NEW STATEWIDE WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANS FOR INLAND SURFACE WATERS AND ENCLOSED BAYS AND ESTUARIES

April, 1991 
SWRCB adopted ISWP and EBEP.

November, 1991 
EPA disapproved Plans due to: 

- lack of performance goals for: (1) reclaimed water dependent ephemeral streams, (2) natural water bodies dominated by agricultural drainage, and (3) constructed agricultural drains. 
- lack of water quality objectives for all priority pollutants.

December, 1992 
EPA promulgated National Toxics Rule, which included standards for priority pollutants for the above categories of water.

March-July, 1994 
Court directs SWRCB to rescind plans, which leaves California in noncompliance with 1987 amendments to Clean Water Act (CWA).

November 1994 
SWRCB begins process to develop new plans to avoid EPA promulgation of water quality standards for California.

KEY ISSUES

TOXICITY 
EPA approved objectives for acute and chronic toxicity contained in original plans, with the exception of whole effluent chronic toxicity testing. EPA did not accept "due diligence" provisions contained in plan. Plans must address this concern and how the Toxicity Identification Evaluation/Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TIE/TRE) trigger should be handled.

CHEMICAL SPECIFIC NUMERIC OBJECTIVES 
New plans must address trace metals objectives, appropriate averaging periods, and how bioaccumulating chemicals should be regulated for aquatic life. Risk levels, averaging periods, fish consumption value, and cancer potency must be considered for human health effects.

PERMIT COMPLIANCE ISSUES 
The new plans must also consider items such as (a) mixing zone strategy, (b) calculation of effluent limitations, (c) compliance monitoring requirements, (d) determination of compliance, and (e) compliance schedules.

EFFLUENT DEPENDENT ECOSYSTEMS 
Effluent dependent water bodies, "category (a)" water bodies must have chemical specific water quality objectives as required by the National Toxics Rule. Consideration should be given for new beneficial uses and ecoregion objectives.

AGRICULTURAL WATERS 
Natural water dominated by agricultural drainage, "category (b)" waters, and constructed agricultural drains, "category (c)" waters also must have numeric chemical specific water quality objectives developed as required by the National Toxics Rule.

SITE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE PROCEDURE 
SWRCB must take into consideration local species and conditions in the development of objectives for particular water bodies.

 


1987 CLEAN WATER ACT AMENDMENTS

Section 303(c)(2)(B) - Whenever a State reviews water quality pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, or revises or adopts new standards pursuant to this paragraph, such State shall adopt criteria for all toxic pollutants listed pursuant to section 307(a)(1) of this Act for which criteria have been published under section 304(a), the discharge or presence of which in the affected waters could reasonably be expected to interfere with those designated uses adopted by the State, as necessary to support such designated uses. Such criteria shall be specific numerical criteria for such toxic pollutants. Where such numerical criteria are not available, whenever a State reviews water quality standards pursuant to paragraph (1), or revises or adopts new standards pursuant to this paragraph, such State shall adopt criteria based on biological monitoring or assessment methods consistent with information published pursuant to section 304(a)(8). Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or delay the use of effluent limitations or other permit conditions based on or involving biological monitoring or assessment methods or previously adopted numerical criteria.

Plan Development Timeline

SWRCB proposed adoption schedule - submittal to EPA by June, 1997

EPA promulgation schedule - Publish final rule in November, 1995

 

Home - History - Calendar - Newsletter - Membership  - Cotton Information - Industry Issues - Used Gin Equipment - Latest NewsCotton Research - Available Resources - Links - Contact Us