Instream Flows Policy

MAINTAINING INSTREAM FLOWS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL STREAMS

The Division of Water Rights is preparing a State Water Board Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams. The proposed policy may affect water diversions in coastal streams in portions of Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Humboldt Counties. Water Code Sections 1259.2 and 1259.4 require the State Water Board adopt the Policy by January 1, 2008. These Water Code sections were enacted by Assembly Bill 2121, which was signed by the Governor in September 2004. The Policy will be prepared in accordance with state policy for water quality control, which requires the preparation of environmental documents.

• Policy Proposal from Trout Unlimited, Wagner and Bonsignore Consulting Civil Engineers, and Ellison, Schneider, and Harris LLP (TU/WB/ESH Policy Proposal)
  • Comment Leters on Draft Joint Recommendations
    • Barry Hoffner, May 1, 2009
    • Rudy Light, September 14, 2009
  • April 30, 2009 - Draft Joint Recommendations for the North Coast Instream Flow Policy - This document includes additional policy recommendations and revisions to text that had been previously submitted April 13, 2009. This is an interim document. Some aspects of the proposal may be modified or added to in the future. When more information becomes available, separate updates will be provided.
  • April 13, 2009 - Joint Recommendations for the North Coast Instream Flow Policy - This document has been superceded by the April 30, 2009 Draft Joint Recommendations.
  • March 9, 2009 - Basic Data for Developing Regional Qs and Qopt Relationships
  • January 27, 2009 - Definitions and Methods and Context for Definitions and Methods - These documents have been superceded by the April 30, 2009 Draft Joint Recommendations.
  • January 15, 2009 - Prescribing Instream Flows in Small North Coastal Streams
  • December 2, 2008 - AB 2121 Framework for Joint Recommendations
  • November 24, 2008 - AB 2121 Framework for Joint Recommendations – Briefing for Tam Doduc
  • November 13, 2008 - AB 2121 Framework for Joint Recommendations to Chair Doduc – Briefing for Vicky Whitney (link to 111308_slides)
  • May 1, 2008 - Comment Letter from TU/PAS and McBain and Trush Commentary
  • May 1, 2008 - Comment Letter from TU/PAS/WB/ESH
• December 2, 2008 - Public Comments Received after State Water Board Informational Item
  • Coastal Action Group - Levine - December 1, 2008
  • Rudy Light - February 3, 2009
• December 2008 Status Update
• December 2, 2008, Board Meeting Informational Item Agenda
• August 2008 - Public Comments Received at Public Workshops
  • City of Santa Rosa - Gorin
  • Sonoma County Wine Grape Commission - Frey
  • Water Advisory Committee - Mackenzie
  • Richard Matlock
  • Rudy Light Letters:  August 5, 2008, August 6, 2008-A, and August 6, 2008-B
  • Chuck Williams
• July 3, 2008 - Notice of Public Workshop - The State Water Resources Control Board held two public workshops on August 5 and 6, 2008, to receive input on the Draft Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams. [Agenda]
• Public Review Comments Received (deadline May 1, 2008)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• March 14, 2008 - Second Errata for Draft Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams
• February 13, 2008 - Peer Review Comments
  • Dr. Lawrence Band
  • Dr. Charles M. Burt
  • Dr. Robert A. Gearheart
  • Dr. Margaret Lang
  • Dr. Thomas E. McMahon
  • Dr. Richard T. Woodward
• February 6, 2008 - Workshop Presentation: "Draft Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams"
• January 30, 2008 - Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period (deadline: May 1, 2008)

Public Review of Draft Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams

• North Coast Instream Flow Policy Map
  • GIS Data Layer (*.zip)
• February 6, 2008 - Technical Staff Workshop: Draft Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams
• January 7, 2008 - Instream Flow Policy – Errata Sheet
• Notice of Availability of Documents and Opportunity for Public Comment
• Draft Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams
  • Revised 1/7/08
  • Updated 3/14/08
  • SWRCB Instream Flow Policy: GIS-Analysis Criteria for Upstream Distribution Limit of Steelhead
  • SWRCB Instream Flow Policy:  Summary of Reasoning Used to Propose Size Criterion for Woody Debris Pieces Qualifying Under a Wood Augmentation Plan
  • Water Availability Analysis Assumptions for Estimating Partial Face Value of Senior Diverters
  • Direct Cost Analysis for the Proposed North Coast Instream Flow Policy
    • Appendix A, Figure A-1
    • Appendix A, Figure A-2
    • Appendix A, Figure A-3
    • Appendix A, Figure A-4
    • Appendix A, Figure A-5
    • Appendix A, Figure A-6
    • Appendix A, Figure A-7
    • Appendix A, Figure A-8
    • Appendix A, Figure A-9
    • Appendix B, Figure B-1
    • Appendix B, Figure B-2
    • Appendix B, Figure B-3
• Substitute Environmental Document
  • Draft Decemeber 2007
  • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix A - Notice of Preparation and Initial Study
  • Appendix B - Special-Status Plants Occurring in Riparian, Freshwater Marsh, and Vegetated Lacustrine Habitats
  • Appendix C - Special-Status Animals Occurring in Riparian, Freshwater Marsh, and Vegetated Lacustrine Habitats
  • Appendix D - Potential Indirect Impacts on Municipal, Industrial and Agricultural Water Use and Related Indirect Impacts on Other Environmental Resources (revised 1/7/08)
    • Updated 3/14/08
    • Appendix D, Figure A-1
    • Appendix D, Figure A-2
    • Appendix D, Figure A-3
    • Appendix D, Figure A-4
    • Appendix D, Figure A-5
  • Appendix E - Potential Indirect Environmental Impacts of Modification or Removal of Existing Unauthorized Dams
    • Appendix E, Figure A-1
    • Appendix E, Figure A-2
    • Appendix E, Figure A-3
    • Appendix E, Figure A-4
    • Appendix E, Figure A-5
    • Appendix E, Figure A-6
    • Appendix E, Figure A-7
    • Appendix E, Figure A-8
• North Coast Instream Flow Policy: Scientific Basis and Development of Alternatives Protecting Anadromous Salmonids
  • Draft August 7, 2007
  • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix A – Chronology and Technical Basis of the DFG-NMFS Draft Guidelines
  • Appendix B – Physical, Hydrological, and Ecological Conditions Influencing Anadromous Salmonid Habitat in Policy Area Streams
  • Appendix C - Summary of Important Biological Characteristics of Target Anadromous Salmonid Species
  • Appendix D – Defining Protectiveness Levels of Flow Related Habitat Requirements of Anadromous Salmonids at a Regional Scale
    • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix E – Development of Policy Element Alternatives Defining a Range of Protective Levels of Minimum Bypass Flow for Application at the Regional Scale:  Upper MBF and Lower MBF Alternatives
    • Draft August 2007
    • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix F - Hydrologic Analysis of Validation Sites
    • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix G – Approach for Assessing Effects of Policy Element Alternatives on Upstream Passage and Spawning Habitat Availability
    • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix H – Upstream Passage and Spawning Habitat-Flow Relationships Derived for Validation Sites
  • Appendix I – Results of Validation Site Protectiveness Analysis:  Number of Days Per Water Year with Upstream Passage and Spawning Opportunities During the 10/1 – 3/31 Period
    • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix J – Properties and Behavior of the Cumulative Flow Impairment Index (CFII)
    • Updated 3/14/08
  • Appendix K – Recommendations for Monitoring the Effectiveness of the North Coast Instream Flow Policy for Protecting Anadromous Salmonids

More Information

• CEQA Scoping
• General Information
• Northern California Coastal Streams

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(Updated 10/14/09 )