Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) Resolution No. RB8-2006-0023, adopted on April 21, 2006 by the Regional Board, modified the regulatory provisions of the Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana Region (Basin Plan) by establishing a nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for dry hydrological conditions for Big Bear Lake. The TMDL addresses impairment due to nutrients in Big Bear Lake in a phased approach. The Basin Plan specifies numeric total phosphorus and total inorganic nitrogen water quality objectives. However, due to data and analytical model limitations, it is infeasible to identify an appropriate and achievable nitrogen TMDL, targets and wasteload and load allocations at this time. The Basin Plan amendment requires the collection and evaluation of nitrogen data that will support future revision of the TMDL, if and as necessary. Compliance with objectives to protect cold and warm freshwater habitat, water contact and non-contact recreation, wildlife habitat, and rare, threatened, or endangered species are to be achieved no later than December 31, 2015 for dry hydrological conditions. Wasteload allocations are assigned for urban discharges, and load allocations are assigned for discharges from forests, resorts, atmospheric deposition, internal sediments, and macrophytes. The TMDL will be re-evaluated and revised, if appropriate, based on monitoring results and relevant studies. These studies include source evaluation and characterization, development of a lake management plan, watershed-wide and lakewide water quality monitoring, development/revision of a nutrient watershed and lake model and development of average/wet hydrological wasteload and load allocations. Revision of the TMDL, including compliance dates for all other hydrological conditions, would be considered through the Basin Plan amendment process. Upon completion and consideration of studies and any appropriate Basin Plan amendment, a plan or plans will be established for achieving the targets.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 23, § 3979.2