California Ocean Water Quality Control Plan (Effective December 3, 2001).pdf

The California Ocean Water Quality Control Plan outlines regulations to protect and improve ocean water quality, adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in 2000, effective December 3rd, following EPA approval.

Background:

- The Ocean Plan was initially established in 1972 and amended several times since.
- SWRCB is responsible for reviewing and modifying water quality standards as per the Clean Water Act and California Water Code.
- Public review began in 1991, leading to amendments in 1997 addressing high-priority issues.

Key Amendments:

1. Acute Toxicity: Replace effluent limitation with an acute toxicity water quality objective.
2. Chemical Objectives: Revise objectives for human health protection.
3. Compliance Determination: Add provisions for determining compliance with chemical water quality objectives.
4. Plan Format: Revise the Ocean Plan's format and organization.
5. Special Protection: Develop special protections for water quality and designated uses, including nomination and designation procedures.
6. Administrative Updates:

- Define governmental agencies, dredged materials, and relationships with other state plans.
- Update references for radioactivity, bacteria test methods, and appendices.
- Change the Ocean Plan's effective date.

Process:

- SWRCB prepared a draft Functional Equivalent Document (FED) after public hearings in 1998.
- Amendments were revised at the November 16, 2000, Board Meeting.
- Approval requires subsequent review by the Office of Administrative Law and the U.S. EPA.