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Richardson Bay Pathogen TMDL
On December 18, 2009, the federal Environmental Protection Agency approved a Basin Plan amendment incorporating a TMDL for pathogens in Richardson Bay and an implementation plan to achieve the TMDL. The amendment was formerly adopted by the San Francisco Bay Water Board, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the State Office of Administrative Law. It is now officially incorporated into the Water Quality Control Plan for San Francisco Bay Basin (Basin Plan), the region’s mater planning document for protecting water quality.- Adopted and approved Basin Plan amendment
- State Water Board Resolution No. 2009-0063
- Regional Water Board Resolution R2-2008-0061
- Staff Report
Background:
| Richardson Bay (also known as Richardson’s Bay) is an arm of San Francisco Bay located just northeast of the Golden Gate in southern Marin. It is enclosed by the cities of Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon and Belvedere, as well as an unincorporated portion of Marin County. The Richardson Bay Audubon Sanctuary includes 900 acres of marine habitat between Belvedere and Tiburon. The Bay is widely used for recreational activities including boating, kayaking, rowing, and swimming. Historically, Richardson Bay supported shellfish such as oysters, mussels, and clams. Because it is shallow and enclosed, with little tidal action or freshwater inflow from local creeks, the Bay has only a limited ability to disperse or dilute pollution. Richardson Bay is listed by U.S. EPA as impaired by pathogens. The listing was made in response to observations of elevated bacteria levels in the Bay, which indicate the presence of fecal contamination and health risks from water-borne pathogens to shellfish harvesters and recreational users of the Bay. The Richardson Bay TMDL examines these water quality issues, identifies sources of pathogen contamination, and specifies actions to restore the health of the Bay. |
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More information about Richardson Bay and Preventing Pollution
Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary
Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP)
Richardson Bay Special Area Plan (1984) (pdf, 7MB)
For more information contact:
Farhad Ghodrati
Water Resources Control Engineer
San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-622-2300
Fax: 510-622-2460
E-mail: fghodrati@waterboards.ca.gov