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Proposed Policy for Biological Objectives for (Perennial Streams & Rivers of) the State of California
DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES FOR CALIFORNIA
The State Water Board is initiating the process to develop biological objectives for freshwater streams and rivers in California. Biological objectives will help improve water quality in our streams and rivers by providing the narrative or numeric benchmarks that describe conditions necessary to protect aquatic life beneficial uses. Creating biological objectives for the state will assist in supporting the Water Boards Mission to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California's water resources, and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.
Quick Links
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Public Meetings
| ADVISORY GROUPS | ||
| Stakeholder Advisory Group | Scientific Advisory Group | Regulatory Advisory Group |
- Board Workshop - January 23, 2013
- Public Notice
- Comments Received - Deadline to receive comments: February 25, 2013
- Presentation
- Public Notice
- CEQA Public Scoping Meeting: Biological Objectives Policy - September 2012
Background and Further Information
- Causal Assessment Conceptual Workplan
- Draft Biological Objectives Workplan - May 15, 2010
- Biological Objectives Webinar
- Biological Objectives Overview Presentation
- Introduction to Bioassessment Presentation
- Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program
- Stakeholders Project Kickoff Meetings - March 2010
Resources & References
- Biological Objectives Draft Technical Documents -May 2013
The State Water Board utilized a Science Team of experts from the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, and the US Geological Survey to conduct the technical work necessary to support development of the State's biological objectives policy. The Science Team has produced draft manuscripts documenting progress in three technical areas that serve as the foundation for the upcoming bio-objectives policy:
- Assessing Reference Network Performance, which describes the State's Perennial Stream Reference Conditions.
- Maximizing the Applicability of Bioassessment Scoring Tools in Environmentally Complex Regions, which describes the new California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) for biological objectives that optimizes statewide consistency with local flexibility.
- Causal Assessment Evaluation and Guidance for California, which describes the stressor identification process developed by the US EPA and important considerations for its use with bio-objectives.
Causal Assessment Evaluation Appendices- SWAMP Reference Condition Management Program (RCMP) Sites - September 2012
Please note:
- This is the current list of sites that pass SWAMP reference criteria, not the set of reference sites used to create bio-objectives modules.
- This Excel table of reference sites is not currently very user friendly as column headings are not defined here. We will add a data dictionary later to clarify.
- Please direct questions to Pete Ode, Department of Fish and Game at: pode@ospr.dfg.ca.gov.
- SWAMP RCMP Sites
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bioassessment & Biological Objectives (USEPA) This document answers some of the most common questions about bioassessment and biocriteria.
- Glossary of Terms (USEPA) This USEPA webpage provides definitions for terms used in bioassessment and biocriteria.
- Reference Condition Management Plan (RCMP) (SWAMP) This March 2009 document describes California’s program for establishing a network of reference sites, including strategies for sampling and maintaining that network over time, and establishing “reference conditions” for wadeable perennial streams throughout California.
- Evaluation of the Water Boards’ Bioassessment Programs. (SWAMP) This May 2009 report details the findings of an external review of California’s bioassessment and biocriteria programs.
- Existing Tools for Assessing California Streams. Several tools already exist for evaluating the biological integrity of wadeable perennial streams in California:
Other Useful Links
- SWAMP Bioassessment webpages (SWAMP) Many other documents & resources are available at the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) bioassessment web section.
- USEPA Bioassessment & Biocriteria homepage (USEPA) This Website provides background information about bioassessment and many useful resources & references.
