California Code of Regulations › Title 23 - Waters › Division 4 - Regional Water Quality Control Boards › Chapter 1 - Water Quality Control Plans, Policies, and Guidelines › Article 6 - Lahontan Region › Section 3955 - Basin Plan Amendment Incorporating a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and TMDL Implementation Program to Control Phosphorus Loading to Indian Creek Reservoir

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
The goal of this TMDL is a change from eutrophic to
					 mesotrophic conditions, which should provide adequate support for aquatic life
					 and recreational beneficial uses. Attainment of the numeric target for total
					 phosphorus (0.02 mg/L as an annual mean concentration in the water column) is
					 projected to occur within approximately 21 years after final approval of the
					 TMDL (2024). Attainment of other numeric targets and narrative water quality
					 objectives related to protection of beneficial uses is also projected to occur
					 by that date.
The TMDL assigns a loading capacity for phosphorus loading
					 to Indian Creek Reservoir, as a net annual load of 82 pounds of total
					 phosphorus in the water column. Attainment of the loading capacity and numeric
					 target will require an 87 percent reduction in internal phosphorus loading from
					 the sediment and a 75 percent reduction in external loading to the reservoir
					 from the surrounding watershed and the tributary inflow.
The TMDL implementation program will use an adaptive
					 management approach. It establishes a process and schedule for selection and
					 implementation of specific control measures. Such measures will include best
					 management practices to control external sources, and in-lake control methods
					 to control phosphorus loading from the sediment. Examples of potential in-lake
					 controls include measures to remove phosphorus-laden sediment, reduce
					 phosphorus release from sediment, and/or increase flushing of phosphorus from
					 the reservoir. Implementation will be the responsibility of the South Tahoe
					 Public Utility District (STPUD), which manages the reservoir and its tributary
					 flow; the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which owns the watershed contributing
					 surface runoff to the reservoir; and public and private landowners in the
					 watershed of the tributary inflow.
The Lahontan Regional Board will use its existing
					 authority, including the three-tier compliance approach (ranging from
					 self-determined implementation to regulatory action) in the statewide Nonpoint
					 Source Management Plan and Rangeland Water Quality Management Plan, to ensure
					 implementation of the TMDL.
The TMDL implementation program includes continued
					 monitoring of water quality in the reservoir and its tributary inflow, and
					 periodic inspection of BMPs once they have been installed. The adaptive
					 management approach includes flexibility for changes in the existing monitoring
					 program over time.
If progress toward implementation and attainment of TMDL
					 targets and indicators is not satisfactory at the conclusion of the second
					 comprehensive review (in 2013), or if monitoring shows support of beneficial
					 uses at phosphorus concentrations higher than mandated by the target, Regional
					 Board staff will evaluate the need for revision of the TMDL and/or the
					 implementation program.
Specifics of the TMDL implementation program are as
					 follows
Summary of TMDL Implementation Program
Implementation Process
Schedule
Stakeholder group is convened by Regional Board
							 staff
By 4 months after final approval of TMDL
Regional Board staff and stakeholders identify specific
							 sites needing BMPs to control external sources of phosphorus loading
By 1 year after final approval of TMDL
STPUD submits plan for Regional Board approval on
							 proposed action(s) to control internal phosphorus loading
By 15 months after final approval of TMDL
Progress toward BMP implementation reviewed; need for
							 Regional Board regulatory action considered
By 3 years after final approval of TMDL
Controls for internal and external sources phosphorus
							 loading are fully implemented
By 2013
Review of monitoring data in relation to indicators and
							 targets
Ongoing
Comprehensive review of monitoring data and progress
							 toward implementation and attainment of targets
At five-year intervals following final approval of
							 TMDL
Consideration of needs for revisions in TMDL
After 2013
1. New
					 section summarizing regulatory changes filed 4-14-2003; Basin Plan revisions
					 adopted by the Lahontan Regional Board 7-24-2002 and approved by the State
					 Water Resources Control Board 1-22-2003. Approved by OAL pursuant to Government
					 Code section
					 11353 and
					 effective on 4-14-2003 (Register 2003, No. 16).