Tomales Bay Pathogen TMDL

Tomales Bay Pathogen TMDL adopted and approved
On February 8, 2007, the Basin Plan for the San Francisco Bay region was amended to incorporate a TMDL for pathogens in Tomales Bay, and an implementation plan to achieve the TMDL. The amendment was adopted by the Regional Water Board on September 21, 2005, and has been approved by the State Water Resources Control Board, the state Office of Administrative Law, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Adopted Order No. R2-2005-0046 (pdf)
Basin Plan amendment (pdf)
Staff Report (pdf, 6.8MB)

TMDL Implementation

GRAZING WAIVER

Requirements for Management of Grazing Lands
On July 08, 2008 the San Francisco Bay Water Board adopted a Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Grazing Lands in the Tomales Bay Watershed (Waiver). This Waiver implements the Tomales Bay Pathogens TMDL and the Walker Creek Sediment TMDL; it requires that Landowners or operators of Grazing Lands encompassing 50 acres or more, submit a Notice of Intent to comply with the requirements of the Waiver by January 31, 2009. Landowners or operators are also required to complete a Ranch Water Quality Plan by November 15, 2009.

STATUS UPDATE (05/31/2011)

This is a status report on the Tomales Bay Grazing Waiver Program. The report discusses the Grazing Waiver’s background and requirements, outreach efforts and funding, enrollee compliance, ongoing watershed efforts, and lessons learned.

Furthermore, the report describes the efforts of the Tomales Bay Watershed Grazing Land Partnership (Partnership) in assisting the agricultural community in complying with the requirements of the Grazing Wavier.

Staff believes that the success of the Grazing Waiver Program is rooted in the local relationships established with the Partnership, the substantial amount of technical assistance provided to ranchers by Water Board staff and the Partnership, and the success of partners in obtaining grant funding.

The following two publications provide independent evaluations of the Tomales Bay Grazing Waiver Program:

The following two publications provide templates for Ranch Water Quality Plan and Annual Certification form:

For any questions regarding the Waiver or Waiver compliance, please contact Carmen Fewless at 510.622.2316 or e-mail cfewless@waterboards.ca.gov

Background:

Tomales Bay supports a vital shellfish industry and is a popular destination for recreation, such as swimming and boating. It also faces water quality challenges from pathogens, water-borne micro-organisms that can cause disease in humans. Pathogens in Tomales Bay are of fecal origin. Potential sources include agricultural runoff (from dairies and ranch lands), runoff from residential areas, failing septic systems or small wastewater treatment facilities, discharges from boats, and wildlife. The Tomales Bay Pathogen TMDL includes a broad-based strategy for reducing pathogen sources to the Bay, including increased regulation of grazing lands through waste discharge requirements, required actions to reduce polluted runoff and boat discharges, education and outreach, and monitoring to evaluate progress.

For more information contact:
Farhad Ghodrati
Environmental Scientist
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-622-2331
Fax: 510-622-2460
E-mail: FGhodrati@waterboards.ca.gov