Public workshop scheduled for March 5, 2019; Board to consider the matter on April 2
The State Water Board will hold a public workshop on March 5, 2019, and a public meeting on April 2, 2019 to consider adoption of the proposed amendments that would include a state wetland definition and procedures for discharges of dredged or fill material to waters of the state, the proposed final staff report, and the draft Supplemental Environmental Document (SED). (Note: The Board was scheduled to take up the matter on February 19th, but that meeting has been canceled.)
The amendments are proposed for the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters and the forthcoming Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California. The proposed amendments consist of the following components: (1) a wetland definition; (2) a framework for determining if a feature that meets the wetland definition is a water of the state; (3) wetland delineation procedures; and (4) procedures for application submittal, and the review and approval of Water Quality Certifications, Waste Discharge Requirements, and waivers of Waste Discharge Requirements for the discharge of dredge or fill material.
The State Water Board developed the Proposed Amendments to address several important issues. First, there is a need to strengthen protections for waters of the state that are no longer protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA) due to past U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Second, there is inconsistency across the Water Boards in regulating discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the state, including wetlands. Third, current regulations have not been adequate to prevent losses in the quality and quantity of wetlands in California.
The State Water Board will not take any action on March 5, 2019, but may provide direction to staff regarding the Proposed Amendments. The State Water Board may consider adopting the Proposed Amendments, with or without additional revisions, on April 2, 2019.
Board Workshop
Tuesday March 5, 2019, 9:30 am
Joe Serna Jr. – CalEPA Headquarters Building
Coastal Hearing Room
1001 I Street, Second Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Board Meeting
Tuesday April 2, 2019, 9:30 a.m.
Joe Serna Jr. – CalEPA Headquarters Building
Coastal Hearing Room
1001 I Street, Second Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Proposed Amendments and related documents and information are available on the State Water Board’s web site at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/cwa401/wrapp.shtml.
Click here to view all posted announcements.
Get the Notebook blog by email and never miss a post!
Sign up for daily emails and get all the Notebook’s aggregated and original water news content delivered to your email box by 9AM. Breaking news alerts, too. Sign me up!
