The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2010-11

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-10, the Regional Water Boards took 17 Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) amendment actions, and the State Water Board received 19 Regional Water Board amendment actions and approved six Regional Water Board amendment actions. Because of the time required to submit and approve Basin Plan amendment actions for review and approval by the State Water Board, and the fact that Regional Water Board amendments can occur throughout the year, Regional Board adoption, Regional Board submittal, and State Board approval for a given amendment action can span more than one fiscal year. For example, all six of the State Water Board approvals in FY 2009-10 were for Regional Water Board amendment actions that were submitted in fiscal years prior to FY 2009-10. The measure also shows that the Central Valley Regional Water Board (Region 5), which covers about 40 percent of the State’s geographical area, took the most Basin Plan amendment actions in FY 2009-10.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

When it is determined that a water body is too polluted to meet its water quality standards, the water body is considered degraded and put on the list of impaired waters, called the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list. A total maximum daily load (TMDL) is required for impaired waters to restore them to conditions that support their beneficial uses. The TMDL specifies the pollutant loading that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards, and allocates the pollutant loading that may be attributed to each source of the pollutant(s). TMDLs, along with their implementation plans, are adopted by the Regional Boards and the State Board. Each project is subject to U.S. EPA approval. This lengthy process involves dischargers and many other stakeholders. Subsequently, those responsible for the pollutant sources that cause or contribute to the impairments take corrective actions to protect the water bodies. There is variance in the complexity of each TMDL developed by the Regional Boards; some TMDLs will require more resources than others to develop.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: Basin Plan amendments tracking database. Period: July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010. Extracted in July 2010.
• Unit of Measure: Number of Regional Water Board and State Water Board actions to address amendments to Regional Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans).
• Data Definitions: Regional Board Action: Regional Water Board action to make changes (amendments) to their Basin Plan. Actions Aeceived by State Board: Regional Water Board Basin Plan amendments submitted to the State Water Board for approval. State Board Approval: Regional Water Board Basin Plan amendment actions that are approved by the State Water Board.
• References: Regional Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans)

GLOSSARY

Basin Plan Amendment

One or more specific changes to Regional Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans) that are addressed in an amendment action taken by a Regional Water Board. Basin Plan amendments are subject to State Water Board approval and, in most cases, the State’s Office of Administrative Law and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) must approve amendments as well.

( Page last updated:  9/21/11 )