California Code of Regulations › Title 23 - Waters › Division 4 - Regional Water Quality Control Boards › Chapter 1 - Water Quality Control Plans, Policies, and Guidelines › Article 2 - San Francisco Bay Region › Section 3916 - Total Maximum Daily Load for Pathogens in Tomales Bay Watershed

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
					 adopted Resolution R2-2005-0046 on September 21, 2005, which amended the Water
					 Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay Region (Basin Plan) by
					 establishing a program (a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)) to control pathogens
					 in the Tomales Bay watershed. The TMDL sets numeric targets, allocates
					 responsibility among the sources for meeting those targets, and establishes an
					 implementation plan to ensure that all segments of Tomales Bay and its major
					 tributaries (Lagunitas Creek, Walker Creek, and Olema Creek) attain applicable
					 bacteriological water quality standards established in the Basin Plan to
					 protect and support the beneficial uses.
The numeric targets consist of:
(1) Fecal coliform bacteria density targets
				  for Tomales Bay and the main tributaries identical to the Basin Plan
				  objectives;
(2) A shellfish
				  harvesting closure target of less than 30 days per year; and
(3) A human fecal waste discharge
				  prohibition.
The implementation plan requires actions to eliminate any
					 discharges of human fecal waste from boats, on-site sewage disposal systems,
					 small wastewater treatment facilities, and sewage holding ponds.
Density-based allocations for fecal coliform bacteria are
					 assigned to the various animal fecal waste sources to the watershed (grazing
					 lands, dairies, equestrian facilities, and domestic animals) and reflect the
					 highest fecal coliform bacterial densities that can be discharged while still
					 attaining the shellfish harvesting beneficial use in Tomales Bay. Discharging
					 entities are not held accountable for discharges originating from wildlife. The
					 requirements are consistent with the State's Policy for Implementation and
					 Enforcement of the Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program and the California
					 Water Code. Implementation measures include evaluation of operating practices,
					 development of control measures, a schedule for implementing those measures,
					 and submittal of progress reports documenting the actions taken.
Water quality monitoring will be conducted to evaluate
					 fecal coliform concentration trends in Tomales Bay and its tributaries. Every
					 five years, the San Francisco Bay Water Board will evaluate new and relevant
					 information from monitoring and scientific literature, assess progress towards
					 meeting the targets and load allocations and appropriateness and effectiveness
					 of proposed action, and may consider revising the TMDL if needed. The reviews
					 will provide opportunities for public participation. Any necessary
					 modifications to the targets, allocations, or implementation plan will be
					 incorporated into the Basin Plan. The California Department of Health Services,
					 working in consultation with the Tomales Bay Shellfish Technical Advisory
					 Committee, is encouraged to periodically evaluate shellfish harvesting
					 guidelines beginning in 2009.
1. New
					 section summarizing amendment to plan filed 9-13-2006; amendments approved by
					 State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2006-0031 on 5-15-2006;
					 amendment approved by OAL pursuant to Government Code section
					 11353 on
					 9-13-2006 (Register 2006, No. 37).