Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23 § 3943

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 43, October 25, 2024

Section 3943 - Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins for the Control of Agricultural Subsurface Drainage Discharges

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted Resolution Number 96-147 on May 3, 1996 and revised under Resolution Number R5-2010-0046 and Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins for the Control of Agricultural Subsurface Drainage Discharges. The amendment and its revisions to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins modifies the regulatory provisions of the previous Water Quality Control Plan as follows:

1. Surface Water Beneficial Uses -- Beneficial Uses were added to Mud Slough (north), Salt Slough and listed wetland supply channels, including a "Limited Beneficial Use" for Mud Slough (north) and the wetland supply channels.

2. Water Quality Objective for Selenium -- A Water Quality Objective for selenium and schedule of compliance has been added and the schedule has been revised for Mud Slough (north) and the San Joaquin River. The revision includes a new interim performance goal. A selenium Water Quality Objective has also been added for Salt Slough and listed water supply channels in the Grasslands watershed.

3. Agricultural Discharge Prohibitions -- The discharge of agricultural subsurface drainage from the Grasslands Watershed to the San Joaquin River is prohibited unless such discharge began prior to the effective date of this amendment, or is regulated by Waste Discharge Requirements. Selenium discharge from the Grasslands Watershed to the San Joaquin River is prohibited in amounts exceeding 8,000 lbs/yr, and is prohibited in Mud Slough (north) and the San Joaquin River from the Mud Slough confluence to the Merced River after December 31, 2019 unless Water Quality Objectives for selenium are being met. The discharge of agricultural subsurface drainage to the San Joaquin River from Sack Dam to Mud Slough (north) is prohibited after October 1, 2010 unless Water Quality Objectives for selenium are being met. The discharge of agricultural subsurface drainage water to Salt Slough and the wetland water supply channels is prohibited unless Water Quality Objectives for selenium are being met. The prohibition becomes effective immediately upon Board determination that timely and adequate mitigation, as outlined in the 2010-2019 Agreement for Continued Use of the San Luis Drain has not been provided.

4. Control Actions -- Performance goals and effluent limits established in Waste Discharge Requirements will be used to measure progress toward achievement of Water Quality Objectives for selenium.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 23, § 3943

1. New section summarizing amendments to Basin Plan filed 1-10-97; Basin Plan amendment adopted by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board 5-3-96 per Resolution No. 96-147 and approved by the State Water Resources Control Board 9-19-96 per Resolution No. 96-078, approved by OAL and effective per Government Code section 11353 on 1-10-97 (Register 97, No. 2).
2. Amendment of section summarizing amendments to Basin Plan filed 12-15-2010; amendment approved by State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2010-0046 on 10-5-2010; amendment approved by OAL on 12-15-2010 pursuant to Government Code section 11353 (Register 2010, No. 51).