems........................................................ IV-52
                              VIII.C.5.d.    Additional Concerns .......................................................................... IV-53
                              VIII.C.5.e.    Recommendations ............................................................................ IV-53
                              VIII.C.5.f.     Prohibitions....................................................................................... IV-54
                        VIII.C.6.    Range Management.................................................................................... IV-54
                              VIII.C.6.a.    Grazing............................................................................................. IV-54
                                                         Grazing Control Measures.......................................................... IV-55
                  VIII.D.   Individual, Alternative, and Community Systems...................................................... IV-57
                        VIII.D.1.    Corrective Actions for Existing Systems........................................................ IV-58
                        VIII.D.2.    Local Governing Jurisdictions Actions .......................................................... IV-58
                              VIII.D.2.a.    Disclosure and Compliance of Existing
                                                   Wastewater Disposal Systems ........................................................ IV-58
                              VIII.D.2.b.    On-site Wastewater Management Plans .............................................. IV-59
                              VIII.D.2.c.    Septic Tank Maintenance Districts ...................................................... IV-60
                        VIII.D.3.    Criteria for New Systems............................................................................. IV-60
                              VIII.D.3.a.    Site Suitability .................................................................................. IV-61
                              VIII.D.3.b.    System Design ................................................................................. IV-61
                              VIII.D.3.c.    Design for Engineered Systems........................................................... IV-62
                              VIII.D.3.d.    Construction...................................................................................... IV-62
                              VIII.D.3.e.    Individual System Maintenance ........................................................... IV-63
                              VIII.D.3.f.     Community System Design................................................................. IV-63
                              VIII.D.3.g.    Local Agencies ................................................................................. IV-63
                              VIII.D.3.h.    Additional Considerations ................................................................... IV-64
                              VIII.D.3.i.     Individual, Alternative, and Community
                                                   Systems Prohibitions ..................................................................... IV-65
                              VIII.D.3.j.     Subsurface Disposal Exemptions ....................................................... IV-67
                  VIII.E.   Land Disturbance Activities .................................................................................. IV-68
                        VIII.E.1.    Land Disturbance Prohibitions ..................................................................... IV-70
                        VIII.E.2.    Construction Activities ................................................................................ IV-70
                        VIII.E.3.    Mining Activities.......................................................................................... IV-71
                        VIII.E.4.    Timber Harvesting Activities ......................................................................... IV-71
                        VIII.E.5.    Agency Activities ....................................................................................... IV-72
                              VIII.E.5.a.    United States Forest Service .............................................................. IV-73
                              VIII.E.5.b.    United States Bureau of Land Management.......................................... IV-73
                              VIII.E.5.c.    California Department of Transportation................................................ IV-74
                                                         Water Quality Studies .............................................................. IV-74
                                                         Construction Control ................................................................. IV-74
                                                         Operation and Maintenance ....................................................... IV-74
                              VIII.E.5.d.    Other Agencies Programs .................................................................. IV-75

Chapter 5. PLANS AND POLICIES

            I.          State Water Resources Control Board Plans and Policies................................................ V-1
                  I.A.       State Policy for Water Quality Control ..................................................................... V-1
                  I.B.       Anti-Degradation Policy .......................................................................................... V-2
                  I.C.       Thermal Plan ......................................................................................................... V-2
                  I.D.       Bays and Estuaries Policy ..................................................................................... V-2
                  I.E.       Power Plant Policy................................................................................................. V-3
                  I.F.       Reclamation Policy ................................................................................................ V-3
                  I.G.       Shredder Waste Disposal Policy ............................................................................. V-3
                  I.H.       Underground Storage Tank Pilot Program ................................................................. V-3
                  I.I.         Sources of Drinking Water Policy ............................................................................ V-3
                  I.J.        Nonpoint Source Management Plan.......................................................................... V-3
                  I.K.       Ocean Plan............................................................................................................ V-4
                  I.L.        Discharges of Municipal Solid Waste Policy.............................................................. V-4
            II.          Recommended State Water Resources Control Board Control Actions ............................. V-4
            III.         Regional Water Quality Control Board Management Principles ......................................... V-5
                  III.A.      General ................................................................................................................. V-5
                  III.B.      Wastewater Reclamation ........................................................................................ V-5
                  III.C.      Discharge to Surface Waters .................................................................................. V-6
                  III.D.      Municipal and Industrial Sewering Entities................................................................. V-6
                  III.E.      Ground Water ........................................................................................................ V-6
                  III.F.      Individual, Alternative, and Community Systems........................................................ V-7
                  III.G.     Erosion and Sedimentation Control .......................................................................... V-7
            IV.        Discharge Prohibitions.................................................................................................. V-8
                  IV.A.     All Waters ............................................................................................................. V-8
                        IV.A.1.     Toxic or Hazardous Pollutants ....................................................................... V-8
                  IV.B.     Inland Waters ........................................................................................................ V-8
                  IV.C.     Waters Subject to Tidal Actions .............................................................................. V-9
                        IV.C.1.     Areas of Special Biological Significance .......................................................... V-9
                  IV.D.     Ground Water
                  IV.E.     Other Specific Prohibition Subjects ........................................................................ V-10
                  IV.F.     Exceptions to Basin Plan Requirements ................................................................ V-10
            V.         Control Actions .......................................................................................................... V-10
                  V.A.      Waste Discharge Requirements ............................................................................ V-11
                  V.B.      State Clean Water Grants or Loans........................................................................ V-11
                  V.C.      Salt Discharge ..................................................................................................... V-11
                  V.D.      Individual, Alternative, and Community Sewage Disposal Systems ........................... V-12
                  V.E.      Agency Coordination ............................................................................................ V-12
                  V.F.      Animal Confinement Operations............................................................................. V-12
                  V.G.     Erosion and Sedimentation ................................................................................... V-13
                  V.H.      Actions by Other Authorizes ................................................................................. V-14
                        V.H.1.      Federal Agencies ........................................................................................ V-14
                        V.H.2.      Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments ............................................ V-14
                        V.H.3.      Septic Tank Management Agencies .............................................................. V-14
                        V.H.4.      Water Management Agencies ...................................................................... V-14
                        V.H.5.      Solid Waste Management ............................................................................ V-14
                        V.H.6.      Agricultural Management ............................................................................. V-15
                        V.H.7.      Offshore Oil ................................................................................................ V-15
                        V.H.8.      Salinity Management................................................................................... V-15
                        V.H.9.      Seawater Intrusion....................................................................................... V-15
                        V.H.10.    Erosion and Sedimentation Control ............................................................... V-15
            VI.        Regional Board Policies .............................................................................................. V-16
                  VI.A.     Sewerage Facilities and Septic Tanks
                                       in Urbanizing Areas in the Central Coast Region............................................. V-16
                  VI.B.     Septic Tanks........................................................................................................ V-16
                  VI.C.     Oil Field Wastes .................................................................................................. V-17
                  VI.D.     Areas of Special Biological Significant (ASBS) ....................................................... V-17
                  VI.E.     Legislative Matters ............................................................................................... V-17
                  VI.F.     Prohibition Zones.................................................................................................. V-17
                  VI.G.     San Lorenzo Valley .............................................................................................. V-18
                  VI.H.     Highway Grooving Residues .................................................................................. V-18
                  VI.I.      Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements .............................................................. V-18
                  VI.J.      Interpretation of Minimum Parcel Size Requirements for
                                                On-Site Sewage Systems.................................................................... V-18
                  VI.K.     Appreciation for Discharger Compliance.................................................................. V-18

Chapter 6. SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING

            I.          Program Objectives ..................................................................................................... VI-1
            II.          Quality Control and Data Management........................................................................... VI-1
            III.         State Water Resources Control Board Program Tasks ................................................... VI-2
                  III.A.      Statewide Surface Water Monitoring Program .......................................................... VI-2
                        III.A.1.      Toxic Substance Monitoring .......................................................................... VI-2
                        III.A.2.      State Mussel Watch .................................................................................... VI-3
                  III.B.      Lake Surveillance................................................................................................... VI-3
                  III.C.      Biennial Water Quality Inventory ............................................................................. VI-4
            IV.        Water Quality Assessment........................................................................................... VI-5
            V.         Regional Water Quality Control Board Program Tasks .................................................... VI-6
                  V.A.      Compliance Monitoring .......................................................................................... VI-6
                  V.B.      Self-Monitoring Report Review ................................................................................ VI-6
                  V.C.      Complaint Investigation........................................................................................... VI-6
                  V.D.      Aerial Surveillance.................................................................................................. VI-6
                  V.E.      Nonpoint Source Investigations................................................................................ VI-7
                  V.F.      Intensive Surveys................................................................................................... VI-7