Appendix A Water Quality Memo - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 California water quality standards are composed of three parts: the designation of beneficial uses of water, water quality objectives to protect those uses, and implementation programs designed to achieve and maintain compliance with water quality objectives. The RWQCB, Santa Ana Region, is responsible for the Basin Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin, where the proposed project is. The RWQCB implements management plans to modify and adopt standards under provisions set forth in Section 303(c) of the CWA and the California Water Code (Division 7, Section 13240). The SWRCB adopted the Policy for Implementation of Toxics Standards for Inland Surface Water, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California in 2000. This policy provides implementation measures for criteria contained in the California Toxics Rule, promulgated in May 2000 by the EPA. When combined with the beneficial use designations in the Basin Plan, these documents establish statewide water quality standards for toxic constituents in surface water. Basin Plan The Basin Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin (RWQCB Region 8), most recently amended in February 2016, establishes water quality objectives for constituents that could potentially cause an adverse effect or impact on the beneficial uses of water. Specifically, Basin Plans are designed to accomplish the following. 1. Designate beneficial uses for surface and groundwater 2. Set the narrative and numerical objectives that must be attained or maintained to protect the designated beneficial uses and conform to California’s anti-degradation policy 3. Describe implementation programs to protect the beneficial uses of all water in the region 4. Describe surveillance and monitoring activities to evaluate the effectiveness of the Basin plans Basin Plans incorporate by reference all applicable SWRCB and RWQCB plans and policies. In addition to Basin Plan requirements, the RWQCB has water quality control authority under Section 401 of the CWA if a project needs to apply for a Nationwide Permit under Section 404 of the CWA. Total Maximum Daily Load TMDL refers to the amount of a specific pollutant a river, stream, or lake can assimilate and still meet federal water quality standards as provided in the CWA. TMDL accounts for all sources of pollution, including point sources, non-point sources, and natural background sources. Section 303(d) of the CWA (33 United State Code Section 1313[d]) requires that regulatory agencies determine TMDLs for all water bodies that do not meet water quality standards. The Section 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies provides a prioritization and schedule for development of TMDLs for the state. The SWRCB, in compliance with the Section 303(d) of the CWA, prepared a 2014/2016 list of impaired water bodies in California. The SWRCB approved the 2014/2016 California Integrated Report (CWA Section 303(d) List/305(b) Report on October 3, 2017. On April 6, 2018, the EPA approved the 2014/2016 California 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments. The 303(d) list includes a priority schedule for the development of TMDLs implementation for each contaminant impacting the waterbody.