Ocean Standards


State Water Quality Protection Areas – Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS)

ASBS stands for Area of Special Biological Significance. These are 34 ocean areas monitored and maintained for water quality by the State Water Resources Control Board. ASBS cover much of the length of California's coastal waters. They support an unusual variety of aquatic life, and often host unique individual species. ASBS are basic building blocks for a sustainable, resilient coastal environment and economy.

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Announcements

 

Ocean Plan Exceptions

General Exception
Telonicher Marine Laboratory Ocean Plan Exception (Humboldt State University)

Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Telonicher marine Laboratory Discharge into the Trinidad Head ASBS

  • Resolution No. 2011-0049
  • On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving, a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses for Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory
  • Agenda Item 3 - Telonicher Marine Laboratory discharge into the Trinidad Head Area of Special Biological Significance [background...]
  • Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory Ocean Plan Exception
    Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses) and Initial Study for an Exception to the California Ocean Plan ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory

Hopkins Marine Station Ocean Plan Exception (Stanford University)

Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Hopkins Marine Station Discharge into the Pacific Grove ASBS


Monterey Bay Aquarium Ocean Plan Exception

Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Monterey Bay Aquarium Discharge into the Pacific Grove ASBS


Bodega Marine Laboratory (University of California at Davis)

Ocean Plan Exception/Special ASBS Protections for Bodega Marine Lab Waste Discharge into the Bodega ASBS - The State Water Board held a public hearing to receive comments on a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan prohibition against waste discharge into the Bodega ASBS - July 30, 2007


Wrigley Marine Science Center (University of Southern California)

Ocean Plan Exception/Special ASBS Protections for the University of Southern California Wrigley Marine Science Center Discharge into the Northwest Santa Catalina Island ASBS


Scripps Institution of Oceanography (University of California)

Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Scripps Institution of Oceanography Discharge into the San Diego - Scripps ASBS

Resources and Reports

History

Original Enforcement Process


Questions or Comments?

  • Katherine Walsh, Ocean Standards Unit - email or phone (916) 445-2317