RESOURCES

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.

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Public Meetings | Background and Further Information | Resources & References | Other Useful Links

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Public Meetings

Letter to Stakeholders- Notice of Project Kickoff Meetings
3/8/10 Stakeholder's Meeting Agenda (Northern California)
3/11/10 Stakeholder's Meeting Agenda (Southern California)
- Presentations
Stakeholder Advisory Group
The Stakeholder Advisory Group will communicate the Development of Biological Objectives project goals to other interested stakeholders. This committee will then carry overall stakeholder's comments back to the Scientific and Regulatory Advisory Groups. The goal here is to ensure that overall stakeholder input is incorporated into the technical and policy elements throughout this process, empowering the Stakeholder Advisory Group to play a key role in advising the State Water Board. These meetings are open to all interested parties.
- 10/11 Updated - Stakeholder Advisory Group Members & Affiliations
- Save the Date! Our next meeting is May 24, 2012 at SCCWRP
  - Agenda
  - Biological Objectives Implementation
- April 6, 2012
  - Agenda
  - Presentations
- January 13th, 2012
  - Agenda
  - Meeting Summary
  - Presentations
    - Reference Overview and Scoring Tools
    - Scientific Advisory Group update & Technical Progress
- September 30, 2011
- May 18, 2011
  - Agenda
  - Meeting Summary
  - Presentations
    - Biological Objectives for California Streams - Regulatory Update
    - Scientific Advisory Group Update
- April 6, 2011
- November 18, 2010
  - Agenda
  - Meeting Summary
  - Presentations
- May 26, 2010
Scientific Advisory Group
The Scientific Advisory Group of external experts will provide review of the technical aspects of this project, which, again; is to develop Biological Objectives for the freshwater streams & rivers of our state. These meetings are generally open to all interested parties.
- Scientific Advisory Group Members
- Save the Date! Our next meeting is April 18-19, 2012 at SCCWRP
  - Agenda
- October 12-13, 2011
  - Agenda
  - Presentations
- April 20-21, 2011
  - Agenda
  - Presentations
- October 20–21, 2010
  - Agenda
  - Presentations
Regulatory Advisory Group
The Regulatory Advisory Group will coordinate with staff in other State Water Board programs and at all Regional Water Boards. This is to ensure that this Biological Objectives development project delivers the tools that regulators and managers need, and also to provide the needed outreach and training to ensure that these tools will be used correctly and equitably. These meetings are not generally open to the public.
- Regulatory Advisory Group formation process
- Our next meeting is May 25, 2012 at SCCWRP
- April 5, 2012
- January 12, 2012
- September 28, 2011

Background and Further Information

Resources & References

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: