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 3953 - Basin Plan Amendment Incorporating a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and TMDL Implementation Program to Control Sediment Loading to Heavenly Valley Creek

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
The TMDL's goal of attaining instream standards is
					 projected to occur within approximately 20 years after final approval of the
					 TMDLs (2021).
The terms "parameter" and "desired conditions," as used in
					 this TMDL, are equivalent to the U.S. EPA terms "indicator" and "targets,"
					 respectively, as defined in "Guidance for Developing TMDLs in California"
					 January 7, 2000 USEPA, Region 09.
The TMDL assigns a loading capacity for total annual
					 instream sediment loading to Heavenly Valley Creek, measured at the "Property
					 Line" station near the resort permit boundaries, as 58 tons of sediment per
					 year, expressed as a five year rolling average.
The TMDL implementation program is based substantially on
					 continuation of existing erosion control and monitoring programs which are
					 being carried out under an adaptive management approach by the U.S. Forest
					 Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU - the landowner) and the
					 Heavenly Valley Ski Resort (an LTBMU permittee).
The implementation program includes full application of
					 Best Management Practices to all new and existing disturbed areas within the
					 ski resort. Specifics of the implementation include the following:
Summary of TMDL Implementation Program
Implementation Measure
Schedule
Abandon and restore 7.59 acres of existing unpaved
							 roads
Complete by 2006
Stabilize 21.10 acres of existing roads which will
							 remain in use
Complete by 2006
Restore 182 acres of existing ski runs
Complete by 2006
Maintain BMPs as necessary
Annually
Review success of specific BMPs at specific sites;
							 identify and implement improvements through adaptive management approach
Annually
Conduct a comprehensive review of progress toward
							 watershed restoration and attainment of water quality standards and identify
							 needs for change through adaptive management program.
At five year intervals beginning in 2000: (first
							 evaluation report completed in 2001).
The Lahontan Regional Board will use its existing
					 authority, including the Lake Tahoe Basin control measures outlined in Chapter
					 5 of its Basin Plan, and the three-tier compliance approach (ranging from
					 voluntary compliance to regulatory action) in the statewide Nonpoint Source
					 Management Plan, to ensure implementation of the TMDL.
The TMDL Implementation Plan includes the addition of
					 macroinvertebrate community health monitoring, along with a continuation of
					 monitoring provisions for suspended sediment concentration and flow and other
					 parameters.
If progress is not satisfactory at the conclusion of the
					 second (2005-2006) review, Regional Board staff will evaluate the need for
					 revision of the TMDL and/or the implementation program.
1. New
					 section summarizing amendment to Lahontan Basin Plan filed 8-8-2002; Basin Plan
					 revisions approved by the State Water Resources Control Board 9-20-2001
					 pursuant to resolution 2001-101 were approved by OAL and effective pursuant to
					 Government Code section
					 11353 on
					 8-8-2002 (Register 2002, No. 32).