San Diego Region - The Basin Plan

The Basin Plan

The Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin 9 (Basin Plan) is available in electronic format only. The San Diego Region Hydrologic Basin Planning Area Map (Basin Plan Map) is also available in paper copy. Please note that you need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 and higher to view these PDF files. Click here to download the latest reader for free.

Download the PDF version of the Basin Plan:

Cover Page
Title Pages
Foreword
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Beneficial Uses
Chapter 3 Water Quality Objectives
Chapter 4 Implementation
Chapter 5 Plans and Policies
Chapter 6 Surveillance, Monitoring, & Assessment
Appendices
San Diego Region Hydrologic Basin Plan Area Map

Basin Plan Amendments

The Basin Plan is a living document and is always subject to modification based on changing needs and circumstances with respect to applicable laws, policies, technologies, water quality conditions, and priorities in the San Diego Region. The last major update of the entire Basin Plan was published in 1994. Any changes to the Basin Plan require a Basin Plan amendment, which is subject to a full public participation and hearing process.

Following adoption by the San Diego Regional Board, each Basin Plan amendment must then be approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board), Office of Administrative Law (OAL), and in many cases the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Basin Plan amendments become effective and are included in the Basin Plan only after final approval by OAL and/or USEPA, as applicable. To review approved amendments published in the Basin Plan since the 1994 update, approved amendments not yet published in the Basin Plan, adopted Basin Plan amendments pending approval from the State Board, OAL, and/or the USEPA, and Basin Plan amendments in process, click here.

Triennial Review of the Basin Plan

The Basin Plan designates beneficial uses for water bodies in the San Diego Region, and establishes water quality objectives and implementation plans to protect those beneficial uses. Both state and federal laws mandate the periodic review and update of the Basin Plan. Federal law requires that a state's water quality standards be reviewed every three years. Thus the periodic review of the Basin Plan is commonly referred to as the "Triennial Review."

Public Participation

Public participation is an important part of the basin planning process and is encouraged. To receive updates on Basin Plan issues, please either: 1) subscribe to our electronic mailing list or 2) send us a request to have information sent to you via U.S. mail as described below. You may also obtain information at your convenience from our website or by appointment at the San Diego Water Board office. New and updated information may frequently become available throughout the basin planning process.

If you are interested in participating in the Basin Plan amendment process or have comments or questions, please contact Ms. Deborah Woodward at (858) 637-5586 or by email at DWoodward@waterboards.ca.gov or at California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region, 9174 Sky Park Court, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123-4340.

Order a Copy the Basin Plan or Basin Plan Map

You can order a CD copy of the 1994 Basin Plan with the latest incorporated amendments in PDF format and/or a paper copy of the 1995 Basin Plan Map. Please note that the CD copy of the Basin Plan includes a PDF file of the Basin Plan Map. The cost per CD copy of the Basin Plan including postage is $5.00. The cost per paper copy of the Basin Plan Map including postage is $5.00. Please do not send cash. Checks should be made payable to the State Water Resources Control Board. Please be advised that no CD copies of the Basin Plan will be sent out from this office without receipt of the remittance in the correct amount. Click here to download the document order form.

Return form and payment to:

California Regional Water Quality Control Board
San Diego Region
9174 Sky Park Court, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123-4340
Attn: Basin Plan Order

The San Diego Water Board's Basin Plan Team

If you have any questions concerning the Basin Plan please contact any of the following staff members.

Deborah Jayne - Senior Environmental Scientist - (858) 467-2972
Deborah Woodward - Environmental Scientist - (858) 637-5586
Charles Cheng - Engineering Geologist - (858) 627-3930
Sylvia Wellnitz - Digital Composition Specialist I - (858) 637-5593