Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Impaired Water Bodies and Section 305(b) Water Quality Assessment

Adopted Lahontan Water Board Recommendations for the 2010 Section 303(d) List

On July 8, 2009 the Lahontan Water Board adopted Resolution 6T_2009_0045, containing recommendations to the State Water Resources Control Board for update of the Section 303(d) List of impaired surface water bodies. The State Water Board will consider these recommendations and those of other Regional Water Boards in adopting a statewide Section 303(d) List and Section 303(d)/305(b) “Integrated Report” in the spring of 2010. To obtain further information on the 2010 Section 303(d) List and opportunities for public participation, see the instructions on subscribing to the State Water Board's electronic mailing list.

The information below is provided to document the history of the 2009 public participation process for the Lahontan Water Board's adopted recommendations. The Water Board's action was limited to the Section 303(d) List, and no formal action was taken to adopt a final staff report or a Section 305(b) assessment of non-impaired water bodies.

The Section 303(d) List of Impaired Water Bodies

Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to identify surface water bodies that do not meet water quality standards. These waters are placed on the Section 30.3(d) List of impaired water bodies. The List identifies the pollutant (s) causing impairment and establishes a schedule for developing a control plan. Listed water body-pollutant combinations are generally addressed through pollutant control plans called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).

States update their Section 303(d) Lists in two-year cycles. The current Section 303(d) List for California, including the Lahontan Region, is the 2006 List.

In 2004, the State Water Board adopted the Water Quality Control Policy for Developing California’s Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List. This policy includes criteria to be used by the State and Regional Water Boards for "listing" and "delisting" water body-pollutant combinations.

The Section 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Report

Section 305(b) of the CWA requires states to report biennially to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on the water quality condition of their surface waters. The USEPA compiles state assessments into a biennial "National Water Quality Inventory Report" to Congress. See California’s 2006 Section 305(b) Report.

Draft Final 2008 Update to the 303(d) List and 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

• Final Draft Clean Water Act Sections 305(b) and 303(d) Integrated Report for the Lahontan Region, Public Review Draft - A summary of Lahontan Water Board staff's recommendations.
  • Appendix A - Proposed New and Revised Section 303(d) Listings
  • Appendix B - Proposed Delistings
  • Appendix C - Water Body-Pollutant Combinations With Standards Violations That are Not Recommended for Listing
  • Appendix D - Category 2 Water Body Segments
  • Appendix E - Category 3 Water Body Segments
  • Appendix F - Category 4A Water Body Segments
  • Appendix G - Category 4B Water Body Segments
  • Appendix H - Category 5 Water Body Segments
  • Appendix I - Fact Sheets
  • Appendix J - Miscellaneous Changes
  • Appendix K - References
  • Appendix L - Public Comments and Responses

2008 Section 303(d) and 305 (b) Integrated Report

For the 2008 assessment cycle, California is combining the Section 303(d) List and Section 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Report into a single "Integrated Report" to satisfy the requirements of both sections of the CWA. The process involves separate actions by Regional Water Boards on recommendations to the State Water Board. The State Water Board will compile and approve a statewide Integrated Report and submit it to the USEPA for final approval.

• Clean Water Act Sections 305(b) and 303(d) Integrated Report for the Lahontan Region, Public Review Draft - A summary of Lahontan Water Board staff's recommendations.
  • Appendix A - Proposed New and Revised Section 303(d) Listings
  • Appendix B - Proposed Delistings
  • Appendix C - Water Body-Pollutant Combinations With Standards Violations That are Not Recommended for Listing
  • Appendix D - Category 2 Water Body Segments
  • Appendix E - Category 3 Water Body Segments
  • Appendix F - Category 4A Water Body Segments
  • Appendix G - Category 4B Water Body Segments
  • Appendix H - Category 5 Water Body Segments
  • Appendix I - Fact Sheets
  • Appendix J - Miscellaneous Changes
  • Appendix K - References

  The Fact Sheets (Appendix I) include links to the reference documents used in the assessment. Links are also provided for individual references in Appendix K. The references include information and data submitted by stakeholders in response to a 2006-2007 public solicitation. One response to the solicitation, a letter from the California Forestry Association, was not used in the Fact Sheets and is included here for the administrative record.

  Because of the large size of some of the appendices, the Water Board is not distributing paper copies of the entire staff report. Paper copies of the report and Appendices A through C may be requested from Carrie Hackler at 530 542-5404.

• Written Public Comments Requested by June 15, 2009
  The public review period for the Lahontan Region’s draft Section 303(d)/305(b) assessment is now open. Written public comment are requested by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2009 in order to allow adequate time for preparation of written responses and for full consideration of all comments and responses by the Water Board. Please see the letter to interested parties for further Information.
  
  Written comments or questions regarding the assessment should be directed to Judith Unsicker, whose contact information is below.
  
  Any proposed changes to staff’s recommendations, and staff’s responses to written comments submitted by June 15, will be available prior to the Public Hearing.

• Public Hearing at the Water Board's July 8 and 9, 2009 Meeting
  • Public Notice

Changes may be made in staff recommendations as a result of written public comments and will be posted on the Water Board's Website and announced to the Water Board's electronic mailing list for the Section 303(d) List. Subscribe online to the "TMDLs-303(d) List" to receive these notifications by email. The Lahontan Water Board will hold a public hearing to consider approval of the final staff recommendations at its July 8 and 9, 2009 meeting.

Date:	July 8 and 9, 2009
Time:	A two-day meeting beginning at 4 pm on July 8
Place:	Lake Tahoe Community College   Board and Aspen Rooms   One College Drive   South Lake Tahoe CA 96150

An agenda announcement with more details on the timing of the hearing will be posted on the Water Board's Website 10 days in advance of the July 8 meeting.

Questions or Comments?

Please contact:

Judith Unsicker
Staff Environmental Scientist
Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board
2501 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe CA 96150
Telephone: 530 542-5462
Fax: 530 544-2271