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Stream and Wetland Systems Protection Policy

Summary report and presentation from July status report to the Water Board

Introduction | Policy Framework | Public Involvement | Documents | Contact Information



Introduction:
Staff of the North Coast and San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Boards are developing proposed amendments--to the Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans) for the North Coast and San Francisco Bay regions--that will protect stream and wetlands systems, including measures to protect riparian areas and floodplains.

The goals of the proposed Stream and Wetlands System Protection Policy are:
  • To achieve water quality standards and protect beneficial uses of waters of the state
  • To protect drinking water through natural water quality enhancement and protection of groundwater recharge zones
  • To restore habitat and protect aquatic species and wildlife
  • To enhance flood protection through natural functions of stream and wetlands systems
  • To restore the associated recreational opportunities, green spaces and neighborhood amenities that water resources provide
  • To protect property values and community welfare by protecting natural environments
  • To encourage local watershed planning and support local oversight of water resources
  • To improve Regional Water Board permitting and program efficiency


The Stream and Wetlands System Protection Policy will achieve these goals by recognizing that it is necessary to protect and restore the physical characteristics of stream and wetlands systems-stream channels, wetlands, riparian areas, and floodplains-including their connectivity and natural hydrologic regimes, to achieve water quality standards and protect beneficial uses. The Policy will clarify that stream and wetlands system protection and restoration are viable forms of pollution prevention in all land use settings, and that the strategies of pollutant source control and stream and wetlands system protection need to be integrated to complete the entire watershed water quality management strategy. The Policy will be based on sound scientific principles and will develop reasonable methods to protect water quality.

A single Stream and Wetlands System Protection Policy will be proposed for Basin Plan adoption in the North Coast and San Francisco Bay Regions to improve regulatory consistency. The Policy will serve as a model for other Regional Water Boards and for the state in the protection of water quality. The Policy will promote regulatory efficiency by linking to existing relevant permit conditions and provisions in 401 water quality certifications, timber harvesting plans (THPs), waste discharge requirements (WDRs), WDR waivers, and urban runoff National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The Policy will also promote general efficiency by linking to Regional Water Boards' monitoring programs (e.g., Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program) and grants program. The Policy will provide incentives for local jurisdictions to develop watershed management plans that can be used by project applicants to offset impacts to stream and wetland functions when on-site avoidance of impacts is impossible. In this way the Policy will create a vehicle for working with local jurisdictions to develop effective implementation strategies consistent with local stakeholder interests.


Policy Framework:

All reasonable alternatives will be evaluated and discussed in an accompanying staff report and implementation plan. In addition to a synthesis of the relevant science and technical data linking physical characteristics to water quality, the staff report will include an economic analysis of the public and private benefits and costs of stream and wetlands system protection. Potential elements of the Stream and Wetlands System Protection Policy may include:
  • Developing statewide definitions for function-based beneficial uses of waters of the state.
  • Defining functional relationships between streams, wetlands, riparian areas, and floodplains and describing scientifically the importance of each in protecting water quality.
  • Compiling case study information linking the physical characteristics of stream and wetland systems with measurable water quality effects.
  • Offering prescriptive solutions to protect water quality based on the preceding analysis. Such solutions may include specific measures as justified, but will otherwise describe the methodology that should be used to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts on a watershed or project-specific basis.
  • Developing an implementation plan to enhance local jurisdictional development, adoption and implementation of watershed management plans in accordance with the goals of the Stream and Wetland Systems Protection Policy.



Public Involvement:

Staff of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board will hold stakeholder workshops on the proposed Stream and Wetlands System Protection Policy. These meetings will be open to the public. Interested groups and individuals will have the opportunity to ask questions, offer comments, and supply input on both technical and implementation related aspects of the proposed Policy at these workshops. To receive emails containing meeting information and updates on the Policy, please sign-up here.

Public Meetings

Event Date/Time Location
Public Workshop February 6, 2007 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon SFBRWQCB Region 2 Office
Room 2-3-4 (second floor)
1515 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 622-2300
North Bay Public Workshop and CEQA Scoping May 15, 2006 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Marin Center Manzanita Room
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 499-6400
South Bay Public Workshop and CEQA Scoping May 9, 2006 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Quinlan Community Center Cupertino Room
10185 N. Stelling Road Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3120
East Bay Public Workshop and CEQA Scoping May 1, 2006 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon SFBRWQCB Region 2 Office Room 2 (second floor)
1515 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 622-2300



Documents:



For Additional Information Contact:
Ben Livsey
1515 Clay Street
Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone:(510) 622-2308
blivsey@waterboards.ca.gov