Basin Plan, Low-Threat Discharges

Proposed Amendment to Provide Exceptions to Point Source Prohibitions for Low-Threat Discharges

The purpose of the project is to develop and adopt a Basin Plan amendment to address ‘Low-threat discharges’, including incidental runoff of potable and recycled water, as they relate to the current Basin Plan prohibitions. The existing language contained in the Basin Plan seasonal prohibitions does not make any allowance for low-threat discharges such as these. Therefore, the development of a Low Threat Discharge Amendment is necessary to provide exceptions to the Basin Plan seasonal point source discharge prohibitions. The amendment would create specific exceptions for discharges that can demonstrate no adverse impact on water quality and for which there are no other reasonable discharge alternatives. The Amendment will be designed to prevent degradation of waters of the North Coast Region so that beneficial uses are supported and water quality objectives are attained and maintained.

CEQA Scoping Meetings were held in August 2005 and April 2007. The Draft Amendment and Staff Report are scheduled to be released in late November 2008.

• CEQA Scoping Notice (April 2007)
• Informational Document (April 2007)
• CEQA Scoping Summary of Comments document ( August 2005)
• CEQA Scoping Summary of Comments (April 2007)
• Response to Russian River Watershed Protection Committee (RRWPC) letters (June 2007)

Staff Contact: Lauren Clyde, 576-2674