140221 final draft temp policy staff report...final draft march 13, 2014 state of california ... 2.0...

StaffReportSupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQuality

ObjectivesforTemperatureandActionPlantoAddressTemperatureImpairmentintheMattoleRiverWatershed,ActionPlantoAddressTemperatureImpairmentintheNavarroRiverWatershed,andActionPlantoAddressTemperatureImpairment

intheEelRiverWatershed

FINALDRAFT

March13,2014

StateofCaliforniaNorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard

5550SkylaneBoulevard,SuiteASantaRosa,California95403

707‐576‐2220www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast

TableofContents

PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION 11.1 BackgroundandPurpose 11.2 DocumentOrganization 2

2.0ANALYSISOFTEMPERATURE 32.1 IdentificationofDriversofElevatedWaterTemperature 32.2InteractionofTemperatureDrivers 42.3AdditionalConsiderations 62.4TemperatureTMDLAnalyses 72.4.1ShadeAnalyses 82.4.2 HydrologicAnalyses 122.4.3 Microclimate 13

3.0 TEMPERATUREWATERQUALITYOBJECTIVES

15

4.0 INTERPRETATIONANDIMPLEMENTATIONOFTHEWATERQUALITYOBJECTIVESFORTEMPERATURE

17

4.1EstimationofNaturalStreamTemperatures 194.2Site‐specificPotentialEffectiveShade 224.3Project‐specificImplementation 274.4RelianceonManagementPracticesforNonpointSources

AssociatedwithLandUses29

4.5ImplementationinImpairedvsUnimpairedWaterbodies 334.6RegulationofShadeasaControllableFactor

34

5.0REGIONALPOLICYTOIMPLEMENTTHEWATERQUALITYOBJECTIVESFORTEMPERATURE

36

5.1 FactorsIdentifiedinthePolicytoImplementtheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature

36

5.2 JustificationofthePolicyFactors 375.2.1Activitieswiththepotentialtoreduceriparianshade 375.2.2Activitieswiththepotentialtoincreasesedimentdelivery 395.2.3Actionswiththepotentialtochangestreamchannel

geometry42

5.2.4Thequality,quantity,locationandtimingofeffluent,stormwater,andagriculturalreturnflowdischarges

43

5.2.5Thelocation,size,andoperationofin‐channelimpoundmentswiththeabilitytoalterthenaturaltemperatureregime

44

5.2.6Activitieswiththepotentialtoreduceinstreamflowsorreducespecificsourcesofcoldwater,includingcoldwaterrefugia

44

5.3ActionstoAchieveandMaintaintheWaterQualityObjectives 46

forTemperature5.3.1 AddressSite‐SpecificPotentialShadeUsingRegulatory

andNon‐RegulatoryTools47

5.3.2 ImplementSedimentControls 505.3.3 AddressTemperatureConcernsinFutureNonpoint

SourcePrograms51

5.3.4 AddressTemperatureConcernsinIndividualPermits 525.3.5 AddressTemperatureConcernsUsingOtherTools 535.3.6 AddressTemperatureConcernsThroughSupportof

Restoration53

5.3.7 CoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsintheWaterRightsPermittingProcess

54

5.3.8 CoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsintheDevelopmentofInstreamFlowStudiesandFlowObjectives

55

5.3.9 ProvideOtherAgenciesGuidanceandRecommendations

55

5.3.10CoordinatewithOtherStateAgencies 565.3.11MonitorTemperatureTrends 575.3.12DevelopandMaintainaTemperatureWorkplan 57

6.0 ACTIONPLANSTOADDRESSTEMPERATUREIMPAIRMENTSINTHEMATTOLE,NAVARRO,ANDEELRIVERWATERSHEDS

58

6.1 StipulatedAgreement 586.2 GeographicScope 586.3 RelationshiptoRegionalTemperaturePolicy 596.4TemperatureTotalMaximumDailyLoadAssessments 59

6.4.1ProblemStatements 596.4.2SourceAnalyses 596.4.3TotalMaximumDailyLoads 596.4.4NumericTargets 606.4.5MarginsofSafety 65

6.5 DescriptionofImplementationActionstoAddressTemperatureImpairmentsintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershed

65

6.5.1TimberHarvestActivitiesonNon‐FederalLands 656.5.2ActivitiesonLandsManagedbytheUSForestService 676.5.3AgriculturalActivitiesonNon‐FederalLands 686.5.4RoadConstructionandMaintenanceofStateHighway

Facilities69

6.5.5RoadConstructionandMaintenanceonCountyLands 696.5.6DairyOperations 706.5.7DredgeandFillActivitiesinWatersoftheState 716.5.8WasteDischargeRequirements 716.5.9WaterUse 71

7.0 DESCRIPTIONOFSURVEILLANCEACTIVITIES 77

8.0 ENVIRONMENTALSETTING 808.1 Aesthetics 838.2 Agriculture 838.3 AirQuality 848.4 BiologicalResources 868.5 CulturalResources 878.6 GeologyandSoils 878.7 GreenhouseGasEmissions(GHGs) 898.8 HazardsandHazardousMaterials 908.9 HydrologyandWaterQuality 928.10 LandUseandPlanning 948.11 MineralResources 948.12 Noise 948.13 Population,Housing,andPublicServices 958.14 Recreation 968.15 Transportation/Traffic,UtilitiesandServiceSystems 96

9.0 CALIFORNIAENVIRONMENTALQUALITYACT(CEQA)ENVIRONMENTALANALYSIS

98

9.1 Introduction 989.2CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActRequirementsforExempt

RegulatoryPrograms100

9.2.1DescriptionoftheProposedActivity 1009.2.2Scoping 101

9.3.AnalysisofReasonableAlternativestotheProposedActivity 1029.3.1NoAction‐NoChangeinBasinPlanLanguageorinProgram

Implementation102

9.3.2AdoptaBasinPlanAmendmentthatdefinesprescriptiverulesforspecificlandusesandestablishesprohibitions(broadriparianprotection)attheregionallevel

103

9.3.3DeveloptechnicalTMDLs,ActionPlans,andAdoptBasinPlanAmendmentsforeachindividualimpairedwatershed

104

9.3.4AdoptBasinPlanAmendmenttoincludeaRegionalTemperatureImplementationPolicyandTemperatureActionPlansfortheEelRiver,MattoleRiverandNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLs(RecommendedAlternative)

105

9.4AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPossibleMitigationMeasures

106

9.4.1AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoPreserveandMaintainShade

107

9.4.2AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoAddressSedimentation

109

9.4.3AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoAddressTailwaterandSurfaceImpoundments

113

9.4.4AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmental 117

Impacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasuresAssociatedwithPreservingExistingColdWaterResources

9.4.5AnalysisofComplianceMeasures, PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasuresAssociatedwithAquaticEcosystemRestorationtoAddressStreamTemperatures

121

9.4.6 AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoRestoreandMaintainStreamFlowsthatSupportBeneficialUses

123

9.5.DiscussionofPotentialEnvironmentalImpacts 1279.5.1ThresholdsofSignificance 1279.5.2 EnvironmentalChecklist 128

9.6 AlternativeMeansofCompliance 16910.0 ECONOMICANALYSIS 170

10.1Introduction 17010.2ScopeoftheEconomicAnalysis 170

10.2.1Methodology 17010.2.2ExistingRequirements 17110.2.3GeographicScope 171

10.3EstimatedCostsofCompliance 17410.4SourcesofFunding 181

10.4.1SummaryofPertinentStateFundingPrograms 18110.4.2SummaryofPertinentFederalFundingPrograms 182

11.0 PUBLICPARTICIPATION 19111.1 TemperaturePolicyStatementResolutionProcess 19111.2 CEQAScoping 19111.3 PresentationstotheRegionalWaterBoard 19111.4 OtherActivities 19111.5 TMDLDevelopmentProcess 192

12.0 REFERENCESCITED 195Appendix1:RegionalWaterBoardStaffResponsetoPeerReviewCommentson

thePeerReviewDraftStaffReportSupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature

FIGURE PAGEFigure2.1:ResultsofasensitivityanalysisfromtheNavarroRivertemperatureTMDLrankingtemperaturedrivers

3

Figure2.2:Conceptualrepresentationofriparianshademodels 10

Figure2.3:Temperaturemodelinganalysisresultsshowingtheoreticalimpactsofmicroclimaterelativetoimpactsofcanopyremoval

14

Figure4.1:DecisiontreerepresentingthelogicalprocessfordeterminingattainmentoftheIntrastateWaterQualityObjectiveforTemperature

18

Figure4.2:Watercourseandlakeprotectionzoneforconfinedfish‐bearingstreamsoutsidethecoastalanadromouszone

31

Figure5.1:Conceptualrepresentationofthecausesandeffectsoftemperaturealterationandassociatedimpactstobeneficialuses

41

TABLE PAGETable2.1:SummaryofNorthCoastTemperatureTMDLdevelopmentinformation

9

Table6.1:SummaryoftheTotalMaximumDailyThermalLoadsestablishedforeachwatershed

61

Table6.2:SummaryofNumericTargetsintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershedTemperatureTMDLs

63

Table8.1.HighwaysEligiblebutnotDesignatedasStateScenicHighways 83Table8.2.2012AirQualityStatisticsforthe3AirBasins,andSonomaCounty,containedwithintheNorthCoastRegion

85

Table10.1EstimatedCostsofReasonablyForeseeableComplianceMeasurestoPreserve,MaintainandRestoreShade

175

Table10.2EstimatedCostsofReasonablyForeseeableComplianceMeasuresAssociatedwithErosionandSedimentControl

176

Table10.3EstimatedComplianceMeasuresCoststoAddressTailwater/SurfaceWaterImpoundments/ColdWaterResources/In‐StreamFlows

180

Table10.4SummaryofPertinentFederalFundingPrograms 184

1 StaffReportSupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatureand

ActionPlanstoAddressTemperatureImpairmentintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatersheds

1.0 INTRODUCTIONThisdocumentpresentsthebackgroundinformationandrationalethatsupportstheNorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard’sproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatureandActionPlantoAddressTemperatureImpairmentintheMattoleRiverWatershed,ActionPlantoAddressTemperatureImpairmentintheNavarroRiverWatershed,andActionPlantoAddressTemperatureImpairmentintheEelRiverWatershed.ThisPolicyandthoseActionPlansareproposedasasingleamendmenttochapter4,(ImplementationPlans)oftheWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegion(BasinPlan).1.1BackgroundandPurposeApproximatelysixty‐threepercentoftheareaoftheNorthCoastRegionislistedastemperatureimpaired,perSection303(d)oftheCleanWaterAct,becausethewaterqualityofthoseriversandstreamsdoesnotmeetthetemperaturewaterqualityobjectives.TemperatureimpairmentsinthewatershedsoftheNorthCoastRegionarepredominantlyassociatedwithnonpointsourcesofpollution,suchastimberoperations,agriculture,streambedalteration,landconversionandotherconstructionactivities.Temperatureimpairmentsarealsoassociatedwithactivitieswhichdonotgenerallyinvolvewastedischarge,suchasvegetationalteration,waterwithdrawal,andhydromodification.TemperatureTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)analysesof13watershedsinthenorthcoastfoundthesamefactorstoberesponsibleforelevatedwatertemperatures:increasedexposuretosolarradiationduetolossofstreamshade,physicalstreamchannelalterationinresponsetoelevatedsedimentloads,engineeredstreamchannelalteration,andalterationofhydrologyresultingfromimpoundments,waterdiversions,hydromodification,andlandscapealteration.ThewidespreadtemperatureimpairmentsandcommonsourcefactorswithintheNorthCoastRegionpointtotheneedforaregion‐wideapproachforaddressingtemperatureissues.TheestablishmentandimplementationofthisPolicywillprovideacommonapproachtoensuringattainmentofthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.Similarly,theestablishmentandimplementationofsuchapolicywillensurethathighqualitywatersarealsoprotected.OnJanuary19,2012,theNorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard(RegionalWaterBoard)adoptedResolutionR1‐2012‐0013titled“PolicyStatementforImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectiveforTemperatureintheNorthCoastRegion”(PolicyStatement)1.ThePolicyStatementdescribesthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature,identifiescommonactivitiesthathavethepotentialtoelevatewatertemperaturesinexcessofwaterqualityobjectives,andidentifiestheregulatorymechanismsatthedisposaloftheRegionalWaterBoardusedtocontrolwastedischargesandassociatedactivitiesinacomprehensiveandconsistent

1ResolutionR1‐2012‐0013canbedownloadedat:http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/board_decisions/adopted_orders/pdf/2012/120127_12_0013_Resolution_Temperature.pdf



manner.ThePolicyStatementalsoprovidesdirectiontostaffdevelopingandimplementingpermitsandevaluatingthewaterqualityimpactsofproposedactions,providesclarificationtothepublicregardingwhatisrequiredtocomplywiththeobjective,andprovidesdirectiontostafftoincorporateaTemperatureImplementationPolicyintotheBasinPlan.1.2DocumentOrganizationTheremainderofthisdocumentisorganizedinthefollowingmanner:

Chapter2presentsthescienceofwatertemperaturesinbothageneralsense,andasappliedinnorthcoasttemperatureTMDLanalyses.

Chapter3presentsthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperaturecontainedintheBasinPlan.

Chapter4discussestheinterpretationofthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureandthemannerinwhichtheyareimplementedforactivitiesandsituations.

Chapter5identifiesanddiscussesthetemperaturefactorsthispolicyfocuseson,aswellastheactionstoaddresstheidentifiedtemperaturefactors.

Chapter6discussestheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverwatershedTemperatureTMDLs,andtheactionsidentifiedtoimplementthem.

Chapter7providesasimpledescriptionofthemonitoringstrategystaffwilluseasthebasisofamonitoringplantobedevelopedinthefuture.

Chapter8describestheenvironmentalsettingandbaselineconditionfortheenvironmentalanalysis.

Chapter9presentstheenvironmentalanalysisofalternativesandreasonablemeansofcompliance.

Chapter10presentsaneconomicanalysisoftheimpactsofthispolicy. Chapter11discussesthepublicprocessthathasbeenconductedtodate. Chapter12liststhereferencescitedinthetextofthereport.



2.0 ANALYSISOFTEMPERATUREThissectionofthedocumentpresentsanoverviewoftemperaturedynamics,drawingonthefindingsoftemperatureTMDLanalysesandthebodyofscientificliteraturerelevanttothetopicofstreamtemperature.Thediscussionhasundergonescientificpeerreview,asrequiredbylaw.Thethreereviewersconcurredwiththescientificassumptions,assertions,andconclusionsthatthisPolicyreflects,althougheachhadsuggestionsforstrengtheningthediscussion.Thediscussionbelowreflectssuggestionsmadebythereviewers.Thepeerreviewers’specificcommentsandRegionalWaterBoardstaff’sresponsecanbefoundinAppendixAofthisdocument.2.1IdentificationofDriversofElevatedWaterTemperatureThesensitivityandresponseofstreamtemperaturestofactorsthatdrivethemhavebeenevaluatedintemperatureTMDLanalysescompletedintheNorthCoastRegion.Figure2.1presentsanexampleofsuchsensitivityanalyses.Similarreach‐scalesensitivityanalysesweredevelopedfortheMattole,Salmon,andUpperLostRiverTMDLs.Thesesensitivityanalyseswereconductedusingreach‐scaletemperaturemodelsanddatarepresentingsite‐specificconditions,representedasaveragevaluesforthereach.Themodelcalculatesthetemperaturethatresultsatthedownstreamendofthemodeledreachbasedonthereachaveragedinputs.ThesensitivityofstreamtemperaturestodrivingfactorsovermultiplereacheswasalsoevaluatedinboththeScottandShastaRivertemperatureanalysesusingdeterministictemperaturemodelsthatsimulatedtemperaturedynamicsovermanymiles(NCRWQCB2005,NCRWQCB2006).

Figure2.1:ResultsofasensitivityanalysisfromtheNavarroRivertemperatureTMDLrankingtemperaturedrivers(Source:NCRWQCB2000)



Theinvestigationofelevatedstreamtemperaturesinnorthcoaststreamspointstoalimitednumberofstreamtemperaturefactorsthataredirectlyaffectedbymanagementactivities.Figure2.1presentstheresultsofananalysisexaminingthesensitivityofstreamtemperaturestothevariousfactorsactingtodrivewatertemperaturedynamicsintheNavarroRiverwatershed(NCRWQCB2000).Ofthefactorsthatdeterminestreamtemperatures,shadeandflowcanbemostdirectlyaffectedbymanagementactivities.Airtemperature,relativehumidity,windspeed,groundtemperature,width‐to‐depthratio,channelroughness,andgroundreflectivitycanbeindirectlyaffectedbymanagementactivities,butgenerallydonotcausetemperaturealterationofthesamemagnitudeinresponsetochangesinthevaluesovertherangethatmanagementactionsmostoftencreate.Itshouldbenotedthatsubstantialchangesinwidth‐to‐depthratiosandchannelroughnesscanresultinsubstantialtemperaturechanges.Increasedwidth‐to‐depthratiosprimarilyaffecttemperaturethroughincreasedexposedsurfacearea,whichincreasessolarexposure.Increasedchannelroughnessresultsinadeeperwettedchannel,whichoftendecreaseswidth‐to‐depthratios,therebyreducingsolarexposure.Streamswithgreaterdepthsarelesssensitivetochangesintemperaturedriversthanshallowerstreams(HerbandStefan2010).Increasedchannelroughnesscanalsoincreasethetimeoftravelthroughareach,whichmayhaveacoolingorwarmingeffectdependingonthecharacteristicsofthereach.2.2InteractionofTemperatureDriversSensitivityanalysessuchasthosementionedaboveevaluatethesignificanceofchangesinindividualtemperaturedriverswell.Evaluatingtheinteractionofmultipledriversismorecomplex;howevertheirinteractioncanbemoreeasilyunderstoodwhenconsideredinthecontextofequilibriumtemperature.Astreamisconsideredinequilibriumwithitssurroundingswhenthesumoftheheatfluxesequalszero(i.e.,heatinputsandoutputsarebalanced)(Boganetal.2003,Mohsenietal.2002).Essentially,theequilibriumtemperatureisthetemperatureastream(oranybodyofwater)willreachifgivenenoughtimetocomeintobalancewithitssurroundings.Asimpleexampleofthisconceptisaglassofcoldwaterplacedinawarmroom:givenenoughtime,thewaterwillreachthetemperatureoftheroom,andthattemperatureistheequilibriumtemperature.Headwaterstreamtemperaturesreflectthetemperatureoftheirsources,suchassnowmelt,groundwater,orlakes.Aswatertravelsdownstream,itstemperaturechangesinresponsetoitssurroundings,trendingtowardthelocalequilibriumtemperature.Thestrongestdriverofequilibriumtemperatureisairtemperature,whileshading,windsheltering,andgroundwaterinputsarethegreatestmodifiersoftherelationshipofairtemperaturetoequilibriumtemperature(Boganetal.2003,Morrilletal.2005,Mohsenietal.2002).ThesefactsarerepresentedinthesensitivityanalysisresultsshowninFigure2.1.ThemodelusedtogenerateFigure2.1,SSTEMP,calculatesdailyaveragewatertemperaturesbasedinparton



equilibriumtemperatures.Itisnotsurprisingthen,thatthesimulatedreach,whichislowintheNavarrosysteminareachwithlittlegroundwaterinputs,iscalculatedtobemostsensitivetoairtemperature,shade,andwindspeed.Despitethesensitivityofequilibriumtemperaturetoairtemperatureandwindspeed,solarradiation(whichisrepresentedinFigure2.1bytotalshadeandpossiblesun)hasbeendemonstratedtoresultinheatfluxesanorderofmagnitudehigherthanthoseassociatedwithairtemperatureandwindspeed(i.e.,convectionandevaporation),whichexplainswhyshadeissoimportantforstreamtemperaturecontrol(Johnson2004).Theequilibriumtemperatureisnotconstant,justasairtemperatureisnotconstant.Whileallstreamreachesapproachtheequilibrium,manystreamreachesdonotreachthehighestdailyequilibriumtemperatureofthedaybeforetheequilibriumtemperaturedropsastheairtemperaturesdropinthelateafternoonandevening.Factorsotherthanairtemperature,suchasshade,depth,flow,andgroundwaterinputs,determinehowquicklyastreamreachestheequilibriumtemperature,andwhatthatequilibriumtemperatureisinthatreach(Mohsenietal.2002,Boganetal.2004,HerbandStefan2010).Tosummarizethediscussionabove:

1. Streamsreflectthetemperatureoftheirsources(e.g.,groundwater,snowmelt,orlaketemperatures)neartheirheadwaters.

2. Anequilibriumtemperatureexiststhatrepresentsthetemperatureastreamwilleventuallyreach,giventheexternaltemperaturedriversdon’tchangeandenoughtimehaspassed.

3. Streamsthatareaboveorbelowtheequilibriumtemperaturetrendtowardthatequilibriumtemperature.

4. Increasingshade,depth,flow,orgroundwaterinputswillslowtherateatwhichstreamsapproachequilibrium.

5. Increasingsolarradiation,orreducingflowand/ordepthwillincreasetherateatwhichstreamsapproachequilibrium.

Giventhetemperaturedynamicsdescribedabove,thewaysinwhichthedriversoftemperatureinteractbecomesclearer.Airtemperaturedeterminesequilibriumtemperatures,andthushowhotastreamcanbe,whileshadeandflowdeterminehowquicklyastreamapproachestheequilibrium,andthushowhotastreamactuallybecomes.Areductioninflowrequiresanincreaseinshadeinordertomaintainthesametemperaturesandviceversa.Also,increasesinairtemperaturewillresultinincreasedwatertemperatures,withthemagnitudeoftheincreasedampenedbyhighershadeandflowlevels.Thewatertemperaturedynamicsdescribedabovehaveimplicationsforthefuture,giventhefactthatglobaltemperaturesareincreasing(Wuetal.2012,Bartholow2005).ClimateisoutsidethecontroloftheRegionalWaterBoard.However,thefactorsthatcanlessentheimpactsofclimatechange‐shade,flow,anddepth(tothedegreethatsedimentloadsandchannelalterationsaffectstreamdepth)‐canbe



managed.Giventheforecastedchangesinglobalclimate,theprotectionofshadeandflowsandcontrolofsedimentloadsbecomesevenmoreimportantfortheprotectionofbeneficialusesintothefuture.Anotherpracticalimplicationofthediscussionaboverelatestothepreservationandrestorationofshade.Preservationofshadeismostimportantinstreamreacheswithtemperaturesfarbelowtheequilibriumtemperaturebecausetheyarethereachesthemostsusceptibletorapidheating.Newton’sLawofCoolingstatesthattherateoftemperaturechangeisproportionaltothedifferenceintemperature,whichisthedifferencebetweenthestreamtemperatureandequilibriuminthesesituations.Conversely,restorationofshadeinreachesofstreamthatregularlyreachorcomenearequilibriumtemperaturesisnotlikelytoresultinsignificanttemperaturechangesuntilupstreamreachesareaddressed,andinsomecases,suchaswidehigh‐orderstreams,theincreasedshademayonlyhaveanegligibleeffect,regardless,asdescribedinmoredetailinsection2.3,below.2.3AdditionalConsiderationsItisimportanttonotethatsolarradiationloadsarenotalwaystheprimarycontrollabledriverofelevatedwatertemperaturesinmostwaterwaysintheNorthCoastRegion.Forinstance,somesituationsexistwherevegetationisineffectiveatincreasingeffectiveshade.High‐orderstreamsareoftentoowiderelativetotheheightofvegetationtoprovidelevelsofshadethathaveasubstantialtemperatureeffect.TheKlamathandEelRiverTemperatureTMDLsrecognizethisphenomenonanddonotassignriparianshadeloadallocationsforthemainstems.However,inthesecasestheshadeprovidedbyriparianvegetationmaystillbeimportantforthemaintenanceofthermalrefugia.Insummary,increasedsolarradiationloadsarelikelytobetheprimarycontrollabledriverofelevatedwatertemperaturesinmostwaterwaysintheNorthCoastRegion,butaren’talways.Inadditiontothebenefitsofshade,riparianvegetationprovidesmanyotherwaterqualitybenefitsbesidesthoseassociatedwithtemperature,suchasbankstability,nutrientandsedimentfiltering,andlargewoodydebrisrecruitment(seesection5.2.2forfurtherdiscussion).ThesebenefitsareadditionalconsiderationsthatshouldbeevaluatedwhentheRegionalWaterBoardevaluatesprojectsthatinvolvealterationstoriparianvegetation,inadditiontoshade.Anotherimportantconsiderationregardingtemperaturedynamicsandcompliancewithtemperatureobjectivesinvolvesscale,frombothspatialandtemporalperspectives.Theintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturestates“atnotimeorplace”shallthetemperaturebeincreasedbymorethan5°Fabovenaturalreceivingwatertemperature(seesection3.0).Somehavequestionedifthereisaminimumscaleofconsiderationthatshouldbeappliedtotheassessmentofthisobjective.Theobjectivedoesn’texplicitlystatethereareminimumdimensionsthatshouldbeconsidered,however,theobjectivereferencesadverseimpactstobeneficialusesastheultimatecriteria.Fromapracticalperspectivethen,thespatialscaleofconsiderationisthatwhichisrelevanttothebeneficialusesinquestion.



Staffhavewitnesseddistressedjuvenilesteelheadgatheredinhighdensitieswithinasmallvolumeofwatercolderthanitssurroundingsasaresultofhyporheicexchangethroughagravelbar.Inthatcase,therelevantspatialscalewassmall,yetthebiologicalimportanceappearedtobeveryhigh.Otherissuesofspatialandtemporalscalesinvolvetherateofphysicalandbiologicalprocesses.Oneofthetimescalesmostrelevanttotherecoveryoftemperatureinpreviouslyimpactedstreamsystemsofthenorthcoastistherateoftreegrowth.Inplaceswhererecoveryoftemperaturesisdependentontherestorationofriparianshade,recoveryoccursasfastastreesgrow.Similarly,theimpactsoflargesedimentpulsesonstreammorphologycanpersistformanydecades.AnexampleofthisistheEelRiversystemwherelargevolumesofsedimentdeliveredinthe1955and1964floodsstillremainintheactivechannel(USEPA2007).2.4TemperatureTMDLAnalysesAnecessarystepinthedevelopmentofTotalMaximumDailyLoadsistheinterpretationofwaterqualityobjectives.TheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureistheonlytemperatureobjectiveapplicabletoalloftheTMDLsdeveloped,andthushasbeenthefocusoftemperatureTMDLdevelopmentintheNorthCoastRegion.ThetemperatureTMDLanalyseshaveconsistentlyfoundthattheshadeprovidedbyriparianvegetationhasadramaticbeneficialeffectonstreamtemperatures,andthatachievingtheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturerequiresriparianshadeconsistentwithnaturalconditions.ThisconceptisthebasisofTMDLloadallocationsprescribedineverynorthcoasttemperatureTMDL.Similarly,northcoasttemperatureTMDLshavealsoidentifiedthealterationofchannelgeometrycausedbyelevatedsedimentloadsasafactorthatmustbecontrolledinordertomeettheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.LoadallocationsforsedimentareabsentfrommanynorthcoasttemperatureTMDLsduetothefactthatsedimentTMDLsweredevelopedconcurrentlyforthesamewaterbodies.Inthosecases,thecontrolofelevatedsedimentloadswasidentifiedinthetemperatureTMDLmarginsofsafety.Additionally,somenorthcoasttemperatureTMDLshaveidentifiedtheroleofhydrologicalterationasacausativefactorthatmustbeaddressedinordertomeettheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.ThetechnicalapproachtodevelopingloadallocationsmeetingthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureinnorthcoasttemperatureTMDLshasvariedamongthe13temperaturesourceanalyses,basedonthesituationspresent.However,the13temperatureTMDLanalysessharecommonelements.AllofthetemperatureTMDLshavemadeuseoftemperaturemodelstoinvestigatetemperaturedynamicsusinglocallyderiveddata.MosttemperatureTMDLsalsohavemadeuseofshademodelsthatpredicttheincidenceofshadeonstreamsegments.Table2.1summarizesinformationpertainingtothedevelopmentofthe13temperatureTMDLscompletedintheNorthCoastRegiontodate.



2.4.1ShadeAnalysesShademodelshavebeenusedinthedevelopmentofnorthcoasttemperatureTMDLstoquantifythedifferencebetweencurrentandpotentialstreamshadeconditionsonbothawatershedandreachscale.Theproductsofthewatershed‐scaleshademodels‐spatialdatabasesofcurrentandpotentialshadeconditionapproximations‐wereusedasthebasisofTMDLloadallocations(loadsthatmeettheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature).Thewatershed‐scaleshademodelsusedinthedevelopmentofnorthcoasttemperatureTMDLsaresimplifiedapplicationsoftheapproachpresentedbyChenandothers(1998a&1998b),whodevelopedtheapproachfortheUpperGrandRondeRiver(Oregon)TemperatureTMDL.TheshademodelsusedtodeterminenorthcoasttemperatureTMDLsdeterminewhethersunlightreachesagivensegmentofstreambasedonthelocationofthestreamchannel,thesurroundingtopography,attributesofthesurroundingvegetation,andthepathofthesuninthesky.Themodelscalculateshadeusingreadilyavailabledatadescribinggroundelevations,streamhydrography,andvegetationpresentonthelandscape(BoydandKasper2003,Kennedyetal.2005,TetraTech2002).Informationdescribingbankfullchanneldimensionsandtherelationshipoftreediametertotreeheightwasalsocollectedandincorporatedintothespatiallyexplicitshademodels.TheshademodelsusedinthedevelopmentofnorthcoasttemperatureTMDLsprovidearelativeindexofshadevaluesinaspatiallyexplicitmanner.Themodelscalculatetheincidenceofsunlightonastreamchannelforeachhouroftheday,bydeterminingwhethersunlightisblockedbytopographyorvegetationatagivensiteandtimeofday.Thedailyscoreisthesumofthehourlyscores,weightedbytherelativemagnitudeofthesolarloadforeachhouroftheday.Thedeterminationofwhethersunlightisblockedbyriparianvegetationispartlybasedontheassumedheightofthevegetation,whichinturnisbasedonrelationshipsofdiameter‐at‐breast‐height(dbh)totreeheightforthespeciesofvegetationpresent.Informationdescribingthespeciesofvegetationatagivensiteisbasedonremotelysenseddatadescribingvegetationdistributions.Currentvegetationheightswereapproximatedbasedonthedbhofthespeciespresentineachgridcell,whereasthepotentialvegetationheightswerebasedontheassumedmatureheightforthesamespecies.TheremotelysenseddatausedfortheseanalysesincludetheTimberTaskForceKlamathProvincehabitatdatabasedevelopedaspartoftheKlamathRegionVegetationMappingProjectandtheCALVEGdatabasedevelopedbytheUSFS.

9 StaffReportSupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatureandActionPlanstoAddressTemperatureImpairmentinthe

Mattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatersheds

Table2.1:SummaryofNorthCoastTemperatureTMDLdevelopmentinformation

TMDL Assessment

South Fork Eel River

Navarro River

Mattole River

North Fork Eel River

Middle Fork Eel River

Upper Main Eel River

Middle Main Eel River

Lower Main Eel River

Upper Lost River

Salmon River

Scott River

Shasta River

Klamath River

Year 1999 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2004 2005 2005 2006 2009

Temperature Model

Bas inTemp SSTEMP SSTEMP Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE SSTEMP SSTEMPHeat Source

TVA

RMA‐2, RMA‐11, CE‐QUAL‐

W2

Shade Model Topquad RipTopo RipTopo Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE Q2ESHADE n/a SSTEMPHeat Source

n/a n/a

Vegetation Data Source

Klamath Bioregional Mapping Project

Klamath Bioregional Mapping Project

Ca lveg Ca lveg Ca lveg Ca lveg Ca lveg Ca lvegmeasured va lues

measured va lues

Ca lvegmeasured values

n/a

Factors Identi fied

Shade, Sediment

Shade, Sediment,

Flow

Shade, Sediment

Shade, Sediment

Shade, Sediment

Shade, Sediment

Shade, Sediment

Shade, Sediment

Del is tedShade,

Sediment

Shade, Sediment,

Flow

Shade, Flow, Ag Return Flows

Shade, Sediment, Impoundments

Concurrent Sediment TMDL?

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No

Lead agency (development)

USEPA NCRWQCB NCRWQCB USEPA USEPA USEPA USEPA USEPA NCRWQCB NCRWQCB NCRWQCB NCRWQCBNCRWQCB, ODEQ, USEPA



ThefirsttemperatureTMDLdevelopedintheNorthCoastRegionwastheSouthForkEelRiverTemperatureTMDL(USEPA1999).ThetemperaturesourceanalysiswasconductedbyStillwaterSciencesundercontracttotheUSEPAandutilizedatemperaturemodelcalledtheStillwaterSciencesTemperatureModel,whichinturnreliedonageographicinformationsystem(GIS)basedmethodtocalculatesolarradiationreductionsresultingfromriparianvegetationandtopography(StillwaterSciences1999).Thesolarradiationloadswerethenincorporatedintoaone‐dimensionalheatbalancemodel(ibid).Figure2.2presentsagraphicalrepresentationofthestreamshademodelingapproach.TheresultsoftheSouthForkEelRivertemperatureTMDLanalysisdemonstratedtheimportanceoftheshadeprovidedbyriparianvegetationforachievementoftheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.

Figure2.2:conceptualrepresentationofriparianshademodel.(Allen2008)ThesecondtemperatureTMDLdevelopedintheNorthCoastRegionwastheNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDL(NavarroTMDL;USEPA2000).TheNavarroRivertemperaturesourceanalysisalsoidentifiedtheimportanceofshadeprovidedbyriparianvegetationforprotectionofstreamtemperatures.TheNavarroRivertemperaturesourceanalysiswasconductedbytheNCRWQCBwithassistancefromtheUCDavisInformationCenterfortheEnvironment.ThetemperaturesourceanalysisutilizedariparianshademodelcalledRipTopo,aGIS‐basedmodelmuchlikethemodeldevelopedbyStillwaterSciencesfortheSouthForkEelRiverTemperatureTMDL(Kennedyetal.2005).TheNavarroTMDLalsoreliedontheuseoftheUSGSstreamreachtemperaturemodelSSTEMPasascreeningtool,asdiscussedabove.TheTMDLloadallocationsweresetattheeffectiveshadelevelsthatrepresentpotentialvegetationconditions,basedonthescreeninganalysis



conclusions.TheRipToposhademodelingresultswerethebasisoftheTMDLloadallocations(NCRWQCB2000,USEPA2000).TheRipTopomodelwaslaterusedfortheMattoleRiverTemperatureTMDL(NCRWQCB2002,USEPA2002a)andtheScottRiverTemperatureTMDL(NCRWQCB2005)inthesamemanner(definingTMDLloadallocations)asintheNavarroTMDL.However,theMattoleRiverTemperatureTMDLsourceanalysisalsoestimatedcurrentandpotentialtemperaturesinninetributaryandthreemainstemreachesusingtheSSTEMPmodel(NCRWQCB2002),whiletheScottRiverTemperatureTMDLmadeuseoftheHeatSourcetemperaturemodeltocalculatestreamshadeandtemperatureapproximationsfortheScottRivermainstemandthreetributaries(BoydandKasper2003,NCRWQCB2005).ThemoresophisticatedmodelingapproachwasemployedfortheScottRiverTemperatureTMDLduetothemorecomplexhydrology(i.e.,effectsofsurfacediversions,groundwater‐surfacewaterdynamics)presentinthatwatershed.TheMattoleRiverandScottRivertemperatureTMDLsalsoassignedtemperatureloadallocationsatlevelscorrespondingtoshadeconditionsrepresentingpotentialvegetationconditions(USEPA2003a,NCRWQCB2005).FiveofthesixoftheEelRiverbasintemperatureTMDLsourceanalysesweredevelopedbyTetraTech,Inc.,undercontracttotheUSEPA(USEPA2002b,USEPA2003a,USEPA2004,USEPA2005,USEPA2007).TetraTechdevelopedamodelingsystemcalledQ2ESHADEforuseinthetemperatureTMDLprocess(TetraTech2002).TheQ2ESHADEmodelcombinestheUSEPA‐supportedQUAL2EhydrodynamicandwaterqualitymodelwithashademodelingroutinecalledSHADE,aGIS‐basedmodelformulatedbasedonthemodeldevelopedbyChenetal.(1998a)andappliedtotheUpperGrandeRondeRiverwatershed(Chenetal.1998b).TheQ2ESHADEmodelingsystemcalculateshourlyshade‐attenuatedsolarradiationatvariouslocationsbasedonriparianvegetationcharacteristicsandtopographicrelief,andutilizesthesesolarradiationloadstopredictin‐streamtemperaturesthroughoutastreamnetwork(TetraTech2002).ThesixtemperatureTMDLsdevelopedintheEelRiverbasinassignedtemperatureloadallocationsatlevelscorrespondingtoshadeconditionsrepresentingpotentialvegetationconditionsbasedontheresultsofthemodelinganalysis(USEPA2002b,USEPA2003a,USEPA2004,USEPA2005,USEPA2007).TheKlamathRivertemperatureTMDLanalysisalsoevaluatedtheimpactsofshadeontributarytemperatures.TheKlamathtributaryanalysisreliedonprinciplesofstreamthermaldynamicssupportedbyscientificliteratureandtheanalysesandconclusionsofprevioustemperatureTMDLs,particularlythosedevelopedfortheSalmon,Scott,andShastaRiver,andassignedloadallocationforeffectiveshadeatlevelscorrespondingtoshadeconditionsrepresentingpotentialvegetationconditionsaccordingly(NCRWQCB2010).



2.4.2HydrologicAnalysesTheevaluationoftemperatureimpactsassociatedwithchangesinhydrologywasamajorfocusofboththeShastaRiverTemperatureTMDL(ShastaTMDL)andKlamathRiverTemperatureTMDL(KlamathTMDL).TheShastaTMDLanalysisevaluatedtheeffectsofstreamdiversions,irrigationtailwaterreturnflows,impoundments,andriparianvegetationontemperaturesoftheShastaRiver.TheanalysisofimpactsreliedonanapplicationoftheTennesseeValleyAuthority’sRiverModelingSystem(TVA‐RMS)temperaturemodeloriginallydevelopedfortheShastaValleyResourceConservationDistrict’sShastaRiverFlowandTemperatureModelingProject(Deasetal.2003,Deas2005).TheshadevaluesdepictingcurrentvegetationconditionsandrepresentedinthemodelwerebasedonriparianvegetationinventoriesandmeasurementsconductedbyUCDavis,WatercourseEngineering,andRegionalWaterBoardstaff.PotentialsolartransmittancevaluesrepresentingpotentialvegetationconditionsweredevelopedbyRegionalWaterBoardstaff,withconsiderationofexistingvegetation,channelgeometry,andsoilconditions(NCRWQCB2006).TheeffectsoftailwaterreturnflowsandstreamdiversionswerealsoevaluatedusingtheTVA‐RMSmodel.Temperatureloadallocationscorrespondingtopotentialshadeconditions,increasedcoldwaterflowsof45ft3/s,andzerothermalloadingfromtailwaterreturnswereassignedbasedonthemodelingexercise.TheKlamathTMDLanalysisevaluatedtheeffectsofflowalterationandimpoundmentsusingapackageofriverinehydrodynamicandwaterqualitymodels(RMA‐2andRMA‐11,respectively),coupledwithareservoirmodel(CEQual‐W2).TheKlamathTMDLanalysisevaluatedthetemperatureimpactsofalteredtributaryflows,alteredmainstemflows,pointsources,andreservoiroperationsonmainstemKlamathRivertemperatures.TheanalysisevaluatedtheeffectsofcurrentandhistorictributaryflowsonthetemperatureoftheKlamathmainstemanddeterminedthatthetributaryflowsaretoosmalltosubstantiallyalterthetemperatureofthemuchlargerKlamathRiverineitherthecurrentorhistoricsituation.TheimpactsofreducedflowsfromUpperKlamathLake,theoriginoftheKlamathRiver,werealsoevaluatedandfoundtohavenoappreciableeffectontemperaturesattheCalifornia‐Oregonborder.TheUpperMainEelRiverTemperatureTMDLandMiddleMainEelRiverTemperatureTMDLalsoincludedanexplicitevaluationoftemperatureeffectsassociatedwiththePotterValleyProject,aPacificGasandElectricprojectthataltershydrologicconditionsintheEelRiver(USEPA2004,USEPA2005).Thatanalysisdeterminedthattheimpactsoftheflowalterationwerenotimpactingbeneficialusesbecausetheflowsduringthesummermonthsunderthe2004FERC/NMFSflowscheduleareofthesamemagnitudeasunimpairedflows.EPAfoundthatthecurrentFERC/NMFSsummerflowschedulelikelyresultsinstreamtemperaturescoolerornearlyequaltothepossiblenaturalstreamtemperatures,andthustheFERC/NMFSflowscheduleisprojectedtoattainwaterqualitystandards.



TheScottRivertemperatureTMDLsourceanalysisexplicitlyevaluatedthestreamtemperatureimpactsofreducedgroundwateraccretion.RegionalWaterBoardstaffusedtheHeatSourcemodeltoevaluatechangesinstreamtemperatureassociatedwithbothincreasesanddecreasesinthemagnitudeofgroundwateraccretionvaluesbasedonmeasuredflowsandmassbalances.TheresultsoftheanalysisshowedthatthetemperaturesoftheScottRiver,whichisprimarilyagroundwaterdominatedstreamfromJuly‐September,aredriveninpartbytheamountofgroundwaterenteringtheriverasdiffuseaccretion.2.4.3MicroclimateAirtemperature,windspeed,andrelativehumidityinteractwithoneanothertocreatemicroclimatesassociatedwithripariancorridors,andthuscanaffectstreamtemperatures.However,whiletheseconditionsaredemonstratedtobefactorsindirectlyaffectedbyhumanactivities,theinformationdescribingthemagnitudeofeffectsofhumanactivitiesonmicroclimatesindicatechangesarerelativelysmallanddifficulttoquantify(Bartholow2000,Brosofske1997,Chenetal.1993,Chenetal.1999,Dongetal.1998,Ledwith1996).Additionally,thetypesofchangesinairtemperature,windspeed,andrelativehumidityanticipatedtoarisefromdisturbanceofriparianareasdonotallacttoincreasestreamtemperatures.Forinstance,decreasedrelativehumidityandincreasedwindspeed,alikelyresultofriparianzonedisturbances,actinconcerttoremoveheatfromastreamsurfacebyincreasingevaporation(Mooreetal.2005).Conversely,increasedairtemperaturesthatmayresultfromripariandisturbancesacttoincreasestreamtemperatures.ThemagnitudeofstreamtemperatureimpactsassociatedwithchangesinmicroclimatewasexplicitlyevaluatedintheScottRiverTMDLanalysis.InthatTMDLanalysis,amodelingexercisewasconductedthatevaluatedthechangeinstreamtemperatureresultingfromacombinationofchangesinairtemperature,relativehumidity,andwindspeedofmagnitudesreportedintheliterature.Themicroclimatechangeswererepresentedinthreescenariosthatspantherangeofchangesreportedintheliterature.Theanalysisresults,presentedinFigure2.3,indicatethatthemagnitudeoftemperaturealterationwouldbesmall,ontheorderof0.5oCorless,whereasthetemperaturealterationassociatedwithchangesinvegetativeshadecouldresultinchangesofupto1.5oCoverthesamereach.Theimpactsofelevatedsedimentloadsareanotherfactoridentifiedashavingthepotentialtoelevatewatertemperatures.Elevatedsedimentloads,whilenotdirectlyaddressedinthesensitivityanalysispresentedinFigure2.1,indirectlyimpactmanyofthefactorsevaluatedbythesensitivityanalysis.Forinstance,elevatedsedimentloadscanresultinincreasedchannelwidths.Increasesinchannelwidthsresultinashallowerstreamforagivenflowcondition,whichresultsinmoreofthewaterbeingaccessibletosolarradiationincidence.Conversely,narrowerchannelshavelessoftheirsurfaceexposedtosolarradiation.Elevatedsedimentloadscanalsoleadtotheremovalofvegetationthatshadesawatercourse,aswellasfillindeeppoolsthatmaythermallystratifyinlowflowconditions.



Figure2.3:Temperaturemodelinganalysisresultsshowingtheoreticalimpactsofmicroclimaterelativetoimpactsofcanopyremoval(Source:NCRWQCB2005).Notethat“MC”standsformicroclimate.Basedontheanalysesdescribedaboveandtheavailableliterature,theimplementationstrategiesdevelopedtoachieveTMDLsandtheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturehavefocusedonacommonsetofpollutantdischargesandcontrollablefactorsthathavethepotentialtoelevatewatertemperatures.Thesecontrollablefactorsanddischargesareshade,flow,andsedimentload.



3.0 TEMPERATUREWATERQUALITYOBJECTIVESTheBasinPlanincludesbothnarrativeandnumericwaterqualityobjectiveswhichdescribetheambientwaterqualityconditionsnecessarytoprotectbeneficialuses.TheBasinPlancontainstwoseparatewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.Thefirstobjectiveistheintrastatetemperatureobjective.Thisobjectiveappliestoallwatersofthestate.Theintrastatetemperatureobjectiveisanarrativeobjectivewithassociatednumericcriteriaandreads:

Thenatural receivingwater temperatureof intrastatewaters shallnot be alteredunless it canbedemonstrated to the satisfaction oftheRegionalWaterBoardthatsuchalterationintemperaturedoesnotadverselyaffectbeneficialuses.At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water beincreased by more than 5°F above natural receiving watertemperature.At no time or place shall the temperature of WARM intrastatewaters be increasedmore than 5°F above natural receivingwatertemperatures.

ThesecondwaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureistheinterstatetemperatureobjectivecontainedinthestatewideWaterQualityControlPlanforControlofTemperatureintheCoastalandInterstateWatersandEnclosedBaysandEstuariesofCalifornia(ThermalPlan).TheThermalPlan,asadoptedbytheStateWaterBoard,isincorporatedbyreferenceintheBasinPlan(seeAppendix3oftheBasinPlan).The“ColdInterstateWaters”objectiveisasfollows:

Elevatedtemperaturewastedischargesintocoldinterstatewatersareprohibited.

“ElevatedTemperatureWaste”isdefinedas:

Liquid,solid,orgaseousmaterialincludingthermalwastedischargedatatemperaturehigherthanthenaturaltemperatureofreceivingwater.Irrigationreturnwaterisnotconsideredelevatedtemperaturewasteforthepurposeofthisplan.

Theinterstateobjectiveappliestowatersthatcrossordefinethestateborder.Theinterstatetemperatureobjectiveaugments,butdoesnotsupersede,theintrastatetemperatureobjective.Forthosewaterbodieswhichdonotattaintheambientwaterqualityconditionsdescribedbythewaterqualityobjectives,thefederalCleanWaterAct(CWA)



requiresanevaluationofthesourcesofpollutioncontributingtotheimpairmentandthecalculationofthereducedpollutantloadsnecessarytoattainobjectives.Forwatersimpairedbyelevatedtemperatures,CWAsection303(d)(1)(D)specificallyrequiresthatstatesestimate“thetotalmaximumdailythermalloadrequiredtoassureprotectionandpropagationofabalanced,indigenouspopulationofshellfish,fish,andwildlife.”Finally,theStateWaterBoardadoptedResolutionNo.68‐16,"StatementofPolicywithRespecttoMaintainingHighQualityofWatersinCalifornia",commonlyknownastheAntidegradationPolicy.TheAntidegradationPolicystates:

“Whenevertheexistingqualityofwaterisbetterthanthequalityestablishedinpoliciesasofthedateonwhichsuchpoliciesbecomeeffective,suchexistinghighqualitywillbemaintaineduntilithasbeendemonstratedtotheStatethatanychangewillbeconsistentwithmaximumbenefittothepeopleoftheState,willnotunreasonablyaffectpresentandanticipatedbeneficialuseofsuchwaterandwillnotresultinwaterqualitylessthanthatprescribedinthepolicies.”(StateWaterBoardResolution68‐16)

Accordingly,allwatersintheNorthCoastRegionwithambientwatertemperaturesrepresentingnaturalconditionsareidentifiedashighqualitywaters.ThereisacurrentscarcityofwaterbodieswithtemperaturesthatfullysupporttheRegion’sCOLDbeneficialuse,asindicatedinpartbythelistingofred‐leggedfrogsandseveralPacificsalmonidsasthreatenedorendangered,andothersdesignatedasspeciesofspecialconcern(e.g.,southerntorrentsalamandersandsummer‐runsteelhead).TheimplicationoftheAntidegradationPolicyisthatwaterbodieswithtemperaturesthatarecoldenoughtosupportthesesensitiveorganismsduringtheirtemperaturesensitivelifestages,orcolder,representhighqualitywatersregardlessoftheirtemperaturestatus,andthatanyproposallikelytoresultintheelevationofwatertemperaturesmustbeabletomakethedemonstrationsspelledoutintheAntidegradationPolicy.ThisapplicationoftheAntidegradationPolicytotemperatureissupportedbytheBasinPlanonpage3‐2.00,whichstates:

“Wherewaterqualityisbetterthantheminimumnecessarytosupportinstreamuses,thefederal[antidegradation]policyrequiresthatqualitytobemaintainedandprotectedunlessthestatefinds,afterensuringpublicparticipation,that:

1)Suchactivityisnecessarytoaccommodateimportanteconomicorsocialdevelopmentintheareainwhichthewatersarelocated,2)Waterqualityisadequatetoprotectexistingbeneficialusesfully,and3)Thehigheststatutoryandregulatoryrequirementsforallnewandexistingpointsourcedischargesandallcost‐effectiveandreasonablebestmanagementpracticesfornonpointsourcecontrolareachieved.”



4.0 INTERPRETATIONANDIMPLEMENTATIONOFTHEWATERQUALITYOBJECTIVESFORTEMPERATURE

Theinterstatetemperatureobjectiveiswrittenintheformofaprohibitionpreventingthedischargeofelevatedtemperaturewaste.Interpretationoftheinterstateobjectiveisrelativelysimple,requiringthedeterminationofwhetheradischargemeetstherobustdefinitionof“elevatedthermalwaste”presentedinSection3.0.Theintrastatetemperatureobjectivecallsforthemaintenanceofnaturalambienttemperatureconditions,withcertainflexibilityaffordedatthediscretionoftheRegionalWaterBoard.Theintrastatetemperatureobjectiveisanarrativeobjectivewithassociatednumericcriteriathatallowsforitsinterpretationinthecontextofspecificbeneficialuses.Figure4.1presentsadecisiontreerepresentingthelogicalprocessofinterpretingtheintrastateobjective.Theintrastateobjectiveisinterpretedatboththewatershedscaleandatdiscretelocationssuchasastreamreachorpond.TheprocessshowninFigure4.1ismostusefulinassessmentsofpointsources,impoundments,anddiscretesourcesofelevatedwatertemperature.Inothercontexts,suchasnonpointsourcelandusepermitting,stafftypicallyreliesontheimplementationofmanagementpracticessuchasriparianbuffersandsimilarconservationpractices(seesection4.4,RelianceonManagementPracticesAssociatedwithLandUses).Nonpointsourcepollutionischallengingtocontrolbecauseitistheresultofmanydiffuseanddiversesourcesoccurringacrossthelandscape.Eachindividualsourcemaycontributeonlyasmallportion,butallthesourcescombinedcancumulativelyresultinwaterqualityproblems.Aprecisequantificationofeithertheconditionorthepotentialimpactsassociatedwithanyindividualparcelisnotpracticableinimplementingtemperatureprotections.Rather,theNonpointSourceProgramfocusesonimplementingmanagementmeasuresthatareknowntobeeffectiveincontrollingnonpointsourcepollution,ofteninthecontextofotheragency’srulemakingprocessesorestablishedbestmanagementpractices.Staffoftenincorporatesuchpracticesaspermitterms,asappropriate;Figure4.1depictstheprocessthatstafffollowinevaluatingtheefficacyofthosepractices,andwhetheradditionalpermitstermsarerequired.However,thisprocessisnottypicallyincorporatedintothepermitapplicationorenrollmentprocessinthesesituations.AsseeninFigure4.1,thefirsttestininterpretingtheintrastateobjectiveiswhetherwatertemperatureisalteredfromnaturalconditions.Iftemperatureshavealreadybeenalteredorcouldbealteredbyaproposedproject,thenademonstrationmustbemade(tothesatisfactionoftheRegionalWaterBoard)that(1)thealterationinambientwatertemperaturehasbeenorwouldbelessthan5oFabovenaturalreceivingwatertemperaturesand(2)anyelevatedambientwatertemperaturesdonotadverselyaffectbeneficialuses.TheassessmentofnaturaltemperatureconditionsisdiscussedinSection4.1,below.



Figure4.1:DecisiontreerepresentingthelogicalprocessfordeterminingattainmentoftheIntrastateWaterQualityObjectiveforTemperatureIntheabsenceofademonstrationthatagiventemperaturealterationwon’tadverselyaffectbeneficialusesorincreasetemperaturesby5oFormore,theobjectivedefaultstonochangeintemperature.Thelanguageoftheobjectiveplacestheburdenofproofontheproponentoftheactionthathaspotentialtoalterthetemperature.Accordingly,RegionalWaterBoardstafftypicallyestablishespermitconditionsthatareexpectedtoresultinnoalterationoftemperature.TheRegionalWaterBoardmayauthorizeanincreaseintemperatureofupto5oF,ifappropriate.Giventheongoingandacceleratingimpactsofglobalclimatechange(Cayanetal.2006),considerationshouldbegiventotheexpectedriseinairtemperatureoverthelifeofaprojectwhenconsideringincreasesoftemperatureofupto5oF.Forinstance,ifairtemperaturesareexpectedtorise2oFoverthelifeofaproject,theRegionalWaterBoardshouldconsiderlimitinganywatertemperatureincreasesto3oFasaprecautionarymeasure.InastudyofairtemperaturerecordsintheKlamathBasin,Bartholow(2005)foundthatairtemperatureshaveincreased0.5oC/decadesincethe1960s.Otherresearchershaveestimatedthatwatertemperatureswillrise0.6‐0.8oCforevery1.0oCofairtemperaturerise(Nulletal.2012,Morrilletal.2005).Giventhathuman‐causedclimatechangeisexpectedtoincreaseairtemperaturesfordecadestocome,andthatthoseimpactsareoutsideof



thecontroloftheRegionalWaterBoard,theeffectsofthoseimpactsshouldbetakenintoaccountwhenconsideringcontrollablewatertemperatureincreases.Thedeterminationofadverseeffectsonbeneficialusesisbasedonthethermalrequirementsofthemostsensitivebeneficialusepresent.InmostcasesintheNorthCoastRegion,thecoldfreshwaterhabitatbeneficialuse(COLD)isthemostsensitivebeneficialuse.ColdwaterecosystemsintheNorthCoastRegionsupportfish,amphibians,macroinvertebrates,andotherorganismswithspecificthermaltolerances.Therefore,interpretingtheintrastatetemperatureobjectivenearlyalwaysinvolvescomparingthetemperatureconditionsbeingconsideredrelativetothetemperatureconditionsthatfullysupportoneormoreoftheseorganisms.Insituationsinwhichtemperaturesexceedthebiologicaltemperaturerequirementsforfullsupportofthebeneficialusespresent,noincreaseintemperaturecanoccurwithoutadverseeffects.RegionalWaterBoardstafftypicallyaddressesbothcumulativeimpactsassociatedwiththeimplementationofmultipleprojectsacrosslandscapesanddiscreteimpactsassociatedwithindividualprojectsthroughprohibitionsandtermsofpermits.Permittermsarecraftedtoensureindividualimpactsdonotcauseorcontributetothecumulativeimpactsofmultipleactivitiesbyrequiringmanagementpracticesthatsimulatenaturalconditions(seesections4.1and4.4).Thisapproachispreferredbecauseitensurescompliancewithobjectives,preventsimpairmentassociatedwiththecumulativeimpactsofmultipleprojects,andavoidstheneedforprojectproponentsandstafftoquantifythermalimpactsassociatedwithsmallindividualprojectsandassessthecumulativeimpactsofoneprojectinthecontextofotherprojects.ThedevelopmentoftemperatureTMDLsintheNorthCoastRegionrequiresinterpretationoftheintrastateobjective,andthustheapplicationofthelogicalprocessshowninFigure4.1.ThetemperatureTMDLshavealsoidentifiedanddefinedconditionsnecessarytoachievetheobjectiveatawatershedscale,drawingontheresultsoftemperaturemodelingandpeer‐reviewedscientificliterature.4.1EstimationofNaturalStreamTemperaturesNaturalreceivingwatertemperaturesareeitherestimatedusingstandardtechniquesasdescribedbelow,orassumedwherethefactorscontrollingstreamtemperature(e.g.,shade,sedimentdeposition,andflow)representnaturalconditions.Naturalreceivingwatertemperaturesarethetemperaturesthatoccurwhenthefactorscontrollingwatertemperature,includingshade,flow,andchannelmorphology,areequivalenttotheirnaturalcondition.Accordingly,theRegionalWaterBoardissuespermitstoachievetheenvironmentalconditionscontrollingstreamtemperaturethatareequivalenttothethermalregimeassociatedwith



naturalconditions(e.g.,restorationofsite‐specificpotentialshade,restorationofnaturalhydrologicformandfunction,andcontroloferosiontonaturalrates).ThecontrolofshadeonthesurfaceofwatersofthestateisamajorfocusoftheRegionalWaterBoard’seffortstomeettheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.AlltemperatureTMDLsdevelopedintheRegionassignloadallocationsforshade,withtheallocatedamountequivalenttonaturalconditions,andreferredtoassite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.Site–potentialeffectiveshadereferstotheamountofshadethatcanbeprovidedbyvegetationatasite,giventhespeciesofvegetationpresent,andtakingintoconsiderationthegrowingconditionsatthesite(seesection4.2,below).ThetemperatureTMDLsandloadallocationsarediscussedindetailinsection2.4,above.Theintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturereferencesnaturalreceivingwatertemperatures.Anaccurateinterpretationoftheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturethenreliesinpartontheassessmentofnaturaltemperatures.Insuchanassessment,allanthropogenicfactorsthatmaycumulativelyactonastreamtoalteritstemperaturesmustbeconsidered,including:

Upstreamflowalterations; Pastcanopyremoval,eithermechanicallyorasaresultofincreased

sedimentloadsorothertypesofdisturbance;and, Alterationofchannelcharacteristicssuchaswidth,depth,andstreambed

permeability,eitherfromengineeredalterationsorthoseassociatedwithgeomorphicchangescausedbyhydromodificationoralteredsedimentloads.

Oftenthetemperatureofawaterbodyinquestionhasbeenalteredinthepast.Inthiscase,thedegreeoftemperaturealterationmustbeevaluatedtodetermine:

Whethertheexistingtemperaturesmeettheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature;

Whatbeneficialusesmayhavebeensupportedpriortoalterationofthetemperature;and,

Howmuchtemperatureincreasecanoccurwithoutexceedingtheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.

Avarietyofcommontechniquesareavailableforestimationofnaturalstreamtemperaturesforagivensituation.Reasonableestimatesofnaturaltemperaturescanbedevelopedbycomparisonwithreferencestreams,simplecalculations,oruseofcomputermodels,dependingonthesituation.Thoughanumberoftechniquesmaybeapplied,themostappropriatetechniquewilldependonthesite‐specificconditionsofthelocationofinterest.Factorsthatmaynecessitateamorein‐depthanalysisare:

Significantalterationofshadeconditions; Significantalterationofnaturalhydrologicconditions;, Uniquehydrologicfeaturessuchasspringsorcoldtributaries;



Estuarineenvironments;and, Thermalstratification.

DefiningthealterationofthermalinfluencesThefirststepinestimatingnaturalstreamtemperaturesistoidentifythethermalfactors(suchasthoselistedabove)thathavebeenalteredfromnaturalconditions.Oncethealteredthermalfactorshavebeenidentified,theeffectsofthosealterationscanbeassessedusingthetoolsdescribedbelow.ComparisonwithreferencestreamsReferencestreamscanbehelpfulforestimatingnaturaltemperaturesifthereferencestreamcloselyresemblesthelocationofinterestinanaturalstate.Headwaterstreamreachesandmainstemtrunkstreamreachesaretwotypesofstreamenvironmentsthatareparticularlysuitedforthistypeofanalysis,ifshadeandmeteorologicalconditionsarecomparable.Headwaterstreamsaresuitedtothesetypesofcomparisonsbecausetheyareclosetothestreamsource,mostoftengroundwaterormeltingsnow.Groundwaterisfairlyconstantyearround,andgenerallydefinesthelowertemperaturelimitforstreamsinthesummermonths.Thelowestreachesofmainstemtrunkstreams,suchasthemainstemEelRiveratAlderpoint,arealsosuitedtothesetypesofcomparisonsbecausetheytypicallyrepresenttemperaturesthatareinequilibriumwithheatsourcesandsinks.Maximumstreamtemperaturesofthelowerreachesofmajorriversaretypicallyverysimilarinthesummermonths.Streamreachesinbetweentheheadwatersandlowermainstemstreamreachesareonlysuitedforcomparisonwithreferencestreamsiftheriparian,hydrologic,andmeteorologicconditionsarecomparablefromtheheadwaterstothelocationofinterest,whichbecomesincreasinglyunlikelywithincreasingdistancefromtheheadwaters.SimpleCalculationsTheuseofsimplecalculationscanbeusefulinestimatingnaturalstreamtemperatures.Themixingequation,Qds*Tds=Qus*Tus+Qtrib*Ttrib(wheretheQsrepresentflows,Tsrepresenttemperatures,dsdenotesdownstream,usdenotesupstream,andtribdenotestributarytemperaturesandflows)isahelpfulequationforcalculatingthechangeintemperaturedownstreamofaconfluenceoftwostreams.Similarly,Brown’sequation,asimpleequationrepresentingtherelationshipofflow,channelgeometry,andsolarradiation,givesareasonableestimateoftemperaturechangeduetoalterationofsolarexposureforshortstreamreaches,wheretheconditionsinthereacharehomogeneous(Brown1970).ComputermodelsManycomputermodelshavebeendevelopedwiththeabilitytocalculatestreamtemperatures.Someofthesemodelsweredevelopedforotherpurposesandonlycalculatetemperatureinordertocalculateotherwaterqualityrelatedprocesses,whileotherswerespecificallydevelopedwithstreamtemperatureapplicationsin



mind.Eithertypeofmodelcanbeusedtoestimatestreamtemperaturesifalltherelevantprocessesandfactorsareaccountedforinthemodel.Forinstance,somemodelsdonottakeintoaccountriparianshade,whileothersdo.OneofthemorecommonlyusedsimplestreamtemperaturemodelsisSSTEMP,maintainedbytheUSGS.SSTEMPisconsideredasimplemodelbecauseitrequiresnocompilerorcomplicatedinputfiles.Thecalculationschemeisalsosimple,relyingondailyaverageinputdatatoestimatedailyaveragestreamtemperaturesforasinglereach.Accordingly,SSTEMPiswell‐suitedforsimplethermalsituations.Itcanbeusedtoevaluatetheeffectsofchangesinchannelgeometry,vegetation,meteorologicalconditions,andchangesinflow.AlimitationoftheSSTEMPmodelisthattheaveragingperiodofthedatausedtorunthemodelmustbeapproximatelyequaltothetraveltimeofthereachbeingmodeled.Also,theSSTEMPmodeldoesnotperformwellifthereachinquestionencompassesdrasticdifferencesinshade,flow,channelgeometry,ormeteorologicalconditionswithinit.Deterministiccomputermodelsareusefulinsituationswhereareachofstream,orastreamnetwork,requiresamoresophisticatedanalysis.Thesemodelsaredesignedtoaccommodatevariableconditionsintimeandspace,whichrequiresthatthosevariablesbedefinedintimeandspace.Thedefinitionofthoseconditionsrequireslargeamountsofdata.Touseadeterministicmodeltoestimatenaturaltemperatures,thenaturalconditionofeachfactorthatinfluencesstreamtemperaturesmustbeestimatedoverfortheentiretemporalandspatialextentoftheanalysis.TheKlamathTMDLtemperatureanalysisisanexampleoftheuseofdeterministicmodelstoestimatenaturaltemperatures.Aspartofthatanalysis,naturaltemperatureswereestimatedbydefiningtheestimatednaturalconditionsoftheKlamathRiverandcalculatingthetemperaturesthatwouldresultfromthoseconditionsusingtheRMAmodel(TetraTech2009).EstimatesofnaturalflowsfromUpperKlamathLakeanddownstreamtributarieswereusedtorepresentnaturalhydrologicconditions.Similarly,thenatural,un‐dammedgeometryoftheKlamathRiverwascharacterizedtodefinethenaturalchannelgeometry.Finally,existingmainstemshadeandmeteorologicalconditionswereassumedtobecomparabletonaturalconditions.4.2Site‐SpecificPotentialEffectiveShadeTemperatureTMDLsdevelopedintheNorthCoastRegionhaveinterpretedtheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureandassignedloadallocationsforsolarradiationloadingbasedonitssurrogate,effectiveshade.Thismetricwaschosenbecauseeffectiveshadeisinverselyanddirectlyproportionaltoheat,anditisreadilymeasuredinthefieldorcalculatedusingmathematicalmodels.NorthCoastTemperatureTMDLloadallocationsassociatedwitheffectiveshadeconditionsarebasedontheconceptofnaturalvegetationconditions,andhavebeendescribedusingvariousterminology.TheNavarro,Mattole,Salmon,Scott,and



ShastaRiverTemperatureTMDLs,developedbytheRegionalWaterBoard,expressshade‐relatedloadallocationsas“adjustedpotentialeffectiveshade.”Inthoseanalyses,thepotentialeffectiveshadeconditionsatasiteareestimatedaspotentialeffectiveshade(basedonfullymaturetreesgrowingalongthebankfullchannelofthestreams)reducedby10percenttoaccountfornaturaleffectssuchasfire,windthrow,andearthmovementsthatwouldreducetheactualriparianareavegetationbelowthesitepotential.TheEelRiverTemperatureTMDLs,developedbytheUSEPA,definesshade‐relatedtemperatureallocationsintermsofLangleys,aunitofheatloading.Theshade‐relatedallocationsfortheseTMDLsaresetattheheatloadthatcorrespondstoeffectiveshadelevelscorrespondingtonaturalvegetationconditions.Thoughtheallocationsareexpressedusingdifferentterms,theconditionsthattheallocationsdefinearethesame:thelevelofeffectiveshadeprovidedbyvegetationwhenthevegetationisgrowingatpotential.Foranygivenlocation,thistermiscalled“site‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.”4.2.1DefinitionofTerms:Theterm“site‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade”isdefinedas:

Theshadeequivalenttothatprovidedbytopographyandpotentialvegetationconditionsatasite.

Thistermcombinestwoconcepts:“effectiveshade”and“site‐specificpotential.”Thesetwoconceptsaredescribedherein.Theterm“effectiveshade”iswidelyusedinthesolarpowerindustryasameasureofsolarradiationavailableatasite.Effectiveshadeisalsousedtocomparesolarpowerpotentialbetweensites.Thetermhasbeenadoptedbyhydrologiststoquantifythesolarradiationamountreceivedbybodiesofwater.Theterm“effectiveshade”isdefinedintheBasinPlanas:

Thepercentageofdirectbeamsolarradiationattenuatedandscatteredbeforereachingthegroundorstreamsurfacefromtopographicandvegetationconditions.

Webster’sdictionarydefines“effective”as“producingtheintendedordesiredeffect”,and“shade”as“comparativedarknesscausedbythescreeningofraysoflight.”Inthiscontext,thetermsarecombinedtodenotethedegreetowhichobjectscreatingshadeeffectivelyreducesolarradiation.Effectiveshadeisameasurementunitthatdescribestheamountofsolarenergyreceivedinrelationtothepossiblesolarenergyassociatedwithanunobstructedsky.Effectiveshadeisdifferentfromotherunitsofmeasurerelatedtothedensityoftrees,branchesandleavesoverhead.Itexplicitlytakesintoaccountthepathofthesunthroughthesky.Italsoaccountsforthefactthattheintensityofsolarradiationisgreatestatnoonandleastinthemorningandevening.Othervegetationdensity



measurements‐forexample,thepercentageofoverheadvegetationandbasalarea‐donotdistinguishbetweenvegetationthatreducessolarradiationandvegetationthatonlyblockstheviewtothesky.Theterm“site‐specificpotential”isamodifierthatdescribesaparticulareffectiveshadecondition.Theterm“site‐specificpotential”isdefinedas:thevegetationconditionspossibleatalocation,consideringthevegetationspeciespresent,andanynaturalfactorsthatlimitvegetationsizeanddensity.Site‐specificisdefinedas“relatingtoaparticularplace.”TheNorthCoastRegionencompassesavarietyofvegetationcommunitiesandecologicalsettings.ThePolicyrecognizesthisvariabilityandrequiresthatpotentialeffectiveshadebeevaluatedrelativetothevegetation,soil,hydrology,andotherfactorsaffectinggrowingconditionsatanygivensite.Theterm“site”isalsousedinforestry,andhasbeendefinedinthatcontextasfollows:

Theareainwhichaplantorstandgrows,consideredintermsofitsenvironment,particularlyasthisdeterminesthetypeandqualityofthevegetationtheareacancarry.(SocietyofAmericanForesters1998)

Thisdefinitionisconsistentwithitsuseintheterm“site‐specific”,howeverinforestrythetermisoftencombinedwithotherterms(e.g.,siteclass,siteindex,sitequality,andsiteproductivityclass)torefertothegrowthrateandproductioncapacityofalocation.Site‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadereferstothesite‐specificpotentialforeffectiveshadeatasite,anddoesnotpertaintogrowthrateandproductivecapacity.Webster’sdictionarydefines“potential”as“capableofbeingorbecoming.”Inthiscase,thetermreferstotheshadethatoccurswhentheriparianvegetationnaturallyoccurringatasiteisatalevelthatthesiteiscapableofsupporting,ManyriparianareasintheNorthCoastRegionreflecttheeffectsofpastmanagementactivitiesthathaveremovedorpreventedtheongoingpresenceofvegetation.Theapplicationandassessmentofsite‐specificpotentialshadeisdiscussedinsection4.2.3.Site‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadedescribesaneffectiveshadelevelthatexistedpriortoreductionsassociatedwithmanagementactivities.Riparianareasthathaven’texperiencedvegetationremovalorsuppression,orthathaveregainedcharacteristicsreflectingthosethatexistedpriortomanagement‐relatedreductions,areconsideredtobeatapotentiallevelofvegetation,andthereforeprovidepotentialeffectiveshade.4.2.2MeasurementandApproximationofEffectiveShadeEffectiveshadecanbemeasuredusingsimpledevices.SolarPathfindersandangularcanopydensiometersareexamplesofsuchdevices.Suchdevicesidentify



severalfactors:theobjectsobstructingdirectsunlight,thetimeofdaythattheobjectwillobstructsunlight,andthecorrespondingintensityofsolarradiation.Thesedevicesarebasedongeometricrelationshipsbetweenearthandsunatagivenlatitude,andthedailydistributionofsolarradiation.Effectiveshadecanbeapproximatedusingmodelsthattakeintoaccountthesamegeometricrelationshipsandsolarradiationdistributionsasthedevicesusedformeasuringit.Thesemodelsusespatialdatadescribingtheelevation,vegetation,andstreamlocationforasitetocalculatethetimingandeffectofsolarobstructions.4.2.3ApplicationandAssessmentEvaluatingtheeffectsofaproposedactionrelativetosite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshaderequiresevaluationofwhethertheactionwillresultinriparianshadeconditionsequivalenttothatprovidedbypotentialriparianvegetationconditionsinthenearorlongterm.Thefactorsthatmustbeassessedgenerallyrelatetotheheight,depth,anddensityofvegetationasitrelatestoeffectiveshade.Theassessmentofmanagementeffectsoneffectiveshaderelatedtovegetationremovaloccursintwocontexts:(1)theeffectiveshadeatasiteisequivalenttothesite‐specificpotential,and(2)theeffectiveshadeatasiteislessthanthesite‐specificpotential.Inthefirstcase,theevaluationoftheproposedmanagementactionsoneffectiveshadeinvolvesjudgingwhethertheproposedpracticeswillreducetheeffectiveshade(i.e,increasesolarradiation)onthewaterbody.Todothis,thevegetationproposedforremovalisconsideredintermsofitspositionrelativetothepathofthesunandthewaterbody.Maintainingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeinvolvesretainingthevegetationthatprovidetheeffectiveshade.Inthesecondcase,theevaluationoftheproposedmanagementactionsoneffectiveshadeinvolvesjudgingwhethertheproposedpracticeswillpreventthere‐growthofvegetationtosite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeconditions.Inthissituation,theassessmentofpracticesisverysimilartothatofthefirstsituation,wherethevegetationproposedforremovalisconsideredintermsofitspositionrelativetothepathofthesunandthewaterbody.However,inthiscasemanagementconsistentwithsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeinvolvesretainingthevegetationthatwillprovide,orwillcontinuetoprovide,effectiveshadeasitreachessite‐specificpotential.Theassessmentofmanagementeffectsoneffectiveshadedoesn’talwaysinvolveactiveremovalofvegetation.Somesituations,suchasevaluationofagrazingmanagementplan,involveevaluatingtheeffectsofproposedmanagementpracticesonthenaturalprocessesthatestablishandmaintainriparianvegetation.Inthesecasestheactivityisevaluatedforimpactsthatwilllimitgermination,growth,andpersistenceofriparianvegetationinamannerthatreducedtheamountofriparian



vegetationprovidingeffectiveshadeoverthetimeframethemanagementactivityisproposed.TheRegionalWaterBoarddevelopsandadministerspermitsandprogramsforvariousactivitiesthatincluderestrictionsandrequirementsfortheprotectionofwaterquality.Insomecasestheserestrictionsandrequirementsincludeeffectiveshadeconsiderations,asappropriate.Evaluationoftheeffectivenessofpermitorprogramrestrictionsandrequirementsissimilartotheevaluationofproject‐specificmanagementactionsdescribedabove.Thesepermitsandprogramsoftenrelyonthedevelopmentofriparianmanagementplansthatdescribepracticesthatwillbeemployedtoachieveormaintainsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.4.2.4RestorationandMaintenanceofSite‐SpecificPotentialEffectiveShadeAction1ofthePolicydirectstheRegionalWaterBoardto“Restoreandmaintainriparianshade.”Theuseoftheterm“restore”inAction1appliestosituationsinwhichtheeffectiveshadeatasiteislessthanthesite‐specificpotential.Insuchacase,thePolicydirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtouseitsauthoritiesinamannerthatensuresthatthemanagementoccurringatthesiteallowsthevegetationpresenttoachieveconditionsequivalenttosite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.Theuseoftheterm“maintain”inAction1appliestosituationsinwhichtheeffectiveshadeatasiteisequivalenttothesite‐specificpotential.Inthissituation,thePolicydirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtouseitsauthoritiestoensuremanagementoccurringatthesiteisconsistentwiththemaintenanceofeffectiveshadeequivalenttothesite‐specificpotential.ThisPolicyisnotintendedtoprecludemanagementofriparianareas.Useoftheterms“restore”and“maintain”doesnotmeanthattheRegionalWaterBoardshouldrequireactiverestorationsuchastreeplantingprojects,nordoesitmeanthatmanagementactionsintheriparianzoneareprohibited,eitherinareaswheresite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadealreadyexistsorinareaswheresite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeconditionsdonotexist.Thispolicyisnotintendedtopredeterminepreciseparametersforachievingpotentialeffectiveshadeforaspecificlocationorlanduse,anddoesnotnecessarilyprecludemanagementinriparianareas.Therearecircumstancesinwhichmanagementactionswithinriparianareasthatreduceeffectiveshadeconditionsinthenear‐andshort‐termarenecessaryandappropriateinordertoachievepotentialeffectiveshadeinthelong‐term.4.3Project‐specificImplementationInterpretationoftheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureattheprojectscalerequiresconsiderationoftheparticularconditionspresentineachuniquesituation.Thedriversofelevatedwatertemperaturearewellunderstood(seesections2.0‐4,5.1,and5.2),howeverthesite‐specificimpactsofthosedriversinanyspecificsettingarebestevaluatedonacasebycasebasisforeachsituation.



Inthecaseofnonpointsourcelanduses,theseevaluationsareoftenmadeonthebasisofprescribedoperationrules,performancestandards,orbestmanagementpractices(seesection4.4:RelianceonManagementMeasuresforNonpointSourcesAssociatedwithLandUses).However,eveninthesesituationssomesite‐specificevaluationisoftennecessarytoevaluatetheapplicationofoperatingrulesormanagementpracticestotheuniqueattributesofthesettinginquestion.Forinstance,somepermitsinvolveanon–the‐groundassessmentofwaterqualityprotectionandpreparationofplanstoaddressspecificwaterqualityissuesidentifiedintheassessment.AnexampleofthisistheRegionalWaterBoard’sUSFSWaiver(orderR1‐2010‐0029),whichallowsfortheremovalofriparianvegetationifitcanbedemonstratedthattheexceptionwillresultinanetlong‐termbenefittowaterqualityandstreamtemperatures,whichmustbeevaluatedagainstthespecificcharacteristicsoftheproject.TheCAForestPracticeRuleshaveasimilarprovisionforexceptionstocanopyretentionprescriptionswhenalternativeprescriptionsprovideequalormorefavorableprotectionthanthataffordedbythestandardprescriptions.Inprocessessuchasthese,theapplicationofmanagementpracticesorperformancestandardsistranslatedtotheuniqueconditionspresentatthesiteinquestion.Inordertoevaluatewhetherwatertemperaturesinagivenwaterbodyrepresentnaturalconditions,thenaturalstateoftemperaturedriversmustbeassessed.Forinstance,ariparianareawithahistoryofcanopyremovalmayprovidethesamelevelofsolarattenuationasanotherundisturbedriparianareawithlowlevelsofcanopyduetosub‐optimalgrowingconditions,withresultingtemperaturesthatarenearlyidentical.Inthefirstcase,thesitemaynotbemeetingtheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturebecausethelevelsofsolarradiationareunnaturallyhighduetoreducedriparianvegetationfrompastactivitiesresultinginunnaturallyelevatedwatertemperatures,whereasthesametemperaturesinthesecondstreamwouldmeettheobjectiveiftheotherdriverswerealsoconsistentwithnaturalconditions.Similarly,aprojectthatremovesriparianvegetationmayormaynotincreasesolarradiationloadinginthestreamdependingonthegeometryofthevegetationrelativetothestreamandsurroundingtopography.Finally,therelativestreamtemperatureconditionisanotherfactorthatmustbeconsideredwhenevaluatingwhetheraprojectwillcauseexceedenceoftheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.Forinstance,astreamthatiscoldrelativetoairtemperatures,suchasaspring‐fedinlandstreamnearitssource,willbemuchmoresensitivetoadditionalheatloadsthanastreamthatisalreadywarmandneartheequilibriumtemperature(seesection2.2,InteractionofTemperatureDrivers).Thesite‐specificapproachtoimplementingthetemperatureobjectivesattheprojectscalealsoallowsforRegionalWaterBoardstafftomakedeterminationsthatuniquecircumstancesexistthatallowexceptionstostandardpracticesemployedfortheprotectionofwatertemperature.Forinstance,theRegionalWaterBoardhasapprovedrestorationprojectsconductedontheMendocinoCoastthatinvolvethefellingofripariantreesintowatercoursestoaddlargewoodydebristothestream.Largewoodydebrisinstreamchannelshasbeenidentifiedasacriticallyimportant



habitatcomponentforCohosalmonthataremissinginthesestreams.Theseprojectsoccurredinstreamsthathavecoldwatertemperatures,relativelyhighcanopyandshadelevels,andcoolcoastalairtemperatures.Inthesecases,RegionalWaterBoardstaffweighstheriskofelevatingwatertemperaturesagainstthebenefitsofeliminatinganimportantfactorlimitingtherecoveryofalistedspecies.AnotheruniqueexampleofaninstanceinwhichactionsresultinginreducedshadewereapprovedbytheRegionalWaterBoardistheGeneralWaterQualityCertificationfortheBureauofReclamationTrinityRiverRestorationProgram’schannelrehabilitationactivitiesdownstreamoftheTrinityRiverreservoirs(OrderNo.R1‐2010‐0028).TheprimarypurposeoftheprojectistoincreasesalmonidhabitatinthemainstemTrinityRiveranditssidechannels.Channelrehabilitationactivitiesincluderemovalofencroachingriparianvegetation,rehabilitationoffloodplainandin‐channelalluvialfeatures,constructionofoff‐channelhabitatforaquaticandripariandependentspecies,coarseandfinesedimentmanagement,andrehabilitationofuplandhabitat.ChannelhabitatrehabilitationactivitiesaredesignedtousethealluvialprocessesoftheTrinityRivertomaintainandincreasesalmonidhabitatandcomplexityforalllife‐stagesovertime,andtoprovideconditionssuitableforreestablishingandsustainingnativeriparianvegetation.Collectively,channelrehabilitationactivitiesareintendedtomeettheoverarchinggoaloftheTrinityRiverRestorationProgram(TRRP)tocreate,restore,andenhancethefullrangeofhabitatsfornativeanadromousfishes,includingsalmonandsteelhead.TheremovalofriparianvegetationassociatedwiththeprojectwasdeemednecessarytomeetthegoalsoftheprogrambecausedecadesofcontrolledreleasesfromtheTrinityRiverreservoirshadeliminatedhighflowsthatpreventedtheencroachmentofriparianvegetation.Theresultingriparianencroachmentalteredthechannelmorphologyinamannerdetrimentaltobeneficialuses.Othersituationsinwhichreductionsofshademaybeconsistentwiththegoalofrestoringandmaintainingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeincludeactionsthatrequireshort‐termreductionsofeffectiveshadetoenhancethesize,density,orresiliencyofriparianvegetationovertime.Short‐termreductionofeffectiveshadeassociatedwithfuelsreductionprojectsinriparianareasmaybeappropriatewhenthelong‐termbenefitsareconsidered.Insuchcases,theimpactsofvegetationthinningareweighedagainstthelong‐termbenefitsofariparianecosystemthatisresilientagainstfireimpacts.Similarly,theshort‐termreductionofshadeassociatedwiththinningprojectsdesignedtoincreasethegrowthrateofdominanttreesorreplacestuntedtreeswithvigoroussaplingsmayrepresentanacceptabletradeoffiftheprojectresultsinincreasedshadelevelsinashortertimeframe.Likewise,ashort‐termreductionofeffectiveshadeassociatedwitheffortstoincreasehardwoodspeciesinariparianzonemaybeappropriatewhereitcanbedemonstratedthatnaturalprimaryproductivitylevelsaresuppressedduetoalackofnutrients,leadingtoareducedcapacitytosupportbeneficialuses.



Ineachofthesituationsdescribedabove,theRegionalWaterBoardconsiderstheshorttermimpactsoftheproposedactioninlightofthesite‐specificconditionsintheaffectedarea.Factorstakenintoconsiderationincludeexistingwatertemperaturesrelativetobiologicalthresholds,thelevelofsolarradiationincreaseassociatedwiththeproject,likelytemperatureimpactsassociatedwiththeproject,thecurrentcapacityforsupportofbeneficialuses,conditionofriparianvegetationinadjacentreaches,andtheexpectedamountoftimefornecessaryforriparianrecovery.4.4RelianceonManagementPracticesforNonpointSourcesAssociatedwithLandUsesTheRegionalWaterBoardpreferstoregulatedischargesofwasteandcontrollablewaterqualityfactorsassociatedwithnonpointsourcesinthecontextofadaptivemanagement,whereinmanagementmeasuresdesignedtoaddressawaterqualityconcernareimplementedandmonitoredinamannerthatprovidesforfeedbackontheperformanceofthemeasuresandanyneedformodificationofthepractice,asappropriate.Inthecaseoftemperature,thisapproachsubstitutestheuseofpre‐definedoperatingrules,performancestandards,bestmanagementpractices,orrestrictionsoncertainactivities,forthesometimesdifficultandunwieldyprocessofdeterminingnaturalconditionsandestimatingtheanticipatedtemperaturechangesassociatedwithanactivity.Thisapproachisadvantageoustotheprojectproponentbecauseitstreamlinestheevaluationandapprovalprocessandprovidesalevelofregulatorycertainty.ThesameprocessisadvantageousfortheRegionalWaterBoardbecauseitincreasestheefficiencyofregulatorypermitting,allowingstafftofocusonon‐the‐groundwaterqualityissues,bystreamliningtheevaluationandapprovalprocess.Thisapproachalsoallowsforthedevelopmentofgeneralpermitsforcertainactivities,ratherthantheinefficientprocessofdevelopingindividualpermitsforsimilaractivities.Certainnonpointsourceactivitiesmayalsobesubjecttoregulatoryornon‐regulatoryactionsofotherentitiesthatprovidetemperatureprotections.IftheRegionalWaterBoarddeterminesthatthoseactionswillresultinattainmentofwaterqualitystandards,theRegionalWaterBoardmayincludethoseactionsasimplementationmeasuresinapermit.TheRegionalWaterBoardcan,andoftendoes,relyonexistingnon‐WaterBoardprogramsforpermitmeasures,addingnewrequirementsonlyasnecessarytoprovideadequatewaterqualityprotection.Whenaddressingcompliancewiththetemperatureobjective,thegeographiclocation,existingregulatoryandnon‐regulatoryprograms,andotherrelevantfactorsshouldbeevaluatedindeterminingappropriateandnecessaryshadecontrols.Compliancewiththeintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureasitrelatestoshadeandsolarradiationisgenerallyachievedbymanagingvegetationthatprovidesshadetoawaterbodyinamannerconsistentwithsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.Toaccomplishthis,responsiblepartiesareencouragedtodelineateaseparatemanagementareaforriparianvegetationthathasthepotentialtoshadea



waterbody,andmanagetheseriparianareasdifferentlythanthesurroundingland.Theseareasareoftenreferredtovariouslyasariparianmanagementzone,streamsidebufferarea,orawatercourseandlakeprotectionzone.WhenRegionalWaterBoardstaffevaluatestheshade‐relatedtemperaturecontrolsprovidedthroughriparianmanagementpractices,staffevaluatewhetherthepracticesemployedresultinriparianshadeconditionsconsistentwithshadeconditionsrepresentativeofriparianvegetationundiminishedbyhumanactivities.Theevaluationisnotwhetherthevegetationconditionsare,infact,unaltered,butratherifthevegetationconditionsresultinroughlyequivalentsolarradiationloadingatthewatersurface.Forinstance,site‐specificpotentialvegetationconditionsinacoastalredwoodenvironmentmayhavehistoricallyincludedredwoodstreesinexcessof300feetinheight.However,thesamesolarradiationloadingmayresultfromtreeshalfthatheightorless,duetovegetationoverhang,understoryvegetation,andriparianhardwoodspeciespresent.Thefactorsthatmustbeassessedgenerallyrelatetotheheight,depth,anddensityofvegetation,aswellasthegeometryofthewatersurfacerelativetothesunandanytopographicshadingprovidedbymountainsandstreambanks.Managementpracticesthatprovidethistypeofprotectionareconsideredconsistentwiththeintrastatewaterqualityobjectiveasitrelatestoshadeandsolarradiation.AnexampleofmanagementpracticesreliedonforthemaintenanceofshadearetheForestPracticeRulesrelatingtowatercourseandlakeprotectionzonesforfish‐bearingstreamsinareaswhereanadromoussalmonidsarepresent.Theserulesresultinshadelevelsconsistentwithnaturalconditionsthroughthedesignationofno‐cutzonesadjacenttostreamsandcanopyretentionzonesadjacenttotheno‐cutzone.Additionally,therulesrequireretentionofthe7largesttreesperacreoftheinnerandcorezonesintheinteriorofthenorthcoast(SeeFigure4.2),andthe13largesttressperacrewithinthecoreandinnerzonesinthecoastalanadromouszone.TheForestPracticeRulesallowforexceptionstotheserequirementsforprojectsthat“wouldresultineffectstothebeneficialfunctionsoftheriparianzoneequaltoormorefavorablethanthoseexpectedtoresultfromtheapplicationoftheoperationalprovisionsrequiredunder”thestandardwatercourseandlakeprotectionrulesthatapply(CAForestPracticeRules2013).



Figure4.2:Watercourseandlakeprotectionzoneforconfinedfish‐bearingstreamsoutsidethecoastalanadromouszone.Inthissetting,thecorezonemustbeleftun‐cut,70%overstorycanopymustberetainedintheinnerzone,and50%overstorycanopyintheouterzone.Additionally,the7largesttreesperacreofthecoreandinnerzonemustberetained.(CAForestPracticeRules2013)Manytimbercompanieshaveadoptedadditionalstandardmanagementpracticesthattheyimplementasamatterofpractice,andthatareconsideredduringthetimberharvestplanreviewprocess.Forexample,theGreenDiamondResourceCompanyhasdevelopedanaquatichabitatconservationplan(AHCP)thatdefinesoperationrulesandmanagementpracticesthataddresshabitatconcernsrelatedtosensitiveandthreatenedaquaticspecies,includingrulesandpracticestoaddresshabitatneedsoftemperature‐sensitivespeciesthatinsomecasesgobeyondthelevelsofprotectionaffordedbytheForestPracticeRules,andareconsistentwiththisPolicy.TheRegionalWaterBoardreliesontheimplementationoftheAHCP’swaterqualityprotectionpracticesasapartofthetimberregulatoryprogram.TheForestPracticeRulesalsoestablishmanagementpracticesforthecontrolofsedimentdischarges.TheRegionalWaterBoardreliesontheimplementationofthosemanagementpractices,inpart,asanelementofthesedimentcontrolrequirementsofitstimberregulatoryprogram.AnotherexampleoftherelianceonmanagementpracticesistheincorporationoftheUSFSbestmanagementpracticesasconditionsoftheUSFSWaiver.Thispermit,



byvirtueofitsconditions,alsoimplementssediment,temperature,andnutrientTMDLs,andmeetstheBasinPlanintrastatetemperatureobjective.TheUSFSWaiveradoptstheUSFSprogramthatmanagesandmaintainsdesignatedriparianzonestoensureretentionofadequatevegetativecoverthatresultsinnaturalshadeconditions.TheUSFSprogramrequiresretentionoftreeswithin300feetslopedistanceoneachsideoffish‐bearingstreams,150feetslopedistanceoneachsideofperennialstreams,and100feetslopedistanceoneachsideofephemeral/intermittentstreams,orthesite‐specificpotentialtreeheightdistanceoneachsideofthestream,whicheverisgreatest.TheUSFSWaiverprovidesforexceptionstotheserequirementsifitcanbedemonstratedthattheexceptionwillresultinanetlong‐termbenefittowaterqualityandstreamtemperatures.Additionalbestmanagementpracticesaredefinedforthecontrolofsedimentandnutrientdischargesassociatedwithroadmanagement,grazing,andothersourcesofnonpointsourcepollution.RegionalWaterBoardstaffsometimesreliesonmanagementmeasuresdefinedatasite‐specificleveltoaddressspecificwaterqualityconcerns.AnexampleofthisapproachisthattakenintheScottandShastaRiverTMDLconditionalwaivers.Thesewaiversrelyonthedevelopmentofsite‐specificplans,includingranchplans,todefinewhatactionsthelandownerwilltaketoaddressidentifiedwaterqualityconcerns,includingthoseassociatedwithtemperature,sediment,andnutrients.Anadaptivemanagementprocessinvolvingeffectivenessmonitoringandadaptionofpracticestoachievewaterqualitygoalsensurestheapproachesachievewaterqualityprotection.Theuncontrolleduseofriparianareasbylivestockcanleadtoimpactsthatelevatewatertemperatures.However,theuseofriparianareasbylivestockcanbeconductedwithoutthesetemperatureimpacts.Grazingofriparianareasisnotincompatiblewithwaterqualitygoalsifconductedinamannerwithwaterqualityprotectioninmind.Theintensity,duration,andtimingoflivestockusearecriticalconsiderationsthatdeterminewhetherlivestockuseisorisnotharmfultoriparianareas.Livestockmanagementinriparianareasoftenrequiresanapproachsimilartothemanagementpracticesemployedinforestry,whereinaspecialmanagementzonenearthestreamismanageddifferentlyfromthesurroundingareas.Practicessuchasflashgrazing,wherelivestockareallowedtograzeinthespecialmanagementzoneuntilthresholds,suchasaminimumstubbleheightofgrass,aremetcanbeconductedwithoutinterferingwiththenaturalriparianvegetationprocessesthatprovidetheshadenecessarytoachievetemperatureobjectives.Insuchcases,aripariangrazingandmonitoringplancanbethebasisofRegionalWaterBoardstaff’sevaluationofwaterqualityprotection.4.5ImplementationinImpairedvsUnimpairedWaterbodiesWaterbodiesthatarenotmeetingthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureareconsideredimpaired,andareidentifiedonthe303(d)listofimpairedwaterbodiesassuch.Many,butnotallwaterbodiesimpairedbyelevatedwatertemperatureshavehadTMDLsdevelopedforthem.ThedevelopmentoftemperatureTMDLsin



theNorthCoastRegionisdiscussedinSection2.0.Whenwaterbodiesarenotmeetingthetemperatureobjectives,eitherbecausetheirwatertemperatureshavebeenelevatedaboveatemperaturethresholdassociatedwithabeneficialuse,orbecausetheyhavetemperatureselevatedabove5oF,noadditionaltemperatureincreasecanbeaccommodated.Becausetemperatureimpairedwaterbodiescannotaccommodateanyincreaseintemperatures,theintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturerequiresthatpermittedconditionsresultinnaturalconditionsinthesewaterbodies.Inthecaseofshade,naturalconditionsaredefinedassite‐specificpotentialconditions,asdiscussedinsection3.1,above.Thus,theapproachtoregulatingimpairedwaterbodiesmustbeconsistent,regardlessofwhetheraTMDLhasbeendeveloped.Theactionsnecessarytorecoverawaterbodythatistemperatureimpairedduetoalterationofthedriversofwatertemperaturearethesametypesofactionsthatpreventawaterbodyfrombecomingtemperatureimpairedbysuchalterations.Forinstance,inthecaseofastreamwithelevatedtemperaturescausedbyincreasedsolarradiationresultingfromvegetationremoval,theactionnecessarytorecoverthenaturaltemperatureregimeistoallowtheriparianvegetationtogrowback(oractivelyrestorethevegetationconditions)suchthatthenaturalshadeconditionisonceagainachieved.Inthecaseofanunimpairedstreamwithunalteredtemperatures,theriparianmanagementactionnecessarytopreventtheelevationofwatertemperaturesistopreventincreasesinsolarradiationbymaintainingsufficientriparianvegetation.Inbothcases,theriparianvegetationmustbemaintainedandallowedtopersist.ThedifferenceisthatsomeamountofincreasedsolarradiationexposuremaybeallowedintheunimpairedstreamifitcanbedemonstratedtotheRegionalWaterBoard’ssatisfactionthat:

anytemperaturechangewon’tadverselyaffectbeneficialuses; watertemperaturesarenotincreasedby5oFormoreatanytimeor

place;and, theAntidegradationPolicyisnotviolated.

TheRegionalWaterBoardestablishespermitconditionsthatareexpectedtoresultinnoalterationoftemperature,asexplainedinsection4.0,above.Accordingly,itisappropriatefortheRegionalWaterBoardtoestablishpermitconditionsconsistentwithnaturalconditions,includingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.Dischargersandprojectproponentsseekingarelaxationofthisrequirementshouldsubmitananalysisthatsatisfiestherequirementsdescribedintheparagraphabove.Inordertopreventfutureimpairmentsandaddressexistingtemperatureimpairments,theregulatoryapproachtomanagingriparianvegetationfortheprotectionofunimpairedtemperaturesandtheregulatoryapproachtomanagingriparianvegetationtocorrectelevatedwatertemperaturesshouldbeconsistentthroughouttheregion.Furthermore,theregulatoryapproachshouldbebasedon



implementationofboththeintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureandtheAntidegradationPolicy,asdescribedabove.4.6RegulationofShadeasaControllableFactorTheRegionalWaterBoardsregulatethethermalimpactsassociatedwithincreasedsolarradiationloadsandtheshadeprovidedbyriparianvegetationinthecontextofdischarges.ThePorter‐CologneWaterQualityControlAct(Act)authorizestheStateandRegionalWaterBoardstocontrolthedischargesofwastetowatersofthestatethroughissuanceofpermitsandbyprohibitingcertainactivities.Solarradiationloadsarenotadischargeofwaste,asdefinedbytheAct.However,theActstatesinSection13263,RequirementsforDischarge:

“Theregionalwaterboard,afteranynecessaryhearing,shallprescriberequirementsastothenatureofanyproposeddischarge,existingdischarge,ormaterialchangeinexistingdischarge…withrelationtotheconditionsexistinginthedisposalareaorreceivingwatersupon,orintowhich,thedischargeismadeorproposed.Therequirementsshallimplementanyrelevantwaterqualitycontrolplansthathavebeenadopted,andshalltakeintoconsiderationthebeneficialusestobeprotected,thewaterqualityobjectivesreasonablyrequiredforthatpurpose,otherwastedischarges,theneedtopreventnuisance,andtheprovisionsofSection132412.”(emphasisadded.)

Theactdefines“waterqualitycontrol”asfollows:

“Waterqualitycontrol”meanstheregulationofanyactivityorfactorwhichmayaffectthequalityofthewatersofthestateandincludesthepreventionandcorrectionofwaterpollutionandnuisance.[Section13050(i)]

TheBasinPlanisawaterqualitycontrolplan.Thus,theActauthorizestheRegionalWaterBoardto“prescriberequirements”,includingrequirementsrelatedto“anyactivityorfactorwhichmayaffectthequalityofthewatersofthestate”,thatimplementtheBasinPlananditsprogramsofimplementation.ControllablewaterqualityfactorsareexplicitlyaddressedintheBasinPlan.TheBasinPlanstatesonpage3‐1.00:

“Controllablewaterqualityfactorsshallconformtothewaterqualityobjectivescontainedherein.Whenotherfactorsresultinthedegradationofwaterqualitybeyondthelevelsorlimitsestablishedhereinaswaterqualityobjectives,thencontrollablefactorsshallnotcausefurtherdegradationofwaterquality.Controllablewaterqualityfactorsarethoseactions,conditions,orcircumstancesresultingfrom

2 Section13241pertainstotheestablishmentofwaterqualityobjectives.



man'sactivitiesthatmayinfluencethequalityofthewatersoftheStateandthatmaybereasonablycontrolled.”

ThePorter‐CologneActestablishestheauthorityofRegionalWaterBoardstoadoptwastedischargerequirementsandprohibitionstocontrolthedischargeofwastetowatersoftheStateinordertoachievewaterqualityobjectivesthatsupportbeneficialuses,asdefinedintheBasinPlan.ThisproposedamendmenttotheBasinPlanclarifiesthatthealterationofshadecausedbyhumanactivitiesisacontrollablewaterqualityfactorthatmustbeaddressed,asappropriate,inwastedischargerequirementsissuedbytheRegionalWaterBoard,andregulatoryactionsbyotherstateagencies.Thisisnotanewinterpretation,norisitachangeinRegionalWaterBoardpractice.However,identifyingshadeasacontrollablewaterqualityfactorintheBasinPlanmakescleartheimportanceofaddressingshadetootheragencies,dischargers,andotherinterestedparties.



5.0 REGIONALPOLICYTOIMPLEMENTTHEWATERQUALITYOBJECTIVESFORTEMPERATURE

ThestaffoftheRegionalWaterBoardisproposingaBasinPlanamendmentthatwillestablishaPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature(Policy)intheNorthCoastRegion.ThePolicyidentifieslanduseanddischargefactorsthathavepotentialtoelevatewatertemperatures,anddirectsstafftouseallavailabletoolsandapproaches,bothregulatoryandnon‐regulatory,toensurewatertemperatureconcernsareaddressed.ThelanduseanddischargefactorshavebeenidentifiedduringthedevelopmentofnorthcoasttemperatureTMDLs.Theamendmentidentifiesactionsstaffwillundertaketoaddressthosefactorsthatmaypreventtheattainmentofthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.TheactionsweredevelopedsothatimplementationoftheactionsimplementloadallocationsestablishedintemperatureTMDLsandmaintainscompliancewiththewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureinwaterbodiesnotalreadyimpairedbyelevatedwatertemperatures.5.1FactorsIdentifiedinthePolicytoImplementtheWaterQualityObjectivesForTemperatureTheproposedPolicyidentifiesanumberofactivitiesandotheractions(factors)thathavepotentialtoelevatewatertemperatures.ThePolicyidentifiesthesegeneralfactorsasthosetheRegionalWaterBoardwilladdressthroughimplementationofregulatoryprogramsandcollaborationwithpartnerstoattainandmaintaintheintrastateandinterstatewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.ThefactorswereidentifiedbasedontheconclusionsandinsightsdevelopedduringthedevelopmentoftemperatureTMDLanalyses,asexplainedinSection2.0.Thefactorsare:

1. Activitieswiththepotentialtoreduceriparianshadingofwaterbodies;2. Activitieswiththepotentialtoincreasesedimentdelivery;3. Thequality,quantity,locationandtimingofeffluent,stormwater,and

agriculturalreturnflowdischarges;4. Thelocation,size,andoperationofin‐channelimpoundmentswiththe

abilitytoalterthenaturaltemperatureregime;5. Actionswiththepotentialtochangestreamchannelgeometry;6. Activitieswiththepotentialtoreduceinstreamflowsorreducespecific

sourcesofcoldwater,includingcoldwaterrefugia.Thefactorsidentifiedaboverepresentarangeofactivitiesandactions.ManyofthefactorscomeunderthedirectpermittingauthorityoftheRegionalWaterBoard,whileothersareregulatedthroughtheauthoritiesofotheragencies.



5.2JustificationofthePolicyFactorsThejustificationandscientificrationaleforeachoftheidentifiedfactorsispresentedbelow.EachofthePolicyFactorsisalsorepresentedinFigure5.1,aconceptualmodeloriginallydevelopedfortheKlamathRivertemperatureTMDLwhichgraphicallyrepresentsthedriversoftemperaturealteration,theresultingphysicalchangestoenvironmentalconditions,andconsequentimpactstobeneficialuses.5.2.1ActivitieswiththepotentialtoreduceriparianshadingofwaterbodiesDirectsolarradiationistheprimaryfactorinfluencingstreamtemperaturesinmoststreamenvironmentsduringsummermonths.Theenergyaddedtoastreamfromsolarradiationfaroutweighstheenergylostorgainedfromevaporationorconvection(Beschtaetal.1987,Johnson2004,SinokrotandStefan1993).Atagivenlocation,incomingsolarradiationisafunctionofpositionofthesun,whichinturnisdeterminedbylatitude,dayoftheyear,andtimeofday.Duringthesummermonths,whensolarradiationlevelsarehighestandstreamflowsarelow,shadefromstreamsideforestsandvegetationcanbeasignificantcontrolondirectsolarradiationreachingstreams(Beschtaetal.1987).Becauseshadelimitstheamountofdirectsolarradiationreachingthewater,itprovidesadirectcontrolontheamountofheatenergythewaterreceives.AtaworkshopconvenedbythestateofOregon’sIndependentMultidisciplinaryScienceTeam,21scientistsreachedconsensusthatsolarradiationistheprincipalenergysourcethatcausesstreamheating(IndependentMultidisciplinaryScienceTeam2000).Althoughthedominanceofsolarradiationastheprimarydriverofstreamtemperatureiswellaccepted(Johnson2004,Johnson2003,SinokrotandStefan1993,Theureretal.1984),somestudieshaveindicatedthatairtemperaturesaretheprimedeterminantofstreamtemperatures.Thisisbecauseoftherelationshipbetweenairtemperatureandequilibriumtemperaturediscussedinsection2.2.Inshort,airtemperaturedeterminesequilibriumtemperatures,andthushowhotastreamcanbe,whileshadeandflowdeterminehowquicklyastreamapproachestheequilibrium,andthushowhotastreamactuallybecomes.Heatbudgetsdevelopedtotrackheatexchangeconsistentlydemonstratethatsolarradiationisthedominantsourceofheatenergyinstreamsystems(Johnson2004,ODEQ2002,SinokrotandStefan1993).StreamtemperaturemodelingconductedinsupportofnorthcoasttemperatureTMDLs(seesection2.4,above)confirmedthatsolarradiationisthedominantheatexchangeprocessintheNorthCoastRegion.Theconclusionthatsolarradiationisthedominantsourceofstreamtemperatureincreasesissupportedbystudiesthathavedemonstratedbothtemperatureincreasesfollowingremovalofshade‐producingvegetation,andtemperaturedecreasesinresponsetoriparianplanting.JohnsonandJones(2000)documentedtemperatureincreasesfollowingshadereductionsbytimberharvestinganddebrisflows,followedbytemperaturereductionsasriparianvegetationbecamere‐established.Astudyofchangesinprimaryproductivityandfishbiomassassociatedwithincreasedexposuretosolarradiationdocumentedaninstancewhere



temperaturesincreasedby1.5oCovera100meterreachduetocanopyremoval(Wilzbachetal.2005).Shadelosscausedbydebrisflowsandhighwatersofthefloodof1997ledtotemperatureincreasesinsomeKlamathNationalForeststreams(delaFuenteandElder1998).RiparianrestorationeffortsbytheCoosWatershedAssociationreducedthemaximumvalueoftheweeklyaveragetemperatureofWillanchCreekby2.8oC(6.9oF)overasix‐yearperiod(CoosWatershedAssociationundated).MinerandGodwin(2003)reportedsimilarsuccessesfollowingriparianplantingefforts.Shadeiscreatedbyvegetationandtopography;however,vegetationtypicallyprovidesmoreshadetoriversandstreamsthantopographyinstreamsthatarenotwiderelativetotheheightofvegetation.Inthesestreamstheshadeprovidedbyvegetationhasadramatic,beneficialeffectonstreamtemperatures.Theremovalofvegetationcandecreaseshade,whichincreasessolarradiationlevels,which,inturn,increasesbothaverageandmaximumstreamtemperatures,andleadstolargedailytemperaturevariations(seeFigure5.1).Additionally,theremovalofvegetationcanaltermicroclimates,increasingambientairtemperatures,andvegetationremovalcanresultinbankerosion,andresultinawiderandshallowerstreamchannelgeometry,allofwhichcanincreasewatertemperatures.AreviewofthescientificliteraturepreparedfortheCaliforniaBoardofForestryandFireProtection(BoardofForestry)supportstheprinciplesregardingriparianshadeandwatertemperaturethatthisPolicyincorporates(SoundWatershedConsulting2008).Forinstance,theopeningsentencesofthereport’ssectiontitled“InferencesforForestManagement”states:

“Theliteratureonriparianheatexchangetellsusthatshadefromripariantimberstandsisakeyfactorcontrollingheatinputtostreams.Therefore,maintainingriparianvegetationtoblockdirectsolarradiation(i.e.,shade)istheintentofforestpracticeprescriptionsforprotectingstreamtemperatureduringthesummer.However,watertemperatureisafunctionofahostofphysicalfactorsthatcontrolheattransferbetweenair,water,andthestreambed.Consequently,therelativeimportanceofriparianvegetationtoinfluencestreamtemperaturevariesbylocation(geographicprovince)andbysitespecificconditions(streamwidth,depth,flow,groundwaterinflow,streambedsubstratecomposition,valleyorientation,topographicshadingandwatershedposition).Thisspatialvariabilityindicatesthatasimplefixed‐widthbufferorcanopyclosureprescription(e.g.,minimum50%canopycoverasrequiredinCA)willprobablynotachievemanagementgoalsinallcases.”(SoundWatershedConsulting2008,page29).

Thereportgoesontodiscussthepotentialofwatershedscaleanalysestoidentifystreamreachesmostsensitivetotemperaturechanges,andcombiningrankingsoftemperaturesensitivitywithassessmentsofsite‐specificconditionstoidentifyspecificshaderequirementstoprotectindividualreachesfromtemperatureincreases,bufferingclassIIstreamstopreventtemperatureincreasesinclassI



receivingwaters,andtheneedtoconsiderthetemperatureneedsofsalmonids.Thesectionofthereportendswiththefollowing:

“Finally,riparianstandeffectivenessforshadingisafunctionoftheforestcanopydensity,height,andspeciescomposition,whichisrelatedtostandtypeandage.Becausestandtypeandagemayvarybygeographicprovinceanddisturbancehistorythebufferwidththatisadequateforshadingwillvaryaswell.Thisfactunderminestheone‐size‐fits‐all(i.e.,fixedwidth)prescriptionthatiscommonlyappliedinforestmanagement.Researchshowsthateffectiveshadingcanbeprovidedbybufferwidthsrangingfrom10mto30m(30to100ft)dependingonstandtype,age,andlocation.However,quantitativerelationshipsbetweenbufferwidthandshadefortypicalforesttypesandstandageclassesinCaliforniaarenotreportedintheliterature.Potentialquantitativerelationshipsbetweenstanddensityandshadeorbasalareaandshadearelacking.Consequentlyariparianstandmetricthatmayfunctionasareliablesurrogateforshadehasnotbeendeveloped.”(SoundWatershedConsulting2008,page31)

TheSoundWatershedConsultingliteraturereviewsupportstheprinciplesthatmanagementofshadeisparamountforcontrolofelevatedwatertemperatures,thatafixed‐widthbufferorcanopyclosureprescriptionisnotlikelytoachievemanagementgoalsinallcases,andthatsite‐specificconsiderationsneedtobemadeonacase‐by‐casebasis.AsimilarsummaryofcurrentunderstandingsofthermalprocessesinforestedenvironmentswaspreparedbyatechnicaladvisorycommitteeforconsiderationbytheBoardofForestry(CBOF‐TAC2007).ThissummaryreliedonapublishedreviewofforestmanagementeffectsonwatertemperatureandmicroclimatebyR.D.Moore,D.L.Spittlehouse,andA.Story(Mooreetal.2005).TheconclusionsofthereviewandsummaryarealsoconsistentwiththeprinciplesofthisPolicy.Activitieswiththepotentialtoreduceriparianshadeincludetimberharvest,roadbuildingandmaintenance,propertydevelopment,vegetationconversions,agriculture,grazing,andotheractivitiesthathavethepotentialtoresultinmodificationofriparianvegetationconditions.5.2.2ActivitieswiththepotentialtoincreasesedimentdeliveryIncreasedsedimentloadsandassociatedchangesinchannelmorphologycanaffectstreamtemperatureconditionsinmultipleways.Theseeffectscanmanifestatbothlarge(watershed‐wide)andsmall(individualreach)scales.Sedimentisdefinedasanyinorganicororganicearthenmaterial,includingbutnotlimitedto:soil,silt,sand,clay,androck(NCRWQCB2007).Thesizesofsedimentthatpresentatemperatureconcernarethosethatmayresultinpoolfilling,increasedchannelwidth,decreasedchanneldepth,and/orareductionofhyporheic(i.e.,intergravel)flow.



Increasedsedimentloadsmayalsoreduceheatexchangeassociatedwithhyporheicprocessesthroughsimplificationofthebedtopographyandreducedpermeabilityduetoincreasesinfinesedimentdeposition.Hyporheicexchangeoccurswhensurfacewatersinfiltrateintotheinterstitialspacesofstreambeds.Assurfacewaterpassesthroughtheporoussediment,heatislost(orgained)throughconductionwiththesediments.Insomesettings,streambedconductioncanbeasignificantheatsinkthatbuffersdailymaximumtemperaturesinthesummerseason(LoheideandGorelick2006).



Figure5.1:Conceptualrepresentationofthecausesandeffectsoftemperaturealterationandassociatedimpactstobeneficialuses.(Source:NCRWQCB2010)



Severalpublishedstudiesdescribemechanismsofheattransferdependentonpermeabilityofbedsediments,effectsofsedimentonstreamchannelmorphology,andstreamchannelcharacteristicsrelatedtothermalrefugia.Vaux(1968)demonstratedthathyporheicexchangeisdependentonthetopographiccomplexityofthebedsurfaceandpermeabilityofthesediments.Lisle(1982)reportedasimplificationofstreambedcomplexityassociatedwithaggradationatstreamgaugesitesintheNorthCoastRegionfollowingthe1964flood.Heobservedthatgaugingsiteswentfromapool‐likeformpriortoaggradation,toariffle‐likeformwithflatcross‐sectionalprofilesfollowingaggradation.WondzellandSwanson(1999)similarlyevaluatedtheeffectsoflargeeventsonchannelform.Theyspecificallyevaluatedchangesinthehyporheiczoneresultingfromlargefloodeventsanddemonstratedthatsimplificationofstreamchannelgeometry,includinglossofstep‐poolsequences,decreasesintra‐gravelexchangerates.Morerecently,researchershavequantifiedthereductioninsurfacestreamtemperaturesattributabletohyporheicexchange.InastudyofDeerCreekinnorthernCalifornia,Tompkins(2006)foundthatreduceddailymaximumwatertemperaturesinhyporheicseepsontheorderof3.5oC(6.3oF)createdthermalrefugiaforsalmonids.InastudysimilartoTompkins’,LoheideandGorelick(2006)documenteddailymaximumtemperaturereductionsontheorderof2oC(3.8oF)instudyofa1.7km(1.1.mi)streamreachofCottonwoodCreekinPlumasCounty,California.Temperatureandsedimentconcernsareoftenaddressedtogetherthroughcarefulmanagementofriparianareas.Theestablishmentofriparianbuffersfortemperatureprotectionisaneffectiveandimportantmanagementmeasureforthecontrolofsometypesofsedimentdischarges(Rashinetal.2006).Maintenanceofavegetatedbufferprovidesacontrolonthedischargeofsedimentmobilizedbysurfaceerosion(Brandowetal.2006).Also,theretentionofmaturetrees(andtheirroots)alongastreambankprovidesbankstability,reducingthedischargeofsedimentassociatedwithstreambanklandslides,streambankerosion,anddebrisflows(Cafferataetal.2005).Maintenanceofavegetatedbufferalongstreamsalsocanensureasupplyoflargewoodydebristothestreamchannel,whichiscriticalformeteringofsediment,channelformingprocesses,andfishhabitat.Activitieswiththepotentialtoincreasesedimentdeliveryincluderoadbuildingandmaintenance,timberharvest,propertydevelopment,vegetationconversions,agriculture,andotheractivitiesthathavethepotentialtodisturbsoils,concentraterunoff,anddecreasehillslopeandstreambankstability.5.2.3Thequality,quantity,locationandtimingofeffluent,stormwater,andagriculturalreturnflowdischargesDischargesofwastesuchaswastewatereffluent,coolingwater,stormwaterrunoff,andirrigationreturnflowscanelevatethetemperatureofreceivingwaterbodiesthroughthedirectdischargeofwarmerwater.



FloodirrigationisacommonirrigationpracticeinpartsoftheKlamathbasin,includingtheKlamathProjectareaandtheShastaRiverwatershed.Whenirrigationwaterisappliedtoafieldinthismanner,itgenerallyflowsacrossthefieldasathinsheetorinshallowrivulets.Astheirrigationwaterrunsacrossthegrounditabsorbsheat.Whenirrigationflowsreturntoastream,theycarrywiththemtheincreasedheatloadaddedastheypassedthroughtheirrigatedlands.TemperaturemonitoringoftailwaterreturnsintheShastaValleyfoundthehighestvaluesofthe7‐dayaverageofmaximumtemperaturerangedfrom26.9–34.5oC(80‐94oF)at7sites(AquaTerra2012).Theneteffectofdirectthermaldischargesisanincreaseinbothdailyaverageandmaximumtemperatures.Thethermalimpactofadirectdischargetoastreamcanbecalculatedusingthemixingequationdiscussedinsection3.1,above.5.2.4Thelocation,size,andoperationofin‐channelimpoundmentswiththeabilitytoalterthenaturaltemperatureregimeThewaterstoredbehindanin‐channelimpoundment(e.g.,dam)functionsasthermalmass,storingheat.Becauselargervolumesofwaterheatandcoolslowerthansmallervolumes,thelargevolumeofwaterbehindanimpoundmentactsasatemperaturebuffer,reducingdailytemperaturevariationsdownstream.Similarly,largevolumesofwaterresistseasonalchangesintemperature,andthusdelayseasonaltemperaturechanges,resultingincoldertemperaturesinthespringandwarmertemperaturesinthefall.IntheKlamathRiver,theseeffectsextend190milesdownstreamtothePacificOceanundercertainconditions(Bartholowetal.2004).OntheKlamathRivertheeffectsaremostpronouncedimmediatelydownstreamofIronGateDam,diminishinginthedownstreamdirection.Theexpectedbiologicalimplicationsofthechangesindiurnaltemperaturepatternscausedbydamsaremixed.Thedecreaseddiurnaltemperaturevariationsassociatedwithdamsleadtoreducedpeaktemperatures,therebyreducingthemostacutelyharmfultemperatures.Conversely,theincreaseddailylowtemperaturesassociatedwithdamscouldreducethetimeavailableforfishtoleavethermalrefugiatofeed.Also,higherdailylowtemperaturesmayleadtohighertemperaturesatthebottomofthermallystratifiedpools(Nielsenetal.1994).TheanalysisoftheimpactsofthefourimpoundmentsassociatedwiththeKlamathHydropowerProjectonrivertemperaturesconductedaspartoftheKlamathRivertemperatureTMDLfoundthatthoseeffectsweresignificant(NCRWQCB2010).Theseasonaltemperaturechangescausedbythedamshavebiologicalimplications.TheresultsoftheKlamathTMDLanalysisareconsistentwiththefindingsofBartholowetal.(2005),whoevaluatedthethermaleffectsoftheKlamathRiverdamsondownstreamreachesanddeterminedthatthedamsdelaytheseasonaltemperaturepatternsbyapproximately18daysonanannualbasis.Thephysicalimplicationofan18‐dayshiftintheseasonaltemperaturepatternisthattheriveriscoolerinthespringtimewhenjuvenilesalmonidsaremigratingto



theocean,andwarmerinthefallwhenadultsaremigratingupstreamandspawning,andwheneggsareincubatinginthegravels.Coolertemperaturesareknowntoreducejuvenilesalmonidgrowthrates;howeverthiseffectmaybemitigatedbythebenefitgainedbyreducedincidenceofstressfullyhightemperaturesduringoutmigration.Warmertemperaturesinthesummerperiodmayreducethenocturnalfeedingopportunitiesofjuvenilesalmonidsthatpersistatthermalrefugia,therebyreducingtheirabilitytowithstandstressfullyhighdaytimetemperatures(NationalResearchCounciloftheNationalAcademies2004).Warmertemperaturesinthefallmaydelayadultmigrationorleadtostressfullyhightemperatureswhenadultsarepresentoreggsareincubatingingravels.5.2.5ActionswiththepotentialtochangestreamchannelgeometryAwiderandshallowerchannelgainsandlosesheatmorereadilythananarrowanddeepchannel.Thisprincipalistrueforanystream.Astream’swidth‐to‐depthratioinfluencesstreamheatingprocessesbydeterminingtherelativeproportionofthewettedperimeterincontactwiththeatmosphereversusthestreambed.Waterincontactwiththestreambedexchangesheatviaconduction.Conductiveheatexchangewiththestreambedhasamoderatinginfluence,reducingdailytemperaturefluctuations.Waterincontactwiththeatmosphereexchangesheatviaevaporation,convection,solarradiation,andlong‐waveradiation.However,wideandshallowchannelshaveagreatersurfaceareaperunitofvolumeincontactwiththeatmospherethananarrower,deeperchannel.Heatexchangefromsolarradiationfaroutweighsheatexchangefromevaporation,convection,andlong‐waveradiation,unlessthestreamissignificantlyshaded.Theneteffectofchangesinwidth‐to‐depthratiosisthatstreamsthatarewideandshallowheatandcoolfasterthanstreamsthatarenarrowanddeep(PooleandBerman2001).Theeffectsofawiderandshallowerchannelaresimilartotheeffectsofincreasedsolarloading,inpartbecausechannelwideningresultsinincreasedsolarloading.Bothchangesleadtoincreasesindailyaverageandmaximumtemperatures,increaseddiurnalfluctuations,andmayleadtodecreaseddailyminimumtemperatures.Thewidth‐to‐depthratioofastreamcanbealteredthroughmanyavenues.Directmanipulationofthestreamchannelduringconstructionorfloodcontrolmaintenanceactivitiescanresultintheremovalofroughnesselementssuchasbouldersandlargewoodydebris.Activitieswithpotentialtocausecoarsesedimentdischargescancausechangesinstreambedmorphologydownstreamofthesedimentinputs.Similarly,hydromodificationassociatedwithincreasesinimpervioussurfacesandstormwaterroutingcanalsochangethegeometryofastreamchannel.5.2.6Activitieswiththepotentialtoreduceinstreamflowsorreducespecificsourcesofcoldwater,includingcoldwaterrefugia.Surfacewaterdiversionsdecreasethevolumeofwaterinthestream,andtherebyalterastream’sresponsetoheatinputs.Whenwaterisremovedfromastreamthe



thermalmassandvelocityofthewaterisdecreased.Thermalmassreferstotheabilityofabodytoresistchangesintemperature.Basically,lesswaterheatsorcoolsfasterthanmorewater.Decreasesinvelocityincreasethetimerequiredtotravelagivendistance,andthusincreasesthetimeheatingandcoolingprocessescanactonthewater.Theseprinciplesaretrueforanystream,andworkinconcertwithotherheatexchangeprocessestodeterminetheoveralltemperatureofastream.Groundwaterwithdrawalscanalsodecreasethevolumeofwaterinastream,dependingonthesituation.Wheregroundwateraquifersinteractwithstreamsgroundwaterwithdrawalscaneitherdrawwaterfromthestreamorinterceptgroundwaterthatwouldhaveotherwisedischargedtothestream(Winteretal.1998).TheScottRivertemperatureTMDLanalysisidentifiedtheinteractionofgroundwaterandsurfacewaterasakeyfactordeterminingstreamtemperaturesofthemainstemScottRiver.TheScottRiverisprimarilyagroundwaterdominatedstreamfromJuly‐September(NCRWQCB2005).Theincreaseintherateofheatingthataccompaniesadecreaseinthevolumeofflowinastreamcanhavesignificanttemperatureeffects.Adecreaseinthermalmassresultsinhigherdailyhighstreamtemperaturesandlowerdailylowstreamtemperatures,aswellashigherdailyaveragetemperatures.Reducedvelocitiesalsoresultinhigherdailyaveragestreamtemperatures.Directdiversionofsurfacewaterreducesstreamflowsandextractionofgroundwaterconnectedtosurfacewatersmayaswell.Activitiesthatreduceinfiltrationofprecipitationandfloodwaters,suchasconstructionofimpervioussurfacesandlevees,canreducegroundwaterinputstosurfacewaters(Winteretal.1998).Thermalrefugiaaretypicallyidentifiedasareasofcoolwatercreatedbyinflowingtributaries,springs,seeps,upwellinghyporheicflow,stratifiedpools,and/orgroundwaterinanotherwisewarmstreamchannelofferingrefugehabitattocold‐waterfishandothercoldwateraquaticspecies(NCRWQCB2007).Thermalrefugiaareoftentheonlyenvironmentsinnorthcoaststreamsthatarehabitabletosalmonidsduringthehotsummermonths(Nielsenandothers1994,WatercourseEngineering2006,Belchik1997).Thermalrefugiaareoftenformedindeeppoolsorpocketsofwatershelteredfrommixingduringlowflowperiods.Nielsenetal.(1994)demonstratedtherelationshipbetweenpoolvolumeandflowandpoolstratification.Simplyput,inorderforapooltostratifyintheabsenceofphysicalfeaturesthatseparatecoldwaterinputsfromthemainstreamflow,thevolumeofthepoolmustbelargerelativetotheflow,resultinginextremelylowvelocities.Inthesesituations,thebottomtemperatureisdeterminedbythedailylowtemperature.Activitiesthateitherraisethedailyminimumtemperatureordecreasethevolumeofthepoolcanimpactthesestratifiedpools.



Thermalrefugiaalsocanforminareasofastreamseparatedfromcurrentswherecoldwatersourcessuchassprings,tributaries,orintergravelflowsenterthestream(Nielsenandothers1994,Belchik1997).Theserefugialareascanbeimpactedinvariouswaysbyactivitiesthatdischargefinesediments.Finesedimentscanfillthevoidsbetweensubstrate,therebydecreasingintergravelflowdecreasingintergravelflow,reducethevolumeorcausewarmingofcoldtributaryorspringflows,orreducethetopographiccomplexityofstreamchannels.Morphologicalchangesassociatedwithincreasedsedimentloadscanalsoeliminateorresultinadecreasedvolumeofthermalrefugiainastreamorriverandimpedeaccesstothermalrefugiaprovidedbytributaries.Refugialvolumecanbereducedoreliminatedwhendeeppoolsfillwithsediment,whensidechannelsareburied,orwhencoldtributaryflowspercolateintoaggradedtributarydeltasorgravelbarsbeforeenteringtheriver.Similarly,accesstorefugialtributariescanbereducedoreliminatedwhensedimentloadsresultinaggradationandcauseatributarytopercolatebeforeenteringthemainstemandthusbecomedisconnectedfromthemainstemorbecometooshallowforfishtoswim.AggradationhasimpactedthemouthsofHunter,Turwar,Independence,Walker,Oneil,PortugueseandGriderCreeks(KlamathRivertributaries),aswellas14of17smalllowerKlamathRivertributariessurveyedbytheYurokTribe(DeLaFuenteandElder1998,KierAssociates1999).Finally,refugiacanbeeliminatedwhentributarytemperaturesincreasebeyondsalmonidthresholdsduetotheothereffectsofincreasedsedimentloadsdiscussedabove.Activitiesthatcanleadtoreducednumbersorvolumesofthermalrefugiaincludethosethatcanalterthestreamchannelconfiguration,reducepoolvolumes,reduceflows,ordischargesediment,suchasconstruction,timberharvest,roadbuilding,irrigation,mining,andotheractivitieswiththepotentialtodisturbsoils,decreaseslopestability,increasesurfaceerosion,alterchannelmorphology,andreducestreamflows.5.3ActionstoAchieveandMaintainWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatureThefollowingareactionsidentifiedintheproposedPolicytoImplementtheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatures(Policy).TheactionsareintendedtoachievewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureandimplementtemperatureTMDLs,includingEPA‐establishedTMDLs.ThePolicylanguageispresentedinboldforemphasis,withadiscussionfollowing.



5.3.1AddressRiparianShade,ControlSedimentLoadingandAddressHydrologicConditionsResultinginExceedenceofTemperatureObjectivesUsingRegulatoryandNon‐RegulatoryToolsRestoreandmaintainmaintainriparianshade,controlsedimentloading,andaddresshydrologicconditionsresultinginexceedenceoftemperatureobjectivesthroughnonpointsourcecontrolprograms;permitsandwaivers,grantsandloans,andenforcementactions;supportofrestorationprojects;andcoordinationwithotheragencieswithjurisdictionovercontrollablefactorsthatinfluencewatertemperature,asappropriate.ThisactiondirectsRegionalWaterBoardstafftoconsiderallopportunitiestorestoreandmaintainriparianshade, controlsedimentloading,andaddresshydrologicconditionsresultinginexceedenceoftemperatureobjectives,includingbothregulatoryandnon‐regulatorymeans.Thisdirectionincorporatestheconceptofshadeasacontrollablefactorintothewaterpollutioncontrolplan,andinsodoingstrengthenstheRegionalWaterBoard’sauthoritytoaddressriparianshadewhenestablishingwastedischargerequirements,waivers,and/orprohibitions.NonpointSourcePermitting,Permits,andWaiversTheRegionalWaterBoardhasdevelopednonpointsourcepermittingprogramstoaddresswaterqualityconcernsassociatedwitharangeofactivities.Todate,permittingprogramsinvolvingwastedischargerequirements,waiversofwastedischargerequirements,oracombinationofbothhavebeendevelopedforprivatetimberactivities,USFSactivities,dairyoperations,implementationoftheScottandShastaRiverTMDLs,andmanagementofcountyroads.RegionalWaterBoardstaffarecurrentlyintheprocessofdevelopingapermittingprogramtoaddresswaterqualityconcernsassociatedwithagriculturaloperations,aseparatepermittingprogramtoaddressroadimprovementandrelatedrestorationactivitiesinMendocinoCounty,andparticipatinginamulti‐regionalefforttodevelopaframeworkforapermittingprogramaddressinggrazing‐relatedwaterqualityconcerns.AnexampleoftheincorporationofshadeandsedimentconcernsinnonpointsourcepermittingistheWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforNonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivitiesonNationalForestSystemLandsintheNorthCoastRegion(USFSWaiver).TheUSFSWaiverestablishesconditionsdesignedtopreventwaterqualityimpactsassociatedwithUSFSmanagementactivities,suchasthoserelatedtothemanagementofriparianareasforthepurposesofcontrollingsedimentdischargesandpreservingriparianshade.TheUSFSWaiverconditionsaddresstemperatureconcernsbyrequiringtheprotection,maintenance,andenhancementofriparianconditionsandshade.AnotherexampleoftheimplementationofshadeandsedimentconcernsisintheimplementationoftheGeneralWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesRelatedtoTimberActivitiesonNon‐FederalLandsintheNorthCoastRegion(Timber



GWDRs)andotherpermitsoftheNorthCoastRegion’stimberregulatoryprogram3.Timberharvestactivitieshavethepotentialtoimpactwatertemperature,dependingonhowtheactivitiesareconducted.Fortimberharvestactivitiesonprivatelands,theRegionalWaterBoardincorporatestheCaliforniaBoardofForestry’sForestPracticeRulesintowaterqualitypermitsforeaseofreference,forconsistentterminology,andtoavoidduplicativeprocessestothedegreepossible.TheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CALFIRE),astheleadagencyinapprovingtimberharvestactivitiesonprivatelands,convenesamulti‐agencyteamthatincludesCALFIRE,theCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife,theCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoards,theCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey,andotheragenciesasneeded,toconductareviewofatimberharvestplan(THP).EachagencymayrecommendincorporatingmitigatingmeasuresintotheTHPtoreduceadverseimpactsoftheoperationontimberlandresources,includingthebeneficialusesofwater.Throughthisprocess,RegionalWaterBoardstaffhaveanopportunitytomakespecificTHPrecommendationsandclarifyBasinPlanrequirements,ifneeded,sothatthefinalTHPiseligibleforenrollmentinthetimberGWDRsorwaivers.UndertheForestPracticeRules,timberoperationswithindesignatedwatercourseandlakeprotectionzonesmustadheretocanopyretentionstandardstoaddressstreamtemperatureissues,sedimentandnutrientloading,andrecruitmentoflargewoodydebris.RecentmodificationstotheForestPracticeRulestoaddressanadromousfishhabitat(AnadromousSalmonidProtectionrules)haveresultedincanopyretentionstandardsthataregenerallyprotectiveofshadeandwatertemperaturesintheareaswheretheyapply.Compliancewiththeintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturemayinsomeinstancesrequireadditionalcanopyprotections,particularlyinareasoutsidetherangeofanadromy(e.g.,upstreamofdams,headwatersofstreamsandotherplanningwatershedsabovemigrationbarriers,andcoastalstreamswithnoanadromoussalmonidhabitatthatflowdirectlytotheocean)andinstreamsthatsupportaquatichabitatotherthanfish(i.e.,streamsidentifiedintheForestPracticeRulesasClassIIwatercourses).IntheseareastheenhancedriparianprotectionsoftheForestPracticeRules’AnadromousSalmonidProtectionrulesdonotapply.Theprotectivemeasuresforwatercourseandlakeprotectionzonesonsuchstreamsrequirethatatleast50%totalvegetativecanopy,includingatleast25%oftheexistingoverstoryconifersberetained(theRulesalsohaveadditionalrequirementsforretentionofaminimumbasalarea,whichcanresultinhighercanopylevels).TheRegionalWaterBoardhasfoundthatthe50%totalcanopyretentionstandardisconsistentwithsite‐specific 3OtherpermitsthatcomprisetheNorthCoastRegion’stimberregulatoryprogramincludetheCategoricalWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesRelatedtoTimberHarvestActivitiesOnNon‐FederalLandsintheNorthCoastRegion(Non‐FederalTimberWaiver),GeneralWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesforTimberOperationsonNon‐IndustrialTimberManagementPlans(NTMPs)intheNorthCoastRegion(NTMPGeneralWDR),andWDRsfordischargesrelatedtimberharvestingandrelatedlandmanagementintheBearCreek,ElkRiver,andFreshwaterCreekwatersheds.



potentialeffectiveshadeconditionsinsome,butnotallsituations,andthusdoesnotensurethesite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeconditionismet.ToaddressthispotentialgapbetweentemperatureprotectionandForestPracticeRulerequirements,RegionalWaterBoardstaffevaluatetheproposedharvestinthefieldduringpre‐harvestfieldinspectionswiththeforesterandothermembersoftheinterdisciplinaryreviewteam,andfollowingdiscussionwiththeinterdisciplinaryteam,makerecommendationstoensureadequatetemperatureprotection,asneeded.TheTimberGWDRscontainaprovisionthatallwaterqualityrequirementsmustbemettoqualifyforenrollmentintheTimberGWDRs.Asdefined,waterqualityrequirementsincludewaterqualityobjectives(narrativeornumeric),prohibitions,TMDLimplementationplans,policies,orotherrequirementscontainedinawaterqualitycontrolplanadoptedbytheRegionalWaterBoardandapprovedbytheStateWaterBoard,andallotherapplicableplansorpoliciesadoptedbytheRegionalWaterBoardorStateWaterBoard,including,butnotlimitedto,theStateWaterBoardResolutionNo.68‐16:StatementofPolicywithRespecttoMaintainingHighQualityWatersinCalifornia.ThisproposedPolicywouldrequirethattimberharvestplansbeconsistentwiththisPolicyinordertoqualifyforenrollmentintheTimberGWDRs.Inapplication,thispolicydirectsstafftocontinueimplementingtemperatureloadallocationsthroughTimberGWDRsenrollmentsinareassubjecttoexistingtemperatureTMDLs,includingEPA‐establishedtemperatureTMDLs.ItalsodirectsstafftoimplementsimilarshadecontrolsthroughTimberGWDRsenrollmentsinareaslistedasimpairedfortemperature,asappropriate,andregion‐wide,asappropriateandnecessary,topreventfutureimpairmentsandensurecompliancewiththeintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.GrantsandLoansandSupportofRestorationProjectsTheRegionalWaterBoardadministersprogramsthatincludeloanandgrantfundingforconstructionofmunicipalsewageandwaterrecyclingfacilities,remediationofundergroundstoragetankreleases,watershedprotectionandrestorationprojects,irrigationefficiency,andnonpointsourcepollutioncontrolprojects.Thesefundscanbeusedforprojectsthatpreserveand/orenhanceriparianshadeandreducesedimentloading,suchasriparianfencing,alternativestockwateringsystems,riparianplanting,beavermanagement,andbioengineeredbankstabilizationprojects.California’sCleanWaterStateRevolvingFundsaretypicallyusedtofundmunicipalwastewaterinfrastructure.However,it’spossiblethatthesetypesofprojectscouldinvolveaspectsthatrelatetoriparianshadealso,suchasprojectsinvolvingtheupgradingoftreatmentsystemsthatareadjacenttoriparianareas.EnforcementActionsTheRegionalWaterBoardoftentakesenforcementactionstoaddresstheimpactsassociatedwithunpermittedactivitiescausingdischargesofwasteandassociatedimpactstoriparianareas,includingsedimentdischargesandunpermittedremovalordestructionofriparianvegetationassociatedwithotherdischarges.Insuch



cases,theRegionalWaterBoardissuesorders,suchasacleanupandabatementorder,thatrequiretheremediationofimpactstowatersofthestate,includingimpactstoriparianvegetation.Remediationofsuchimpactstypicallyinvolvestherestorationofvegetationthathasbeenremovedordestroyed.CoordinationwithOtherAgencieswithJurisdictionOverControllableFactorsthatInfluenceWaterTemperatureTheRegionalWaterBoardhastheauthoritytoissuepermitsforthedischargeofwastetowatersofthestate.Temperatureimpactsaresometimescausedbyfactorsthatarenotassociatedwithdischargesofwaste,butareinsteadcausedbyactivitiescomingunderthedirectauthorityofotheragencies.Anexampleofthisisthenearstreamactivitiesthatcomeunderthelanduseplanningauthorityofcitiesandcounties.Citiesandcountiesdevelopordinancesanddefineappropriatelandusesthroughtheadoptionoflanduseplansandzoning.SonomaCounty,forexample,hasestablishedripariansetbacksintheirgeneralandareaspecificplansthatcallforrestrictedactivitieswithincertaindefineddistancesfromstreams.5.3.2ImplementSedimentControlsContinuetoimplementtheSedimentTMDLImplementationPolicyasameansofaddressingelevatedwatertemperatureassociatedwithexcesssedimentdischarges.ImplementsedimentcontrolsconsistentwiththeapproacharticulatedintheSedimentTMDLImplementationPolicytoaddresstemperatureconcernsassociatedwithsedimentinareasnotimpairedbysediment.ThisactiondirectsstafftopursuetheexistingSedimentTMDLImplementationPolicy(SedimentPolicy)asameansofaddressingsedimentloadsforthebenefitoftemperatureconditions.TheSedimentPolicydirectsstafftouseexistingauthoritiestostrengthenregulatorycontrolsofnonpointsourcedischargesofsediment.ImplementationofthatSedimentPolicyalsopartiallyimplementstheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureinsofarasthecontrolofsedimentdischargespartiallyaddresseselevatedwatertemperatures.TheSedimentPolicyisverysimilartothisproposedpolicyandreads,inpart:

“TheSedimentTMDLImplementationPolicystatesthattheRegionalWaterBoardshalladdresssedimentwastedischargesonawatershed‐specificbasisanddirectsstafftotakethefollowingactionstocontrolsedimentwastedischarges:1.Relyontheuseofexistingpermittingandenforcementactions.TheseactionsareconsistentwiththeNPSPolicy.

2.Relyontheuseofexistingprohibitions,includinganyfutureamendments.3.Pursuenon‐regulatoryactions,suchasMemorandaofUnderstanding,withotheragenciesandorganizations.

4.Workwithlocalgovernmentsandnon‐profitorganizationstodevelopsedimentcontrolstrategies,suchasgradingordinances.

5.Encourageorganizationsandindividualstocontrolsedimentwastedischargesandconductwatershedrestorationactivities.

6.Focusonpublicoutreachandeducation.



7.Developaguidancedocumentonsedimentwastedischargecontrol.8.DevelopasedimentTMDLimplementationmonitoringstrategy.”(BasinPlan,page4‐36)

TheimplementationoftheSedimentPolicyhasbeenlargelyachievedtodatethroughthesamenonpointsourcepermittingprogramsidentifiedabove.Forinstance,theTimberGWDRsrequirethedevelopmentoferosioncontrolplansandmitigationofallcontrollablesedimentdischargesiteswithinthetimberharvestplanareaduringthelifeoftheplan(usually5years).5.3.3AddressTemperatureConcernsinFutureNonpointSourceProgramsExamineandaddresstemperatureimpactswhendevelopingpermitsorprogramsfornonpointsourceactivities.Considerandimplement,whereapplicable,allavailablemeasurestopreventandcontroltheelevationofwatertemperaturesinpermitorprogramdevelopment.Suchmeasuresshallinclude,butarenotlimitedto,sedimentBestManagementPracticesandcleanups,memorandaofunderstandingoragreementwithotheragencies,prohibitionsagainstwastedischarges,managementofriparianareastoretainshade,andcontrolandmitigationoftailwaterandimpoundments.Whereappropriate,includemonitoringrequirementsforincorporationintopermits,programs,andotherorderstoconfirmthatmanagementactionsrequiredtopreventorreduceelevatedtemperaturesareimplementedandeffective.Thisactiondirectsstafftoincorporateelementsthataddresstemperatureconcernswhendevelopingnonpointsourcecontrolprograms.RegionalWaterBoardstaffiscurrentlyintheprocessofdevelopingapermittingprogramtoaddresswaterqualityconcernsassociatedwithcultivatedagriculturaloperations,andparticipatinginamulti‐regionalefforttodevelopaframeworkforapermittingprogramaddressinggrazing‐relatedwaterqualityconcerns.Thereisawiderangeofpracticesthatcanbeemployedtoaddresstemperatureimpactsassociatedwithnonpointsources.Theseincludethedesignationofriparianmanagementzonesthataremanageddifferentlythansurroundinglands,aswellastheavoidanceofotherfactorsliketailwaterdischargesandtheremovalofvegetationthatprovidesshadetoawaterbody.Inmanycasesthedevelopmentofawaterqualitymanagementplanisapreferredframeworkforidentifyingareasthatrequirespecialmanagementconsiderationstopreventwaterqualityimpacts,aswellasthemanagementpracticesemployed,anddocumentationoftheeffectivenessofthepractices.ThisactionalsodirectsRegionalWaterBoardstafftoincorporatemonitoringrequirementsintopermitstoensurethatactionstakentoaddresstemperatureconcernsareeffective.Thetypesofmonitoringthatmightaccomplishthisspanarangeofmonitoringtypes.Forinstance,photopointmonitoringcouldbeusedtoverifythatbestmanagementpracticesareeffectiveatmaintainingriparian



vegetation.Similarly,instreamtemperaturemonitoringcouldberequiredtoverifythatrequiredconditionsofanNPDESpermitsareachieved.5.3.4AddressTemperatureConcernsinIndividualPermitsAddressfactorsthatcontributetoelevatedwatertemperatureswhenissuing401certifications,NPDESpermits,WasteDischargeRequirements,orWaiversofWasteDischargeRequirements,orProhibitions.Thisactionenvisionsconditioningindividualwastedischargerequirements,waiversofwastedischargerequirements,401waterqualitycertifications,orprohibitionstoaddressanyfactorsthatcontributetoelevatedwatertemperatures.TheCleanWaterActdelegatestheauthoritytoissuepermitsfordredgeandfillactivitieswithinwatersoftheUStotheUSArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE)andUSEPA.Theauthoritytoissuesuchpermitsisdeclaredinsection404oftheCleanWaterAct,andthesepermitsareoftencalled404permits.Section401oftheCleanWaterActrequiresapplicantsfor404permitstoobtaincertificationfromthestateverifyingthattheactivitywillcomplywithstatewaterqualitystandards.Thesecertificationsareoftencalled401waterqualitycertifications,orjust401certifications.ThescopeoftheState’sjurisdictionismorebroadthantheUSACEandUSEPA’sdredgeandfillpermittingjurisdiction.Thefederalauthorityislimitedtowaterbodies(i.e.,streams,wetlands,andtidalareas)thatarenavigable,orhaveaclearnexustoanavigablewaterway(e.g.awetlandthathasasurfaceconnectiontoanavigablestream).TheState’sauthorityappliestoallwaterbodieswithinthebordersoftheState.Forthisreason,theRegionalWaterBoardoftenissueswastedischargerequirementsforsomedredgeandfillactivitiesthroughageneralwastedischargerequirementpermitfordredgeandfillactivities.However,thesameconcernsandconsiderationsareaddressed,regardlessofthepermit.RegionalWaterBoardstaffroutinelyissue401certificationsanddredgeandfillpermitsforprojectssuchasbridgemaintenanceandretrofitting,streambankrestoration,roadconstructionandmaintenance,aswellasone‐timeprojectssuchaspipelineandcommunicationlinecrossings,floodchannelmaintenance,andlanddevelopmentsinareaswithwetlands.TheRegionalWaterBoardhasalsoissued401certificationsforuniqueprojectssuchastheTrinityRiverRestorationProgramandtheHighway101Willitsbypass.TheRegionalWaterBoardalsodevelopsandadministersWasteDischargeRequirementsandWaiversofWasteDischargeRequirementsforindividualprojects.Theseprojectsareoftenuniqueprojectsforwhichnogeneralpermithasbeendeveloped.Thesetypesofprojectsareoftencombinedwitha401certificationwhentheyinvolvedredgeandfillactivities.TheRegionalWaterBoardissuesNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permitsforpointsourcedischarges,suchaswastewatertreatmentplants,



industrialprocessingfacilities,statehighways,dairiesandconfinedanimalfeedingoperations,andotherfacilitiesthatdischargeeffluenttosurfacewaters.TheRegionalWaterBoardalsoissuesNPDESpermitsforstormwaterdischargesassociatedwithconstructionsites,industrialsites,andmunicipalrunoff.The401certifications,NPDESpermits,wastedischargerequirements,orwaiversofwastedischargerequirementsissuedbytheRegionalWaterBoardsetconditionstoaddressconcernsassociatedwithtemperaturefactorssuchasreductionsinshade,changesincrosssectionalconfiguration,temporarydewateringimpacts,and/orsedimentdeliveries.Prohibitionsagainstdischargesofwaste,suchastheprohibitionagainstthedischargeofsoil,silt,bark,slash,sawdust,orotherorganicandearthenmaterialinrelationtologging,construction,andassociatedactivities,acttocontroldischargesthatmayimpacttemperatureconditionsthroughthedischargeofsedimentandothersettleablematerials.5.3.5AddressTemperatureConcernsUsingOtherToolsUseotherregulatory,executive,andenforcementtools,asappropriate,toaddresselevatedwatertemperaturesandpreserveexistingcoldwaterresources.Thisactioncallsforapproachesthatcanbeemployedtoaddresstemperatureconcernsthatdon’tinvolvethedevelopmentandadministrationofpermittingprocesses.Otherregulatory,executive,andenforcementtoolsincludebasinplanningexercises,memorandaofunderstandingand/oragreementwithtribesorotheragencies,andenforcementorders,suchascleanupandabatementordersandceaseanddesistorders.OtherregulatoryactionsincludethosethatarisefromtheRegionalWaterBoard’sbasinplanningauthority,suchastheestablishmentofbeneficialusesandwaterqualityobjectives.Forinstance,theestablishmentofariparianecologybeneficialusecouldbecontemplatedasanappropriatebeneficialusethatwarrantsincorporationintotheBasinPlan.Similarly,theBoardhastheauthorityto“establishprohibitionsthatspecifycertainconditionsorareaswherethedischargeofwaste,orcertaintypesofwaste,willnotbepermitted”(Porter‐Cologne,Section13243).Executivetoolssuchasmemorandaofunderstandingwithstates,tribes,orotheragenciescanbeutilizedtoacknowledgecommoninterests,establishproceduresforcoordinationandcollaborationintheexerciseofauthorities,andestablishagreementsrelativetotheadministrationoftheirauthoritiesandprogramsforthebenefitofwatertemperatureandotherwaterqualityconditions.5.3.6AddressTemperatureConcernsThroughSupportofRestoration



Supportandencouragerestorationprojectsthataredesignedtoeliminate,reduce,ormitigateexistingsourcesoftemperatureimpairments.Administer,encourage,andsupporttheuseofgrantfundstofacilitateprojectsthataddresselevatedwatertemperatureconcerns.Pursuenon‐regulatoryactionswithorganizations,landownersandindividualstoencouragethecontrolofelevatedwatertemperatures,watershedrestoration,andprotectionactivities.Restorationisanimportanttoolforachievingwaterqualityconditionssufficienttoprotectandrestorebeneficialuses,andmaybeparticularlynecessarytoaddresssometemperatureimpairments.Thisactiondirectsstafftoencourageandpromoterestorationthroughtheadministrationofgrantfundsandcollaborationwithorganizationsandindividualsasatooltoachievethewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.TheRegionalWaterBoardadministersanumberofgrantprogramsthatfundrestoration,includingthe319(h)and205(j)grantprograms,andsometimespropositionbondfunds.However,mostofthegrantfundedprojectsthataddresstemperatureconcernsintheNorthCoastRegionarefundedthroughgrantprogramsadministeredbyotheragencies,suchastheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife,USFishandWildlifeService,orNaturalResourceConservationService.ThisactionidentifiestheroletheRegionalWaterBoardcanplayinthepromotionofindividualprojectsfundedthroughgrantprogramsadministeredbytheRegionalWaterBoard,aswellasthosefundedthroughotherfundingprograms.Someexamplesofrestorationprojectsaddressingtemperatureconcernsthathavebeenorcouldbefundedthroughgrantsarethefollowing:

theplantingofriparianvegetationinareasslowtorecoverfromthelegacyeffectsofpastmanagementactivities;

infrastructure,suchasfences,stockwateringsystems,andshadestructurestoreduceimpactsoflivestockonriparianvegetation;

projectsthatconservewater,resultinginreduceddiversionofcoldwaterfromsprings,streams,andaquifersinconnectionwithsurfacewaters;

projectsthatleadtoimprovedunderstandingofgroundwaterandsurfacewaterdynamicsinareaswheretheinteractionofthesewatershasbeenidentifiedasafactorcontributingtoelevatedwatertemperatures;and,

waterstorageprojectsthatresultinreduceddiversionofwaterduringthedriermonths.

5.3.7CoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsintheWaterRightsPermittingProcessContinuetocoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsbyparticipatinginthewaterrightapplicationandpetitionprocess,providingmonitoringrecommendations,conductingjointinspections,submittingdatainsupportof401certificationsrelatedtowaterdiversionsand/orfacilitiesregulatedbytheFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommission,andanyotherappropriatemeans



tohelpensurethatthetermsofwaterrightpermitsandlicensesareconsistentwiththewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.ThisactiondirectsstafftomakeuseoftheprocessesavailableforinteractingwiththeStateWaterResourcesControlBoard’sDivisionofWaterRightsinallofficialcapacitiestheRegionalWaterBoard’sauthorityprovides.TheStateWaterBoard’sDivisionofWaterRights(DivisionofWaterRights)issueswaterrightpermitsforthediversionofsurfacewaters,andRegionalWaterBoardstaffoftenworkwithDivisionofWaterRightsstafftoensureBasinPlanrequirementsarereflectedinwaterrightpermitsandotherwaterrightorders.ThePolicyforMaintainingInstreamFlowsinNorthernCaliforniaCoastalStreams(May4,2010)specificallycallsforinvolvementbyRegionalWaterBoardstohelpensureadequateconsiderationofwaterqualityconcerns.TheDivisionofWaterRightsalsoissues401waterqualitycertificationsforprojectsrequiringaFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommission(FERC)license.RegionalWaterBoardstaffprovidesrecommendationsandidentifywaterqualityconditionsthatarenecessarytoensurethattheactivitywillcomplywithwaterqualitystandards.ThisactiondirectsRegionalWaterBoardstafftocontinuetoworkwiththeDivisionofWaterRightstoensurethattemperatureandotherwaterqualityconcernsareidentifiedandaddressedinthewaterrightpermittingprocessinallwaterbodies.TheprocessinwhichtheRegionalWaterBoardstaffandDivisionofWaterRightsstaffhaveagreedtocoordinateontheseissueshasbeenestablishedinaninteragencymemorandum.5.3.8CoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsintheDevelopmentofInstreamFlowStudiesandFlowObjectivesCoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsonthedevelopmentofinstreamflowstudiesandflowobjectives,asappropriate.ThisactiondirectsstafftocoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsonthedevelopmentofinstreamflowstudies.Instreamflowstudiesaresometimesnecessarytodeterminethedynamicsofhydrologicsystems,includingthesourcesandlossesofwater,andtounderstandtheamountanddistributionofwaternecessarytosupportbeneficialuses.ThisactionalsodirectsstafftocoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsonthedevelopmentofflowobjectives.Thedevelopmentofflowobjectivesmaybeappropriateincaseswheretheinstreamflowrequirementsforsupportofbeneficialusesaredefined.Forinstance,awatershedhydrologyobjectivethatdescribesnarrativegoalsforthetiming,quantity,anddistributionofwatercouldbeincorporatedintotheBasinPlan,ascouldanumericflowobjectiveforaparticularwatershedwherespecificflowrelatedthresholdsareunderstood.5.3.9ProvideOtherAgenciesGuidanceandRecommendationsProvidecities,counties,state,andfederalagenciesguidanceandrecommendationsoncompliancewiththewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.Workwithlocalgovernmentstodevelopstrategiestoaddresstheprevention,reduction,andmitigationofelevatedwatertemperatures,



including,butnotlimitedto,riparianordinances,generalplans,andothermanagementpolicies.Thisactiondirectsstafftocommunicateguidanceandrecommendations,suchascommentlettersorface‐to‐facemeetings,withstate,federal,andlocalgovernmentofficialsandplanningstaff,toadviseandassistthemindevelopingpoliciesandplansthatcomplywithandsupportthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.RegionalWaterBoardstaffoftensubmitswaterqualitycommentstocitiesandcountiesduringthedevelopmentoftheirordinancesandgeneralplans.Section13247ofthePorter‐CologneWaterQualityControlActstates:

“Stateoffices,departments,andboards,incarryingoutactivitieswhichmayaffectwaterquality,shallcomplywithwaterqualitycontrolplansapprovedoradoptedbythestateboardunlessotherwisedirectedorauthorizedbystatute,inwhichcasetheyshallindicatetotheregionalboardsinwritingtheirauthorityfornotcomplyingwithsuchplans.”

AnexampleoftheRegionalWaterBoardprovidingguidanceandrecommendationstoanotherstateagencyistheinputRegionalWaterBoardstaffhasprovidedtheCaliforniaBoardofForestryregardingrevisionsandimplementationoftheForestPracticeRules.RegionalWaterBoardstaffregularlyattendBoardofForestrymeetingsinwhichchangesintherulesarecontemplated,andhavesubmittedcommentlettersonrulechangestoensuretheBoardofForestryisawareofBasinPlanconsiderations.Similarly,RegionalWaterBoardstaffparticipatedinCalFire’sSectionVTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteethatdevelopedaguidancedocumentforforesterswishingtomakeuseofthatrelativelyrecentsectionoftheForestPracticeRulesaddedaspartoftheAnadromousSalmonidProtectionrulepackage,whichinvolvestimberoperationswithintheriparianzone.StateguidelinesrequirethatlocalgeneralplansshouldincorporatewaterqualitypoliciesfromBasinPlanstotheextenttheyarerelevant.Theplanningandlanduseauthoritiesentrustedtocitiesandcountiesincludetheauthoritytolimitimpactsfromlandusestowatersofthestateandothernaturalresources.Thisactiondirectsstafftocontinuetoprovideguidanceandrecommendationstocitiesandcountiesoncompliancewiththewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureandworkwithlocalgovernmentstodevelopstrategiestoaddresstheprevention,reduction,andmitigationofelevatedwatertemperatures,including,butnotlimitedto,riparianordinances,generalplans,andothermanagementpolicies.RegionalWaterBoardstaffhaveactivelyparticipatedinmeetingswiththeSonomaCountyPermitandResourceManagementDepartmentregardingthedevelopmentoftheCounty’sRiparianZoningordinance,andhopetohavesimilaropportunitieswithothercountyplanningdepartments.5.3.10CoordinatewithOtherStateAgencies



Identifystatewidepoliciesunderdevelopmentwithimplicationsforwatertemperature,collaboratewithStateWaterBoardcounterparts,andproviderecommendationsandguidancewithrespecttothispolicy.ThisactiondirectsstafftocollaboratewithStateWaterBoardandotherstateagenciesinthedevelopmentofstatewidepoliciesthatmayhaveimplicationsforwatertemperature.AnexampleofsuchapolicyistheWetlandandRiparianAreaProtectionPolicycurrentlybeingdevelopedbytheStateBoard.Similarly,theStateandRegionalWaterBoardsarecollaboratinginamulti‐regionalefforttodevelopaframeworkforapermittingprogramaddressinggrazing‐relatedwaterqualityconcerns.5.3.11MonitorTemperatureTrendsDevelopandimplementaregion‐widewatertemperaturetrendmonitoringprogramtoassisttheRegionalWaterBoardindeterminingwhetherthisPolicyiseffectivelyreducingandpreventingelevatedtemperaturesoverthelong‐term.ThisactiondirectsstafftodevelopamonitoringplantotrackregionaltemperaturetrendstounderstandwhethertheactionsidentifiedinthisPolicyareeffectiveatcontrollingstreamtemperatures.Section7.0isadescriptionofthetemperaturemonitoringstrategyRegionalWaterBoardstaffarepursuing.5.3.12DevelopandMaintainaTemperatureWorkplanDevelopandmaintainatemperatureimplementationworkplanconsistentwiththePolicytoprioritizeefforts,trackprogress,andidentifyspecificactiontoaddresselevatedwatertemperatures.ThetemperatureimplementationworkplanshalldescribeactionsthatwillbetakenthroughouttheNorthCoastRegionandsetwatershedprioritiesforaddressingelevatedwatertemperaturesatawatershed‐specificlevel.ThetemperatureimplementationworkplanshallbepresentedtotheRegionalWaterBoardonatriennialbasis.ThisactiondirectsstafftodevelopandmaintainatemperatureimplementationworkplansimilartotheWorkPlantoControlExcessSedimentinSedimentImpairedWatershed(NCRWQCB2008),whichidentifiestheactionsandtasksRegionalWaterBoardstaffshouldtaketocontrolhuman‐causedexcesssedimentinthesediment‐impairedwaterbodiesoftheNorthCoastRegionoveraten‐yeartimeframe.Thetemperatureimplementationworkplanshouldidentifybothregionalandwatershed‐specifictasksRegionalWaterBoardstaffintendtoexecutetocontrolelevatedtemperaturesintheNorthCoastRegion.ThisactionalsomandatesreviewoftheworkplanbytheRegionalWaterBoardeverythreeyears.



6.0 ACTIONPLANSTOADDRESSTEMPERATUREIMPAIRMENTSINTHEMATTOLE,NAVARRO,ANDEELRIVERWATERSHED

6.1StipulatedAgreementTheRegionalWaterBoardandStateWaterResourcesControlBoardweresuedseveralyearsagobysixenvironmentalgroups.ThesuitwasfiledtocompelthedevelopmentofimplementationplansforthetemperatureTMDLsdefinedinthefollowingdocuments4:

NavarroRiverTotalMaximumDailyLoadsforSedimentandTemperature(2000),

MattoleRiverTotalMaximumDailyLoadsforSedimentandTemperature(2002),

UpperMainEelRiverandTributaries(includingTomkiCreek,OutletCreekandLakePillsbury)TotalMaximumDailyLoadsforTemperatureandSediment(2004),

MiddleMainEelRiverandTributaries(fromDosRiostoSouthFork)TotalMaximumDailyLoadsforTemperatureandSediment(2005),

LowerEelRiverTotalMaximumDailyLoadsforTemperatureandSediment(2007),

SouthForkEelRiverTotalMaximumDailyLoadsforSedimentandTemperature(1999),

NorthForkEelRiverTotalMaximumDailyLoadsforSedimentandTemperature(2002),and

MiddleForkEelRiverTotalMaximumDailyLoadsforSedimentandTemperature(2003)

TheTMDLslistedabovecontainallofthecomponentsofaTMDL(problemstatement,sourceanalysis,loadallocation,numerictargets,loadallocations,linkageanalysis,andmarginofsafety)butdonotincludeimplementationplans.TheseTMDLsweredevelopedonanaggressiveschedule,pursuanttoaconsentdecree,whichdidnotallowforthedevelopmentandadoptionofimplementationplans.Thethreestand‐aloneActionPlanstoControlElevatedWaterTemperaturesintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershedsweredevelopedtoaddresselevatedwatertemperatures,implementtheTMDLslistedabove,andsatisfythestipulatedagreement.6.2GeographicScopeThestand‐aloneActionPlanstoControlElevatedWaterTemperaturesintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershedsapplytothefollowingwatersheds:

4 ThewatershedsreferencedabovehadTMDLsdevelopedforbothtemperatureandsediment,whichweredevelopedatthesametimeandpresentedinthesamedocument.ThesedimentTMDLscontainedinthesedocumentsareaddressedthroughimplementationoftheSedimentPolicy.ThisPolicyaddressesthetemperatureTMDLsonly.



MattoleRiver NavarroRiver UpperMainEelRiver MiddleMainEelRiver

LowerMainEelRiver SouthForkEelRiver NorthForkEelRiver MiddleForkEelRiver

6.3RelationshiptotheRegionalTemperaturePolicyThestand‐aloneActionPlanstoControlElevatedWaterTemperaturesintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershedsareconsistentwiththeconcurrentlyproposedPolicyandfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.Theactionsdescribedinthestand‐aloneActionPlanstoControlElevatedWaterTemperaturesintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershedsapplytheprinciplesofthePolicytotemperatureissuesidentifiedinthosewatershedswithagoalofimplementingtheTMDLloadallocationsandachievingtheTMDLtargets.ThePolicydirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtofocustemperatureimplementationactionsonthreefactors:shade,flow,andsediment.TheactionsdescribedintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverwatershedActionPlansaddressshadeandflowissues.ElevatedsedimentissuesinthesewatershedsareaddressedthroughimplementationoftheSedimentTMDLImplementationPolicycontainedintheBasinPlan.6.4TemperatureTotalMaximumDailyLoadAssessments6.4.1ProblemStatementsEachoftheeightTMDLsaddressedbytheseActionPlanscontainsaproblemstatement.Theproblemstatementsconsistentlyidentifythedeclineofthesalmonidfisheryanddegradationofhabitatassymptomsofthewaterqualityimpairmentcausedbyelevatedwatertemperatures.Manyoftheproblemstatementsalsodiscussthescienceofsalmonidlifecycleandhabitatrequirements,withadiscussionofthetemperatureconditionsastheyexistedatthetimetheTMDLswereprepared.Forfurtherinformationdescribingtheproblemsassociatedwithelevatedwatertemperaturesintheeightwatersheds,seetheTMDLdocumentslistedinSection2.4.6.4.2SourceAnalysesThesourceanalysismethodsandconclusionsaresummarizedinsection2.4,TemperatureTMDLAnalyses,above.SeetheTMDLdocumentslistedinSection6.1,StipulatedAgreement,above,forafulldiscussionofeachofthesourceanalyses.6.4.3TotalMaximumDailyLoadsThetemperatureTMDLsdevelopedfortheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverwatershedsweredevelopedusingconsistentmethodologiesandinterpretations.Accordingly,theTMDLs,loadallocations,andtargetswereestablishedtoachieveconditionsthatareconsistentamongalloftheTMDLs.Despitethisconsistency,the



calculatedthermalloadsestablishedvaryfromwatershedtowatershedduetodifferencessuchasvegetationtype,channelwidth,andchannelorientation.However,theloadsweredevelopedconsistentlyonasingleconceptualbasis:thepotentialamountofeffectiveshadeprovidedtothewatersurfacefromnearstreamvegetationtakingintoaccounttopography,streamorientation,differencesinvegetationtype,andnaturalfactorsthatcanreducethatamountsuchasfire,disease,geology,soils,landslides,windthrow,andothernaturalprocesses.TheestablishedTMDLsandadescriptionofthebasisfortheTMDLarepresentedinTable6.1,below.6.4.4NumericTargetsTotalmaximumdailyloadnumerictargetsareaquantitativevalueorvaluesusedtomeasurewhetherornottheapplicablewaterqualitystandardisattained.NumerictargetsfortemperatureTMDLsdevelopedintheNorthCoastRegionareusedtomeasureprogresstowardsachievementoftheapplicablewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature,astheobjectivesapplytotheindividualTMDLwatersheds.TheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverwatershedsareintrastatewaters,andthusonlytheintrastatewaterqualityobjectiveapplies.ThetargetsaresummarizedinTable6.2,below.



Table6.1:SummaryoftheTotalMaximumDailyThermalLoadsestablishedforeachwatershed.Watershed TotalMaximumDailyThermalLoad Basis

UpperMainEelRiver Averagesolarloadingof289langleys/day Shadeassociatedwith“fullnaturalgrowth”

MiddleMainEelRiver Averagesolarloadingof233langleys/dayShadeassociatedwith“fullnaturalgrowth”

LowerMainEelRiverSaltRiversubbasin:362langleys/dayAllothertributaryreaches:118langleys/dayLowermainEel:noTMDLneeded.

Heatloadthatcorrespondsto“naturalshadeconditions”

SouthForkEelRiver Effectiveshadelevels,variedbystreamwidthandvegetationtype,rangingfrom26‐96%

Shadeassociatedwith“naturalconditions”

MiddleForkEelRiver

NFofMFEel:118langleys/dayUpperBlackButte:100langleys/dayOtherMFEeltributaries:109langleys/dayMFEelMainstem:9%reductioninheat

Shadeassociatedwith“naturalfullgrowthvegetation”

NorthForkEelRiverNorthForkEelwatershedupstreamofYellowjacketCreekandHullsCreeksubbasin:Modeledshaderesultsdepictedinfigures.RemainderofNorthForkEel:41%averageshade.

“NaturalPotentialShade”



NavarroRiver

Cumulativedistributionofpotentialeffectiveshade(presentedinTable3‐1andFigure3‐4oftheNavarroTMDLdocument[USEPA2000]):

Potentialeffectiveshadeconditions,withallowancesforeffectsofnaturalfactorsthatreduceshade

MattoleRiver

Thedistributionofeffectiveshadeconditionsidentifiedas“adjustedpotentialvegetation”,below(figure4‐8oftheMattoleTMDL[USEPA,2002]):

Potentialeffectiveshadeconditions,withallowancesforeffectsofnaturalfactorsthatreduceshade



Table6.2:SummaryofNumericTargetsintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershedTemperatureTMDLsWatershed NumericTargetsUpper Main Eel River Achievementoftemperatureatdesignatedlocation.Middle Main Eel River Noneexplicitlydefined.Lower Main Eel River Noneexplicitlydefined.South Fork Eel River

Middle Fork Eel River The minimum target value is the distribution of stream lengths that fall into the adequate and marginal temperature categories under the full growth scenario:

TemperaturerangeUpperBlackButte

subbasin

NorthForkofMiddleForksubbasin

RemainderoftheMiddleForkEelRiverwatershed

Good(MWAT<15°C) 0% 0% 0%Adequate(15°C<MWAT<17°C)

28% 6% 23%

Marginal(17°C<MWAT<19°C)

71% 78% 72%

North Fork Eel River Thedistributionofstreamtemperaturesrepresentedinthefollowingtable:



Navarro River “TemperatureconditionsintheNavarroshouldshowthegeneralpatternillustratedinFigure3‐2.Goodorsuitablehabitatconditionsforcoldwaterfish(<17°C[62.6°F]asmeasuredbyMWAT)shouldexistinmosttributaries.Streamsthatcannotsupportambientsuitableconditions(e.g.,mainstemNavarro,AndersonandlowerRancheria)willprovideimprovingconditionsforpoolrefugiaandconnectivitybetweenrefugiathroughsufficientnaturalsurfaceandgroundwaterflow.”

“ThequantityofflowdivertedfromtheNavarrointhesummerisnotincreased,unlessitcanbeshownthatsuchanincreasedoesnotadverselyaffectbeneficialuse.TheNMFSguidelinesprovidedetailsofthedocumentationrequiredforsummerdiversions.”

Mattole River Adjustedpotentialshadeconditionsfromriparianvegetation Increasedvolumeofthermallystratifiedpools

65StaffReportSupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatureandActionPlanstoAddressTemperatureImpairmentintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatersheds

6.4.5MarginsofSafetyTheCleanWaterActrequiresthatTMDLsincludeamarginofsafetythattakesintoaccountanylackofknowledgeconcerningtherelationshipbetweenthepollutantloadsandthedesiredreceivingwaterquality.Themarginofsafetyisoftenimplicitlyincorporatedintoconservativeassumptionsusedincalculatingloadingcapacities,wasteloadallocations,andloadallocations(EPA1991).ThemarginofsafetymayalsobeincorporatedexplicitlyasaseparatecomponentintheTMDLequation.TheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverwatershedtemperatureTMDLanalysesallcontainimplicitmarginsofsafety,basedonconservativeassumptionsthatweremadetoaccountforuncertaintiesintheanalysis.SeetheindividualTMDLdocumentslistedinSection6.1,StipulatedAgreement,above,forafulldiscussionoftheconservativeassumptionsthatcomprisethemarginsofsafetyfortheseTMDLs.6.5DescriptionofImplementationActionstoAddressTemperatureImpairmentsintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatershedTheimplementationactionsdescribedbelowcomprisethesuiteofimplementationactionsidentifiedinthethreeActionPlanstoaddresstemperatureimpairmentintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverwatersheds.However,becausesomeactivitiesarenotpresentineachofthewatersheds,notallapplyineverywatershed.6.5.1 TimberHarvestActivitiesonNon‐FederalLandsResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:RegionalWaterBoardstaffshallmakerecommendationsforadditional

measurestoensuretheTMDLloadallocationsandwaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureareachievedduringthetimberharvestreviewprocess,ifnecessary.

ThisactioncallsonRegionalWaterBoardstafftorelyontheriparianshadeprotectionsrequiredbytheCaliforniaForestPracticeRulesasastartingpointtoprotectandmaintainriparianshade.However,compliancewiththeintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturemayinsomeinstancesrequireadditionalcanopyprotections,particularlyinareasoutsidetherangeofanadromy(seeadditionaldiscussioninsections4.4and5.3.1).Accordingly,thisactioncallsforRegionalWaterBoardstafftomakerecommendationsforadditionalmeasuresnecessarytoachievethewaterqualityobjectivesduringthetimberharvestreviewprocesswhentheForestPracticeRuleprotectionsareinsufficient.ThroughthisprocessRegionalWaterBoardstaffhaveanopportunitytomakespecificTHPrecommendationsandclarifyBasinPlanrequirements,ifneeded,duringthetimberharvestreviewprocesssothatthefinalTHPiseligibleforenrollmentinthetimberGWDRsorwaivers.TheRegionalWaterBoardregulatesdischargesofwasteassociatedwithprivatetimberactivitiesintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverwatershedsthroughthefollowinggeneralpermitsandwatershed‐widepermit:


GeneralWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesRelatedtoTimberHarvestActivitiesonNon‐FederalLandsintheNorthCoastRegion(TimberGWDRs)

CategoricalWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesRelatedtoTimberHarvestActivitiesOnNon‐FederalLandsintheNorthCoastRegion(Non‐FederalTimberWaiver)

GeneralWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesforTimberOperationsonNon‐IndustrialTimberManagementPlans(NTMPs)intheNorthCoastRegion(NTMPGeneralWDR)

WasteDischargeRequirementsForDischargesRelatedtoTimberHarvestingandRelatedLandManagementActivitiesConductedbyHumboldtRedwoodCompany,LLC,intheBearCreekWatershedHumboldtCounty

In2011,theMattoleRestorationCouncilreceivedapprovalfortheirMattoleForestFuturesProject.Thisprogramestablishesasuiteof“lighttouch”forestrypracticesdescribedandanalyzedintheMattoleProgrammaticTimberlandEnvironmentalImpactReport.Thisprogramprovideslandownersastreamlinedapprovalprocessfortheirloggingplans,providedtheirharvestmeetstheprogram’sstandards.RegionalWaterBoardparticipatedinthedevelopmentoftheprogram,whichaddressestemperatureconcerns.ResponsibleParty:Partiesconductingtimberactivitiesonprivatelands.ActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:Implementriparianmanagementmeasuresthatmeettheriparianshade

allocationsandwaterqualitystandards.WheretheForestPracticeRulesarenotsufficienttomeettheTMDLallocationsorwaterqualitystandards,implementadditionalmeasuresasdirectedbyRegionalWaterBoardstaffduringthetimberharvestreviewprocess.

Thisactiondirectsprivatepartiesconductingtimberharvestactivitiesthatdischargewaste,orhavethepotentialtodischargewaste,tomanageriparianareasconsistentwiththeTMDLloadallocationsforriparianshade.BecauseTMDLloadallocationsareestablishedasnecessaryconditionsforachievementofwaterqualitystandards(i.e.,waterqualityobjectivesinthecontextofbeneficialuses),applicableloadallocationsshouldbeincorporatedintoatimberharvestplantoqualifyforenrollmentinanyofthetimberpermitsdescribedabove.TheactionalsodirectsthosepartiestoimplementadditionalmeasuresidentifiedbyRegionalWaterBoardstaffduringthetimberharvestplanningprocess.Theseactionsimplementactions1and2oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.


6.5.2ActivitiesonLandsManagedbytheU.S.ForestService(USFS)ResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlan: Eel Actions:1)ImplementOrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029,WaiverofWasteDischarge

RequirementsforNonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivitiesonNationalForestSystemLandsintheNorthCoastRegion,andanyfuturerevisions,(USFSWaiverofWDRs)asamechanismforcompliancewithtemperatureobjectives.2)RegionalWaterBoardstaffshallmakerecommendationsforadditionalmeasurestoensurethewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureisachievedduringtheprojectreviewprocess,asnecessary.

TheseactionsdirectstafftocontinueimplementingtheUSFSWaiverofWDRsasamechanismforcompliancewithtemperatureTMDLsandtheintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature,andtomakefurtherrecommendationsduringtheprojectreviewprocess,asnecessary,toensureachievementofthewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.In2010,theRegionalWaterBoardissuedOrderR1‐2010‐0029:WaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforNonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivitiesonNationalForestSystemLandsintheNorthCoastRegion(USFSWaiver),aconditionalwaiveraddressingcertainnonpointsourceactivitiesonUnitedStatesForestServicelandsintheregion,includingtimber,roads,andgrazing.Thispermit,byvirtueofitsconditions,alsoimplementssediment,temperature,andnutrientTMDLs,andmeetstheBasinPlanintrastatetemperatureobjective.TheUSFSWaiver ofWDRsadoptstheUSFSprogramthatmanagesandmaintainsdesignatedriparianzonestoensureretentionofadequatevegetativecoverthatresultsinnaturalshadeconditions.TheUSFSprogramrequiresretentionoftreeswithin300feetslopedistanceoneachsideoffish‐bearingstreams,150feetslopedistanceoneachsideofperennialstreams,and100feetslopedistanceoneachsideofephemeral/intermittentstreams,orthesite‐specificpotentialtreeheightdistanceoneachsideofthestream,whicheverisgreatest.TheUSFSWaiverofWDRsprovidesforexceptionstotheserequirementsifitcanbedemonstratedthattheexceptionwillresultinanetlong‐termbenefittowaterqualityandstreamtemperatures.TheUSFSWaiverofWDRsisthesoleimplementationmechanismintheBlackButteRiver,UpperMiddleForkEelRiver,andUpperNorthForkEelRiverwatersheds.ResponsibleParty:U.S.ForestServiceActionPlan: Eel Actions:ConductlandmanagementactivitiesincompliancewiththeUSFSWaiver

ofWDRs,andinaccordancewithproject‐levelrecommendations.


ThisactionsimplycallsontheUSFStocomplywithtermsoftheUSFSWaiverofWDRs.Theseactionsimplementsactions1and2oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.6.5.3AgriculturalActivitiesonNon‐FederalLandsResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action: DevelopandimplementtheAgriculturalLandsDischargeProgramasa

mechanismforcompliancewithtemperatureobjectives.ThisactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtodevelopanAgriculturalLandsDischargeProgram(ALDP)thatachievesriparianloadallocations,andtoimplementtheALDPorelementsthereof,uponadoption,asameansofachievingthewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.TheALDPiscurrentlyunderdevelopment,andisintendedtoaddresswaterqualityconcernsassociatedwithcultivatedagriculturalcropssuchasgrapes,orchardcrops,flowers,medicalmarijuana,vegetables,andothercommodities.TheregulatoryprogramwilllikelybecomposedofanumberofwaiversandWDRsforspecificagriculturalcategories.ResponsibleParty:Anypartyconductingactivitiesassociatedwithagriculturethat

dischargewasteorhavethepotentialtodischargewasteonnonfederalland,exceptdairies.

Action:1)“Implementriparianmanagementmeasuresthatmeettheriparian

shadeloadallocationsandwaterqualitystandards.”

2)“ConductlandmanagementactivitiesincompliancewiththeAgriculturalLandsDischargeProgramwhenadopted.“

Thefirstofthesetwoactionsdirectspartiesengagedinagriculturalactivitiesthatdischargewaste,orhavethepotentialtodischargewaste,tomanageriparianareasconsistentwiththeTMDLloadallocationsforriparianshade.ThesecondoftheseactionssimplydirectsagriculturaloperatorstocomplywiththeALDPuponadoption.Theseactionsareconsistentwithactions1,2,and3oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.6.5.4RoadConstructionandMaintenanceofStateHighwayFacilitiesResponsibleParty:StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,RegionalWaterBoardActionPlans: Navarro,andEel


Action:ImplementtheNPDESStatewideStormWaterPermitandWasteDischargeRequirementsfortheStateofCalifornia,DepartmentofTransportation(Caltranspermit).

ThisactiondirectstheStateandRegionalWaterBoardstoimplementtheCaltranspermitasameansofaddressingtemperatureconcernsassociatedwithmaintenanceandoperationofthestatehighwaysystem.TheCaltranspermitwasadoptedbytheStateWaterBoardafterclosecoordinationwiththeRegionalWaterBoardsandwasdevelopedtoaddressTMDLsandgeneralBasinPlanrequirements.ResponsibleParty:CaltransActionPlans: Navarro,andEel Action: Conductroadconstruction,maintenanceandassociatedactivitiesin

compliancewiththeCaltranspermit.ThisactionsimplyrequiresCaltranstocomplywiththetermsoftheCaltranspermit.Theseactionsareconsistentwithactions1and2oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.6.5.5RoadConstructionandMaintenanceonCountyLandsResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:1)ImplementOrderNo.R1‐2013‐0004,WaiverofWasteDischarge

RequirementsandGeneralWaterQualityCertificationforCountyRoadManagementandActivitiesConductedundertheFiveCountiesSalmonidConservationProgramIntheCountiesofDelNorte,Humboldt,Mendocino,Siskiyou,andTrinityinTheNorthCoastRegion,andanyfuturerevisions(5CWaiverofWDRs).

2)Intheeventthatacountydoesnotshowintenttoimplementthe5CWaiverofWDRs,developWDRsoraconditionalwaiverofWDRsforthatcounty.

ThisactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtoaddresstemperatureconcernsthroughtheimplementationofthe5CWaiverofWDRs.The5CWaiverProgramaddressessedimentandtemperatureimpairmentsbyrequiring:

TheapplicationofBMPsoncountyroadsandatcorporationyardstoavoidexcesssedimentdischarges;

Theprotectionandmaintenanceofriparianconditionsandshade,withintheCountyroadrightofwayandproperty;and

Inventories,prioritizationandremediationofsedimentdeliverysites.ThesemeasuresareconsistentwithexistingsedimentandtemperatureTMDLimplementationrequirementstomeetrelevantloadallocations.


The5CProgramisalsorecognizedasaproperimplementationtoolundertheSedimentTMDLImplementationPolicy.

Intheeventthatacountydecidestonotparticipateintheprogram,theRegionalWaterBoardisdirectedtodevelopapermittoaddressthatcounty’sroadmaintenanceandassociatedoperations.ResponsibleParty:Humboldt,Mendocino,andTrinityCountiesActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:Conductroadconstructionandmaintenanceincompliancewiththe5C

WaiverofWDRs.ThisactiondirectsHumboldt,Mendocino,andTrinityCountiestocomplywiththe5CWaiverasameansofaddressingtemperatureconcernsassociatedwithcountyroadmaintenanceandassociatedactivities.Theseactionsareconsistentwithactions1and2oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.6.5.6DairyOperationsResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlan: Eel Action:ImplementtemperatureallocationsthroughtheWaterQualityCompliance

ProgramforDairies&ConcentratedAnimalFeedingOperationsandanyfuturerevisions(DairyProgram).

ThisactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtocontinueaddressingtemperatureimpactsassociatedwithdairyoperationsthroughtheimplementationoftheDairyProgram.TheDairyPrograminvolvesinspectionsofindividualdairyfacilitiestoidentifywaterqualityconcerns,includingconcernsassociatedwithriparianmanagement.RegionalWaterBoardstaffcommunicatewaterqualityconcernsatthetimeoftheinspectionandthroughinspectionreportsthatidentifyimprovementstobeaddressedbytheoperator.RegionalWaterBoardstafffollow‐upwiththeoperatorsregardingtheimplementationoftherecommendations,andoftenworkwiththirdpartiessuchastheWesternUnitedDairymen,NRCS,orresourceconservationdistricts,ortheUCCooperativeExtensiontohelptheoperatorsfindassistancewithimplementingtherecommendations.Examplesofthetypesofrecommendationsthataddresstemperatureconcernsincluderiparianfencing,alternativewatersourcedevelopment,constructionofshadestructures,andplacementofsaltblocksawayfromwatercourses.ResponsibleParty:DairyOperatorsActionPlan: Eel Action:ConductlandmanagementactivitiesincompliancewiththeDairy

Program.


ThisactiondirectsdairyoperatorstocomplywiththeDairyProgramasameansofimplementingthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature,andisconsistentwithaction1oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.6.5.7DredgeandFillActivitiesinWatersoftheStateResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:Incorporatemeasurestomeetthetemperatureallocationsin401water

qualitycertifications.ThisactiondirectsRegionalWaterBoardstafftocondition401waterqualitycertificationstoaddressanyfactorsthatcontributetoelevatedwatertemperatures.Thisactionisconsistentwithaction4oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.6.5.8WasteDischargeRequirementsResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:IncorporatemeasurestomeetthetemperatureallocationsinWaste

DischargeRequirementsandWaiversthereof.ThisactiondirectsRegionalWaterBoardstafftoconditionindividualwastedischargerequirementsandwaiversofwastedischargerequirements,toaddressanyfactorsthatcontributetoelevatedwatertemperatures.Thisactionisconsistentwithaction4oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.6.5.9WaterUseResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoard;StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,DivisionofWaterRightsActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:Workwithotheragenciesandnon‐governmentalorganizationstosupport

off‐streamstorageprojectsforwaterdiverterscurrentlydivertingdirectlyfromstreamsduringsummer.Workwithotheragenciesandnon‐governmentalorganizationstostreamlinepermittingprocessforconversionofon‐streamtooff‐streamstorage.

ThisactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtosupporteffortstodevelopoff‐streamwaterstoragefordivertersthatcurrentlydivertsurfacewaterduringthedryseason(e.g.,JunethroughSeptember).Thiseffortisintendedtoleadtoincreasedcoldwaterflowsinstreamduringthetimeofhighestwatertemperatures.TheRegionalWaterBoardcansupportthisactioninthefollowingways:


Prioritizationofgrantfundsfortheconstructionofoff‐streamreservoirs,theremovalofon‐streamimpoundments,andotherinfrastructureneededtofacilitatethetransitionfromdirectdiversiontooff‐streamstorage.

SupportofprojectsingrantprogramsnotadministeredbytheRegionalWaterBoard.ThismayincludelettersofsupportforindividualprojectstoagenciessuchastheNaturalResourceConservationService(NRCS),whoadministerstheEnvironmentQualityIncentivesProgram.

Permitstreamlining.TheRegionalWaterBoardcanaffectpermitstreamliningthroughthedevelopmentofgeneralWDRsforpondconstructionand/orimpoundmentremoval.DevelopmentofgeneralWDRsand401waterqualitycertificationscouldbecompletedinawaythatincludesaCEQAanalysisthatcouldbereliedonformultipleprojects,therebydecreasingthecostsassociatedwithprojects.Thissameapproachhasalreadybeentakentostreamlinethepermittingofsedimentsourcereduction,streambankrestoration,andriparianplantingprojectsimplementedbytheMendocinoResourceConservationDistrictandNRCS.

Theseactionsareconsistentwithactions4,5,6,and7oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.ResponsibleParty:WaterUsersActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:TheRegionalWaterBoardencouragesallwateruserstoimplementwater

conservationpracticesanddevelopoff‐streamstoragefacilitiestominimizewaterdiversionsduringlowflowperiods.

Thisstatementmakescleartoallwateruserstheactionsthatcanbetakenontheirowninitiativetoaddresswaterqualityconcernsassociatedwiththeirwateruse.ResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoard,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,DivisionofWaterRightsActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:Pursueinstreamflowstudies:

Workwithotherstoattainfundingforinstreamflowstudiesto(1)quantifyflowsnecessaryforbeneficialusesupport,(2)quantifyflowimpactstoassistoutreachandeducationefforts,or(3)identifyopportunitiestoincreasesummerlowflows.

CoordinatewiththeDivisionofWaterRightsandCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife.

Considerallsourcesofwater,includingheadwaters,groundwater,andwatersflowinginsubterraneanstreams.

ThisactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtopursuethedevelopmentofinstreamflowstudiestoprovideinformationforthedevelopmentofregulatoryactions,assistoutreachandeducationefforts,andidentifyopportunitiestoincreaselowflows.


TheactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtoworkinclosecoordinationwiththeStateWaterResourceControlBoardDivisionofWaterRightsandCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife.Studiesdevelopedpursuanttothisactionshouldconsideruplandhydrologicprocess,theinteractionofgroundwaterandsurfacewater,andsurfacewaterflowinginsubterraneanstreams.RegionalWaterBoardstaffhaveidentifiedtheNavarrowatershedasthehighestprioritywatershedforflowstudies,giventhelevelofflowreductionsapparentfromhistoricflowrecords.TheRegionalWaterBoardshouldalsoconsiderinstreamflowstudiesintheMattoleandEelRiverwatersheds,asappropriate.FlowstudiesinindividualsubbasinsmaybeparticularlyappropriateintheMattoleandEelRiverwatersheds,wherewateruseisoftenconcentratedinlocalizedareas.Theseactionsareconsistentwithactions6,7,and8oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.ResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoard,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,DivisionofWaterRightsActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:Supportthird‐partyeffortstoaddresstemperaturerelatedconcerns,

including: Educationofwaterusersontheimportanceofwaterconservationefforts;

Educationofwaterusersonwaterconservationpracticesandopportunities;

Assistanceforwaterusersintheimplementationofwaterconservationpractices;,

Restorationofriparianvegetation;and, Othereffortsthataddresswatertemperature‐relatedconcerns.

Thisactiondirectsthesupportofthirdpartyeffortstoaddresstheimpactsofwaterdiversionandlossofriparianvegetationonstreamtemperatures.Amultitudeofnon‐profitorganizationsarecurrentlyactiveintheNorthCoastRegion,workingoneffortstorestorefishpopulations,addresspollution,andimproveoverallwatershedhealth.IntheMattolewatershed,SanctuaryForesthasdevelopedatankandforebearanceprogramthathassuccessfullyreducedsummerwaterdiversionsfromtheupperMattoleRiverintheWhitethornarea.Similarly,theSalmonidRestorationFederationandFriendsoftheEelRiverhavebeenactiveintheSouthForkEelRiverwatersheddevelopinginformationalflyersandraisingawarenessofflowandwaterqualityissuesthroughfeatureshowsonlocalradioprograms.ThesesamegroupswerealsoinstrumentalinconveningacommunityinformationalmeetingonJuly11,2013,whichprovidedaforumforcommunitymemberstoaskagencyrepresentatives,includingtheRegionalWaterBoardstaff,questionsregarding


compliancewiththewatercodeandprotectionofstreamsandtheorganismsthatinhabitthem.TheMattoleRestorationCouncilandMattoleSalmonGroupalsohavelonghistoriesofassistingtheMattoleRiverwatershedcommunitiesinconservationeffortstorestorestreamsandrecoversalmonruns.TheMattoleRestorationCouncilhasbeenarecipientof319(h)andProposition50grantfundsadministeredbytheRegionalWaterBoard.TheEelRiverRecoveryProjectisanothergroupworkingonissuesrelatedtoflowandtemperature.TheirapproachinvolvesmonitoringtemperaturesandflowthroughouttheEelRiverwatershedatsitespreviouslymonitoredbytheHumboldtResourceConservationDistrictinthe1990s,andpresentingtheinformationtowateruserstoillustratethemagnitudeofflowreductionsthathaveoccurredinthepast15yearsandpersuadeuserstoconservewater.TheRegionalWaterBoardhassupportedthiseffortbyloaningtemperaturedataloggersforthecollectionoftemperaturedata.ArecenteffortledbyCalTrout,calledtheEelRiverForum,providesaforumfordiscussionsamongagenciesandwatershedrestorationpractitionerswiththegoalofsharinginformation,discussingstrategies,andcoordinatingandintegratingconservationandrecoveryeffortsintheEelRiverwatershed.TheEelRiverForumhasbeenwellattendedbyagenciesandwatershedstewardshipandrestorationpractitioners.TheNatureConservancyhasrecentlytakenanactiveroleIntheNavarroRiverwatershed.TheireffortsinvolvestreamgaugingandfundingsupportforastudyofagriculturalwateruseinAndersonValley.Theseactionsareconsistentwithactions5and6oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.ResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoard,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,DivisionofWaterRightsActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:Takeactionstoaddresstheimpactsofmarijuanacultivation,throughthe

following: Outreachandeducation;, Grantsupportforoutreachandwaterconservationandpollution

controlefforts; Coordinationwithotheragencies;and, Enforcementactions.

ThisactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtoaddresstheimpactsofmarijuanacultivationusingallavailablemeans,bothregulatoryandnon‐regulatory.The


regulationofwaterqualityimpactsassociatedwithmarijuanacultivationisaddressedintheactiondirectingthedevelopmentandimplementationoftheAgriculturalLandsDischargeProgram(seesection6.5.3).Oneofthemosteffectivemeansofaddressingwaterqualityimpactsassociatedwiththisactivityisthedisbursalofinformationonwaterconservationandpollutionpreventionthroughoutreachandeducationonabroadlevel.Therecentrapidexpansionofthemarijuanacultivationindustryhasresultedinaninfluxofnewlandownersfromoutsidethearea.Manyoftheselandownersarenotawareoftheregulatoryrequirementsinplacetoprotectfishandwaterresources.TheRegionalWaterBoardhasbeenactiveininteragencyenforcementeffortstoaddresstheenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwithmarijuanacultivationactivities.Manyoftheseenforcementsituationsinvolvethecleanupandabatementofdischargesassociatedwithroadbuilding,sitepreparation,reservoirconstruction,fuelandpesticidestorage,anddebrisdisposal.Theseactionsareconsistentwithactions1and2oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.ResponsibleParty:RegionalWaterBoardActionPlans: Mattole,Navarro,andEel Action:ContinuetocoordinatewiththeStateWaterBoard’sDivisionofWater

Rightsbyparticipatinginthewaterrightapplicationandpetitionprocess,providingmonitoringrecommendations,jointinspectionsasappropriate,submittalofdatainsupportof401certificationsrelatedtowaterdiversionsand/orfacilitiesregulatedbytheFERC,participationininstreamflowstudies,participationinproceedingsrelatedtoinstreamflow,andanyotherappropriatemeanstohelpensurethatthetermsofwaterrightpermitsandlicensesareconsistentwiththeintrastatewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature.

ThisactiondirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtocontinuecoordinationeffortswiththeStateWaterBoard’sDivisionofWaterRightstoaddresswatertemperatureconcerns.TheDivisionofWaterRightsprovidestheRegionalWaterBoardnotificationofopportunitiestocommentonwaterrightpermittingactionsthatoccurintheNorthCoastRegion,aswellasotheropportunitiesforinput.Thiscoordinationhasresultedinenhancedstreamprotectionfromsedimentationandtemperatureimpactsandprotectionofwetlands.Thisactionisconsistentwithaction7oftheconcurrentlyproposedPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature.ResponsibleParty:StateWaterResourcesControlBoardDivisionofWaterRightsActionPlans: Navarro


Action:AchievetheNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLFlowandTemperatureTargetthroughimplementationofthePolicyforMaintainingInstreamFlowsinNorthernCaliforniaStreams.

TheNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLFlowandTemperatureTargetstates:“ThequantityofflowdivertedfromtheNavarrointhesummerisnotincreased,unlessitcanbeshownthatsuchanincreasedoesnotadverselyaffectbeneficialuses.”5ThetargetisbasedontheGuidelinesforMaintainingInstreamFlowstoProtectFisheriesResourcesDownstreamofWaterDiversionsinMid‐CaliforniaCoastalStreams,developedbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceandCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame(2000).TheguidelinessuggestnewdiversionsbelimitedtotheDecember15toMarch31timeperiod.TheseguidelineswereeventuallyincorporatedintothePolicyforMaintainingInstreamFlowsinNorthernCaliforniaCoastalStreams(flowpolicy),whichiscurrentlyvacatedduetolegalchallenges,butduetobeconsideredforreadoptionbytheStateWaterResourceControlBoardbeforethisPolicy’sadoptionhearing.Implementationoftheflowpolicywillachievethetarget.Intheinterim,oriftheflowpolicyisnotreinstated,RegionalWaterBoardstaffwillcontinuetoparticipateintheDivisionofWaterRights’permittingprocesstoensurethewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureandtargetaremet.

5Section101(g)oftheCleanWaterActexpressesacongressionalpolicynottointerferewithstateauthorityoverallocationofwaterquantities.Consistentwiththispolicy,itwouldbeinappropriateforUSEPAtorequireastatetoadoptorimplementaTMDLthroughwaterrightpermitconditioningtolimittheseasonoramountofdiversion.Butitwouldalsobeinconsistentwiththepolicyofsection101(g)tolimittheauthorityofastatetoincludemeasuresinvolvingallocationofwaterquantitiesorwaterrightadministrationinaTMDLifthestatechoosestoadoptthosemeasures,andtheCaliforniaWaterCodeexpressesapolicythatstatewaterrightadministrationandstatewaterqualitycontrolshouldbeintegrated.Thus,theinclusionofthismeasureintheTMDLisbasedonstatelawandstatepolicy,andshouldnotbeinterpretedasrecognitionofUSEPAauthorityinthisarea.


7.0 DESCRIPTIONOFSURVEILLANCEACTIVITIES RegionalWaterBoardstaffwilldevelopandimplementaregion‐widetemperaturemonitoringplantoassisttheRegionalWaterBoardindeterminingwhetherthispolicyiseffectivelyreducingandpreventingelevatedtemperaturesoverthelong‐term.Themonitoringplanwillhavethefollowingelements:

Long‐termtrendmonitoringatestablishedsitesmonitoredbytheSurfaceWaterAmbientMonitoringProgram(SWAMP).

Aregionalcooperativemonitoring,coordination,anddatasharingprogramdrawingonthevoluntaryeffortsoflandownersandorganizationscollectingwatertemperaturedata.

Acooperativemonitoringequipmentloananddatasharingprogram. Specialstudiestosupportinvestigationsofdiscretetemperatureissues. ParticipationintheBoardofForestry’sEffectivenessMonitoringCommittee. Guidanceandcriteriaforstafftoconsiderregardingtemperaturemonitoring

requirements.Adescriptionofeachoftheproposedmonitoringplanelementsispresentedbelow.Long‐termtrendmonitoringatSWAMPmonitoringsitesThiselementinvolvestheadditionofcontinuoustemperaturemonitoringinthewarmermonths(MaytoSeptember)atasubsetofsitesroutinelymonitoredaspartoftheSWAMPStatusandTrendMonitoringProgram.TheRegionalSWAMPProgramrotatesthroughwatershedsonaplannedbasisasresourcesallow.TheRegionalBoardbelievesthisapproachallowsforthebestuseofresourcesgivenavailableresources.Theapproachfocusesonafewwatershedsatatime,cyclingbackthroughthemeveryfouryearsasfundingallows.TheRegionalSWAMPProgrambegantheStatusandTrendMonitoringPrograminFiscalYear(FY)2000‐01.Theoriginalmonitoringdesignutilizedatwo‐componentapproachtoaddressregionalmonitoring:1)long‐term“permanent“monitoringsitesfortrendanalysis,and2)rotating“temporary“sitesforbasinsurveys.TheoriginalrotationschedulewascloselycoordinatedwiththeTMDLdevelopmentscheduletoprovideadditionalcurrentinformationonwaterqualityparameterstotheTMDLdevelopmentprocess.ThecurrentSWAMPworkplanforCalendar((CY)2012throughCY2015identifies28oftheoriginallong‐termsitesand38oftherotatingbasinsitesformonitoring,whilealsoadding12newsites.TheRegionalTemperatureMonitoringProgramwillmonitortemperatureatasubsetofthesesitestomonitortemperaturestatusandtrendsatkeylocations.Regionalcooperativemonitoring,coordination,anddatasharingprogramManyorganizationscollectwatertemperaturedataintheNorthCoastRegion.Theseincludetimbercompanies,governmentagencies,resourceconservationdistricts,watershedgroups,andresearchorganizations.Thiseffortwillrelyonthevoluntaryparticipationoftheseorganizations.ThiselementoftheRegionalTemperatureMonitoringPlanwillfocusondatasharing,datacollectionprotocols,


andcoordinationofeffortstopreventunnecessaryduplication.StaffwilldrawontheexperiencesgainedthroughparticipationintheKlamathBasinMonitoringProgram’seffortstodevelopasimilarcooperativetemperaturedatasharingandanalysisprocessfortheregion.ThiseffortwillbothaidandbenefitfromtheWatershedStewardshipApproachinitiativeidentifiedintheregion’sNonpointSourceFive‐YearPlan.TheWatershedStewardshipApproachaimsinparttopromotecollaboration,andprovidefeedbackonprogressinimprovingwaterqualityinanadaptivemanagementframework.CooperativemonitoringequipmentloananddatasharingprogramOneofthemostcosteffectivewaystheRegionalWaterBoardattainstemperaturedataisthroughcooperativeagreementswithconservationorganizations.TheRegionalWaterBoardloansapproximately150temperaturedataloggerseachyeartoorganizationsseekingtounderstandthetemperaturedynamicsintheirwatersheds.Inreturn,theRegionalWaterBoardreceivesthetemperaturedatacollectedusingtheinstruments.ThiselementoftheRegionalTemperatureMonitoringPlanwillcontinuethiscooperativeprogramandbolsteritseffectivenessthroughthedevelopmentofamorestandardizedapproachtoqualityassuranceanddatasubmittal,aswellasastandardizedapplicationprocessfororganizationsrequestingequipment.SpecialstudiestosupportinvestigationsofdiscretetemperatureissuesTheRegionalWaterBoardoftenengagesineffortstodeterminethetemperaturedynamicsatplayinspecificinstances.TheseincludemonitoringinsupportofTMDLdevelopment,focusedwaterqualityinvestigations,suchasthestudyofalgaedynamicsintheSouthForkEelRiverorgroundwaterdynamicsinScottValley,andotherinvestigationsofdiscretetemperatureissues.Thesestudiestypicallyinvolvethedeploymentofsimplecontinuousdataloggers,butcouldalsoinvolvemoresophisticatedmonitoringtechniquesinvolvingthermalinfrareddatacollection,deploymentoffiberopticcables,oruseofotherspecialdatacollectiontechnologies. ParticipationintheBoardofForestry’sEffectivenessMonitoringCommitteeTheBoardofForestryiscurrentlyintheprocessofestablishinganEffectivenessMonitoringCommittee(EMC)toprovideanactivefeedbacklooptopolicymakers,agencies,managers,andthepublicinsupportofadaptivemanagementprinciples.OneofthespecificpurposesoftheEMCidentifiedinitscharteristheevaluationoftheeffectivenessoftheForestPracticeRuleswatercourseandlakeprotectionzonerequirementsinachievingthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature.Throughthiseffort,staffhopetofurtherthecollectiveunderstandingofsuchtopicsaspost‐harvestcanopyretentionlevelsrelativetotargetedcanopylevels,therelationshipofoverheadcanopytoeffectiveshade,andchangesintemperaturerelativetochangesineffectiveshade.


GuidanceandcriteriaforstafftoconsiderregardingtemperaturemonitoringrequirementsThiselementoftheRegionalTemperatureMonitoringProgramwillbeprimarilyintendedasguidancetostaffdevelopingpermitsandcontemplatingtemperaturemonitoringrequirements.MostRegionalWaterBoardpermitsdonotcontaintemperaturemonitoringrequirements.However,somepermits,particularlythoseassociatedwithpointsources,containmonitoringandreportingprogramswhichrequirethemonitoringoftemperature.Thiselementwilldiscussthecircumstancesinwhichtemperaturemonitoringisappropriate,therequiredfrequencyofmeasurementtoachievethemonitoringgoals,theproximityofmonitoringtodischarges,andotherconsiderationsimportantforasuccessfultemperaturemonitoringandreportingprogram.


8.0 ENVIRONMENTALSETTINGTheenvironmentalsettingofaproposedprojectestablishesthebaselineconditionagainstwhichpotentialenvironmentalimpactsoftheproposedprojectarecompared.Theproposedprojectisawaterqualityprotectionprogram,designedtoaddressexistingorpotentialimpactstowaterqualitywithintheRegionwiththegoalofimprovingwaterqualityfortheprotectionofhumanhealth,recreation,aquaticlife,andecosystemfunction.Asaprogrammaticanalysis,thissectionprovidesageneraldescriptionoftheRegion,highlightingthekeyfactorsidentifiedintheCEQAanalysisincluding:aesthetics,agriculturalresources,airquality,biologicalresources,culturalresources,geologyandsoils,greenhousegasemissions,hazardsandhazardousmaterials,hydrologyandwaterquality,landuseandplanning,mineralresources,noise,populationandhousing,publicservices,recreation,transportation/traffic,andutilitiesandservicesystems.TheNorthCoastRegioncomprisesallbasinsincludingLowerKlamathLakeandLostRiverBasinsdraininggenerallywestwardintothePacificOceanfromtheCalifornia‐OregonstatelinesoutherlytothesoutherlyboundaryofthewatershedoftheEsterodeSanAntonioandStempleCreekinMarinandSonomaCounties6.TheRegionisdividedintotwonaturaldrainagebasins:1)theKlamathRiversub‐basinwhichdrainstheCascadeRangeGeomorphicProvince,theModocPlateauGeomorphicProvinceandtheKlamathMountainGeomorphicProvinceand2)theNorthCoastalsub‐basinwhichdrainstheCoastRangeGeomorphicProvince.TheNorthCoastRegioncoversallofDelNorte,Humboldt,Trinity,andMendocinoCounties,majorportionsofSiskiyouandSonomaCounties,andsmallportionsofShasta,Glenn,Lake,andMarinCounties.TheNorthCoastRegioncomprisesatotalareaofapproximately19,390squaremiles(mi2),including340milesofsceniccoastline,362milesofdesignatedWildandScenicRivers,416mi2ofNationalRecreationAreas,and1,627mi2ofNationalWildernessAreas,aswellasurbanizedandagriculturalareas.TheRegionischaracterizedbysteep,mountainousforestedterrainwithdistincttemperatureandprecipitationzones.Themountaincrests,whichformtheeasternboundaryoftheregion,areabout6,000feetelevationwithafewpeakshigherthan8,000feet.Muchoftheregionismountainousandrugged;only13percentofthelandisclassifiedasvalleyormesa,andmorethanhalfofthatisinthehigher‐elevationnortheasternpartoftheregionintheupperKlamathRiverBasin.Thecoastismild,foggyandproducesmoderatevariationsinseasonaltemperatures.CoastalredwoodsandDouglasfir‐tanoakforestsdominatethislandscape.Inlandareasoutsideofthecoastalinfluenceundergomoreextremeseasonaltemperaturevariationwithseasonalmaximumsexceeding100ºF.Oaksandpinesinterspersedwithgrasslandsandchaparralaremorecommoninland.

6CWC§13200(a)


In1998,theU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)publishedareportentitled“TheStatusandTrendsoftheNation’sBiologicalResources.”WhatfollowsareexcerptsfromthisreportfornorthwesternCalifornia7.

“NorthwesternCaliforniahasthewettest,mostconsistentclimateinthestate.Itiscomposedmainlyofthecoastlineandseveralmetamorphicmountainranges,includingtheKlamathMountainsandthenorthCoastRanges.Thecoastalregion,fromtheOregonbordersouthtoBodegaBay,isdominatedbyareasofcoastalprairie,somecoastalmarsh,closed‐conepineandcypressforestsonpoorsoils,andgrandfir–Sitkaspruceforestsonbettersoils(Hickman1993).Manyofthecypressgrovesareassociatedwithchaparral,rockoutcrops,orserpentinesoils.Theclosed‐conepinesaregenerallysmallinstatureand,likethecypresses,areassociatedwithchaparral,fire,andshallow,acidic,nutrient‐poorsoils,oftenserpentineorsandstone.Thesepinesareshort‐lived(50–100years),andtheirseedscanonlygerminateonbaremineralsoils.Likethecypresses,theclosed‐conepinesrequirefireforsuccessfulreproduction.Knobconepineisthemostwidespreadoftheclosed‐conepines,rangingnearlythelengthofthestate.”“TheKlamathMountainsaregeologicallyoldandsupportmixedevergreenforestsofDouglas‐fir,ponderosapine,andsugarpine,withmountainhemlock,whitefir,andchinquapinfoundathigherelevations.SerpentinesoilsarecommonintheKlamathMountains.Onthewestside,Douglas‐fir–hardwoodforestsgrowatlowelevations,givingwayathigherelevationtowhitefir–Douglas‐firforests,whitefir–Californiaredfirforests,andfinallytomountainhemlock–Californiaredfiratthehighestelevations.Eastandsouthofthehighestridges,theclimateisdrierandmorecontinental.Atlowelevations,forestsaredominatedbyponderosapine,whichisreplacedbywhitefir–pineforestsathigherelevations,thenredfir–whitefirforests,andfinallymountainhemlock–redfir,withwhitebarkpineoccurringatthehighestelevations.TheKlamathMountainshaveahighfloristicdiversity,inpartbecausetheyhaveactedasrefugiasupportingmanyendemicsandrelictspecies,includingPacificsilverfir,subalpinefir,Alaska‐cedar,Brewerspruce,Engelmannspruce,andfoxtailpine.ThecomplexvegetationpatternsintheKlamathMountainsseembasedprimarilyondifferencesinsoilsandsecondarilyonelevationandsoilmoisture(SawyerandThornburgh1977).”“ThenorthernCoastRangesoccurimmediatelysouthoftheKlamathMountains.CoastRangeforestsdonotincludehemlockandhave

7http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/sandt/SNT.pdfaccessedAugust16,2013.


nobleorredfirreplacinggrandfir,withrhododendronreplacingchinquapinintheunderstory.Hardwoodsincreaseinfrequencyonthedrierslopesinland.TheouternorthernCoastRanges,thosefarthesttothewest,receiveagreatdealofrain(Hickman1993).Riparianareasandnorth‐facingslopesoftheCoastRangefogbeltsupportredwoodforests…,whichthrivewherecoastalfogisfrequent.RedwoodisaCaliforniaendemicandisthetallest(112meters)andfastest‐growingtreeintheworld(Zinke1977);oneofthesetreesmaylivemorethan2,000years(Bakker1972).AlthoughredwoodswerecommonintheTertiaryovermuchofNorthAmerica,theyarenowrestrictedtothefogbeltofmaritimecentralandnorthernCalifornia.Proximitytotheseamoderatestemperatures,andfoghelpspreventevapotranspiration(moisturelossfromleaves).Fogdripcontributesconsiderablemoisturetothesoilduringtheotherwisedrysummerseason(18–30centimetersperyear;Zinke1977).Thecontinuousmoistureenablesredwoodforeststobehometoanumberofamphibians,includingensatinas,ocelot‐spottedgiantsalamanders,tailedfrogs,andseepsalamanders,aswellasthemorecommonbananaslugs(Bakker1972).”“Douglas‐firisoftenacodominantinredwoodforests,becomingestablishedafterfires,andtanoak,Californiabay,madrone,andwesternhemlockarecommonunderstorytreeswhereenoughlightpenetratesthecanopy(Zinke1977).Redwoodisavaluabletimbertreebecauseofitssizeandbecauseofthewood’suniqueresistancetorot.Morethan85%oftheoldgrowthcoastredwoodforestshasbeenlogged,butmuchoftheoriginaldistributionofabout810,000hectaresremainsinsecond‐growthredwoodforestsofvaryingages.Second‐growthredwoodforestssupportmostofthesamenativevascularplantsasold‐growthforests,buthabitatforspeciesthatdependonold‐growthforests—suchasspottedowls,marbledmurrelets,somearthropods,mollusks,andcanopylichens—hasbeengreatlyreduced(U.S.FishandWildlifeService1995a).Loggingofredwoodcontinues,althoughmostold‐growthstandsarenowprotectedinstateparksandinRedwoodNationalPark.”“DrierslopesoftheCoastRangessupportmixed‐evergreenandmixed‐hardwoodforests,whereasmontaneforestsofsubalpinefirandpinesarefoundathigherelevations.VegetationonthehighestpeaksissimilartothatfoundathighelevationsintheSierraNevada;peaksabove1,500metersaretreelessandexperienceheavywintersnows.SummersarehotandrainfallislowintheinnernorthernCoastRanges,especiallyoneasternslopesintherainshadowofthepeaks.Serpentinesoilsarecommon,anddryeasternslopessupportchaparralandpine–oakwoodland.(Hickman1993).”


8.1AestheticsTheNorthCoastRegionisapredominantlyruralregionwithnumerousoutstandingnaturalfeaturesandscenicvistas,includingdramaticcoastline,rollinghills,mountains,forests,rivers,wetlands,andestuaries.HundredsofmilesofhighwaycrossthroughtheNorthCoastRegion.But,onlyatotalof52mileshavebeendesignatedofficiallyasStateScenicHighway.Thisincludes12milesofHighway101asitpassesthroughRedwoodStateParkinDelNorteCounty;12milesofHighway12eastofSantaRosainSonomaCounty,and28milesofHighway116westofSantaRosainSonomaCounty.MuchoftherestofthehighwaysystemintheregioniseligibleasStateScenicHighwaybuthasnotbeendesignated.ThesearelistedinTable8.1.

Table8.1.HighwayseligiblebutnotdesignatedasStateScenicHighways8County HighwaysDelNorte 101northofCrescentCity,169,197,and199Glenn NoneLake 20,29,and281Mendocino 1,20and101Modoc 139and299Siskiyou 96Sonoma 1andportionsof12Trinity 2and299

Asageneralmatter,lightpollutionresultingfromoutdoorlightingisrestrictedtotheurbanareasaroundHumboldtBayfromMcKinleyvilletoFortuna,FortBragg,Willits,Ukiah,andthegreaterSantaRosaareafromWindsortoCotati.Lightpollutionmaybelocallypresentwherevertherearemultipleoutdoorlights.8.2AgricultureThepredominantlandusesintheNorthCoastRegionareintheagriculturalsector,includingfarming,ranchingandtimberproduction.TheCaliforniaStateDepartmentofConservation(Conservation)producesmapsofcountieswithPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmland,andFarmlandofStatewideImportance(agriculturallandsofspecialsignificance).Thesearefarmlandswhichbasedontheirsoilcharacteristicsareespeciallywellsuitedforagriculturalproduction.ConservationhasproducedmapsforModoc,Siskiyou,Mendocino,andSonomacounties.Thesemapsindicateagriculturallandsofspecialsignificancepredominantlyconcentratedin:1)theTuleLakeregioninModocCounty;2)theScottValley,ShastaValley,andupperKlamathRiverValleyinSiskiyouCounty;3)RoundValley,PotterValley,EdenValley,AndersonValleyandtheupperRussian

8http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic_highways/,accessed8/16/13.


RiverValleyinMendocinoCounty;and4)AlexanderValley,DryCreekValley,andtheLagunadeSantaRosainSonomaCounty.Conservationalsodefinesareasofgrazingland,basedoncertainenvironmentalcharacteristics.MendocinoCountyisidentifiedaspredominantlygrazingland.SonomaCountyisapatchworkoffarmlandandgrazingland.ModocandSiskiyoucountiesarepredominantlyNationalForest,interspersedwithfarmlandandgrazingland.TheU.S.ForestService(USFS)manageslandsencompassingapproximately56%oftheNorthCoastRegion(6,889,419acres)spreadbetweentwoUSFSRegionsandsixnationalforests:

1. USFSRegion5(PacificSouthwestRegion),managesalloforaportionofthefollowingNationalForests:ModocNationalForest,KlamathNationalForest,Shasta/TrinityNationalForest,SixRiversNationalForest,andMendocinoNationalForest.TheseForestscompriseabout6,793,819acresoftheNorthCoastRegion.

2. USFSRegion6(PacificNorthwestRegion)managesaportionoftheRogueRiver‐SiskiyouNationalForest,accountingforapproximately95,600acresoftheNorthCoastRegion.

Privatetimberlandaccountsforasubstantialamountoftheregion’slandarea,includinglandsmanagedforindustrialandnon‐industrialtimberproduction.TheCaliforniaBoardofEqualizationreportsatotalharvestfromcountiesoftheNorthCoastRegionof575,900MBFor575,900,000boardfeetin2012.Thisismorethan40%ofthetimberharvestedinthestate.TheNorthCoastRegioncontainsabout57%ofCalifornia’sprivatelandszonedasTimberProductionZone(Shih2002).8.3AirQualityAccordingtotheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(AirBoard),theNorthCoastRegioncontains3separate,designatedairbasins.Theseinclude:

1. NorthCoastAirBasinencompassingDelNorte,Humboldt,Mendocino,Trinity,andsubstantialportionsofSonomacounties;

2. NortheastPlateauBasinencompassingModoc,Lassen,andSiskiyoucounties;and

3. LakeCountyAirBasinThesouthernportionofSonomaCountyiscontainedintheBayAreaAirBasin.Thepollutantsofconcerntoairqualityinclude:particulatematter(PM),ozone,nitrogendioxide,sulfates,carbonmonoxide,sulfurdioxide,visibilityreducingparticles,lead,hydrogensulfide,andvinylchloride.Statisticsforozone,particulatematter,carbonmonoxide,nitrogendioxide,andhydrogensulfidearereadily


availableforthe3airbasinswithintheNorthCoastRegion,andSonomaCounty,asshowninTable8.2.Ozone,animportantingredientofsmog,isahighlyreactiveandunstablegascapableofdamagingtheliningsoftherespiratorytract.Thispollutantformsintheatmospherethroughcomplexreactionsbetweenchemicalsdirectlyemittedfromvehicles,industrialplants,andmanyothersources.Keypollutantsinvolvedinozoneformationarehydrocarbonandnitrogenoxidegases.Particulatematter(PM)isacomplexmixtureoftinyparticlesthatconsistsofdrysolidfragments,solidcoreswithliquidcoatings,andsmalldropletsofliquid.Theseparticlesvarygreatlyinshape,sizeandchemicalcomposition,andcanbemadeupofmanydifferentmaterialssuchasmetals,soot,soil,anddust.Particles10micronsorlessindiameteraredefinedas"respirableparticulatematter"or"PM10."Fineparticlesare2.5micronsorlessindiameter(PM2.5)andcancontributesignificantlytoregionalhaze,reductionofvisibility,andrespiratoryillness.Carbonmonoxide(CO)isacolorless,odorlessgas.Itresultsfromtheincompletecombustionofcarbon‐containingfuelssuchasgasolineorwood,andisemittedbyawidevarietyofcombustionsources.Sulfurdioxide(SO2)isagaseouscompoundofsulfurandoxygen.SO2isformedwhensulfur‐containingfuelisburnedbymobilesources,suchaslocomotives,ships,andoff‐roaddieselequipment.SO2isalsoemittedfromseveralindustrialprocesses,suchaspetroleumrefiningandmetalprocessing.Hydrogensulfide(H2S)isacolorlessgaswiththeodorofrotteneggs.Itisformedduringbacterialdecompositionofsulfur‐containingorganicsubstances.Also,itcanbepresentinsewergasandsomenaturalgas,andcanbeemittedastheresultofgeothermalenergyexploitation.Table8.2.2012AirQualityStatisticsforthe3AirBasins,andSonomaCounty,containedwithintheNorthCoastRegion9 North

CoastAirBasin

SonomaCounty

NortheastPlateauAirBasin

LakeCountyAirBasin

Ozone,#ofdays>1‐hourCAstandard

1 0 0 2

Ozone,#ofdays>8‐hourCAstandard

0 0 1 3

PM2.5,#ofdays>24‐hourNat’lstandard

0 0 0 0

PM10,#days>24‐hourCAstandard 0 * 0 0CarbonMonoxide,#ofdays>CAstandard

0 * * *

NitrogenDioxide,#ofdays>CAstandard

0 0 * *

9http://www.arb.ca.gov/adam/topfour/topfour1.php,accessedonAugust16,2013.


HydrogenSulfide,#ofdays>CAstandard

* * * 0

*InsufficientdatatocalculateAsindicatedinTable8.2,theairqualityintheNorthCoastRegionisexceptionallygood.TheCaliforniaAirPollutionControlOfficersAssociationreportsthatnoneofthecountieswithintheNorthCoastRegionhadanydaysin2012inwhichoverallairqualitywas“unhealthy”andallhad”good”overallairqualityforanaverageof349daysoftheyear(CAPCOA2013).Withrespecttoozone,thenumbersofexceedencesindicatedinTable8.2areamongthelowestofanyoftheairbasinsintheState.8.4BiologicalResourcesThemissionoftheRegionalWaterBoardistodevelopandimplementwaterqualitystandardsandprogramsofimplementationdesignedtorestoreandmaintainthebeneficialusesofwaterwithintheregion.IntheNorthCoastRegion,someofthebeneficialusesofwaterthatoftendrivethewaterqualityprotectioneffortsoftheagencyareColdFreshwaterHabitat(COLD);Spawning,Reproduction,andEarlyDevelopment(SPWN);MigrationofAquaticOrganisms(MIGR);andRare,ThreatenedorEndangeredSpecies(RARE).Thewaterqualityprogramsdesignedtoprotectthesebeneficialuses,inturn,aremostoftendrivenbythehabitatrequirementsofsalmonids.Salmonidaeareafamilyofaquaticvertebrateswhichduringthefreshwaterportionoftheirlifecyclerequirecold,clear,well‐oxygenatedfreshwater,freeofexcessivefinesedimentorobstructionstomigration.Assuch,theyareoftenrecognizedasindicatorsofwatershedhealth,wherepopulationsarestable.Historically,theywereabundantinwatershedsoftheNorthCoastRegion.Today,populationsofseveralSalmonidaespeciesarelistedbyfederalandstatewildlifeagenciesasthreatenedorendangeredbyextinction.SpecieslistedinsomeorallwatershedsoftheNorthCoastRegioninclude:Chinooksalmon,cohosalmon,andsteelheadtrout.Theproposedprogramisdesigned,inpart,toprotecttheCOLD,SPWN,MIGR,andRAREbeneficialuses.TheRegionalWaterBoarddesignsitswaterqualityprogramstoprotectotherbeneficialusesassociatedwiththeRegion’sbiologicalresourcesaswell,including:

WarmFreshwaterHabitat(WARM) EstuarineHabitat(EST) WildlifeHabitat(WILD) PreservationofAreasofSpecialBiologicalSignificance(ASBS) WetlandHabitat(WET)

TheNorthCoastRegionincludesnumerousthreatenedandendangeredfaunalandfloralspecies(T&Especies).ThepresenceanddispositionofT&Especiesmustbeevaluatedattheprojectleveltoensuretheiradequatesitespecificprotection.The


proposedprogramwhichisthesubjectofthisCEQAanalysisisintendedtobeimplementedinamannerwhichrestoresandmaintainsthebeneficialusesoftheNorthCoastRegion,includingthosebeneficialusesidentifiedabove.AselsewhereintheState,thequantityandqualityofwetlandhabitathasbeensubstantiallyreducedfromhistoriclevels.Assuch,therestorationandmaintenanceoftheRegion’swetlandandriparianresourcesisanimportantelementoftheRegionalWaterBoard’seffort.RiparianhabitatisassociatedwithvirtuallyeverywaterbodyintheNorthCoastRegion.SubstantialwetlandhabitatexistsintheupperKlamathRiverbasin,theLagunadeSantaRosa,HumboldtBay,BodegaBay,andassociatedwiththeestuariesofmostoftheriversintheRegion.Similarly,thewaterqualityprotectioneffortsoftheRegionalWaterBoardareintendedtosupportandcomplementtheenvironmentalprotectioneffortsrepresentedinlocalpoliciesandordinances,HabitatConservationPlans,NaturalCommunityConservationPlans,andotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplans.Anyprojectimplementedunderthisproposedprogramshouldbedesignedtoavoid,minimizeormitigateanypotentialimpacttobiologicalresources.8.5CulturalResourcesTheNorthCoastRegionhasarichhumanhistorygoingbackperhaps10,000years.LandsthroughouttheRegion,thereforehavethepotentialtoharborburiedancientculturalresources.Similarly,therearenumeroussitesofhistoricinterestscatteredthroughouttheRegion,representingtheRegion’smining,shipping,logging,andagriculturalhistory,amongothers.Thepresenceanddispositionofculturalresourcesmustbeevaluatedattheprojectleveltoensuretheirsite‐specificprotection.Anyprojectimplementedunderthisproposedprogramshouldbedesignedtoavoid,minimizeormitigateanypotentialimpacttoculturalresources.TheRegionalWaterBoardhasadoptedaNativeAmericanCulture(CUL)beneficialusedesignedtosupporttheculturaland/ortraditionalrightsofindigenouspeoplesuchassubsistencefishingandshellfishgathering,basketweavingandjewelrymaterialcollection,navigationtotraditionalceremoniallocations,andceremonialuses.TheCULbeneficialusehasbeendesignatedintheSmithRiver,KlamathRiver,TrinityRiver,RedwoodCreek,MadRiver,JacobyCreek,FreshwaterCreek,SalmonCreek,VanDuzenRiver,andOilCreekwatersheds,aswellasTrinidadHydrologicUnit,HumboldtBay,andFerndaleHydrologicSubarea..However,CULisanexistingbeneficialuseinotherlocationsthroughouttheRegion,whichwillbedesignatedoncethedataiscollected.TheproposedprogramwhichisthesubjectofthisCEQAanalysisisintendedtobeimplementedinamannerwhichrestoresandmaintainsthebeneficialusesoftheNorthCoastRegion,includingtheCULbeneficialuse.8.6GeologyandSoilsTheCaliforniaGeologicalSurveydividesthestateinto11distinctgeomorphicprovinces.Ageomorphicprovinceisanaturallydefinedgeologicregionthat


displaysadistinctlandscapeorlandform.TheKlamathRiversub‐basinincludestheModocPlateau,CascadeRange,andKlamathMountainprovinces.TheNorthCoastalsub‐basinincludestheCoastalRangeprovince.ModocPlateauGeomorphicProvinceTheModocPlateauisavolcanictableland(elevation4,000‐6,000feetabovesealevel)consistingofathickaccumulationoflavaflowsandtuffbedsalongwithmanysmallvolcaniccones.Occasionallakes,marshes,andsluggishlyflowingstreamsmeanderacrosstheplateau.Theplateauiscutbymanynorth‐southfaults.TheprovinceisboundindefinitelybytheCascadeRangeonthewestandtheBasinandRangeProvinceontheeastandsouth.CascadeRangeGeomorphicProvinceTheCascadeRange,achainofvolcaniccones,extendsthroughWashingtonandOregonintoCalifornia.ItisdominatedbyMt.Shasta,aglacier‐mantledvolcaniccone,rising14,162feetabovesealevel.KlamathMountainGeomorphicProvinceTheKlamathMountainGeomorphicProvincehasruggedtopographywithprominentpeaksandridgesreaching6,000‐8,000feetabovesealevel.InthewesternKlamath,anirregulardrainagepatternisincisedintoanupliftedplateaucalledtheKlamathpeneplain.Theuplifthasleftsuccessivebencheswithgold‐bearinggravelsonthesidesofthecanyons.TheKlamathRiverfollowsacircuitouscoursefromtheCascadeRangethroughtheKlamathMountains.TheprovinceisconsideredtobeanorthernextensionoftheSierraNevada(CDC2002).TheKlamathMountainGeomorphicProvinceconsistsoffourmountainbelts:theeasternKlamathMountainbelt,centralmetamorphicbelt,westernPaleozoicandTriassicbelt,andwesternJurassicbelt.Low‐anglethrustfaultsoccurbetweenthebeltsandallowtheeasternblockstobepushedwestwardandupward.ThecentralmetamorphicbeltconsistsofPaleozoichornblende,micaschists,andultramaficrocks.ThewesternPaleozoicandTriassicbelt,andthewesternJurassicbeltconsistofslightlymetamorphosedsedimentaryandvolcanicrocks.Thisisanupliftedanddissectedpeneplainonstrongrocks;thereareextensivemonadnockranges.Elevationrangesfrom1,500to8,000ft(456to2,432m).SoilsincludeAlfisols,Entisols,Inceptisols,andUltisols,incombinationwithmesicandfrigidsoiltemperatureregimesandxericandudicsoilmoistureregimes.CoastRangesTheCoastRangesarenorthwest‐trendingmountainranges(2,000to4,000,occasionally6,000feetelevationabovesealevel),andvalleys.Therangesandvalleystrendnorthwest,subparalleltotheSanAndreasFault.StratadipbeneathalluviumoftheGreatValley.TothewestisthePacificOcean.Thecoastlineisuplifted,terracedandwave‐cut.TheCoastRangesarecomposedofthickMesozoicandCenozoicsedimentarystrata.ThenorthernandsouthernrangesareseparatedbyadepressioncontainingSanFranciscoBay.ThenorthernCoastRangesaredominatedbyirregular,knobby,landslide‐topographyoftheFranciscanComplex.


Theeasternborderischaracterizedbystrike‐ridgesandvalleyinUpperMesozoicstrata.Inseveralareas,FranciscanrocksareoverlainbyvolcanicconesandflowsoftheQuienSabe,SonomaandClearLakevolcanicfields.TheCoastRangesaresubparalleltotheactiveSanAndreasFault.TheSanAndreasismorethan6000mileslong,extendingfromPointArenatotheGulfofCalifornia(CDC2002).Thisareahasparallelranges,andfolded,faulted,andmetamorphosedstrata;thereareroundedcrestsofsubequalheight.Elevationrangesfrom1,000to7,500ft(304to2,280m).SoilsincludeAlfisols,Entisols,Inceptisols,MollisolsandUltisolsincombinationwithmesicandthermicsoiltemperatureregimesandxericsoilmoistureregime.TectonicsOfprimesignificancetothegeologyandsoilsoftheNorthCoastRegion,arethecollisionandsubductionoftheJuandeFucatectonicplateundertheNorthAmericanplateandthetransform(strike‐slip)movementbetweenthePacificandNorthAmericanplatesalongtheSanAndreasfault,includingactivityattheTripleJunctionwheretheNorthAmerican,Gorda,andPacificplatesmeet.ThetectonicactivityoftheNorthCoastRegiongenerallyresultsinsteep,unstableslopesandamixtureofconsolidatedandunconsolidated,marineandcontinental‐derivedgeology.AsaresulterosionalpotentialintheNorthCoastRegioncangenerallybedescribedashigh.8.7GreenhouseGasEmissions(GHGs)Gasesthattrapheatintheatmospherearecalledgreenhousegases(GHGs).10Themajorgreenhousegasesofconcernincludethefollowing:

Carbondioxide(CO2)‐‐Carbondioxideenterstheatmospherethroughburningfossilfuels(coal,naturalgasandoil),solidwaste,treesandwoodproducts,andalsoasaresultofcertainchemicalreactions(e.g.,manufactureofcement).Carbondioxideisremovedfromtheatmosphere(or"sequestered")whenitisabsorbedbyplantsaspartofthebiologicalcarboncycle.

Methane(CH4)‐‐Methaneisemittedduringtheproductionandtransportofcoal,naturalgas,andoil.Methaneemissionsalsoresultfromlivestockandotheragriculturalpracticesandbythedecayoforganicwasteinmunicipalsolidwastelandfills.

Nitrousoxide(N2O)‐‐Nitrousoxideisemittedduringagriculturalandindustrialactivities,aswellasduringcombustionoffossilfuelsandsolidwaste.

Fluorinatedgases‐‐Hydrofluorocarbons,perfluorocarbons,andsulfurhexafluoridearesynthetic,powerfulgreenhousegasesthatareemittedfromavarietyofindustrialprocesses.Fluorinatedgasesaresometimesusedassubstitutesforstratosphericozone‐depletingsubstances(e.g.,chlorofluorocarbons,hydrochlorofluorocarbons,andhalons).Thesegasesaretypicallyemittedinsmallerquantities,butbecausetheyarepotentgreenhouse

10http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases.htmlaccessedAugust26,2013.


gases,theyaresometimesreferredtoasHighGlobalWarmingPotentialgases("HighGWPgases").

AstatewideGHGinventoryconductedbytheCaliforniaAirBoardindicatesthatofthetotalGHGemissionsinCaliforniain2004,thecategoriesofGHGsourcesrankasfollowsbypercentcontribution:transportation(38%);electricitygeneration(25%);industrialprocesses,includinglandfillsandwastewatertreatment(20%);commercialandresidentialfueluses(9%);agricultureandforestry(5%);andunspecifiedemissions(3%).TheestimateofagricultureandforestrycontributionstoGHGemissionsincludesconsiderationofthecarbonsequestrationservicesprovidedbytreesandrangeland.11ThenetGHGemissionsinthestateincreasedfrom1990to2004byabout12%.Thesourcecategoriescontributingmostsignificantlytotheincreaseinemissionscamefromelectricitygeneration(19%increaseabove1990contributionsfromthissourcecategory),transportation(21%increase),agricultureandforestry(39%increase)andanincreaseinunspecifiedemissionsources(1161%increase).Theseincreaseswerebalancedbydecreasesinothersourcecategories,includingdecreasedemissionsfromcommercialandresidentialfueluses(13%decrease)andindustrialfueluses(7%decrease).TheGlobalWarmingSolutionsActof2006(AB32)callsforthereductionby2020ofGHGemissionstoCalifornia’s1990levels.Withrespecttotheanalysisofpotentialenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwiththisproposedprogram,thesourcecategoriesofmostinterestinclude:roadtransportation,electricitygeneration,landfills,wastewatertreatment,residentialandcommercialfueluses,andagricultureandforestry.AprojectimplementedunderthisproposedprogramcouldresultinanincreaseinGHGsoverbaselineconditionsifitresultsinanincreasein:fueluseassociatedwithtransportation,electricityuse,landdisposalorcompostingofwaste(includingwoodandagriculturalwaste),wastewaterinfluentvolumesorconcentrations,residentialorcommercialdensity,orfirepotential.AprojectcouldresultinadecreaseinGHGsoverbaselineconditionsifitresultsinanincreaseinwoodybiomassoradecreaseinanyofthecategorieslistedabove.8.8HazardsandHazardousMaterialsACEQAanalysisincludesevaluationoftheprojectimpactswithrespecttotheuseofhazardoussubstances,proximitytohazardouswastefacilities,proximitytoairports,likelihoodofinterferingwithemergencyresponse,andpotentialtoexposepeopletosignificantwildfirerisk.

11 http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/archive/tables/ghg_inventory_sector_90‐04_sum_2007‐11‐19.pdfaccessedAugust26,2013.


HazardousMaterialsAccordingtotheCaliforniaDepartmentofToxicSubstancesControl’s(DTSC)website12therearenocommercialoffsitehazardouswasteremovalfacilitiesintheNorthCoastRegion,exceptforausedoilandantifreezefacilityintheCityofFortuna.Alsoreportedontheirwebsite,thereare12sitesintheNorthCoastRegionwhichareincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5.Theyinclude:1inDelNorte,2inHumboldt,1inLake,3inMendocino,1inModoc,2inSonoma,2inSiskiyouand0inTrinitycounties.Further,staffoftheRegionalWaterBoardoverseeshundredsofgroundwatercontaminationsitecleanupsintheNorthCoastRegion,includingleakingundergroundstoragetankandspillsites.ThesesitesarespreadthroughouttheRegionandinformationaboutthemcanbefoundontheStateWaterBoard’swebsite.13AirportsTherearenumerousairportsthroughouttheNorthCoastRegion,including3passengerairports:theJackMcNamaraFieldAirportinDelNorteCounty,theArcata‐EurekaAirportinHumboldtCounty,andtheCharlesSchultzAirportinSonomaCounty.Inaddition,thereare22publicuseairportsfoundinCloverdale,Covelo,Eureka(3),Fortuna,Garberville,Gasquet,Gualala,Hayfork,Healdsburg,Hoopa,Hyampom,KlamathGlen,LittleRiver,Sonoma,TrinityCenter,Tulelake,Ukiah,Weaverville,andWillits.RiskofWildfireTheNorthCoastRegionispredominantlyruralandlargelyvegetatedwithgrassland,woodland,andforest.TheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CalFire)hasidentifiedhundredsofNorthCoastcommunitiesatriskfromwildfiresoneitherfederalornon‐federallands.Further,CalFirehasidentifiedatleast5communitiesasexistinginaVeryHighFireHazardSeverityZone,including:Cloverdale,SantaRosa,Ukiah,Willits,andYreka.Assuch,theexistingrisktoNorthCoastresidentsfromwildfirecanbeconsideredhigh.HazardousSubstancesandEmergencyResponsePlansThebaselineconditionasitrelatestotheuseofhazardoussubstanceandtheavailabilityofalocalemergencyresponseplancanonlybedeterminedattheprojectlevel.Anyprojectimplementedunderthisproposedprogramshouldbedesignedtoavoid,minimizeormitigateanypotentialimpactduetohazardoussubstances.

12http://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/accessedAugust16,2013.13http://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/accessedAugust16,2013.


8.9HydrologyandWaterQualityWaterQualityThesurfacewaterqualityissuesofmostconcernintheNorthCoastRegionareexcesssediment,elevatedwatertemperatures,andexcessnutrients.Thesewaterqualityconditionsaretheresultofpointandnon‐pointsourcesofpollutionandothercontrollablefactors(e.g.,landscapealteration,roadbuilding,etc.)andareexacerbatedbyhydrologicmodification,waterwithdrawal,andthelossofcompetentriparianzonesandfloodplainstodevelopment,agriculture,andlogging.Manynorthcoastaquaticecosystemsareimpactedbytheseconstituentsandcontrollablefactors,resultinginalossofstreamsidepropertytoerosion,destructionofwaterintakes,lossofaquatichabitatandrisktothreatenedandendangeredaquaticspecies,increasedwinterfloodpotential,andincreasedriskofsummernuisancealgalblooms(includingmicrocystisandothercyanobacteria).Therearemorelocalizedwaterqualityissues,aswell.Forexample,surfacewatermonitoringindicatesaproblemwithpathogensinBodegaBayHydrologicArea,HareCreekBeachandPuddingCreekBeachontheMendocinoCoast,severalcoastalbeachesintheTrinidadHydrologicUnit,andriverfrontbeachesontheRussianRiveranditstributaries,aswellastheLagunadeSantaRosaanditstributaries.Inaddition,severaloftheregion’swaterbodiesareimpairedbymercury,including:LakePillsbury,theLagunadeSantaRosa,LakeSonoma,TrinityLake,andtheEastForkTrinityRiver.ExoticspeciesarelistedasawaterqualityprobleminBodegaBayanddioxinandPCBsarelistedasimpairingHumboldtBay.In2009,theUSGS,inconjunctionwiththeStateWaterResourcesControlBoard,collecteduntreatedgroundwaterdatafrom58wellsselectedfromtheCaliforniaDepartmentofPublicHealthdatabasewithin34groundwaterbasinslocatedintheNorthCoastRegion.WellswererandomlyselectedfromNapa,Lake,Mendocino,Glenn,Humboldt,andDelNorteCounties.TheresultsofthestudyarepublishedinMethanyetal.(2011).Alldetectedconcentrationsoforganicconstituents,nutrients,majorandminorions,andradioactiveconstituentswerelessthanhealth‐basedbenchmarksforthe30wellssampledintheNorthernCoastRanges.Therewereafewdetectionsofarsenic,boron,andbariuminthe28wellsoftheinteriorbasinswhichexceededMCLsornotificationlevels;but,thesearelikelyrelatedtothearea’sgeology.TheresultsofthisstudyindicatethatcommunitydrinkingwatersystemsdrawingfromprimaryaquifersystemsintheNorthCoastRegiongenerallyprovidesafedrinkingwater,withtheexceptionsnoted.Shallowgroundwater,however,hasbeenpervasivelycontaminatedbyalonghistoryofactivitiesandoperations,primarily:woodtreatmentfacilities,unlinedlandfills,leakingundergroundstoragetanks,anddrycleaningfacilities.Inmanyregions,shallowgroundwaterisneitherusednoruseable.But,becausetheNorthCoastRegionispredominantlyrural,manypeoplerelyonshallow(sometimeshand‐dug)wellsfortheirdrinkingwater.Theremaybecontributionsofnutrientsandpesticidestoshallowgroundwaterresultingfromthecontinuedconversionof


landtovineyardsinSonomaandMendocinocountiesandotherwidespreadfarmingactivitiesintheUpperKlamathRiverbasinandtheSmithRiverplain,amongotherdisperselocationsoftheregion.AgingwastewatertreatmentpondsandleakingseptictanksplayapartinshallowgroundwatercontaminationintheRegion,aswell.Groundwaterislikelytobecomeanincreasinglyimportantsourceofdomestic,municipal,andagriculturalwatersupply,asaresultofclimatechangeandpredictedimpactstosurfacewaterdischargevolumesandtiming.HydrologyBecauseofthelowinfiltrationcapacityandpermeabilityoftheFranciscanandvolcanicrockscommonintheNorthCoastRegion,groundwateroriginbaseflowsinstreamsaresometimespoorlymaintained.Alongthemountaindrainages,baseflowthatdoesoccurismaintainedbygroundwaterdischargeemergingfromfracturesthroughspringsandseeps.Somestreamsmaybecomposedofdiscontinuouswetreacheswithpoolssustainedoversummerbygroundwaterdischarge.Somehigherelevationstreamsmayrundryfromsummertolatefall.Asaconsequence,flowsbetweentheseephemeralstreamsandtheunderlyingaquifermayperiodicallycease.Inthevalleys,groundwateroccursinthealluvialdeposits.There,baseflowismaintainedbygroundwaterdischargealongreacheswherethewatertableishigherthantheadjacentstream.Inthelargervalleydrainages,suchastheRussianRiver,groundwaterdischargeislargeenoughtosustainperennialflow(R2ResourceConsultants&StetsonEngineers,2007).ThisissimilarlythecaseintheKlamathRiverbasin.Groundwaterpumpingforirrigationcanimpactstreamflows;astudyintheScottRiverwatershedindicatesthatgroundwaterpumpinghasimpactedScottRiverflows.Groundwaterdepletionisapotentialrisk,includingforexampleintheSantaRosaPlainGroundwaterBasin,whereagroundwatermanagementplanisbeingdevelopedundertheleadershipoftheSonomaCountyWaterAgency.ManyruralresidentsthroughouttheRegioninterceptgroundwaterinfracturesorlocalizedalluvium.Inthesesettings,groundwatermaybeimpactedbyperiodicorseasonaldepletion.SurfaceflowsintheNorthCoastRegionareimpactedbynumerouswaterdiversions,bothpermittedandunpermitted,legalandillegal.TheStateWaterBoardhasadoptedtheNorthCoastInstreamFlowPolicytobetterensurethatfuturewaterrightspermitscontaintheprovisionsnecessarytoprotectthestreamflowsnecessarytosupportsalmonidsandsalmonidhabitat.Further,recentcollaborationbetweenthestaffoftheNorthCoastRegionandtheDivisionofWaterRightshasresultedincontemporarywaterrightspermitscontainingprovisionsspecifictotheprotectionofwaterqualityconditionsintheNorthCoastRegion,aswell.Forexample,erosioncontrolplansandriparianprotectionplansaresometimesrequiredinnewwaterrightspermits.


Ontheotherendofthespectrum,theNorthCoastRegioncontainshundredsofmilesofruralprivateandpublicroadswhichsometimesservetoextendthedrainagenetworkoftheRegion’swatershedswithinadequate,poorlydesigned,orfailingroaddrainagefeatures.Theresult,insomewatersheds,hasbeenanincreaseinpeakflowsorpeakflowtiming,accompaniedbyanincreasedriskoferosion,sedimentation,andflooding.Also,withrespecttoflooding,manyofthewatershedsoftheNorthCoastRegionarestillmovingquantitiesofstoredsedimentfirstdepositedduringcatastrophicfloodingeventsof1955and1964.Floodingeventsof1974,1982,1995,and1997alsohavehaddramaticimpactonNorthCoastrivers.TheCaliforniaEmergencyManagementAgencyhasmappedatsunamiinundationriskforallofDelNorteCounty,HumboldtCountyfromitsborderwithDelNortetoFerndale,MendocinoCountyfromBrunelPointtoGualala,andSonomaCountyfromRussianGulchtoBodegaHead.148.10LandUseandPlanningAsabove,itisnottheintentionofthisproposedprogramtointerferewithorsupercedeanylanduseplan,policyorregulationofanotheragency.Anyprojectimplementedunderthisproposedprogramshouldbedesignedinamannerconsistentwithotherapplicablelanduseplans,policies,orregulations.8.11MineralResourcesAselsewhereintheState,theNorthCoastRegionwassubstantiallyimpactedbythethepresenceofpreciousmetals,particularlyintheKlamathGeomorphicProvincewherehundredsofgoldclaimswereexercisedandwheresuctiondredgingisstillofinterest.AbandonedminesintheKlamathBasinarethefocusofcleanup.Further,sand,gravelandotheraggregateisasubstantialcommodityintheNorthCoastRegion,whoseextractionhasthepotentialtoimpactnumerouswatershedsintheRegion.8.12NoiseTheNorthCoastRegionissubstantiallyrural,withalimitednumberoflargercommunities,thelargestbeingSantaRosaanditssurroundingcommunitiesinSonomaCounty.Asageneralmatter,noisepollutionislimitedtolocalizedareas.Anyprojectimplementedunderthisproposedprogramshouldbedesignedtoavoid,minimizeormitigateanypotentialnoiseimpacts.

14http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/geologic_hazards/Tsunami/Inundation_Maps/Pages/Statewide_Maps.aspxaccessedAugust16,2013.


8.13Population,Housing,andPublicServicesTheNorthCoastRegionincludesallresidentsofDelNorte,Humboldt,Trinity,andMendocinocounties,themajorityofModoc,Siskiyou,andSonomacounties,andasmallpercentageofthepopulationsofGlenn,LakeandMarincounties.ThepopulationoftheentireNorthCoastRegionwasabout670,700inyear201015,whichislessthan2percentofCalifornia’stotalpopulation.Morethanhalfofthisregion’spopulationlivesinthesouthernpart,primarilyinSantaRosaandthesurroundingcommunitiesofCotati,Healdsburg,RohnertPark,SebastopolandWindsoralongtheRussianRiverwatershed.Urbangrowthinthesecities,whosepopulationtotaledanestimated261,485peopleinyear201016,isheavilyinfluencedbytheoverallurbanexpansionoftheadjacentSanFranciscoBayregion.OthersmallercommunitiesinthenorthernportionsofthisregionincludeEureka,27,191;Ukiah,16,075;Arcata,17,231;CrescentCity,7,643;andYreka,7,765.17Whencomparedwiththe2000regionalpopulationof636,000,the670,300in2010representsagrowthrateof5.4percentoverthe10years,whichisalittleoverhalfthestatewidegrowthrateofabout9.7percentoverthesameperiod.Projectionstodayindicatethattheregionalpopulationisexpectedtogrowtoabout809,400byyear2050,whichrepresentsabouta21percentincreasefromyear2010totals.MorethanhalfofthisprojectedgrowthisanticipatedtooccurintheSantaRosaregion,asurbanpopulationsfromtheSanFranciscoBayareacontinuetoexpandnorth.Populationincreasesintheruralcommunitiesinthenorthernportionofthisregionareprojectedtogrowmoreslowly.TheNorthCoastRegionhasexperiencedsteadypopulationgrowthoverthepasttwodecadesandisprojectedtocontinuepositivegrowththroughtheyear205018.Duetotheruralnatureofmuchoftheregionandthefactthatthereisalowerassociatedcostofliving,manycommunitieswithintheregionareseeinganinfluxofretireesfromlarger,moreurbanizedsettings.Thishasplacedpressureonexistingcommunityservices.Additionally,aspopulationdensitiesencroachinthemoreurbansettings,someofthemoreruralcommunitiesarebecomingbedroomcommunities.Thereisalsoariseinmigrantworkerswithintheregion.ModocCountyhasacountyoperatedmigrantcamp.ThetrendforbothModocandSiskiyoucountiesisthatmanyofthemigrantworkersarebecomingpermanentresidents,whileyoungernon‐migrantresidentscontinuetoleavethearea.DespitetheoverallgrowthratesoftheRegion,populationgrowthratesarenotasgreatasthoseoftherestoftheState,reflectingtheruralcharacteroftheRegion.Infact,someofthemoreremotecountiesoftheregion‐ModocandSiskiyou‐areprojectedtoloseoverallpopulationinthecomingdecades.ThemostpopulatedareaoftheRegion, 15http://www.dof.ca.gov/research/demographic/state_census_data_center/census_2010/accessedAugust16,2013.16Ibid.17Ibid.18Ibid.


SonomaCounty,experiencedahighergrowthratethantheState’saveragein1980and1990,andisestimatedtocontinuethispatternwithpopulationincreasesof14%by2020.8.14RecreationTheRegionalWaterBoardimplementswaterqualityprotectionprogramsdesignedtoresultinwaterqualitysuitableforfullcontactwaterrecreationsuchasswimmingandsurfing(REC‐1),aswellasnon‐contactwaterrecreation(REC‐2).OtherbeneficialusespotentiallyrelevanttorecreationalusesincludeNavigation(NAV),CommercialandSportFishing(COMM),andShellFishHarvesting(SHELL).Asapredominantlyruralregion,theNorthCoastRegionoffersamultitudeofrecreationalopportunitiesinadditiontowater‐relatedactivities,includingcamping,hiking,backpacking,horsebackriding,bikeriding,birdwatching,andmuchmore.8.15Transportation/Traffic,UtilitiesandServiceSystemsTransportationandTrafficTheNorthCoastRegionisservicedbyDistricts1,2,and4oftheCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(CalTrans).Highway101isthemajorhighwaycorridorfromnorthtosouthandHighways128,20,162,36,299,and199arethemajorhighwaycorridorsfromwesttoeast.Thesehighwaycorridorsare2and4lanehighways,vulnerabletotrafficdelayswhenroadworkisundertaken.CalTransprojectscurrentlyaffectingtransportationandtrafficinclude:theWillitsBypassinDistrict1;on‐goingmaintenanceonHwy299andtheAndersonGradeProjectnearYrekainDistrict2;androadwideningonHwy101throughSonomaCountyinDistrict4.ActivitiesassociatedwiththedevelopmentoftheSMARTtrainfromCloverdaleinSonomaCountytotheLarkspurLandingferryterminalinMarinCountyalsohavethepotentialtocausetrafficcongestionasabaselinecondition.WastewaterTreatmentFacilities,WaterTreatmentFacilities,StormwaterFacilities,LandfillsThepointsourcedischargeofwastetowatersoftheRegionisprohibitedexceptintheMad,theEel,andRussianriversduringthewetweatherseason.Allotherwastewatertreatmentisprovidedbypercolationponds,evaporationponds,orotherlanddisposal,includingsepticsystems.DischargetotheMad,EelandRussianriversisfurtherlimitedto1%ofriverflow.Manyofthewastewatertreatmentsystems,includingsepticsystems,intheNorthCoastRegionareveryoldandrequireupgrade.WaterisabundantinmanypartsoftheNorthCoastRegion.AccordingtoMethanyet.al.(2011),communitywaterdeliverysystemsintheNorthCoastRegionprovidegooddrinkingwatertotheircustomers.ManyresidentsoftheNorthCoastRegion,however,relyonprivatedomesticwells,surfacewaterintakes,orsmallcommunitysystems;exceptinlocalizedareas,wateravailabilityisgenerallygoodandissometimesconsumeduntreated.TheRegionalWaterBoardimplementswaterqualityprotectionprogramsdesignedtoresultinwaterresourceswhichare


suitableasdrinkingwater,asdefinedbytheMunicipalandDomesticSupply(MUN)beneficialuse.TheRegionalWaterBoardoverseesimplementationofNPDESpermitsforthecontrolofstormwaterfromindustrialfacilities,constructionsites,andmunicipalities.Theseprimarilyrelyonbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)toavoid,reduceandmitigatetheimpactsofstormwaterdischarge.TheCityofSantaRosa,SonomaCounty,andSonomaCountyWaterAgencyimplementanextensivestormwatercontrolprogramundertheirMS4permitissuedbytheRegionalWaterBoard.AllthelandfillsintheNorthCoastRegionhavebeenclosed,excepttheMeachamRoadLandfillinSonomaCounty.TransferstationsareoperatedthroughouttherestoftheregionwithmuchofthewastematerialtransferredoutsidetheRegionfordisposal.


9.0 CALIFORNIAENVIRONMENTALQUALITYACT(CEQA)ENVIRONMENTALANALYSIS

9.1IntroductionStafffromtheRegionalWaterBoarddevelopedaproposedamendmenttotheWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegion(BasinPlan)thatwouldincorporatethePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature(hereinafterproposedTemperatureImplementationPolicy)intotheBasinPlan.TheproposedamendmentwouldmodifySection4oftheBasinPlanbyaddingtheTemperatureImplementationPolicy.Additionally,staffproposetheadoptionofactionplanstoimplementtheTotalDailyMaximumLoads(TMDLs)forelevatedwatertemperatureintheUpperMainEel,MiddleMainEel,LowerMainEel,SouthForkEel,NorthForkEel,MiddleForkEel,Mattole,andNavarroRiverwatersheds(hereinafterproposedActionPlansfortheEelRiver,MattoleRiverandNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLs).ThisstaffreportwhichincludesthediscussionsonthebackgroundandpurposeoftheproposedBasinPlanamendment,theinterpretationandimplementationofthewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperature,NorthCoastTemperatureTMDLanalyses,proposedTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlans,environmentalimpactandeconomicanalysis,ispartoftheoverallSubstituteEnvironmentalDocument(hereinafterSED).Thischapterofthestaffreportidentifiesmitigationforcompliancemeasuresidentifiedforthefactorsinfluencingtemperature.ConsistentwiththeCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA),thisdocumentdoesnotengageinspeculationorconjecture,butratherconsiderstheprojectalternatives,thereasonablyforeseeableenvironmentalimpactsofthereasonablyforeseeablemethodsofcompliance,andthemitigationmeasureswhichwouldberequiredtoavoid,minimize,ormitigatetheidentifiedimpacts.TheadoptionoftheproposedBasinPlanamendmentdoesnotresultinanydirectadverseeffectsontheenvironment.Allpotentiallysignificantadverseeffectsarerelatedtoindividualsite‐specificprojectsorpermitsandsite‐specificcompliancemeasures.Theanalysisprovidedusessite‐specificcircumstancesasexampleorillustrationofhowtheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlanscouldbeimplemented,andthusindirectlyeffecttheenvironment.However,thisanalysisdoesnotconstituteanabsoluteoutcomeorcertaintyinthedeterminationsmadeinthisstaffreport.Therefore,thisenvironmentalanalysisissetataprogrammaticlevelandismoregeneralinnaturetocovertherangeofpotentialeffects.ManyoftheprojectsthatmightbeundertakenbyaffectedpersonsasaresultoftheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlanswouldbesubjecttoaproject‐levelCEQAreviewconductedbytheRegionalorStateWaterBoardorbyanotherleadagency,whichwouldentailidentificationandmitigationofanysignificantenvironmentaleffects.Inaddition,otherregulatorymechanismscanbeexpectedtoprovideopportunitiesforminimizingandavoidingsignificantenvironmentaleffects.Theseregulatoryrequirementsandmitigationmeasuresarelikelytoreducemany,butnotall,ofthepotentialindirectimpactstolessthansignificantlevels.In


somecasesitmaynotbepossibletomitigatetheindirectimpactsoftheTemperatureImplementationPolicytoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Inadditionsomeactionsmaynotrequirediscretionaryapprovalsoranagencywithregulatoryauthoritymaynottakeaction.Finally,someimpactsmaynotbeidentifiedormitigatedbecauseitisimpossibletopredictwhowilltakeactioninresponsetotheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlans,orwhatactiontheywilltake.Forthesereasons,thisprogrammaticanalysismustacknowledgethepotentialforsignificantimpactsthatcannotbemitigatedtoalessthansignificantlevel.9.2CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActRequirementsforExempt‐RegulatoryProgramsTheRegionalWaterBoardistheleadagencyforevaluatingtheenvironmentalimpactsofBasinPlanamendmentspursuanttoCEQA.AlthoughsubjecttoCEQA,theRegionalWaterBoardbasinplanningprocessiscertifiedbytheSecretaryforResourcesas“functionallyequivalent”toCEQA,andthereforeexemptfromtherequirementforpreparationofanenvironmentalimpactreportornegativedeclarationandinitialstudy19.TheStateWaterResourcesControlBoard(StateWaterBoard)haspromulgatedguidelinesforexemptregulatoryprogramsthatdescribethedocumentsrequiredfortheadoptionorapprovalofstandards,rules,regulationsorplans20.

Thesedocumentsmustdothefollowing:1. Provideabriefdescriptionoftheproposedactivity. Inthiscase,theproposedactivityistheadoptionofaBasinPlanamendment

including:a)AregionalTemperatureImplementationPolicy;andb)TemperatureActionPlansfortheEelRiver,MattoleRiverandNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLs.TherationaletosupportthepolicyandactionplansarefullydescribedintheChapters5and6.AbriefdescriptionisprovidedinSection9.2.1.

2. Provideareasonablediscussionofalternativestotheproposedactivity.

DiscussionisprovidedinSection9.3.3. Provideananalysisofmitigationmeasuresneededtominimizeanysignificant

adverseenvironmentalimpactsoftheproposedactivity.DiscussionisprovidedinSection9.4.

Additionally,foractionsbytheRegionalWaterBoardthatadoptaruleorregulationrequiringtheinstallationofpollutioncontrolequipment,establishaperformancestandardorestablishatreatmentrequirement,CEQA21andCEQAGuidelines22

requireanenvironmentalanalysisofthereasonablyforeseeablemethodsbywhich

19 Cal.CodeRegs.,tit.14,§15251(g).20 Cal.CodeRegs.,tit.23,§3777.21 Pub.ResourcesCode,§21159(a).22 Cal.CodeRegs.,tit.14,§15187(c).


compliancewiththatruleorregulationwillbeachieved.ASEDsatisfiesthisrequirementifitcontainsthefollowingcomponents,someofwhicharerepetitivewiththelistabove:1. Ananalysisoftheenvironmentalimpactsfromthereasonablyforeseeable

methodsofcompliance.Thereasonablyforeseeablemethodsofcompliance(hereinaftercompliancemeasures)arethepotentialactionsthatresponsiblepartiesmayemploytocomplywiththeTMDLloadallocations,numerictargetsandtheimplementationmeasuresintheproposedActionPlans.ThisanalysisispresentedinSection9.4.

2. Ananalysisofthereasonablyforeseeablefeasiblemitigationmeasuresrelatingtotheidentifiedenvironmentalimpacts.ThisanalysisispresentedinSection9.4.

3. Ananalysisofreasonablyforeseeablealternativemeansofcompliancewiththeruleorregulation,whichwouldavoidoreliminateanyidentifiedimpacts.ThisanalysisispresentedinSection9.4.

Theenvironmentalanalysismusttakeintoaccountareasonablerangeof:23

Environmentalfactors(seeEnvironmentalSettingandLandUse,Chapter

8.0); Technicalfactors(seeAnalysisofComplianceMeasures,Associated

EnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasures,Sections9.4and9.5);

Population(seeEnvironmentalSettingandLandUse,Chapter8.0); Geographicareas(seeEnvironmentalSettingandLandUse,Chapter8.0); Specificsites(seeAnalysisofComplianceMeasures,AssociatedImpacts,

andPotentialMitigationMeasures,Section9.4);and Economicfactors(seeEconomicConsiderations,Chapter10).

Whiletheregulationsrequireconsiderationofa“reasonablerange”ofthefactorslistedabove,anexaminationofeverysiteisnotrequired,onlyconsiderationofareasonablyrepresentativesampleofthem.Thestatutespecificallystatesthattheagencyshallnotconducta“projectlevelanalysis24.”Rather,inmostcircumstances,theprojectlevelanalysiswillbeperformedbytheresponsiblepartyortheagencywithjurisdictionovertheactivityconducted.9.2.1DescriptionoftheProposedActivityTheproposedprojectistheadoptionofaTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlans,whichcomprehensivelyaddresscontrollablefactorsthatadverselyaffectstreamtemperatures.Controllablefactorsincludeincreasedexposuretosolarradiationduetolossofstreamshade,physicalstreamchannelalterationinresponsetoelevatedsedimentloads,engineeredstreamchannelalteration,and

23 Cal.CodeRegs.,tit.14,§15187(d);Pub.ResourcesCode,§21159(c).24 PublicResourcesCode,§21159(d).


alterationofhydrologyresultingfromimpoundments,waterdiversions,andlandscapealteration.TheintentoftheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlansistodocumentinoneplacethetoolsandactionsavailableandnecessarytoachievetemperaturewaterqualitystandardssoastoprotectandrestorethebeneficialusesofwaterintheNorthCoastRegion.25ManyofactionsdescribedintheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlansarealreadyineffectandbeingimplemented,whileotherswillbedevelopedinthefuture.TheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlansprovideacommonapproachtoensuringattainmentofthewaterqualityobjectivefortemperature,andensurethathighqualitywatersarealsoprotected.Implementationactionstomeettemperatureobjectivesaredescribedinthischapterasarangeofcompliancemeasuresinthefollowingcategories:MeasurestoPreserveandMaintainShade;MeasurestoControlSedimentation;MeasurestoAddressTailwaterandSurfaceImpoundments;MeasurestoPreserveExistingColdWaterResources;Restoration;andMeasurestoRestoreandMaintainStreamFlows.Specificcompliancemeasuresaredetailedinsection9.4,alongwithassociatedimpactsandmitigationmeasures.Furtherdiscussionofpotentialenvironmentalimpactsandlevelsofsignificancefromimplementingcompliancemeasuresispresentedinsection9.5.Whilethecompliancemeasuresthemselvesareformsofmitigationtobeappliedinthecontextoftheactivityorfactorinfluencingwatertemperatures,CEQArequiresreviewofenvironmentalimpactsthatresultfrommeasuresintendedtoimprovetheenvironment.Severalcompliancemeasuresevaluateddohavepotentiallysignificantadverseeffectsontheenvironmentsuchasairquality,noiseandtrafficfromtemporaryconstructionactivities.However,thelongtermbenefitsfromimplementationofcompliancemeasures(suchasaquaticecosystemrestoration)couldandwilllikelyoutweighanyshorttermadverseeffects.9.2.2ScopingTheRegionalWaterBoardhassolicitedcommentsfrominterestedpersonsandgovernmentalagenciesregardingthescopeandcontentoftheenvironmentalinformationtobeincludedintheSED.OnFebruary5th,2013,theRegionalWaterBoardcirculatedaNoticetoHoldCEQAScopingMeetingsforaProposedAmendmenttotheWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegionIncorporatingaPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectiveforTemperatureandTemperatureTMDLActionPlansfortheNavarro,Eel,andMattoleRiverWater.OnFebruary15th,27thand28th,2013,RegionalWaterBoardstaffheldscopingmeetingsinSantaRosa,Bayside,andYrekaCA,respectively.Thepurposeofthemeetingswastoexplaintheproposedprojectandproviderelatedinformationtoresourceagencypersonnelandtheinterestedpublicandto

25 40CFR§131:waterqualitystandardsincludebeneficialuses,thewaterqualityobjectivesto

protectthoseuses,andtheanti‐degradationpolicy(ResolutionNo.68‐18).


invitethemtosubmitwrittencommentsconcerningtherangeofactions,Policyalternatives,mitigationmeasures,andsignificanteffectsthatshouldbeanalyzedintheSED.StaffprovidedrelevantinformationincludingapresentationontheBasinPlanamendmentprocess,theTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlans,andCEQAprocess.Informationalhandoutsincludedthescopingnoticeandfactsheet,RegionalWaterBoardResolutionNo.R1‐2012‐0013(PolicyStatementfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectiveforTemperatureintheNorthCoastRegion),andchecklistbasedonappendixGoftheCEQAguidelines.ThescopingperiodendedonApril1,2013.41commentsprovidedwerereceivedinwrittenform,while59werereceivedverballyformatthescopingmeetings.Withsomecommentsbeingidenticaltherewasatotalof88publiccommentsreceived.Commentswerereceivedfromfivefederal,stateandlocalagencies,eightnongovernmentalorganizationsandspecial‐interestgroups,andfourindividuals.9.3AnalysisofReasonableAlternativestotheProposedActivityRegionalWaterBoardstaffhasidentifiedfourapproaches(oralternatives)tosucceedinthefulfillmentoftheprojectobjectivestoattainwaterqualitystandardsforambientwatertemperaturesintheNorthCoastRegion.Thepurposeofthisanalysisistodetermineifthereisanalternativethatwouldfeasiblyattainthebasicprojectobjectiveoftheruleorregulation,butwouldlessen,avoid,oreliminateanyidentifiedadverseenvironmentalimpacts.Thefirstalternative,analyzesa“NoAction”alternativewithnochangetotheBasinPlanorprogramimplementation.Thesecondalternativecontemplatesabroadapproachtoriparianprotectionthatrequiresdesignationofriparianbufferzone(e.g.streamsetbackrequirement)andimplementsaregionalwastedischargeprohibition.ThethirdalternativeincludestheadoptionofindividualtemperatureTMDLsforeachimpairedwatershedlistedontheCleanWaterAct303(d)listasdiscreteandindividualactions.Thefourthandfinalalternative,andstaff’srecommendedapproach,istodevelopandadoptacomprehensivepolicyforrestoringandmaintainingambientwatertemperaturethroughouttheregioninimpairedandnon‐impairedwaters,aswellas,threestand‐alonetemperatureTMDLActionPlansfortheEel,MattoleandNavarroRiverwatersheds.Thealternativesarecomparedonthebasisoftheirabilitytoprotectwaterqualityandbeneficialuses(i.e.,theirlikelihoodofsuccess)andwhethertheapproachisfeasible,flexibleandequitable.9.3.1NoAction‐NoChangeinBasinPlanLanguageorinProgramImplementationUnderthe“NoAction”alternative,noamendmenttotheBasinPlanwouldoccurandstaffwouldcontinuetoimplementexistingRegionalandStateWaterBoardprograms,asinthepast.Underthisalternative,theRegionalWaterBoardwouldcontinuetoimplementtemperaturecontrolsinapiecemealfashionasindividualpermitsweredevelopedandadopted.Thisalternativewouldnotincreasethelikelihoodofwaterqualityprotectionbecauseitmaynotaddressallthecontrollable


factorsthataffectstreamtemperature(i.e.,shade,sedimentandflow)norprioritizetherestorationoftheimpairedbeneficialusesofwater.Further,underthisalternativetheRegionalWaterBoardwouldnothavedocumentedandorganizeditsstrategyforaddressingtemperatureinoneplacethathelpsguidestaff,otheragencies,andthepublic.Additionally,withtheBasinPlanremainingnearlysilentonthecontrollablefactorsthataffectstreamtemperaturesotheragenciesaremorelikelytodevelopprogramsthatdonotconsideroroverlooktheseimportantinfluences.

Pros: Allowsre‐directionofBasinPlanningstafftobegin/continueworkonthe

nextissueonTriennialReviewPriorityList. AllowsTMDLDevelopmentstafftobegin/continueworkonthe

developmentofthenextTMDLonImpairedWatersList.Cons: Temperaturecontinuestobeaddressedinapiecemealfashionas

individualpermitsaredevelopedandadopted. Lackofdocumentedandorganizedstrategyforaddressingtemperatureto

helpguidestaff,otheragenciesandpublictoensureregionalactiontoattainandmaintainthewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturethroughouttheregion.

Thebasinplanremainssilentontheimportanceofshade,sedimentandflowascontrollablefactorsaffectingstreamtemperatures.

9.3.2AdoptaBasinPlanAmendmentthatdefinesprescriptiverulesforspecificlandusesandestablishesprohibitions(broadriparianprotection)attheregionallevelThisapproachwouldbebasedonthedevelopmentofriparianbuffersforstreamsandwastedischargeprohibitionstothoseareasontheregionallevelforalllanduseactivities.Adoptionofgeneralripariansetbacksonallstreamsthroughouttheregionisanoptiontoprotectwaterqualityandachievewaterqualitystandards.Naturaland/orwellvegetatedriparianzonesprovidenumerousfunctionsandvaluesincludingbutnotlimitedtoaesthetics,wildlifehabitat,sedimentretention,pollutantreduction/removal,nutrientcycling,floodpeakattenuation,habitatcomplexityandstreamtemperature.Thisapproachwouldincludetheregionwideapplicationofripariansetbacksalongstreamcoursestoensurethepreservationofriparianvegetationtoprotectbeneficialuses,notwithstandingsitespecificconditionsoractivities.Controlfactorsandcompliancemeasureswouldnotbeassessedattheprojectlevel,butapplieduniversallythroughouttheregion.Wastedischargeprohibitionswithinariparianbufferwouldbetheprimaryregulatorytoolusedtoprotectbeneficialuses.Streamand/orripariansetbackswouldalsobeimplementedandenforcedthroughexistingpermits/ordersadministeredwithinexistingregulatoryprogramssuchastimberharvest,non‐pointsource,401certification,andstormwater.


Theapplicationofriparianbuffersdoesnotdirectlyaddressareasthathavebeendegradedordonotcurrentlymeetsite‐specificpotentialshade.Restorationactionsalonewillbeinsufficienttorestoreambientwatertemperaturesinsomeareas.Forexamplemanagementmeasureswithinregulatedlands,suchasstreamandriparianenhancement/mitigation,sedimentremediation,andstreamflowallocationswillstillbeneededinsomeareassoastorestoredegradedareastofullyattainwaterqualitystandards.Furthermore,thisblanketapproachmaybeoverlyprescriptiveandburdensomeinsomegeographicareaswhileinadequateinothers.Eventhoughthisapproachprotectswaterqualityandprovidesseveralbenefitstowildlife,itonlypartiallypromotessite‐specificpotentialshadeanddoesnotaddresstheothercontrollablefactors(i.e.,flowandsediment)thataffectstreamtemperatures.

Pros: Broadlysupportswaterqualityprotectionandpreservationofexisting

conditions. Wouldsavetimeandresourcesforstaffbyavoidingsitebysitereviewand

assessmenttoareaswithwellvegetatedriparianarea.Cons: Wouldnotproactivelyaddressproactivelydegradedorbarrenriparian

areas. Wouldbeoverlyburdensomeinsomegeographicareaswhileinadequate

inothers. Doesnotaddressallcontrollablefactorssuchasflow,andlacks

documentedandorganizedstrategytohelpguideotheragenciestoensureregionalactiontoattainandmaintainthewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturethroughouttheregion.

Couldmaketheconversionofin‐streamimpoundmentstooff‐channelstoragewithintheriparianzonesdifficult.

9.3.3DeveloptechnicalTMDLs,ActionPlans,andAdoptBasinPlanAmendmentsforeachindividualimpairedwatershedThisalternativewouldentailthestatusquoapproachtotemperatureTMDLdevelopmentforeachimpairedwatershed.Ingeneralthisapproachrequiresdatacollectionandassessmentand303(d)listingforwatersnotyetidentified.ItrequirestechnicalTMDLdevelopment(extensivedatacollection,assessment,andmodelingofloadallocations)andthedevelopmentofanactionplanandBasinPlanamendment.TechnicalTMDLsforelevatedwatertemperatureshavebeendevelopedfortheEel,MattoleandNavarrowatersheds;buttheactionplans/BasinPlanamendmentsarestillrequired.ThefollowingarealistoftemperatureimpairedwatersrequiringbothatechnicalTMDLandactionplan.AlbionRiverHydrologicArea(HA)BigRiverHAGarciaRiverHAGualalaRiverHA(withtheexceptionoftheLittleNorthForkGualalaRiver)


NoyoRiverHydrologicSub‐Area(HSA)PuddingCreekHSATenMileRiverHSARedwoodCreekHARussianRiverWatershed:LowerRussianRiverHA,MiddleRussianRiverMarkWestCreekHSA,MiddleRussianRiverHA:SantaRosaCreekHSATrinityRiver:SouthForkHAIndividualTMDLdevelopmentforthewatershedslistedabovewouldbeoverlyconsumptiveofstaffresourcesasthetimelineforcompletionofeachtechnicalTMDLandActionsPlanwouldbearangeofthreetofiveyearstocomplete.

Pros: Morepublicoutreach.Cons: DeferstheimplementationofTMDLactionplansformanyyears‐to‐

decades. Createsanunfairregulatoryenvironmentwheresomewatershedscome

underregulationmuchsoonerthanothers. Focusesconsiderablestaffresourcesoveralongperiodoftimetoasingle

waterqualityissue.9.3.4AdoptBasinPlanAmendmenttoincludeaRegionalTemperatureImplementationPolicyandTemperatureActionPlansfortheEelRiver,MattoleRiverandNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLs(RecommendedAlternative)StaffrecommendsadoptionoftheBasinPlanamendmenttoincludeaRegionalTemperatureImplementationPolicyandTemperatureActionPlansfortheEelRiver,MattoleRiverandNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLs.ThescientificjustificationforthepolicyandactionplansisdetailedinSection2ofthisstaffreport.Insummary,RegionalWaterBoardstafffindstheproposedpolicytocomprehensivelyaddressallcontrollablefactorsthatadverselyaffectstreamtemperaturesandhighlighttheimportanceofshade,sedimentandstreamflow.AddressingactionstoachieveandmaintainthewaterqualityobjectivefortemperatureintheproposedfashionisthemostefficaciousstrategyforRegionalWaterBoardstaffresourcesandregionalwaterqualityprotectionandrestoration.ExistingprogramsattheRegionalWaterBoardandStateWaterBoardDivisionofWaterRightswillbedirectedtoconsiderallopportunitiestorestoreandmaintainriparianshade,includingbothregulatoryandnon‐regulatorymeans.Whilethisamendmentdoesnotestablishblanketripariansetbacksthroughouttheregion,itdoesestablishriparianprotectionintheBasinPlanandinsodoingstrengthenstheRegionalWaterBoard’sauthoritytoaddressriparianshadewhenissuingpermitsandmakingrecommendationstootherlocal,state,andfederalagencies.Thecase‐by‐casenatureofthepolicyavoidsoverlyburdensomeprescriptionsandpromotesriparianprotectionattheprogramandpermitlevels.Inaddition,theTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionsPlansenablestafftoeffectively


addressdiscretetemperaturerelatedconcernsthroughouttheentireregioninaconsistentmanner.ThesciencesupportingtheproposedBasinPlanamendmentiswellestablishedandresultsinconsistentfindingsthroughouttheregion.Therefore,theproposedadoptionoftheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionsPlansisthepreferredalternative.Itappliesbroadlytoaddressallimpairedwatersandnon‐impairedwatersandfocusesstaffresourcesonregionalimplementationactionsasopposedtothedevelopmentofindividualTMDLs.Sincefactorsaffectingstreamtemperaturearesosimilarthroughouttheregionthisamendmentisthesuperioralternativeinboththeattainmentandmaintenanceoftemperatureobjectivesandeffectiveuseofstaffresources.ThetechnicalsupportfortheproposedTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlanscanbefound,inpart,inSections2and6ofthisstaffreport.ThetechnicalTMDLsarealsoavailableontheRegionalWaterBoardwebpage:http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdls/

Pros: IdentifiesshadeasanimportantcontrollablefactorintheBasinPlan. Ensuresregionalactiontoattainandmaintainthewaterqualityobjective

fortemperaturethroughouttheregion. Takesfulladvantageofthecommonalityoffactorsthataffectstream

temperatureinallwatersheds. Promotesefficientworkingrelationshipswithotheragenciestobuild

synergiesinactionsaddressingtheprotectionofbeneficialuses. Clarifiesprioritiesfortemperatureprotectionforconsiderationbyother

agencies.Cons: Relianceonsite‐specificapproachesdoesn’tprovideclearinformationon

compliancemeasuresinaprospectivemanner.

9.4AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPossibleMitigationMeasuresThisanalysisofpotentialenvironmentalimpactswasconductedbyconsideringawiderangeofcompliancemeasuresavailabletocomplywiththeTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlans.SpecificcompliancemeasuresandotherpollutioncontrolsthatlikelywillbeusedtocomplywithrequirementsoftheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlanswilldependonanumberofconditionssuchasthefactorscontributingtoimpairment(e.g.,shade,sediment,and/orflow),sourcecategory(e.g.,landuseactivitysuchasroadandcrossingconstruction,reservoirmanagement,oragriculture)andenvironmentalsetting(e.g.,rainfall,geology,andtopography).Acombinationofstructural(e.g.,engineered)andnon‐structural(e.g.,operationandmaintenance)compliancemeasureswilllikelybeusedbyresponsibleparties.Compliancemeasureslikelytobeincludedaspartofthosefutureprogramsareanalyzedbroadlyinthisdocument.ThecompliancemeasuresthatcouldbeusedtocomplywiththeproposedTemperature


ImplementationPolicyandActionPlans,andthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwiththeirimplementationarediscussedbelow.ThecategoriesofresourcesthattheRegionalWaterBoardhasidentifiedaspotentiallybeingimpactedbytheimplementationofcompliancemeasuresinclude:26

Aesthetics; Agriculture Airquality; Biologicalresources; Culturalresources; Geologyandsoils; GreenhouseGases; HazardsandHazardousMaterials; Hydrologyandwaterquality; Landuse/planning; Mineralresources; Noise; Populationandhousing; PublicServices; Recreation; Transportation/traffic;and Utilitiesandservicesystems;

Theenvironmentalanalysisofthecompliancemeasures,potentialimpactsandpossiblemitigationmeasurestoavoidthoseimpactsispresentedbelow.ItisgenerallyorganizedtocorrespondwiththeorganizationoftheproposedimplementationactionspresentedinthedraftTemperatureImplementationPolicywhichcorrespondtotheactionsdetailedintheActionPlansfortheEelRiver,MattoleRiverandNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLs.Thefollowingexamplesarenotmeanttobeexhaustiveofthesuitablesuiteofcompliancemeasures,butratherprovidearepresentativesamplewiththewidestrangetoaccommodateasmanycompliancescenariosaspossible.9.4.1AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoPreserveandMaintainShadeComplianceMeasurestoRestoreandMaintainSite‐SpecificPotentialEffectiveShade: Increaseriparianandin‐channeltreecanopyretentionforsurfacewatersto

supportbeneficialuses. Limitdevelopmentandharvestactionsinriparianareastoattainsite‐specific

potentialeffectiveshade. Developagrazingmanagementplanforuplandandriparianmanagement.

26 SeeCEQAChecklist(Section9.5.2)


Calculatethetimingandnumberoflivestockthatcanbeaccommodatedwhilemaintainingadequatevegetativecover,streamcorridorintegrity,andwaterresources.

Establishnativeorintroducedforagespecies(grasses,forbs,legumes,shrubs,andtrees)throughpasture,field,orchardandrangelandplanting.

Implementthecontrolledharvestofvegetationwithgrazingorbrowsinganimalstoachieveaspecificobjective.

Excludeanimals,people,orvehiclesfromanareatoprotect,maintain,orimprovethequantityandqualityofriparianvegetation.

Constructanimaltrailstoprovidemovementoflivestockthroughdifficultorecologicallysensitiveterrain.

Stabilizestreamcrossingstoprovidecontrolledaccessacrossastreamforlivestockandfarmmachinery.

Plantvegetationtoincreaseshadeinaccordancewithsite‐specificpotential.

PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts Aesthetics‐Decreasescenicviewsofwaterbodiesthroughtheretentionof

vegetation.Pondscouldcreateanewsourceofglare.Increasedriparianvegetationandthepreservationoflargewoodyvegetationcouldleadtoincreasedfuelloadforwildfireswhichdegradedscenicviews.

Agriculture‐PotentialconflictwithorconversionofprimeagriculturallandorlandsubjecttotheWilliamsonActfromimplementinggrazingrestrictions.

BiologicalResources‐Riskofintroducinginvasivespeciesthoroughpasture,hayandrangelandplantingandmanagement.Riskofconflictbetweensite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeandrequirementsofsensitivefloraorfauna.

Hydrology/waterquality–Reductioninstreamflowsduetotheincreaseinevapotranspirationfromincreasedripariantreeretention.Temporarysedimentdischargesfromconstructionand/orrestorationactivities.

Mineralresources‐Decreasedaccessforgravel,goldorothermineralextractionactivities.

Transportation/traffic–Increasedtreeretentionmayconflictwithtransportationagencies(publicroads)sitedistancerequirementsandareasdesignatedasclearrecoveryzones.

PossibleMeasurestoAvoid,MinimizeorMitigatePotentialImpactsfromComplianceMeasurestoMaintainSite‐SpecificPotentialEffectiveShade Aesthetics–Propersiting,constructingbermsorexcessfreeboardaroundthe

perimeterofapond.Plantingvegetationsuchasnativetrees,grasses,andforbs.Fuelmanagementmeasuressuchasunderstorythinning,selectharvestprescriptionsandfirebreaks.

Agriculture‐Coordinationbetweenprojectproponents,RegionalWaterBoardstaffandotherlocal,stateandfederalagenciestoachievesite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeandattempttoensurethepreservationofagriculturallands.

BiologicalResources‐Usecertifiedweed‐freegrassandseedmixtoprevent


theintroductionofinvasivespecies.Consultwithfederal,stateandlocalagenciesregardinglocationofsensitive(e.g.,threatenedorendangered)wildliferesources.

Hydrology/waterquality–Plantnativevegetationthathasevolvedwiththenaturalenvironment.Allowfortheremovalorthinningofuplandvegetationthathashighevapotranspirationratesandincreasesfirerisks.ImplementstandardBMPstocontrolerosionandsedimentfromconstructionsites.

PublicServices–Strategicallyplacingfirebreaklinesinripariananduplandareasthatdon’taffecttemperature,topreventfires,reduceerosionandsedimentation,andprotectpublicsafety.

Transportation/traffic–Strategicplanninganddesigntoavoidandminimizetheplacementoffacilitiesthathavesitedistanceconflicts.Case‐by‐caseevaluationsmayrevealthatappropriatesitedistancemaybeattainedthroughminorvegetationtrimmingthatdoesnotaffectwatertemperatures.Otherwise,off‐sitecompensatorymitigationsuchasriparianplantingorrestorationwithinawatershedboundarymaybenecessarytooff‐settheaffects.

9.4.2AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoAddressSedimentation

ComplianceMeasuresforErosionandSedimentControl:Structuralerosionandsedimentcontrolcompliancemeasures: Soilconservationcoverstrawcover,bondedfibermatrix,grassseeding,

temporaryplasticcover,residuetillage,heavyuseareaprotection,stripcropping.

Siltfence,strawwaddle,strawbale,gravelcheckdam,gravelbagberm,stockpilecover.

Sedimentcontrolbasin,pond,embankmentpond. Riparianbuffer/filterstrip,grassedwaterway/bioswale. Activesedimenttreatmentsystem. Culverts,streamcrossings,waterdiversions,bridges. Benchcontouring,contourfarming,terrace,vegetatedwindbreak/hedgerow

planting. Exclusionaryfences. Micro‐irrigationsystems. Linedirrigationchannels. Rockslopeprotection,linedwaterway/outlet,road/trailaccesscontrol,

undergroundoutlet,verticaldrain. Road/traillandingclosures/treatment,foresttrailsandlandings. Slidestabilization,soilstabilizationorfillandcutslopes,removalofunstable

fill. Lowimpactdevelopment(LID)tomaintainthepredevelopmenthydrographto

sustainsiterunoffvolumeandvelocitytoattainsedimentandwaterdischargeequilibriumwithinstreams.


In‐streambioengineering. In‐streamandriparianplanting. Streambank/shorelineprotection. Roadsurfacematerials,paving,chipsealing,rocking,dustabatement.Establish

nativeorintroducedforagespecies(grasses,forbs,legumes,shrubs,andtrees)throughpasture,field,orchardandrangelandplanting.

Excludeanimals,people,orvehiclesfromanareatoprotect,maintain,orimprovethequantityandqualityofriparianvegetation.

Constructanimaltrailstoprovidemovementoflivestockthroughdifficultorecologicallysensitiveterrain.

Stabilizestreamcrossingstoprovidecontrolledaccessacrossastreamforlivestockandfarmmachinery.

Non‐structuralerosionandsedimentcontrolcompliancemeasures: Dryweatherconstructionorharvestscheduling. Inventoryexcessivesedimentdeliverysites,prioritizesitesbythreattowater

quality,designandplanremediation,trackandreportremediationimplementationsuccess.

Roaddrainagedesign,disconnectroaddrainagefromwatercourses(draintohillslopes),installdrainagestructuresatintervalstopreventerosionoftheinboardditchorgullformationatthehillslopeoutfall,outsloperoads.

Timingandintensityofroaduse. Proximityofroadstowatercourses. Proximityofroadstounstableorlandslideproneareas. Developagrazingmanagementplanforuplandandriparianmanagement. Calculatethenumberoflivestockthatcanbemaintainedwhilemaintaining

adequatevegetativecover,streamcorridorintegrity,andwaterresources.PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts Aesthetics‐Decreasescenicviewsofwaterbodiesthroughtheretentionor

plantingofvegetation. Agriculture‐Potentialconflictwithorconversionofprimeagriculturallandor

landsubjecttotheWilliamsonActfromimplementingriparianbuffers. Airquality–Shorttermconstruction‐relatedemissionscouldincludeexhaust

fromconstructionequipmentandfugitivedustfromlandclearing,earthmoving,movementofvehicles,andwinderosionofexposedsoilduringreservoirconstructionorremoval,streamand/orriparianrestoration.Potentialodorsfromstagnantwaterinsedimentbasinsorponds.

Biological–Shorttermconstruction,streamdewateringordiversions,turbiditydischargesfromconstructionactivesorin‐streamdamremoval,streamand/orriparianrestoration.Severalspeciesoffauna(e.g.,snakes,fish,salamanders,andbirds)havebeenentrappedortangledinerosioncontrolproductssuchastheplasticcasingcoveringstrawwaddles,orfromthemonofilamentfibersfromsiltfencesthatareeitherinplaceonactiveconstructionsitesorfrommaterialsthatwereleftinplaceanddegraded.


Streamrestorationactionstoreduceerosion,removesediment,andimprovehabitatorriparianrestorationactionstoincreaseshademayconflictswiththerequirementsofcertainfloraorfauna.

Cultural‐Shorttermconstructiondisturbancefromearthmoving. Geology/Soils–Constructionactivitiesorpoorlydesignedfacilitiescould

resultsinshorttermandlongtermerosion,andcouldresultsinsoilscompactionreducingsoilmoistureandbiologicalfunctions.

WaterQuality–Excessiveuseofrip‐raporstreamstabilizationstructuresintendedtobeneficiallyaffectflowcouldalterconditionsdownstream.Workwithinandadjacenttowatersincreasestheriskofleakingequipmentorhazardousmaterialspills,shorttermturbidityincreasesand/ordischargesofsettablesolids.Decreasestreamflowsand/oraquiferstoragefromdustabatement.Alterationsofnaturalhydrologyandincreasesinstreamtemperaturesbyconcentratingorredirectingroadrunoff.Increasedriskofsoilorgroundwatercontaminationwithconcentratedminerals,salts,orpersistentpesticides.Increasedriskoferosionandsedimentationfromtheconstructionoftrails,streamcrossings,andripariangrazing.Increaseriskofgroundwatercontaminationofpetroleumhydrocarbonsandmetalsfromtheinfiltrationofstormwaterrunoff.

Mineralresources–Decreasedaccessforgravel,goldandothermineralactivities.

Noise–Exposuretoshorttermconstructionequipment,alternativewatersupplyoperationsandmaintenance.

PublicServices–Restorationorconstructionactivitieswithinparksthathavestreamsorlandslidesadjacenttostreams.Increasedenforcementonsedimentdischargesfromillegalcultivationscouldleadtoanincreaseddemandinlocal,stateandfederallawenforcementresources.Increaseburdenonvectorcontrolfromwetlandcreationandsedimentcontrolbasins.

Transportation–Shorttermtrafficincreasesassociatedwithsedimentreductionproject,constructionprojects,damremoval,streamand/orriparianrestoration.

Utilitiesandservicesystems–Constructionandinstallationofsedimentcatchbasinsorirrigationdelivery/recoverysystemscouldcauseanadverseimpacttotheenvironment.

PotentialMeasurestoAvoid,MinimizeorMitigateImpactsfromErosionandSedimentControlComplianceMeasures Airquality–Dustcontrol,avoiddaysorpoorairquality,monitorlevelsand

ceaseworkpriortoexceedingstandards,retrofitequipment,uselowemissionsvehicleswhenpossible,scheduleworktoreducetheuseofhighemissionvehicles.Properdesigntoeliminatestandingwater,covers,aeration,filters,barriers,and/orodorsuppressingchemicaladditives.

Biological–Consultwithfederal,stateandlocalagenciesregardinglocationofsensitive(e.g.,threatenedorendangered)wildliferesources.SelectappropriateoralternatestructuralBMPssuchasbio‐degradable,synthetic


freeorearthenmaterialBMPs.Implementnon‐structuralBMPssuchasscheduling,properdesignandtheremovaloftemporaryBMPsforerosionandsedimentcontrolsafterstabilizationandorprojectcompletion.Developingspeciesrelocationplansorinterpretingnaturalsitevegetativeconditionstoincludesensitiveflora.Developcompensatorymitigationprojectsforaquaticecosystemcreation,restorationorenhancement.

Cultural–ConsultwithTribes,historicalsocieties,federal,stateandlocalagenciesregardinglocationofculturalresourcespriortouseofheavyequipmentinareaswithknownorsuspectedculturalresources.ProjectssubjecttothejurisdictionoftheWaterBoardswillberequiredtocomplywithPublicResourceCodesection21159.Thisisexpectedtoensuretheimplementationofnecessarysitespecificactionstoavoid,minimizeandmitigateanyimpactstohistorical,archaeological,andpaleontologicalresourcesorsite,oruniquegeologicfeatures.AllfutureactionsmustcomplywiththeCEQAprocessandrequirementsfortribalconsultationprovidedbySenateBill18(SB18)(State2004,Ch905)andGovernmentCodesection65252.

Geology/Soils–Oneofthecoreactionsintheproposedpolicy,aswellasexistingregulation,iserosionandsedimentcontrol.AllfutureactionssubjecttothisproposedBasinPlanamendmentmustfocusontheavoidance,minimizationandmitigationofimpactsrelatedtounstableorsensitivegeologicareas,soilerosionorthelossoftopsoil.Typically,anarrayofstructuralandnon‐structuralBMPswillbeusedinanyfutureprojectasthemeanstocomplywiththisproposedBasinPlanamendmentandexistingregulationssuchastheSedimentImplementationPolicy,WDRsandWaivers,NPDESpermits,and401Certifications.

WaterQuality–Plantnativevegetationthathasevolvedwiththenaturalenvironment.Allowforthethinningofuplandvegetationthathashighevapotranspirationratesandincreasesfirerisks.Usesediment,erosion,spillprevention,andwastemanagementBMPsduringconstructionandvegetationthinningactivities.Forexamplescheduling,straw,seed,siltfence,strawwaddle,strawbales,dripprotection,vehiclecleaningandmaintenance,andsiteinspections.Installandmaintainerosioncontrolmeasures(e.g.waterbars,rollingdips,mulch,rockrip‐rap)topreventdischargeofexcesssedimentfromsoildisturbingactivities.Relocateroadsawayfromunstableandlandslideproneterrain.Drainroadsawayfromunstableareasduringconstruction,reconstructionofmaintenanceactivities.Locatenewroadsonstablegroundtothemaximumextentpracticable.Minimizecutbankheightandavoidplacementoffillonsteepslopes.Useoff‐channelwatercollectionfeaturesfordustabatementpurposes.Installadequatenumber/typeofroaddrainagefeaturestopreventconcentrationofroadrunoff.Seekprofessional(e.g.NaturalResourcesConservationService,localresourceconservationdistrict)indevelopinglandmanagementplansandobservationaltechniquestoensureoptimalstockingratesforrangelands.Protectdrainagechannelsfromsedimentcontributionswithvegetatedbuffers,wattlesorsimilarerosion


controldevices.Plantacovercroponexposedsoiltoreducethelengthoftimeinwhichsoilisexposedtowindandwater.Coverexposedsoilthatwillnotreceiveimmediateplantingwithstraworothersuitableerosioncontrolmaterial.Ensureproperdesign,siting,andoperationaltimingtoreducealterationsofnaturalhydrologyandadverseeffectsonstreamandgroundwaterqualityandqualityfromstructuralBMPs.

Transportation–Throughtheexistingprojectplanning,CEQAprocess,interagencycoordinationandexistingregulation(NPDESstormwaterpermitsand401Certifications)potentialconflictsareresolvedbyavoidance,minimization,oroff‐sitecompensatorymitigation.

9.4.3AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoAddressTailwaterandSurfaceImpoundmentsFloodirrigationisacommonirrigationpracticeinpartsoftheNorthCoastRegion.Whenirrigationwaterisappliedtoafieldinthismanner,itgenerallyflowsacrossthefieldasathinsheetorinshallowrivulets,andispronetoheatingduringdaylighthoursandcoolingatnightinresponsetoairtemperature.PropertailwatermanagementisafactorinachievingcompliancewiththewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureandtemperatureTMDLs.AnumberoftailwatermanagementpracticesarepresentedintheNon‐PointSource(NPS)ProgramandtheCDFWCohoRecoveryStrategy.Practicesincludethereuseoftailwater,constructingoff‐streamretentionpondsforevaporatingandpercolatingtailwaterthroughtheground,andacommunitybasedapproachtomanagingtailwateramonggroupsofwaterusers.SeverallargedamsexistthroughouttheNorthCoastRegion;additionally,thereareseveralsmallerimpoundments–oftentermed“flashboard”dams–thatareusedtoraisethewaterlevelsinstreamstoprovidefordiversion(eitherdirectorpumping)primarilyforagriculturaluse.Largeandsmallscaleimpoundmentscanalterthethermalregimeofariversystem.Differencesinheatloadingduetoimpoundmentscanoccurbecauseofanincreaseinwatersurfacearea,providingalargersurfaceareaoverwhichenergytransfercanoccur.Largerair‐waterinterfaceprovidesadditionalareaforsolarradiationtoenterthesystem;however,thelargersurfaceareaalsoallowsincreasedfetch(allowingmorewindmixing)andpotentiallyimprovedcoolingduetoevaporation.Probablyamoreimportantcharacteristicoftheimpoundmentistheincreasedthermalmass,whichleadstomoderationofthediurnaltemperaturesignal.Finally,impoundmentsgenerallyincreaseriverwidthandlimittheabilityofriparianshadingtoreduceincomingsolarradiation.Similarly,theeffectoftopographicshadingduetostreambanksorbluffsisreducedwhentheriverwidthisincreasedduetoanimpoundment.Therefore,addressingsurfacewaterimpoundmentsisamajorfactorinachievingcompliancewiththewaterqualityobjectivesfortemperatureandtemperatureTMDLs.ComplianceMeasuresforTailwaterandSurfaceWaterImpoundments:Structuralcompliancemeasures:


Pond,embankmentpond. Riparianbuffer/filterstrip,grassedwaterway/bioswale. Liningofanirrigationchannel. Installationofapipelineinlieuofanuncoveredchannel. Installsurfacedrainagefieldditchtocollectexcesswater. Minimizedischargefromedgeoffields. Constructtailwatermanagementsystem.

o Constructionofareservoirandpumpingfacilities. Landlevelingtopreventdischargefromfieldedgestosurfacewaters. Constructoff‐streamretentionpondsforevaporatingandpercolating

tailwater. Controlstructuresforirrigation. Micro‐irrigationsystems. Damremoval. Bypassflowstructures.

Non‐structuralBMPs/compliancemeasures: Irrigationmanagementplanstooperatetheirrigationsystemsothatthe

timingandamountofirrigationwaterappliedmatchescropneeds.PotentialEnvironmentalImpactsAssociatedwithComplianceMeasuresforTailwaterandSurfaceWaterImpoundments Aesthetics–Potentialglarefrompondsorunsightlywaterfacilities. Airquality–Shorttermconstruction‐relatedemissionscouldincludeexhaust

fromconstructionequipmentandfugitivedustfromlandclearing,earthmoving,movementofvehicles,andwinderosionofexposedsoilduringpondorembankmentconstruction.

Biological–Shorttermconstruction,streamdewateringordiversions,turbiditydischargesfromconstructionactivesorin‐streamdamremoval.Lossofwetlandshabitatfromrepairofleakyconveyancesystemsoralterationofirrigationpractices.Switchingfromon‐streamstoragefacilitiestosprings,seepsorgroundwateraspotentialwatersourcescouldreducetheinputofcoldwaterandcouldresultsinimpactstoareasofthermalrefugia.Lossofcriticalhabitatfromsedimentdischarges.Lossofwarmwaterhabitfornon‐nativespecies.

Cultural‐Shorttermconstructiondisturbancefromearthmovingorreservoirdrawdowns.Constructionorremovalofrecreational,watersupplyorhydroelectricfacilitiescouldresultinlongtermadverseculturalorhistoricalimpacts.

Geology/Soils–Poorlydesignedoroperatedirrigationfacilitiescouldresultsinshorttermandlongtermerosion.Waterfacilityconstructioncouldresultsinsoilscompactionreducingsoilmoistureandbiologicalfunctions.

WaterQuality–Increasedriskofsoilorgroundwatercontaminationwithconcentratedminerals,salts,nutrientsorpersistentpesticidesfromtheinfiltrationofirrigationwater.Increasedriskofsoilerosionfromsoil


disturbance.Workwithinandadjacenttowatersincreasestheriskofleakingequipmentorhazardousmaterialspills,shorttermturbidityincreasesand/ordischargesofsettablesolids.Theremovalofdamscouldresultinashorttermviolationofwaterqualitystandardsassedimentsandorganicrichwatersflowdownstream.Theremovalofon‐streamandoff‐streamstoragefacilities,dams,andconstructionofminimumbypassflowandfishpassagestructurescouldresultinchangestohydrologyinstreamsaswellasshorttermviolationofwaterqualitystandards.Switchingfromon‐streamstoragefacilitiestosprings,seepsorgroundwateraspotentialwatersourcescouldreducetheinputofcoldwaterandcouldresultsinimpactstoareasofthermalrefugia.


Transportation–Shorttermtrafficincreasesassociatedconstructionprojectsanddamremovals.

Utilitiesandservicesystems–Damremovalcouldleadtoshortterminterruptionsinutilitiessuchasgas,water,electricity,phone,etc.Damremovalcouldleadtoatemporarydecreaseinavailablewatersupply.

Themonitoringconductedwillfocusontheprotocolsthatwillaidinthecompilationandassessmentofdatacollectedtoverifyeffectiveness.PotentialMeasurestoAvoid,MinimizeorMitigateImpactsfromTailwaterandSurfaceWaterImpoundmentComplianceMeasures Aesthetics‐Propersitingforfacilities,constructingbermsorexcessfreeboard

aroundtheperimeterofapond,orplantingvegetationalongtheperimeterofapond.

Airquality–Dustcontrol,avoiddaysorpoorairquality,monitorlevelsandceaseworkpriortoexceedingstandards,retrofitequipment,uselowemissionsvehicleswhenpossible,scheduleworktoreducetheuseofhighemissionvehicles.

Biological–Consultwithfederal,stateandlocalagenciesregardingsensitive(e.g.,threatenedorendangered)wildliferesources.Implementnon‐structuralBMPssuchasscheduling,properdesignandtheremovaloftemporaryBMPsforerosionandsedimentcontrolsafterstabilizationandorprojectcompletion.Developingspeciesrelocationplansorinterpretingnaturalsitevegetativeconditionstoincludesensitiveflora.Developcompensatorymitigationprojectsforaquaticecosystemcreation,restorationorenhancement.

Cultural–ConsultwithTribes,historicalsocieties,federal,stateandlocalagenciesregardinglocationofculturalresourcespriortouseofheavyequipmentinareaswithknownorsuspectedculturalresources.ProjectssubjecttothejurisdictionoftheWaterBoardswillberequiredtocomplywithPublicResourceCodesection21159.Thisisexpectedtoensurethattheimplementationofanynecessarysitespecificactionstoavoid,minimizeandmitigateanyimpactstohistorical,archaeological,andpaleontologicalresourcesorsite,oruniquegeologicfeatures.Allfutureactionsmustcomply


withtheCEQAprocessandrequirementsfortribalconsultationprovidedbySenateBill18(SB18)(State2004,Ch905)andGovernmentCodesection65252.

Geology/Soils–Oneofthecoreactionsintheproposedpolicyaswellasexistingregulationiserosionandsedimentcontrol.AllfutureactionssubjecttothisproposedBasinPlanamendmentmustfocusontheavoidance,minimizationandmitigationofimpactsrelatedtounstableorsensitivegeologicareas,soilerosionorthelossoftopsoil.Typicallyanarrayofstructuralandnon‐structuralcompliancemeasureswillbeusedinanyfutureprojectasmeanstocomplywiththisproposedBasinPlanamendmentandexistingregulationssuchastheSedimentImplementationPolicy,WDRsandWaivers,NPDESpermits,and401Certifications.


WaterQuality–Plantnativevegetation.Allowfortheremovalorthinningofuplandvegetationthathashighevapotranspirationratesandincreasesfirerisks.Useprecision(sitespecific)farmingtechniques;monitorchemicalconditionofsoil,water,andplantresidualscarefullypriortoapplyingfertilizers,pesticides,orwater,includingtailwater.Leachsoilswithintherootzoneasnecessarytopreventsaltbuildupinthatportionofthesoilprofile.Monitorgroundwatertoensurenosalt(orotherconstituents)accumulateingroundwater.Avoidintroductionofstormwaterintotailwatersystemtopreventimpactstostormwater.Maintainfilterstripsbetweenfieldsandsurfacewatertopreventdischargeoftailwaterdirectlyintosurfacewaters.Installsurfacedrainagefieldditchtocollectexcesswater.Seekprofessional(e.g.NaturalResourcesConservationService,localresourceconservationdistrict,consultants,etc.)indevelopinglandmanagementplansandobservationaltechniquestoensureefficientandeffectivewateruse.Ensureproperdesign,siting,andoperationaltimingtoreducealterationsofnaturalhydrologyandadverseeffectsonstreamandgroundwaterqualityandqualityfromstructuralcompliancemeasures.Don’tconcentratedrainagesuchthattoxiclevelsofconstituentsaredischargetowaters.

Transportation–Shorttermtrafficincreasesassociateddamremoval. Utilitiesandservicesystems–Developwastemanagementplansfordam

removalprojects.Coordinatewithprospectivelandfillsregardingtheestimatedamountofwastegeneratedbyaproposedprojectandlandfillcapacity.Planforanddevelopconservationandefficiencyprojectsforwatersupply.Planforanddeveloprecycledwaterprojectsandaquiferstorageandrecovery(ASR)projects.


9.4.4AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasuresAssociatedwithPreservingExistingColdWaterResourcesThepreservationofcoldwaterresourcesisacriticalcomponentintheproposedBasinPlanamendment.AreasofthermalrefugiaintheNorthCoastRegionareessentialtothesupportofthecoldwaterfisherybecausetheymoderatetheimpactofnaturallyelevatedtemperatures.Thermalrefugiaaretypicallyidentifiedasareasofcoolwatercreatedbyinflowingtributaries,springs,seepsupwellinghyporheicflow,and/orgroundwaterinanotherwisewarmstreamchannelofferingrefugehabitattocold‐waterfishandothercoldwateraquaticspecies(Watercourse,2005).Therefugiacreatedbysometributariesaretypicallyintheplumesandpoolsofcoldwaterthatforminthemainstemsatthetributaryconfluence.Refugiaalsoexistinsometributarystreamsthemselves.Theshapeandextentofrefugiaarehighlyvariableandaredependentonstreamgeomorphology,ripariancanopy,sedimentdynamics,andflow.RegionalWaterBoardstaffsrecognizethereareanumberoffactorsthatcancauseseasonalandinter‐annualchangesintheexistence,location,andsizeofthethermalrefugia.Takenasawhole,thesethermalrefugiacompriseanetworkofsupportforpopulationsofcoldwaterfishesandhealthyaquaticecosystemconditions.TheirprotectionhasbecomeevenmoreimportantwiththeabundanceofimpairmentsfortemperaturethroughouttheNorthCoastRegion.ComplianceMeasuresAssociatedwithPreservingColdWaterResources:

Avoidofareasofknownthermalrefugiaduringcriticaltimeforfish. Controloferosionandsedimentdischargestoareasofknownthermal

refugia. Removefishpassagebarrierstoareasofknownthermalrefugia. Conductstreambankrestorationandriparianrevegetationtoareasofknown

thermalrefugia. Constructriparianfencingtopreserveareasofknownthermalrefugia Modifyand/orremoveon‐streamstoragefacilitiesanddamswhichinfluence

identifiedcoldwaterresources. Constructnewormodifyoff‐streamstoragefacilitiestoreplaceon‐stream

facilitiesaffectingcoldwaterresources. Installandoperategroundwaterwellsatalocationwithlittleornoinfluence

overtheflowsassociatedwithacoldwaterresource. Modifytheoperationandtimingofgroundwater,surfacewater,orriparian

rightwaterextraction. Relyonalternativewatersourcesandconservationefforts. Constructand/ormodifywatertransfer,irrigationand/orirrigationwater

managementfacilitiestoimprovewateruseefficiency. Enhancedaquiferrecharge(i.e.,ASR).


PotentialEnvironmentalImpactsAssociatedwithPreservingColdWaterResources Aesthetics–Constructionactivitiescouldhaveshorttermaestheticimpacts

whilesittingforwaterfacilitylocationscoulddegradeorimpedescenicviewsinthelongterm.

AgriculturalResources–PotentialconflictwithorconversionofprimeagriculturallandorlandsubjecttotheWilliamsonActfromimplementingriparianbuffers.

AirQuality–Constructioncouldincreaseshorttermexhaustandparticulatematter.Alternativewatersuppliesorincreasedpumpingcouldresultinlongtermincreaseingreenhousegases.

BiologicalResources–Constructionorremovalofin‐streamfacilitiescouldresultinshorttermdisturbancesofwetlands,specialstatusspeciesandsensitivenaturalareas.Reductioninsurfaceflowsthroughgroundwaterextractionorincreasedrelianceonriparianrightscoulddegraderiparianhabitat.Switchingfromon‐streamstoragefacilitiestosprings,seepsorgroundwateraspotentialwatersourcescouldreducetheinputofcoldwaterandcouldresultsinimpactstoareasofthermalrefugia.

CulturalResources–Shorttermconstructiondisturbancefromearthmovingorreservoirdrawdowns,streamand/orriparianrestorationcouldcauseadverseimpactstoculturalorhistoricalresources.Constructionorremovalofrecreational,watersupplyorhydroelectricfacilitiescouldresultinlongtermadverseculturalorhistoricalimpacts.

Geology/Soils–Constructionactivitiesorpoorlydesignedfacilitiescouldresultsinshorttermandlongtermerosion,andcouldresultsinsoilcompaction,reducedsoilmoisture,andreducedbiologicalproductivitywithinsoils.

HazardsandHazardousMaterials–Constructionactivitiescouldresultintheincreaseinhazardousmaterialsusedinconstruction,andintheoperationandmaintenanceofneworexpandedfacilities.

Hydrology/WaterQuality–Excessiveuseofrip‐raporstreamstabilizationstructuresintendedtobeneficiallyaffectflowcouldalterconditionsdownstream.Workwithinandadjacenttowatersincreasestheriskofleakingequipmentorhazardousmaterialspills,shorttermturbidityincreasesand/ordischargesofsettablesolids.Decreasestreamflowsand/oraquiferstoragefromdustabatement.Alterationsofnaturalhydrologyandincreasesinstreamtemperaturesbyconcentratingorredirectingroadrunoffordivertingstreamduringconstruction.Increasedriskoferosionandsedimentationfromtheconstructionofstreamcrossings,andriparianfencing.

LandUse/Planning–Relianceonalternativewatersources,waterconservationefforts,andpreservationofareasofknownthermalrefugiacouldhaveaconflictwithlocalplansorordinancesthatcallforanincreasethroughvariouswatersupplyand/ordevelopmentprojects.Municipal,domestic,agriculturalandindustrialwatersupplycouldbeimpactedbycertainrestrictionsontheextractionofwaterfromriparianareasorareasof


knownthermalrefugia.Constructionorexpansionofoff‐streamwaterstoragefacilitiescouldconflictwithlocalplansorordinances.

MineralResources–Theconstructionorexpansionofawaterstoragefacilitycouldreducetheabilitytoaccessmineralresourcesintheprojectfootprint.

Noise–Construction,modificationorremovaloffacilitiesforthepurposeofgroundwaterorsurfacewaterextraction,energysupplyand/orrecreationcouldresultinshorttermandlongtermimpactsfromnoise.

PopulationandHousing–Waterconservationand/orrelianceonalternativewatersourcescouldhaveanimpactonhousingdevelopmentorexistinghousingpopulations.Movingtorelianceonlargerwatersupplierscouldincreasetheirdemandandthusleadtoanincreasedlevelofwaterextractioninspecificlocations.

Recreation‐Dams(forwhateverpurpose–hydropower,summerrecreation,anddrinkingwaterextraction)couldberemovedtoachieveflowsneededtocomplywithtemperatureobjectivesreducingtheareaofwateravailableforrecreating.Ifdamremovalisselectedasacompliancemeasureswimmingandboating(lakeskiingandwhitewaterboating)couldbeadverselyaffected.Inaddition,recreationalfacilitiessuchascampgroundsandboatlauncheswouldberemovediffullorpartialremovalofthedamsisselectedasacompliancemeasure.Additionally,recreationalfishingforintroducedspecieswouldbelostafterdamremovaleliminatedtheirhabitatandconditionsfavorednativespecies.

TransportationandTraffic–Compliancemeasuresthatrequireconstructionactivitiescouldresultintrafficdelays.Areductioninwaterresourceavailabilitycouldleadtoagriculturallandconversion,whichinturncouldleadtoincreaseddevelopmentandtraffic.

Utilities/ServiceSystems–Compliancemeasuresthatrequireconstructionordemolitionoffacilitiescouldresultinshortterminterruptionofutilities.Hydroelectricdamremovalcouldcreatealocalorregionalshiftinpowersupplyservices.Waterconservationand/orrelianceonalternativewatersourcescouldhaveanimpactonmunicipalwatersupply.

PossibleMitigationMeasuresAssociatedwithPreservingofColdWaterResourcesComplianceMeasures

Aesthetics–Propersiting,constructingbermsorexcessfreeboardaroundtheperimeterofapond,orplantingvegetationalongtheperimeterofapond.

AgriculturalResources–Implementstructuralandnon‐structuralwaterirrigationwatermanagement,irrigationpipelines,conservationcover,covercrop,pondsealingorlining,fieldborders,streambuffers,roofrunoffcapturestructures,andculvertsforwaterconveyance.Coordinationbetweenprojectproponents,RegionalWaterBoardstaff,DivisionofWaterRights,otherlocalstateandfederalagenciestoachievemutuallybeneficialsolutionsthatensurethepreservationofagriculturallandsandcoldwaterresources.

AirQuality–Airmonitoring,dustcontrolBMPs,designwaterretentionBMPstructurestodrainin72hourstopreventvectorsandodors,equipment


timing,windbarriers,aggregatecover,multi‐yearcrop,andresiduemanagement.

BiologicalResources–ConsultwithUSFWS,CDFW,andNMFS,erosionandsedimentcontrolBMPs,wastemanagementBMPS,biologicalmonitors,work‐windows,vegetatedstreambuffers,criticalhabitat/speciesidentificationsurveys,waterdiversionfishscreens,velocitydissipaters,andwaterdraftingprotocols.


HazardsandHazardousMaterials–Developpollutionpreventionplansincorporatingstructuralandnon‐structuralwastehandling,storageandmanagementBMPsincluding,butnotlimitedtowatertightcontainers,spillkits,andappropriatemateriallabels.

Hydrology/WaterQuality–Ingeneral,thecombinationofseveralstructuralandnon‐structuralcompliancemeasures/BMPscanbeusedtomitigateimpactstowaterquality.Usesediment,erosion,spillprevention,andwastemanagementBMPsduringconstructionandvegetationthinningactivities.Forexamplescheduling,straw,seed,siltfence,strawwaddle,strawbales,dripprotection,vehiclecleaningandmaintenance,andsiteinspections.Installandmaintainerosioncontrolmeasures(e.g.waterbars,rollingdips,mulch,rockrip‐rap)topreventdischargeofexcesssedimentfromsoildisturbingactivities.Useoff‐channelwatercollectionfeaturesfordustabatementpurposes.Ensureproperdesign,siting,andoperationaltimingtoreducealterationsofnaturalhydrologyandadverseeffectsonstreamfromstructuralcompliancemeasures.

LandUse/Planning–Consultwithlocal,stateandfederalagenciesforguidanceandrecommendations.


Utilitiesandservicesystems–Developmanagementplansforwaterconservationandwaterefficiencyprojects(i.e.,ASR).


9.4.5AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasuresAssociatedwithAquaticEcosystemRestorationtoAddressStreamTemperaturesGenerallyaquaticecosystemrestorationactionsareplanned,designedandimplementedinwaystobestreduceenvironmentalimpacts.Whiletherearepotentialshorttermimpactsassociatedwiththesetypesofcompliancemeasurestheyaregenerallybeneficialfortheenvironmentinthelongtermandcanbeimplementedwithoutanyadverseenvironmentalimpacts.ForexamplethereisacategoricalexemptionwithintheCEQAguidelinesthatallowforsmallhabitatrestorationprojects27.ComplianceMeasuresAssociatedwithAquaticEcosystemRestorationtoAddressStreamTemperatures Stabilizestreamcrossingstoprovidecontrolledaccessacrossastreamfor

livestockandfarmmachinery. Streamorriverbankrevegetationtoincreaseshadeinaccordancewithsite

potential. In‐streamgravelaugmentation. Largewoodydebris/habitatenhancementprojects. Streamorriverbankstabilizationwithnativevegetationorother

bioengineeringtechniques,theprimarypurposeofwhichistoreduceoreliminateerosionandsedimentationandsupportsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.

CulvertreplacementconductedinaccordancewithpublishedguidelinesoftheDepartmentofFishandWildlifeorNationalMarineFisheries,theprimarypurposeofwhichistoimprovehabitat,provideshade,reducesedimentation,orprovideaccesstoareasofthermalrefugia.

PotentialEnvironmentalImpactsAssociatedwithAquaticEcosystemRestorationtoAddressStreamTemperatures Aesthetics‐Decreasescenicviewsofwaterbodiesthroughtheretentionof

vegetation. Airquality–Shorttermconstruction‐relatedemissionscouldincludeexhaust

fromconstructionequipmentandfugitivedustfromlandclearing,earthmoving,movementofvehicles,andwinderosionofexposedsoilduringreservoirconstructionorremoval,streamand/orriparianrestoration.

Agriculture‐PotentialconflictwithorconversionofprimeagriculturallandorlandsubjecttotheWilliamsonActfromimplementinggrazingrestrictions.

BiologicalResources‐Riskofintroducinginvasivespeciesthoroughpasture,hayandrangelandplantingandmanagement.Shorttermconstruction,streamdewateringordiversions,turbiditydischargesfromconstructionactivesorin‐streamdamremoval,streamand/orriparianrestoration.

27Cal.Pub.ResourcesCode,§21083&21084


Cultural‐Shorttermconstructiondisturbancefromearthmoving. Hydrology/waterquality–Reductioninstreamflowsduetotheincreasein

evapotranspirationfromincreasedripariantreeretention.Temporarysedimentdischargesfromconstructionand/orrestorationactivities.Excessiveuseofrip‐raporstreamstabilizationstructuresintendedtobeneficiallyaffectflowcouldalterconditionsdownstream.Workwithinandadjacenttowatersincreasestheriskofleakingequipmentorhazardousmaterialspills,shorttermturbidityincreasesand/ordischargesofsettablesolids.Decreasestreamflowsand/oraquiferstoragefromdustabatement.

Mineralresources‐Decreasedaccessforgravel,goldorothermineralextractionactivities.


PublicServices–Restorationorconstructionactivitieswithinparksthathavestreamsorlandslidesadjacenttostreams.

Transportation/traffic–Increasedtreeretentionmayconflictwithtransportationagencies(publicroads)sitedistancerequirementsandareasdesignatedasclearrecoveryzones.Shorttermtrafficincreasesassociatedwithsedimentreductionproject,constructionprojects,damremoval,streamand/orriparianrestoration.

PossibleMitigationMeasuresforImpactsAssociatedwithComplianceMeasurestoRestoreAquaticEcosystems Airquality–Dustcontrol,avoiddaysorpoorairquality,monitorlevelsand

ceaseworkpriortoexceedingstandards,retrofitequipment,uselowemissionsvehicleswhenpossible,scheduleworktoreducetheuseofhighemissionvehicles.

Agriculture‐Coordinationbetweenprojectproponents,RegionalWaterBoardstaffandotherlocal,stateandfederalagenciestoachieverestorationgoalsandattempttoensurethepreservationofagriculturallands.

BiologicalResources‐Consultwithfederal,stateandlocalagenciesregardinglocationofsensitive(e.g.,threatenedorendangered)wildliferesources.SelectappropriateoralternatestructuralBMPssuchasbio‐degradable,syntheticfreeorearthenmaterialBMPs.Implementnon‐structuralBMPssuchasscheduling,properdesignandtheremovaloftemporaryBMPsforerosionandsedimentcontrolsafterstabilizationandorprojectcompletion.Developingspeciesrelocationplansorinterpretingnaturalsitevegetativeconditionstoincludesensitiveflora.

Cultural–ConsultwithTribes,historicalsocieties,federal,stateandlocalagenciesregardinglocationofculturalresourcespriortouseofheavyequipmentinareaswithknownorsuspectedculturalresources.ProjectssubjecttothejurisdictionoftheWaterBoardswillberequiredtocomplywithPublicResourceCodesection21159.Thisisexpectedtoensuretheimplementationofnecessarysitespecificactionstoavoid,minimizeandmitigateanyimpactstohistorical,archaeological,andpaleontological


resourcesorsite,oruniquegeologicfeatures.AllfutureactionsmustcomplywiththeCEQAprocessandrequirementsfortribalconsultationprovidedbySenateBill18(SB18)(State2004,Ch905)andGovernmentCodesection65252.


WaterQuality–Plantnativevegetationthathasevolvedwiththenaturalenvironment.Usesediment,erosion,spillprevention,andwastemanagementBMPsduringconstructionandvegetationthinningactivities.Forexamplescheduling,straw,seed,siltfence,strawwaddle,strawbales,dripprotection,vehiclecleaningandmaintenance,andsiteinspections.Installandmaintainerosioncontrolmeasures(e.g.waterbars,rollingdips,mulch,rockrip‐rap)topreventdischargeofexcesssedimentfromsoildisturbingactivities.Relocateroadsawayfromunstableandlandslideproneterrain.Useoff‐channelwatercollectionfeaturesfordustabatementpurposes.Installadequatenumber/typeofroaddrainagefeaturestopreventconcentrationofroadrunoff.Ensureproperdesign,siting,andoperationaltimingtoreducealterationsofnaturalhydrologyandadverseeffectsonstreamfromstructuralcompliancemeasures.


9.4.6AnalysisofComplianceMeasures,PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts,andPotentialMitigationMeasurestoRestoreandMaintainStreamFlowsthatSupportBeneficialUsesCoordinationwiththeStateWaterBoardisongoing.TheRegionalWaterBoardparticipatesintheappropriativewaterrightpermittingandwaterqualitycertification(pursuanttosection401oftheCleanWaterAct)processesassociatedwithwaterrights.Potentialprojectsthatrequire401certifications(e.g.FederalEnergyRegulatoryCommission‐LicensingProjects)and/orwaterrightspermitswillbesubjecttotheCEQAprocessandmustprovideadditionalproject‐levelanalysis.Themajorityoftheforeseeablecompliancemeasuresassociatedwiththeactionsreferencedaboveaddressdams(hydropower,seasonal,andrecreationanddrinkingwatersupply)andsurfacewaterallocations.


ComplianceMeasurestoRestoreandMaintainStreamFlowsthatSupportBeneficialUses Construct,modifyand/orremoveon‐streamstoragefacilitiesanddams. Constructnewormodifyoff‐streamstoragefacilities. Installandoperategroundwaterwells. Modifytheoperationandtimingofgroundwater,surfacewater,orriparian

rightwaterextraction. Relyonalternativewatersourcesandconservationefforts. Constructand/ormodifywatertransfer,irrigationand/orirrigationwater

managementfacilities. Enhancedinfiltrationofgroundwater(i.e.,ASR)

PotentialEnvironmentalImpactsofComplianceMeasurestoRestoreandMaintainStreamFlowsthatSupportBeneficialUses

Aesthetics–Constructionactivitiescouldhaveshorttermaestheticimpactswhilesittingforwaterfacilitylocationscoulddegradeorimpedescenicviewsinthelongterm.

AgriculturalResources–Switchingfromsurfacewaterdiversionstogroundwaterpumpingcouldlowerwatertable,reducesoilmoisture,contributetolandsubsidenceandreduceaquiferstoragecapability.Regulationonwaterusecouldleadtotheconversionofagriculturallands.

AirQuality–Constructioncouldincreaseshorttermexhaustandparticulatematter.Alternativewatersuppliesorincreasedpumpingcouldresultinlongtermincreaseingreenhousegases.

BiologicalResources–Constructionorremovalofin‐streamfacilitiescouldresultinshorttermdisturbancesofwetlands,specialstatusspeciesandsensitivenaturalareas.Reductioninsurfaceflowsthroughgroundwaterextractionorincreasedrelianceonriparianrightscoulddegraderiparianhabitat.Switchingfromon‐streamstoragefacilitiestosprings,seepsorgroundwateraspotentialwatersourcescouldreducetheinputofcoldwaterandcouldresultsinimpactstoareasofthermalrefugia.

CulturalResources–Shorttermconstructiondisturbancefromearthmovingorreservoirdrawdowns,streamand/orriparianrestorationcouldcauseadverseimpactstoculturalorhistoricalresources.Constructionorremovalofrecreational,watersupplyorhydroelectricfacilitiescouldresultinlongtermadverseculturalorhistoricalimpacts.

Geology/Soils–Constructionactivitiesorpoorlydesignedfacilitiescouldresultinginshorttermandlongtermerosion,andcouldresultsinsoilcompaction,reducedsoilmoisture,andreducedbiologicalproductivitywithinsoils.

HazardsandHazardousMaterials–Theincreaseduseofgroundwaterandconstructionofwatersupplyfacilitiescouldresultintheincreaseinhazardousmaterialsusedinconstruction,andintheoperationandmaintenanceofneworexpandedfacilities.


Hydrology/WaterQuality–Shorttermconstructionandpoorlydesignedfacilitiescouldleadtoerosion,sedimentationorhazardousmaterialsdischarges.Theincreaseingroundwaterextractioncouldreducesurfacewaterflowsandresultinincreasedpollutantconcentrationduetolessdilution.Theremovalofdamscouldresultinashorttermviolationofwaterqualitystandardsassedimentsandorganicrichwatersflowdownstream.Theremovalofon‐streamandoff‐streamstoragefacilities,dams,andconstructionofminimumbypassflowandfishpassagestructurescouldresultinchangestohydrologyinstreamsaswellasshorttermviolationofwaterqualitystandards.Switchingfromon‐streamstoragefacilitiestosprings,seepsorgroundwateraspotentialwatersourcescouldreducetheinputofcoldwaterandcouldresultsinimpactstoareasofthermalrefugia.

LandUse/Planning–Increasedriparianwaterrightsuseasaresultofthepolicymayresultinimpactsonlocalplanstoincreasesurfaceandgroundwaterextraction.Relianceonalternativewatersourcescouldhaveaconflictwithlocalplansorordinances.Constructionorexpansionofoff‐streamwaterstoragefacilitiescouldconflictwithlocalplansorordinances.

MineralResources–Theconstructionorexpansionofawaterstoragefacilitycouldreducetheabilitytoaccessmineralresourcesintheprojectfootprint.

Noise–Construction,modificationorremovaloffacilitiesforthepurposeofgroundwaterorsurfacewaterextraction,energysupplyand/orrecreationcouldresultinshorttermandlongtermimpactsfromnoise.

PopulationandHousing–Waterconservationand/orrelianceonalternativewatersourcescouldhaveanimpactonhousingdevelopmentorexistinghousingpopulations.Movingtorelianceonlargerwatersupplierscouldincreasetheirdemandandthusleadtoanincreasedlevelofextractioninspecificlocations.

Recreation‐Dams(forwhateverpurpose–hydropower,summerrecreation,anddrinkingwaterextraction)couldberemovedtoachieveflowsneededtocomplywithtemperatureobjectivesreducingtheareaofwateravailableforrecreating.Ifdamremovalisselectedasacompliancemeasure,swimmingandboating(lakeskiingandwhitewaterboating)couldbeadverselyaffected.Inaddition,recreationalfacilitiessuchascampgroundsandboatlauncheswouldberemovediffullorpartialremovalofthedamsisselectedasacompliancemeasure.Additionally,recreationalfishingforintroducedspecieswouldbelostafterdamremovaleliminatedtheirhabitatandconditionsfavorednativespecies.

TransportationandTraffic–Compliancemeasuresthatrequireconstructionactivitiescouldresultintrafficdelays.

Utilities/ServiceSystems–Compliancemeasuresthatrequireconstructionordemolitionoffacilitiescouldresultinshortterminterruptionofutilities.Hydroelectricdamremovalcouldcreatealocalorregionalshiftinpowersupplyservices.


PotentialMeasurestoAvoid,MinimizeorMitigateImpactsfromComplianceMeasurestoPreserveAdequateStreamFlows

Aesthetics–Propersiting,constructingbermsorexcessfreeboardaroundtheperimeterofapond,orplantingvegetationalongtheperimeterofapond.

AgriculturalResources–Implementstructuralandnon‐structuralwaterirrigationwatermanagement,irrigationpipelines,conservationcover,covercrop,pondsealingorlining,fieldborders,streambuffers,roofrunoffcapturestructures,andculvertsforwaterconveyance.

AirQuality–Airmonitoring,dustcontrolBMPs,designwaterretentionBMPstructurestodrainin72hourstopreventvectorsandodors,equipmenttiming,windbarriers,aggregatecover,multi‐yearcrop,andresiduemanagement.

BiologicalResources–ConsultwithUSFWS,CDFW,andNMFS,erosionandsedimentcontrolBMPs,wastemanagementBMPS,biologicalmonitors,work‐windows,vegetatedstreambuffers,criticalhabitat/speciesidentificationsurveys,waterdiversionfishscreens,velocitydissipaters,andwaterdraftingprotocols.


HazardsandHazardousMaterials–Developpollutionpreventionplansincorporatingstructuralandnon‐structuralwastehandling,storageandmanagementBMPsincluding,butnotlimitedtowatertightcontainers,spillkits,andappropriatemateriallabels.

Hydrology/WaterQuality–SeecompliancemeasuresthroughoutthisSED.Ingeneral,thecombinationofseveralstructuralandnon‐structuralcompliancemeasures/BMPscanbeusedtomitigateimpactstowaterquality.

LandUse/Planning–Consultwithagenciesforguidanceandrecommendations.


Utilitiesandservicesystems–Developmanagementplansforwastehandling.Waterconservationandwaterefficiencyprojects.Aquiferstorageandrecovery(ASR).


9.5DiscussionofPotentialEnvironmentalImpactsPotentialimpactsofthereasonablyforeseeablecompliancemeasureswereevaluatedwithrespecttoearth,air,water,plantlife,animallife,noise,light,landuse,naturalresources,riskofupset,population,housing,transportation,publicservices,energy,utilitiesandservicessystems,humanhealth,aesthetics,recreation,andarcheological/historicalconcerns.Additionally,mandatoryfindingsofsignificanceregardingshort‐term,long‐term,cumulativeandsubstantialimpactswereevaluated.9.5.1ThresholdsofSignificanceAsignificanteffectontheenvironmentisdefinedinstatuteas“asubstantial,orpotentiallysubstantial,adversechangeintheenvironment”where“Environment”isdefinedbyPublicResourcesCodesection21060.5as“thephysicalconditionswhichexistwithintheareawhichwillbeaffectedbyaproposedproject,includingair,water,minerals,flora,fauna,noise,objectsofhistoricoraestheticsignificance.”28

Socialoreconomicchangesrelatedtoaphysicalchangeoftheenvironmentwerealsoconsideredindeterminingwhethertherewouldbeasignificanteffectontheenvironment.However,adversesocialandeconomicimpactsalonearenotsignificanteffectsontheenvironment.Amoredetailedanalysisoftherangeofcostsofcompliancemeasures,andpotentialfundingsourcesindiscussedinChapter10.Inthisanalysis,thelevelofsignificancewasbasedonbaselineorcurrentconditions.Short‐termimpactsassociatedwiththeconstructionofcompliancemeasureswiththeexceptionofdamdecommissioningactivities)wereconsideredlessthansignificantwithmitigationbecausetheimpactsduetoconstructionactivitiesaretemporaryandsimilartotypicalcapitalimprovementprojectsandmaintenanceactivitiescurrentlyperformedthroughouttheregion.Becauseofthis,whereitisuncertainwhetherthepotentialimpactscouldbemitigatedtolevelsofinsignificance,theRegionalWaterBoardactedconservativelyandconcludedinthisanalysisthatpotentialcompliancemeasureswouldresultinapotentiallysignificantimpacts.Whenassessingthesignificanceofimpact‐relatedimplementationoftheproposedBasinPlanamendmentitisimperativetodistinguishthelevelofmitigationpossibleunderaproposedprojectversusaproposedpolicy.Acomplexpolicycouldleadtoseveralpotentialoutcomesthataremuchmoredifficulttopredictascomparedtoacomplicatedprojectatoneplaceintimethathasmanymovingparts,butnonethelesshasaquantifiableimpactontheenvironment.Additionally,theinclusionofmitigationmeasureswithintheadoptionofapolicyoractionplanhasthesamelevelofpotentialasdoestheimpactitself.Forexample,apotentialmitigationmeasuretoaddressairqualityimpactsasaresultofacompliancemeasuredesignedtocomplywithTemperatureImplementationPolicyorActionPlansisnotdirectly

28 Pub.ResourcesCode§21068


enforceablebytheRegionalWaterBoardandthereforeisdeferredmitigationthatcanonlybeaddressedandimplementedattheprojectlevel.Theevaluationconsideredwhethertheconstructionorimplementationofcompliancemeasureswouldcauseasubstantial,adversechangeinanyofthephysicalconditionswithintheareaaffectedbythemeasure.Inaddition,theevaluationconsideredenvironmentaleffectsinproportiontotheirseverityandprobabilityofoccurrence.9.5.2EnvironmentalChecklist1.Projecttitle:ProposedAmendmenttotheWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegiontoaddthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatureandActionPlanstoAddressWaterTemperatureImpairmentsintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatersheds.2.Leadagencynameandaddress:NorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard5550SkylaneBlvd.,SuiteASantaRosa,CA954033.Contactpersonandphonenumber:MattStJohn(707)576‐37624.Projectlocation:TheprojectwouldbeapplicabletotheareaunderthejurisdictionoftheNorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard.5.Descriptionoftheproject:Seesection9.2.1.I.AESTHETICS‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant

withMitigationIncorporated

LessThanSignificantImpact

NoImpact

a)Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista?

X

b)Substantiallydamagescenicresources,including,butnotlimitedto,trees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingswithinastatescenichighway?

X

c)Substantiallydegradethe


existingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings?

X

d)Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarewhichwouldadverselyaffectdayornighttimeviewsinthearea?

X

AESTHETICSa)andc):LessThanSignificantDiscussion:Compliancemeasuressuchasplantingtreesand/orretainingtreesaregenerallyregardedaspositiveaesthetics.Scenicvistasusuallyincludewellvegetatedareas.Insomecasestheplantingorretentionoflargewoodyvegetationcouldreducevisibilitytoandadjacentwaterbody;however,vegetationalsoprovideshabitatforwildlifeandinknowntoenhancewaterqualitywhichwouldimprovetheoveralllandscape.Compliancemeasuressuchasriparianrestoration,modificationstowatersupplyandwaterstoragepracticesinagriculturallands,anderosionandsedimentcontrolmeasuresmaymodifytheappearanceofanarea;however,thesemeasuresarenotlikelytoresultintheeliminationofagriculturaloccupationstherebyeliminatingareasofopenspace.Therefore,impactstoscenicvistasareconsideredlessthansignificant.AESTHETICSb)andd):LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedCompliancemeasuressuchasthepreservationoflargewoodyvegetationcouldleadtoanincreasefuelloadforwildfireswhichcouldthenimpactscenicareas.Fireimpactsonriparianzonesvaryproportionallywiththeseverityandextentofburninginthecatchmentandareaffectedbystreamsize.Riparianzonescanactasabufferagainstfireandthereforeasarefugeforfire‐sensitivespecies.However,undersomecircumstances,suchasdrypre‐fireclimaticconditionsandtheaccumulationofdryfuel,ripariancanareasbecomecorridorsforfiremovement.Fireincursionintoriparianzonescreatescanopygapsanddrierconditions,whichallowsubsequentbuildupofdeadwoodandestablishmentoffireadaptedspecies.Inconcert,thisincreasesfuelloadsandtheprobabilityofanotherfire.Secondaryeffectsofriparianfireincludealteringnutrientfluxesandcycling,increasingsedimentloads,andstimulatingerosion.Riparianfiresarepotentiallyimportantinshapingecologicalcharacteristicsinmanyregions,butthisispoorlyquantified.Abetterunderstandingofriparianfireregimesisessentialtoassesstheeffectsoffireinhelpingshapethecomplexecologicalcharacteristicsofriparianzonesoverthelonger‐term.(Pettit,N.E.,andR.J.Naiman.2007)Basedontheevidenceandnatureofforestfiresthisappearstobealessthansignificantimpactontheenvironment,ifmitigatedwithproperfuelmanagement.Forexample,thethinningofunderstoryvegetationandselectharvestprescriptionscandecreasethefuelloadwhileconcurrentlypreservingandrestoringshadealongwatercourses.Additionally,


firebreakscanbeusedinuplandandriparianareasthatdonotaffectwatertemperaturestoensurestrategicdefenseagainstwildfires.

Acompliancemeasurethatrequiredlanddisturbance,suchastheconstructionofasettlingbasinorariparianfence,mayincludeminorsurfacesoilexcavationorgradingduringconstruction,whichcouldresultinincreaseddisturbanceofthesoil.If,however,scenicresourceswereidentifiedatthesite,theywouldbeavoided,andstandardconstructiontechniquesanderosionandsedimentcontrolpracticeswouldrequirerevegetationandwouldnotresultinpermanentdamagetoscenicresources.Neitherthestructuralnorthenon‐structuralcompliancemeasureswouldbeexpectedtodegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofasiteanditssurroundingswiththeapplicationofappropriatemitigationmeasures.AlthoughimplementationofstructuralBMPscouldresultinsomechangeinvisualcharacterorgroundsurfacerelieffeatures,mostofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedaspartoftheenvironmentalanalysisareofrelativelysmallscale,suchasinstallationofroaddrainagefeatures,riparianplanting,riparianfencing,orsmallscalewaterdiversionsystems.Likely,changestothevisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundingswillnotbenoticeable.Thelargerscaleprojects,suchasdamdecommissioning,roaddecommissioningonUSFSland,orconstructionofanoffstreamwaterstoragefacilitycouldpotentiallyimpactaestheticresources.Visualimpactsassociatedwithdamdecommissioningcanbeaddressedthroughthedecommissioningplanbyincludingmitigationmeasuressuchasearlyestablishmentofnativevegetation(grass,forbesandtrees)onexposedsurfaces.Theconstructionofanoffstreamstoragefacility(i.e.,pond)couldbeexpectedtooccasionallycreateanewsourceofsubstantialglare.Mitigationmeasurestoreducethesignificanceincludepropersiting,constructingbermsorexcessfreeboardaroundtheperimeterofapond,orplantingvegetationalongtheperimeterofapond.II.AGRICULTUREANDFORESTRESOURCES:Indeterminingwhetherimpactstoagriculturalresourcesaresignificantenvironmentaleffects,leadagenciesmayrefertotheCaliforniaAgriculturalLandEvaluationandSiteAssessmentModel(1997)preparedbytheCaliforniaDept.ofConservationasanoptionalmodeltouseinassessingimpactsonagricultureandfarmland.Indeterminingwhetherimpactstoforestresources,includingtimberland,aresignificantenvironmentaleffects,leadagenciesmayrefertoinformationcompiledbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtectionregardingthestate’sinventoryofforestland,includingtheForestandRangeAssessmentProjectandtheForestLegacyAssessmentProject;andforestcarbonmeasurementmethodologyprovidedinForestProtocolsadoptedbytheCaliforniaAirResources


Boards.Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)ConvertPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmland,orFarmlandofStatewideImportance(Farmland),asshownonthemapspreparedpursuanttotheFarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgramoftheCaliforniaResourcesAgency,tonon‐agriculturaluse?

X

b)Conflictwithexistingzoningforagriculturaluse,oraWilliamsonActcontract?

X

c)Conflictwithexistingzoningfor,orcauserezoningof,forestland(asdefinedinPublicResourcesCodesection12220(g)),timberland(asdefinedbyPublicResourcesCodesection4526),ortimberlandzonedTimberlandProduction(asdefinedbyGovernmentCodesection51104(g))?

X

d)Resultinthelossofforestlandorconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestuse?

X

e)Involveotherchangesintheexistingenvironmentwhich,duetotheirlocationornature,couldresultinconversionofFarmland,tononagriculturaluseorconversionofforestlandtononforestuse?

X

AGRICULTUREANDFORESTRESOURCES:a),b)ande)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableDiscussion:CompliancemeasuressuchasriparianbufferscouldcauseincidentallossofagriculturaluseinlandsmappedasPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmlandor


FarmlandofStatewideImportance.Theselossesonaregionwidebasiswouldonlyaffectaverynarrowbandoflandoneithersideofthewatercourse,andasderivedfromthereadilyaccessibleinformationfromtheFarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgramtheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureNationalAgricultureStatisticsServiceitisestimatedthatnomorethan5%oftheNorthCoastRegionismappedasPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmland,andFarmlandofStatewideImportance.Additionally,someareasthataremappedasprime,uniqueorimportantmaycomplywiththeproposedBasinPlanamendmentwhileothersmaynot.Althoughtherearemanyfactorsthataffectthisdetermination,itcanbeassumedthatagriculturallandsthatimplementnewriparianprotectionactionsorcompliancemeasurestomitigateelevatedstreamtemperaturescouldbetakinglandoutofproduction.Whileavoidanceandminimizationmeasurescanbeusedtolessenimpacts,thereisnomitigationforlossofland;therefore,thisispotentiallysignificantandunavoidableimpact.AGRICULTUREANDFORESTRESOURCES:c)andd)NoImpactDiscussion:NoelementsoftheproposedBasinPlanamendmentwillrezoneorforcetherezoningofTimberlandsProductionorresultintheconversionofforestedlandtonon‐forestedland.Inshort,theanticipatedcompliancemeasuresfortimberlandsistoretainmoreforestedareasalongstreamsandthereforehasnoimpactontheclassificationofconversionoftimberlands.III.AIRQUALITY‐‐Whereavailable,thesignificancecriteriaestablishedbytheapplicableairqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedupontomakethefollowingdeterminations.Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan?

X

b)Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation?

X

c)Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisnon‐attainmentunderanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasing

X


emissionswhichexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)?d)Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations?

X

e)Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople?

X

AIRQUALITY:a)andd)NoImpact.Discussion:Compliancemeasureswouldnotresultinanyconflictswithorobstructiontotheimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplanorexposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations.AIRQUALITY:b)andc)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidable.Discussion:ExcludingtheissueofKlamathdamremoval,thepolicyisanticipatedtohaveabeneficialeffectontheenvironment,greenhousegas(GHG)emissionsandclimatechange.Further,actionssuchasriparianpreservationandrestorationwillsequestercarbonfromtheatmospherethroughplantphotosynthesis.Inaddition,trappingsoilsthrougherosionandsedimentcontrolwillreduceGHGswhencarbonislockedupintrappedsediments,aswellaslivingvegetation.Therefore,itisstaff’sjudgmentthattheoveralllongtermbenefitsoftheproposedBasinPlanamendmentwillaidinthereductionofGHGsandhelpprovideresilienceintheconditionofNorthCoastwatershedsandwaterresourcesaswefacetheuncertaintyofclimatechange.Compliancemeasurescouldresultinthegenerationoffugitivedustandparticulatematterduringconstructionormaintenanceactivities,whichcouldtemporarilyimpactambientairquality.Anysuchimpactswouldbetemporary,andwouldbecontrolledwithstandardconstructionoperations,suchastheuseofmoisturetoreducethetransferofparticulatesanddusttoairandconductingoperationswhentheairqualityinthebasinisgood(i.e.nocatastrophicwildfires).Theemissionsofairpollutantsduringtheconstructionoffacilitiesforcomplianceareunlikelytohaveaneffectonambientairquality.Implementationofcompliancemeasuresthatrequiretheuseofheavyequipment,suchasdamdecommissioning,constructionofsettlingbasins,roaddrainageinstallationorre‐contouringofexistingroadprisms,couldresultinvehicleemissionsduringconstruction.However,theseimpactswouldbeshort‐term,andwouldnotresultinconflictswith,orobstructionoftheimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan.Airqualityimpactsassociatedwithheavyequipmentusedtomodifyorremoveon‐streamoroff‐streamstoragefacilitiesorimplement


otherstructuralcompliancemeasuressuchasthosecouldbepotentiallysignificant,buttheywouldbelimitedtothoseresultingfromshort‐termconstructionactivities.Largescaledamremoval(demolition)andotherlarge‐scalerestorationactivitiesarereasonablyforeseeablecompliancemeasurethatcouldresultintheshorttermviolationoflocalairqualitystandards,andthereforeposeapotentiallysignificantimpact.Compliancemeasuressuchaserosioncontrol,reservoirreseedingandriparianplantingarenotlikelytoresultinaviolationofairqualitystandards;however,thefineparticulatematterandvehicleemissionsfromdamremovalactivitiescouldexceedestablishedthresholdsandasaresultwouldbeconsideredapotentiallysignificantimpactandunavoidable.AIRQUALITY:e)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationDiscussion:Themajorityofcompliancemeasureswouldnotbeexpectedtoresultinobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople.

Compliancemeasuresmayresultinobjectionableodorsintheshort‐termduetoexhaustfromconstructionequipmentandvehicles.Certainstructuralcompliancemeasures,suchasdetentionbasins,couldbecomeasourceofobjectionableodorsifdesignsallowforwaterstagnationorcollectionofwaterwithsulfur‐containingcompounds.Thiscouldalsobethecaseifanaerobicsedimentisexposedtotheairasaresultofdamremovaloperations.Theapplicationofmitigationmeasuresdesignedtooffsetthenumberofpeopleimpactedwilllikelydecreasethistoalessthansignificanteffect.Anyodorswouldbeveryshort‐lived.Dischargersandotherresponsiblepartieswilllikelyberequiredtomonitortheimplementationofcompliancemeasurestoensuretheyareworkingcorrectly.Ifodorswereoccurringfromimplementationofasettlingorfiltrationbasin,mitigationmeasures,suchasproperdesigntoeliminatestandingwater,covers,aeration,filters,barriers,and/orodorsuppressingchemicaladditives,wouldberequired.Compliancemeasuresthatcouldresultinstagnantwatershouldbeinspectedregularlytoensurethattreatmentdevicesarenotclogged,poolingwater,odorous,ormosquitovectors.

IV.BIOLOGICALRESOURCES‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Haveasubstantialadverseeffect,eitherdirectlyorthroughhabitatmodifications,onanyspeciesidentifiedasacandidate,

X


sensitive,orspecialstatusspeciesinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGameorU.S.FishandWildlifeService?b)Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonanyriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunityidentifiedinlocalorregionalplans,policies,regulationsorbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGameorUSFishandWildlifeService?

X

c)HaveasubstantialadverseeffectonfederallyprotectedwetlandsasdefinedbySection404oftheCleanWaterAct(including,butnotlimitedto,marsh,vernalpool,coastal,etc.)throughdirectremoval,filling,hydrologicalinterruption,orothermeans?

X

d)Interferesubstantiallywiththemovementofanynativeresidentormigratoryfishorwildlifespeciesorwithestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,orimpedetheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites?

X

e)Conflictwithanylocalpoliciesorordinancesprotectingbiologicalresources,suchasatreepreservationpolicyorordinance?

X

f)ConflictwiththeprovisionsofanadoptedHabitatConservationPlan,NaturalCommunityConservationPlan,orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan?

X


BIOLOGICALRESOURCES:a)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporationDiscussion:Compliancemeasuresmayhaveapotentialimpactuponspeciesidentifiedasacandidate,sensitive,orspecialstatusspeciesinlocalorregionalplan,policiesorregulationsorbytheCDFWorUSFWSiftheyoccurinanareawheresuchspeciesarelocated.RiparianandwetlandcommunitieshavebeengreatlyreducedinsizewithinCaliforniawithwetlandlossesofupto91percentbyestimationoftheUSFishandWildlifeService(USFWS).Thus,suchhabitatswithintheregionareveryimportanttothemanyspeciestheysupport.Special‐statusspeciesarevulnerabletoanyhabitatlossordegradation.Theabilitytomovetootherhabitatthroughwildlifecorridorsisvitaltomanyterrestrialspecies.Modificationofexistingterrestrialhabitatintheprojectarea,especiallylimitedriparianandwetlandhabitat,wouldhavethepotentialtocauseadverseeffects.Compliancemeasurescouldpotentiallyhaveanimpactiftheyareimplementedinsensitiveareasorareasofcriticalhabitat.Wheninstallingstructuralcompliancemeasuresthatinvolvesubstantialearthmovingorriparianrestorationactivitiesthathavethepotentialtoaffectcandidate,sensitive,orspecialstatusspecies,projectproponentsarerequiredtoconsultwithfederal,stateandlocalagencies,includingbutnotlimitedtothecounty,CDFWandtheUSFWS.Projectproponentsmustensureprojectactionsavoid,minimizeand/ormitigateforimpactstorare,threatenedorendangeredspecies.Disturbancesassociatedwithdamdemolitionorhaulroadswhereclearing,grading,andstagingofequipmentoccurscouldhaveimpactsonsensitivehabitats,includingwetlandsandriparianhabitatsalongreservoirsandriverreaches.Heavymachinerytraversingwetlandandriparianareascouldchangelocaltopographyanddestroywetlandandriparianvegetation,andcouldintroducehazardousmaterialsthatwouldadverselyaffectwaterqualityinwetlandandriparianareas.Onceaprojectplanispreparedandconstructionareasaredelineated,measureswouldbeimplementedpriortoandduringconstructiontoavoidandmitigateimpactstosensitivevegetationcommunitiessuchaswetlands.Duringprojectlevelconstructionactivitiestoimplementcompliancemeasures,bothstructuralandnon‐structuralcompliancemeasurescanbeimplementedtoavoid,minimizeormitigatepotentiallysignificantimpactstosensitivespecies.Forexample,wetlandswithin100feetofanygrounddisturbanceandconstruction‐relatedactivities(includingstagingandaccessroads)wouldbeclearlymarkedand/orfencedtoavoidimpactsfromconstructionequipmentandvehicles.Ifnew,temporaryaccessroadsarerequired,gradingwouldbeconductedsuchthatexistinghydrologywouldbemaintained.Inaddition,waterpollutioncontrolmeasuressuchaserosioncontrol,sedimentcontrol,andwastemanagementwouldbeimplemented


toavoidandminimizepotentialwaterqualityimpactsfrompollutedstormwaterrunofftostreams,wetlandsandriparianareas.Anotherexampleofavoidanceorminimizationincludesworkwindowrestrictiononstreamrestorationactivitiesfortheprotectionofseveralaquaticspecies.Additionally,aquaticecosystemcreation,restorationorenhancementprojectsareoftendesignedtoprovidecompensatorymitigationforimpactsthatcannotbeavoidedorminimized.Seesection9.4formoredetailonpotentialcompliancemeasuresthatcanalsobeimplementedasmitigationmeasurestoreduceimpactstobiologicalresources.Streamrestorationactionstoreduceerosion,removesediment,andimprovehabitatorriparianrestorationactionstoincreaseshademayconflictwiththerequirementsofcertainfloraorfauna.Specificexamplesincludelowlyingflorathatwouldbeoutcompetedintheriparianzonebytallershadeproducingtrees.Inmostcasesimpactscouldbeavoidedbyadjustingthetimingand/orlocationoftheactionstotakeintoaccountcandidate,sensitive,orspecialstatusspeciesortheirhabitats.Additionally,theTemperaturePolicyandActionsPlansrelyonsitepotentialconditionsandcase‐by‐casedeterminationsforimplementation.Therefore,conflictsbetweentheproposedTemperatureImplementationPolicy/ActionPlansandparticularspecieswouldberesolvedattheprojectlevel.MitigationmeasureswouldincludecollaborationbetweenwaterboardstaffandCDFWandUSFWSstafftoreachagreementonthemostsensitivebeneficialuse.

Substantialadverseeffectseitherdirectlyorthroughhabitatmodification,onanyspeciesidentifiedasacandidate,sensitiveorspecialstatusspeciesinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCDFWorUSFWSarelessthansignificantwithmitigation.BIOLOGICALRESOURCES:b)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporationDiscussion:SubstantiallongtermadverseeffectsonanyriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunityarenotexpectedbecausetheproposedPolicyandActionPlanrequiresprotectionofriparianareas,reductionofanthropogenicsourcesofsediment,andrecommendationstoallocatewaterrightsinamannerthatsupportallbeneficialuses.However,theimplementationofvariouscompliancemeasureshasthepotentialtoresultinshorttermadverseeffects.

Forexample,accordingtooneofthedamdecommissioningstudiesfortheKlamathRiverhydroelectricfacilities,approximately480acresofriparianareasurroundingthethreereservoirscouldbelostthroughdamremoval.Ifwetlandconstruction,watershed‐wideriparianprotectionandreplanting,andre‐vegetationoftheexposedreservoirsurfacesareappliedasmitigationmeasures,theimpactfromthelossofriparianhabitatfromthesesiteswilllikelybelessthansignificant(KlamathEIS/EIR,2012).


Compliancemeasuresthatmaynothaveanimpactwhenimplementedinoneareacouldpotentiallyhaveanimpactiftheyareimplementedinasensitivearea.Therefore,wheninstallingstructuralBMPsthatmayincludesubstantialearthmovingorotheralterationtoriparianhabitat,riparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunitiesshouldbeavoided.Becauseofthesemitigationrequirements,substantialadverseeffectsarenotexpectedtooccureitherdirectlyorthroughhabitatmodifications,onanyspeciesidentifiedasacandidate,sensitiveorspecialstatusspeciesinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCDFWorUSFWS.AsaresultoftheTemperaturePolicy,therecouldbeanincreaseinripariandiversionofsurfacewaterandgroundwaterifwateruserschoosetoutilizeriparianbasisofrightinadditiontoorinlieuofutilizinganappropriativewaterright.Increasedripariandiversioncouldreducesurfacewaterflowsinthespringandsummer,whicharecriticalperiodsforfishhabitat.AlthoughriparianwaterrightsdonotrequiretheStateWaterBoard’sapproval,theStateWaterBoardhastheauthoritytoregulateriparianrightsunderthereasonableusedoctrine.Aparticularwateruseormethodofdiversionmaybedeterminedtobeunreasonablebasedonitsimpactonfish,wildlife,orotherinstreambeneficialuses.(EnvironmentalDefenseFund,Inc.v.EastBayMunicipalUtilityDistrict(1980)26Cal.3d183[161Cal.Rptr.466].)TheStateWaterBoardalsohasanaffirmativedutytotakethepublictrustintoaccountintheplanningandallocationofwaterresources.Thepurposeofthepublictrustdoctrineistoprotectnavigation,fishing,recreation,environmentalvalues,andfishandwildlifehabitat.(NationalAudubonSocietyv.SuperiorCourt(1983)33Cal.3d419,434‐435[189Cal.Rptr.346].)Underthepublictrustdoctrine,theStateretainssupervisorycontroloverthenavigablewatersofthestateandthelandsunderlyingthosewaters.(Id.atp.445.)Inapplyingthepublictrustdoctrine,theStateWaterBoardhasthepowertoreconsiderpastwaterallocationseveniftheStateWaterBoardconsideredpublictrustimpactsinitsoriginalwaterallocationdecision.Thus,theStateWaterBoardmayexerciseitsauthorityunderthedoctrinesofreasonableuseandthepublictrusttoaddressreducedinstreamflowsinthepolicyareaandadverseeffectstofish,wildlife,orotherinstreambeneficialusesduetoripariandiversions.Thepotentialimpactsarelessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.BIOLOGICALRESOURCES:c)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:Allactivitiesinfederallyprotectedwetlands,exceptthosestatutoryexemptionlikeagricultural,requiretheresponsiblepartytoobtainaCleanWaterAct(CWA)Section404permitfromtheArmyCorpsofEngineersandaCWASection


401WaterQualityCertification.Thesepermitsmustincludeconditionsthatensurethatallwaterqualityobjectivesforthewetlandareprotected.Disturbancesassociatedwithdamdemolitionorhaulroadswhereclearing,grading,andstagingofequipmentoccurscouldhaveimpactsonsensitivehabitats,includingwetlandsandriparianhabitatsalongreservoirsandriverreaches.Heavymachinerytraversingwetlandandriparianareascouldchangelocaltopographyanddestroywetlandandriparianvegetation,andcouldintroducehazardousmaterialsthatwouldadverselyaffectwaterqualityinwetlandandriparianareas.However,onceaprojectlevelplanispreparedandconstructionareasaredelineated,measureswouldbeimplementedpriortoandduringconstructiontoavoid,minimizeandmitigateimpactstosensitivevegetationcommunitiessuchaswetlands.Duringprojectlevelimplementationofcompliancemeasures,bothstructuralandnon‐structuralBMPscanbeusedtoavoid,minimizeormitigatepotentiallysignificantimpactstosensitivespecies.BMPsavoidandminimizeimpactstowetlandsbyidentifyingconstructionbufferstolimitaccesstowetlandsneartheconstructionarea.Forwetlandsthataretemporarilyorpermanentlyimpacted,compensatorymitigationrequirementswillberequired,implementedandmonitoredforsuccessunderstateandfederallaw.Inaddition,ifnewtemporaryaccessroadsarerequiredforconstructionordemolition,gradingwouldbeconductedsuchthatexistinghydrologywouldbemaintained.Also,BMPswouldbeimplementedtoaddresspotentialwaterqualityimpactsfrompollutedstormwaterrunofftostreams,wetlandsandriparianareas.Therefore,thisisalessthansignificantimpactwithmitigationincorporated.BIOLOGICALRESOURCES:d)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:ThemajorityoftheNorthCoastriversandtheirtributariesprovidehabitat,includingthemigration,forbothnativeresidentandmigratoryfish.Amigratorycorridorisgenerallydescribedasalandscapefeature(suchasaridgeline,canyon,streamorriparianstrip)withinalargernaturalhabitatareathatisusedfrequentlybyanimalstofacilitatemovementandprovideaccesstonecessaryresourcessuchaswater,food,ordensites.Wildlifecorridorsaregenerallyanareaofhabitat,usuallylinearinnature,whichconnecttwoormorehabitatpatchesthatwouldotherwisebefragmentedorisolatedfromoneanother.Mostofthecompliancemeasureswilllikelynotinterferewiththemovementofthesespecies.Althoughdamremovalwouldultimatelyresultingreatermovementforspawningfish,significantadverseeffectsonfishmovementcouldoccuratleasttemporarilyunlessappropriatemitigationisimplementedtolimitthedurationofincreasedturbidlyassociatedwithdamremovalandthedecommissioningactivitiesaretimedtoprotectthemostsensitivespecies/lifestages.


CompliancemeasuresandBMPssuchasriparianfencing(forcattleexclusion),siltfenceandstrawwattles(forsedimentcontrol)havebeenknowntoentraporentangleterrestrialwildlife(suchaselkanddeer)aswellassomeaquaticspecies(salamanders)andreptiles(snakes).Somespecificareasaremorepronetocreatingbarrierstowildlifeandcanbestbedealtwithonacase‐by‐casebasis.Ifthereisapotentialforanadverseimpacttowildlifemigrationand/oruseofanativewildlifenursery,thetimingofthedischarge,thelocationorthetypeofthecompliancemeasurecanbechangedtoavoidorminimizetheimpacttolessthansignificantlevels.Forexamplerotationalgrazingpracticesandhotwirefencesarealternativestoexclusionaryfencingthathavethepotentialtoimpedewildlifemigration.Anotherexampleisconcentratingeffortsonerosioncontrolmethodstoavoidusingsiltfencesinsensitiveareas.Additionally,naturalfiberstrawwaddleswithoutplasticnettingareavailabletouseasalternativestosedimentcontroltechnologiesthatmaybeamigrationbarrier.Basedonthesitespecificsituation,thecase‐by‐caseflexibilityassociatedwiththeTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlansandtheavoidance,minimization,andmitigationmeasuresassociatedwithaparticularproject,thepotentialimpactsarelessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.BIOLOGICALRESOURCES:e)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:Compliancemeasuresencourageriparianprotectionthroughthedevelopmentoflocalizedpoliciesandordinancesarenotexpectedtoconflictwithordinancesprotectingbiologicalresources,suchasatreepreservationpolicy.BIOLOGICALRESOURCES:f)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:ItisunlikelythattheimplementationofcompliancemeasureswouldconflictwiththeprovisionsofanadoptedHabitatConservationPlan(HCP),NaturalCommunityConservationPlan(NCCP)orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan.Morelikelythecompliancemeasureswouldbesimilartomeasuresalreadycommittedtounderthesetypesofplans.SuchsimilaritiesarelikelytoensurethatcompliancemeasuresareinalignmentwithanyadoptedHCP,NCCPorotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan.Insomerareinstancesitcouldbepossiblethatalowlyingspecialstatusspecieswithanassociatedconservationplancouldbepresentintheriparianzonethatcouldaccommodatelargertreestoproduceshade.However,thelargershadeproducingvegetationmayoutcompeteoradverselyaffectthatspecialstatusspecies.TheseinstancesarelikelysparseandsincetheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlansaretobeimplementedcase‐by‐casethesetypesofdiscrepanciescanbehandledattheprojectorpermitlevelthroughagencycollaborationandsoastopreventsignificantimpactontheenvironment.


V.CULTURALRESOURCES‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Causeasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalresourceasdefinedin§15064.5?

X

b)Causeasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresourcepursuantto§15064.5?

X

c)Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature?

X

d)Disturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries?

X

CULTURALRESOURCES:a),b)andd)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableDiscussion:Itisunlikelythatthemajorityofcompliancemeasureswouldcauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalorarchaeologicalresourcepursuanttosection15064.5.TheimplementationofcompliancemeasuresasrecommendedundertheproposedBasinPlanamendmentwouldnotresultinthealterationofasignificanthistoricalorarchaeologicalresourceunlessthatresourcewasotherwiseimpairingflows,causingexcessiveerosionorlimitingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade.However,incaseswheretheinstallationofstructuralcompliancemeasuresmayinvolvelargescaleexcavationactivitiesortheconstructionofalargescaleinfrastructure,aculturalresourcesinvestigationshouldbeconductedbeforeanysubstantialdisturbance.Theculturalresourcesinvestigationwillinclude,ataminimum,arecordssearchforpreviouslyidentifiedculturalresourcesandpreviouslyconductedculturalresourcesinvestigationsoftheprojectparcelandvicinity.AllfutureactionsmustcomplywiththeCEQAprocessandrequirementsfortribalconsultationprovidedbySenateBill18(SB18)(State2004,Ch905)andGovernmentCodesection65252.Intheeventthatavoidanceisinfeasible,thefutureprojectswillberequiredtofollowNativeAmericanHeritageCommission’smandateforNativeAmericanHumanBurialsandSkeletalRemains,inpartnershipwithaffectedtribe(s),inordertoadequatelyprovideforrecoveringscientificallyconsequentialinformationforthesite.Intheeventthatthegrounddisturbancesorreservoirdrawdownsuncover


previouslyundiscoveredordocumentedresources,CalifornialawprotectsNativeAmericanburials,skeletalremains,andassociatedgravegoodsregardlessoftheantiquityandprovidesforthesensitivetreatmentanddispositionofthoseremains.(Health&SafetyCode,Section7050.5;PublicResourceCode,Section5097.9etseq)Thisrecordsearchshouldalsoinclude,ataminimum,contactingtheappropriateinformationcenteroftheCaliforniaHistoricalResourcesInformationSystem,operatedundertheauspicesoftheCaliforniaOfficeofHistoricPreservation.Incoordinationwiththeinformationcenteroraqualifiedarchaeologist,adeterminationregardingwhetherpreviouslyidentifiedculturalresourceswillbeaffectedbytheproposedprojectmustbemadeandifpreviouslyconductedinvestigationswereperformedtosatisfytherequirementsofCEQA.Ifnot,aculturalresourcessurveywouldneedtobeconducted.Thepurposeofthisinvestigationwouldbetoidentifyresourcesbeforetheyareaffectedbyaproposedprojectandavoidtheimpact.Ifresourcesareidentifiedsite‐specificimplementationwillminimizeimpacts.Evenwithsuchmeasuresincorporated,impactsmaystillbepotentiallysignificantandunavoidable.CULTURALRESOURCES:c)LessThanSignificantImpactDiscussion:Theimplementationofcompliancemeasureswouldnotdirectlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature.Non‐structuralBMPswillnotresultinthedirectorindirectdestructionofauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature.

Similarly,itisunlikelythatimplementationofanystructuralBMPwouldresultinthedestructionofauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature.However,incaseswheretheinstallationofstructuralBMPsmayinvolveexcavationactivities,aninvestigationofpaleontologicalresourceswouldneedtobeconductedbyatrainedprofessionalbeforeanysubstantialdisturbanceoflandthathasnotbeendisturbedpreviously.VI.GEOLOGYANDSOILS‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolving:

i)Ruptureofaknownearthquakefault,asdelineatedonthemostrecentAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoning

X


MapissuedbytheStateGeologistfortheareaorbasedonothersubstantialevidenceofaknownfault?RefertoDivisionofMinesandGeologySpecialPublication42.ii)Strongseismicgroundshaking?

X

iii)Seismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction?

X

iv)Landslides? X b)Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil?

X

c)Belocatedonageologicunitorsoilthatisunstable,orthatwouldbecomeunstableasaresultoftheproject,andpotentiallyresultinon‐oroffsitelandslide,lateralspreading,subsidence,liquefactionorcollapse?

X

d)Belocatedonexpansivesoil,asdefinedinTable18‐1‐BoftheUniformBuildingCode(1994),creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty?

X

e)Havesoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternativewastewaterdisposalsystemswheresewersarenotavailableforthedisposalofwastewater?

X

GEOLOGYANDSOILS:a)(iv),b)andc)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationCompliancemeasuresdonotchangetheexposureofpeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffectsinvolvinglandslidesovercurrentconditions.ThegeographicscopeoftheactivitiescoveredundertheproposedBasinPlanamendmentwillincludeareasthatarehighlysusceptibletosoilerosionandshallowlandslidesduetothepresenceofsteepslopes,highrainfallrates,and/orunderlyinggeology.Amajorfocusofthesedimentcontrolactionsandinexistingregulationensureproperroaddrainage,surfacesoilstability,andfullvegetationpotentialwhichreducessoilerosion,andcanreduceorpreventlarge‐scaleslopeandfillfailures.


ImplementationofcompliancemeasuresmayresultinminortemporarysoilexcavationordisturbanceduringimplementationofcompliancemeasuresthatinvolveconstructionofstructuralBMPssuchasroaddrainageinstallation,fieldlevelingforirrigationmanagementorinstallationofoffchannelstockwateringponds.Constructionrelatederosionimpactsshouldceasewiththecessationofconstructionactivity.Asaresultofthecorrectimplementationandmaintenanceofcompliancemeasuresoutlinedinsection9.4.2thepotentialforincreasedsoilerosion,lossoftopsoilorlandslidesislessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.GEOLOGYANDSOILS:a)(i,iiandiii),d)ande)NoImpactNoneofthecompliancemeasureswouldresultinanyadverseimpactrelatedtofaultzones,liquefactionorotherseismicrelatedactivity.Norwoulditresultinanylateralspreading,subsidence,liquefaction,orcollapse.EvenifstructuralBMPsthatwererecommendedwerelocatedonexpansivesoil,asdefinedinTable18‐1‐BoftheUniformBuildingCode(1994),theywouldnotcreatesubstantialriskstolifeorproperty.ThestructuralBMPsthathavebeenidentifiedastheforeseeablemeansofcompliancedonotinvolvemovingpermanentstructuresorpeopleintoanewarea,andsotherewouldbenorisktolifeorpropertycreated.Inaddition,theproposedBasinPlanamendment(andtheidentifiedcompliancemeasures)willnotresultinanyimpactsfromseptictanksoralternativewastewaterdisposalsystems.

VII.GREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONS–Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)GenerateGreenhousegasemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,thatmayhaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment?

X

b)Conflictwithanapplicableplan,policyorregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases?

X

GREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONS:a)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableDiscussion:Adoptionofthepolicyitselfwillnotcauseadirectimpacttogreenhousegases(GHGs).Implementationofthecompliancemeasuresattheprojectlevelcouldresultsinanincreaseriskorcontributiontogreenhousegases


relatedtoexhaustandequipmentfromvehiclesduringconstructionactivitiessuchasrestorationandalternatewatersupplyconstruction.Inthecaseofdamremoval,emissionsfromreplacementpowersourceswilllikelycauseasignificantandunavoidableimpactfromGHGemissionsuntilPacifiCorpcanaddnewsourcesorrenewablepowertocompensateforthelossofthehydroelectricfacilities.GREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONS:b)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:Compliancemeasurescouldconflictwithanapplicableplan,projectorregulationofanagencyadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases.However,thisprojectwillbeconsistentwiththeStateWaterBoardResolutionNo.2008‐0030whichdirectsWaterBoardstaffsto“require…climatechangeconsiderations,inallfuturepolicies,guidelines,andregulatoryactions.”Also,theproposedBasinPlanamendmentisintendedtoconformwiththegoalsofAssemblyBill(AB)32(States,2005,ch488).AB32requiresthatGHGemissionsbereducedto1990levelsby2020.ThisrequirementrelatestoanthropogenicsourcesofGHGs.ImpactassociatedwithindividualprojectswillbeanalyzedandappropriatemitigationimplementedtoreduceGHGs.

VIII.HAZARDSANDHAZARDOUSMATERIALS‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials?

X

b)Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment?

X

c)Emithazardousemissionsorhandlehazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool?

X

d)Belocatedonasitewhichisincludedonalistofhazardous

X


materialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5and,asaresult,woulditcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment?e)Foraprojectlocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,wouldtheprojectresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

X

f)Foraprojectwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,wouldtheprojectresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

X

g)Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan?

X

h)Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injuryordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands?

X

HAZARDSANDHAZARDOUSMATERIALS:a)andb)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:RoadrepairandmaintenancecaninvolvethetransportanduseofmaterialsthatwouldqualifyashazardouspursuanttotheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCodesection25501(o).Thereisthepossibilitythathazardousmaterialsmaybetransportedtoasiteandbepresentduringcompliancemeasureconstruction,installationandmaintenanceactivities.Thesematerialsincludegasolineanddieseltofuelequipment,hydraulicfluidassociatedwithequipmentoperationsandmachinery,asphaltandoilsforroadsurfacing,andsurfacestabilizers(e.g.lignin)forrunningsurfacesonunimprovedroads.Maintenanceyardshousefuel,oil


(machine,hydraulic,crankcase),chemicals(acids,solvents&degreasers,corrosives,antifreeze),hazardouswaste,heavymetals,nutrients,fertilizer,pesticides,herbicides,paintproducts,andsediments.Maintenanceyardactivitieshavethepotentialtodischargethesematerialstostormwaterdrainsystemsorwatercourses.SomeBMPsspecificallytargetproperstorageofthesetypesofmaterials.Dustpalliativesandde‐icingagentsmaybeusedinsomeinstancesbutthesematerialsproperlyappliedaccordingtoBMPsarenotconsideredhazardousmaterials.Compliancemeasureswouldhavethepotentialforasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,useordisposalofhazardousmaterials.Inordertomitigatethepotentialadverseeffects,pollutionpreventionandwastemanagementBMPsshouldbeusedintheimplementationofcompliancemeasures.Existingregulationsrequiretheproperstorage,handlinganduseofthesetypesofmaterials.TheU.S.ForestService,CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation,FiveCountiesSalmonidConservationProgramintheCountiesofDelNorte,Humboldt,Mendocino,Siskiyou,andTrinityintheNorthCoastRegion,CaliforniaAssociationofStormWaterQuality,arejustafewoftheexamplesofexitingmanualsthatprovidenumerouspollutionpreventionandwastemanagementBMPs.Manyofthesemanualsincludemeasurestobetakenintheeventofaspill.Intheeventofanaccident,responsiblepartiesmustcomplywiththerequirementsoftheCaliforniaEmergencyManagementAgencyHazardousMaterialsSpillreportingprocess.AnysignificantreleaseorthreatenedreleaseofahazardousmaterialrequiresimmediatereportingbytheresponsiblepersontotheCalEMAStateWarningCenter(800)852‐7550andtheCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency(CUPA)or911.TheCUPAmaydesignateacallto911asmeetingtherequirementtocallthem.Contactinformationforajurisdiction’sCUPAcanbefoundat:http://cersapps.calepa.ca.gov/Public/Directory/orhttp://cersapps.calepa.ca.gov/Public/UPAListing.NotifyingtheStateWarningCenter(800)852‐7550andtheCUPAor911constitutescompliancewiththerequirementsofsection11004oftitle42oftheUnitedStatesCoderegardingverbalnotificationoftheSERCandLEPC(CaliforniaCodeofRegulations,Title19Section2703(e)).Additionalinformationregardingspillreportingmaybefoundat:http://www.calema.ca.gov/HazardousMaterials/Pages/Spill‐Release‐Reporting.aspxAnyhazardouswastegeneratedfromthedemolitionofdamsandanyassociatedhydroelectricfacilitieswouldneedtobedisposedofindesignatedhazardouswastelandfills.Thiswouldincludetreatedwoodwaste,PCBspresentintransformersandotherelectricalequipment,asbestosinbuildingmaterials,fuelsandoils,concretedust(ifitgenerateshighpHwaste)andsoilsorothermaterialcontaminatedwithleadfromtheuseoflead‐basedpaint.Incorporatingasuiteofmitigationmeasureswillreducethepotentialimpactstolessthansignificant.


Anyblastingactivitieswouldneedtobeconductedbyalicensedprofessionalandmitigationmeasuresclearlydescribedinthedamdecommissioningplan,includingatransportationplanfortheexplosivematerials.Ataminimum,thesemeasuresshouldinclude,allnon‐essentialworkersbeingprohibitedfromenteringthesiteandstationeddownwindatasafedistanceawayfromblastingoperations.BasedontheexistingregulationsandBMPsavailabletouseinconjunctionwithselectedcompliancemeasures,thepotentialimpactfromtheproposedBasinPlanamendmentislessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.HAZARDSANDHAZARDOUSMATERIALS:c)andd)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:Compliancemeasureswouldnotemithazardousemissionsorresultinthehandlingofhazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool.Again,thereisthepossibilitythathazardousmaterials(e.g.,oil,gasoline)maybepresentduringconstructionandinstallationactivities,butpotentialrisksofexposurewouldbesmall,especiallywithproperhandlingandstorageprocedures.Allrisksofexposurewouldbeshorttermandwouldbeeliminatedwiththecompletionofconstructionandinstallationactivities.HAZARDSANDHAZARDOUSMATERIALS:e),f),g)andh)NoImpactDiscussion:Compliancemeasureswouldnotresultintheemissionorhandlingofhazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool,norisitlocatedonasitewhichisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodesection65962.5.Theproposedprojectwouldnotexposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injuryordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands.Therefore,thereisnoimpact.IX.HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Violateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements?

X

b)Substantiallydepletegroundwatersuppliesorinterferesubstantiallywithgroundwaterrechargesuchthattherewouldbeanetdeficitinaquifervolumeoraloweringof

X


thelocalgroundwatertablelevel(e.g.,theproductionrateofpre‐existingnearbywellswoulddroptoalevelwhichwouldnotsupportexistinglandusesorplannedusesforwhichpermitshavebeengranted)?c)Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerwhichwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationon‐oroff‐site?

X

d)Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerwhichwouldresultinfloodingon‐oroffsite?

X

e)Createorcontributerunoffwaterwhichwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff?

X

f)Otherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality?

X

g)Placehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareaasmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMaporotherfloodhazarddelineationmap?

X

h)Placewithina100‐yearfloodhazardareastructureswhichwouldimpedeorredirectfloodflows?

X

i)Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injuryordeathinvolvingflooding,

X


includingfloodingasaresultofthefailureofaleveeordam?j)Inundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow?

X

HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY:a)PotentiallySignificantDiscussion:Byrequiringtheimplementationofcompliancemeasurestopreserveandmaintainshade,controlsediment,andmaintainstreamflowssupportiveofbeneficialuses,theproposedBasinPlanamendmentwillhaveanoverallbeneficialimpactonwaterqualityintheNorthCoastRegion.Therearespecialcircumstances,however,underwhichpotentialsignificantimpactscouldoccur.Forexample,theprimaryenvironmentalimpactassociatedwithdamremovalistheshorttermimpacttowaterqualityfromthereleaseofthestoredin‐reservoirsediment.Damdecommissioningwillresultintemporaryincreasesinturbidity,suspendedsedimentloadandreductionofdissolvedoxygen,whichwilllikelyexceedBasinPlanwaterqualityobjectives.Shorttermwaterqualityexceedancesmaybeacceptableincaseswherelongtermbenefitstobebeneficialusesoutweighshorttermimpacts,basedondetailed,site‐specificinformationandfindings.HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY:b)PotentiallySignificantDiscussion:TheproposedBasinPlanamendmentidentifiesthealterationofthenaturalpatternandrangeofsurfacewaterflowsasacontrollablefactorwithrespecttoambientwatertemperatures.Alterationofawaterrightasaresultofthispolicycouldresultinsomeprojectproponentsseekingalternativewatersources.Inaddition,surfacewatersuppliesmaybeinsufficienttomeetallfuturedemandsevenintheabsenceoftheproposedBasinPlanamendment.SurfacewaterresourcesarealreadylimitedinsomeregionsoftheNorthCoastRegionandfuturewatersuppliesinthoseareaswillbelimitedbythenaturalsupplyavailabilityratherthanrestrictionsonwaterdiversionandstorage.Somestreamsintheregionarealreadyfullyappropriatedforsomeoralloftheyear.Pumpinggroundwaterinsteadofdivertingsurfacewatercouldpotentiallydepletegroundwaterresources,whichcouldpotentiallyresultinareductioninsurfacewaterflows,particularlysummerflows,whichcouldaffectsurfacewaterflows.Reducedsurfacewaterflowcouldpotentiallyharmriparianvegetationordegradehabitatforsensitivespecies;couldpotentiallyadverselyaffectwatertemperatureandincreaseconstituentconcentrationsduetoreduceddilution;andcouldpotentiallyadverselyaffectrecreationalopportunities.Dependingonthecircumstances,switchingfromsurfacewaterdiversionstogroundwaterpumpingordivertingwaterunderriparianrightscouldhavea


significantadverseimpactonbiologicalresources,waterquality,orrecreation.Asdiscussedbelow,however,thepossibleeffectsofauserswitchingfromasurfacewaterdiversiontoagroundwaterdiversionaredependentonawiderangeofvariables,andthereforeitishighlyuncertainwhetheranyparticularuserwhomayswitchtogroundwaterwillcauseadelayinsurfacewaterflowdepletion,whetheranysuchdelaywillcauseasignificantreductioninsurfacewaterflows,orwhetheranydelayedreductioninflowswillhaveasignificantadverseimpactontheenvironment.Surfacewaterflowdepletionmaycontinueaftergroundwaterpumpingstopsbecauseittakestimeforgroundwaterlevelstorecoverfromthepreviouspumpingstressandforthedepletedaquiferdefinedbytheconeofdepressiontoberechargedwithwater.Thereforethetimeofmaximumstreamdepletionmayoccurafterpumpinghasstopped.Eventually,theaquiferandstreammayreturntotheirpre‐pumpingconditions,butthetimerequiredforfullrecoverymaybequitelongandexceedthetotaltimethatthewellwaspumped.Anytimedelaymayrangefromafewdaysinthezoneadjacenttothestreamtothousandsofyearsforwaterthatmovesfromthecentralpartofsomerechargeareasthroughdeeperpartsofthegroundwatersystem(Heath,1983).Thelevelofsignificanceforapotentialimpacttohydrology/wateryqualityattributabletoadelayinsurfacewaterflowdepletionasaresultofdivertersswitchingtogroundwaterpumpingorriparianrightsisdependentonsitespecificcircumstances.Inlightofthefactthattheswitchtogroundwaterorripariandiversionsasalternativesourcesofsupplyispossiblethepotentialimpactstohydrologyandwaterqualityaresignificantandunavoidable.HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY:c)PotentiallySignificantDiscussion:Thisstaffreporthasidentifiedanumberofcompliancemeasuresthatcouldresultintheconstructionofstructuralcompliancemeasures,suchasinfiltrationbasins,fieldlevelingorroadconstruction,bioengineeringandin‐streamrestorationwhichcouldpotentiallycauseanalterationoftheexistingdrainagepatternofasite.Inmostcaseshowever,thesemeasureswouldbesmallandinstalledwithappropriatelydesignedmitigationmeasures,whichwouldlimitanyalterationoftheexistingdrainagepatternunlessbeneficialtotheenvironment,andthereforewouldnotresultinsubstantialerosionofsiltationon‐oroff‐site.TheexceptionwouldbeintheeventofdamdecommissioningsuchashasbeenproposedfortheKlamathRiverhydroelectricfacilities.ThegreatestimpactsfromerosionorsiltationassociatedwiththedecommissioningofthedamsKlamathwouldbeduringdrawingdownofthereservoirwaterlevel.However,onceanewchannelwasestablished,theerosionofthein‐reservoirsedimentwoulddissipate.Impactsthatcauseerosionorsiltationarepotentiallysignificantandunavoidable.


HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY:h)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:ItispossiblethatcompliancewiththeproposedBasinPlanamendmentwouldplacestructureswithina100‐yearfloodhazardareawhichcouldimpedeorredirectfloodflows.Forexample,switchingfromanin‐streamdiversiontooff‐streamstoragecouldresultinastructurebeingplacedwithinthefloodplain.However,itisintheseinstancesthatcoordinationwithprojectproponentsandotheragenciesisbestsuitedtoreducepotentiallysignificantimpacts.Ideally,thesetypesofconversionswouldbesubjecttoanindividualCEQAanalysisandwouldbeimplementedinamannerthatavoid,minimizeormitigatespotentialsignificantimpacts.Aspresentedinsection9.4.3,mitigationmeasuresincludeproperdesign,siting,andoperationaltimingtoreducealterationsofnaturalhydrologyandadverseeffects.Althoughthereisapossibilitythatthesetypesofcompliancemeasurescouldcauseanadverseimpact,anypotentiallysignificantimpactswillbeavoidedormitigatedtolessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY:d)e),f),andi)LessThanSignificant

Discussion:Anumberofcompliancemeasurescouldresultintheconstructionofinfiltrationbasins,fieldlevelingorroadconstruction,bioengineeringandin‐streamrestorationeachofthesehavethepotentialtocauseanalterationoftheexistingdrainagepatternofasite.Inmostcaseshowever,thesemeasureswouldbesmallandbeinstalledwithappropriatelydesignedmitigationmeasuressuchasthosepresentedthroughoutsection9.4,soastoreducethealterationsoftheexistingdrainagepatterninamannerwhichwouldresultinapotentialforfloodingon‐oroff‐site.

TheRegionalWaterBoardimplementstheNPDESprogramforstormwaterintheNorthCoastRegion.StaffimplementingthisproposedBasinPlanamendmentwillconsultwithstormwaterstafftoensurethatnopermittedprojectsresultintheconcentrationofrunoffthatwouldexceedthatcapacityofplannedstormwaterfacilitiesorresultinadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff.Noneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisstaffreportcontemplatetheuseofnon‐structuralorstructuralBMPsthatwouldexposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injuryordeathinvolvingflooding,includingfloodingasaresultofthefailureofaleveeordam.HYDROLOGYANDWATERQUALITY:g)andj)NoImpactDiscussion:Noneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisstaffreportwouldplacehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareaasmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMaporotherfloodhazarddelineationmap.Staffhasdeterminedthatthisfindingisstillappropriateevenunderadam


decommissioningscenarioasthedamswerenotdesignednoroperatedasfloodcontrolstructures.AssuchtheirultimatelyremovalwouldnotsignificantimpacthousingwithafloodareaasdescribedaboveNoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisstaffreportcontemplatetheuseofnon‐structuralorstructuralBMPsthatwouldcauseinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow.X.LANDUSEANDPLANNING‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Physicallydivideanestablishedcommunity?

X

b)Conflictwithanyapplicablelanduseplan,policy,orregulationofanagencywithjurisdictionovertheproject(including,butnotlimitedtothegeneralplan,specificplan,localcoastalprogram,orzoningordinance)adoptedforthepurposeofavoidingormitigatinganenvironmentaleffect?

X

c)Conflictwithanyapplicablehabitatconservationplanornaturalcommunityconservationplan?

X

LANDUSEANDPLANNING:a)NoImpactDiscussion:NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDcontemplatetheuseofnon‐structuralorstructuralBMPsthatwouldphysicallydivideanestablishedcommunity.LANDUSEANDPLANNING:b)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:TheprimarygoalofthisprojectistheprotectionandrestorationofwaterqualityandbeneficialusesofwaterintheNorthCoastRegion.OneofthestaffactionsintheproposedBasinPlanamendmentistoprovidecities,counties,andstateandfederalagenciesguidanceandrecommendationsoncompliance.


Additionally,theproposedamendmentdirectsstafftoworkwithlocalgovernmentstodevelopstrategiestoaddresstheprevention,reduction,andmitigationofelevatedwatertemperatures,including,butnotlimitedto,riparianordinances,generalplans,andothermanagementpolicies.Therefore,itisunlikelythatcompliancewiththeproposedBasinPlanamendmentwouldconflictwithanyapplicablelanduseplan,policy,orregulationofanagencywithjurisdictionovertheproject(including,butnotlimitedtothegeneralplan,specificplan,localcoastalprogram,orzoningordinance)adoptedforthepurposeofavoidingormitigatinganenvironmentaleffectandtheappropriatefindingislessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.LANDUSEANDPLANNING:c)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:Dependingonthestructuralcompliancemeasuresselected,directorindirectimpactstoexistingfishorwildlifehabitatmayoccur;however,anysuchimpactwouldbetemporary.Compliancemeasuresthatmaynothaveanimpactwhenimplementedinoneareacouldpotentiallyhaveanimpactiftheyareimplementedinasensitivearea.Forinstancetheconstructionofacompliancemeasuresuchasanoff‐channelwaterstoragefacilitycouldbelocatedinanidentifiedhabitconservationarea.Therefore,wheninstallingstructuralcompliancethatmayincludesubstantialearthmovement,responsiblepartieswillberequiredundertheirapplicablepermit(orasnecessarytocomplywithapplicableprohibitions),toconsultwithvariousFederal,Stateandlocalagencies,includingbutnotlimitedtothecountytheprojectislocatedin,CDFGandtheUSFWS.TypicallyRegionalWaterBoardstaffworkwithotheragenciesandprojectproponentsonthedevelopmentofHabitatConservationPlan(HCP)orNaturalCommunityConservationPlan(NCCP)toensurecompliancewithallregulations.IfappropriatetoavoidconflictswithanyHCPorNCCP,thetimingand/orlocationoftheBMPsmaybeadjustedtoreduceanypotentialconflictwithanysuchplans.If,however,suchadjustmentscouldnotbemade,thecompliancemeasureswouldhavetobechangedtoavoidanyadverseimpactstorare,threatenedorendangeredspecies,orthedischargewouldnotbepermittedtooccur.Becauseofthesemitigationrequirements,conflictwiththeprovisionsofanadoptedHCPorNCCPisnotlikelytooccur.Thereforetheappropriatefindingislessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.XI.MINERALRESOURCES‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Resultinthelossof X


availabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestate?b)Resultinthelossofavailabilityofalocallyimportantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplanorotherlanduseplan?

X

MINERALRESOURCES:a)andb)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDcontemplatetheuseofnon‐structuralorstructuralBMPsthatwouldresultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestateorthelossofavailabilityofalocally‐importantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplanorotherlanduseplan.Itispossiblethataccesstocertainareasforgravel,goldorothermineralextractionactivitiescouldbeaffectedbycompliancemeasuressuchasriparianbuffers,orareasofexclusionorstreambankstabilizationprojects.Whilepossible,thesemanagementmeasuresareunlikelytobaraccesscompletely.Therefore,theappropriatefindingislessthansignificant.XII.NOISE‐‐Wouldtheprojectresultin: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Exposureofpersonstoorgenerationofnoiselevelsinexcessofstandardsestablishedinthelocalgeneralplanornoiseordinance,orapplicablestandardsofotheragencies?

X

b)Exposureofpersonstoorgenerationofexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels?

X

c)Asubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

X


d)Asubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

X

e)Foraprojectlocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,wouldtheprojectexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

X

f)Foraprojectwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,wouldtheprojectexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

X

NOISE:a),b)andd)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableDiscussion:Increasednoiselevelswouldlikelybeassociatedwithheavyequipmentoperationassociatedwithconstructionofstructuralcompliancemeasures.Forthemostparttheimplementationofstructuralcompliancemeasuresmayresultinlocalizedincreasednoiselevelsthatcanbeminimizedormitigatedthroughtimingarenotpredictedtobeasignificantimpact.Forexamplenoiselevelsfromactivitiessuchasroadconstructionand/ormaintenancewouldnotexceedtheexistinglevelsandtheloudestactivitiesfromotherconstructionactionscanbeplannedduringpeakdailynoise.However,damdecommissioningwouldlikelyinvolvedrillingandblastingoftheconcretestructures,andthiswillcauseanadverseimpacttothenoiselevelinthesurroundingcommunitiesevenwithminimizationandmitigationmeasuresincorporated.Demolitionofseveralofthedamsandtheirassociatedfacilitieswouldresultinsignificantandunavoidableimpactsbyexceedinglocalnoiseordinances,exposingpeopletogroundbornevibrationsandincreasingtheambientnoiselevelsforoutdoorreceptors.NOISE:c),e)andf)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDcontemplatetheuseofstructuralBMPsthatwouldresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheprojectasnoisegenerationisassociatedwiththeshortterm,temporaryuseofheavyequipment.


NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDcontemplatetheuseofstructuralBMPsthatwouldlikelybelocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanorwithintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport.However,evenifthisweretooccur,theimplementationofthecompliancemeasureswouldnotresultinexcessivenoiselevels.TheuseofheavyequipmentfortheconstructionandinstallationofsomestructuralBMPscouldresultintemporaryincreasesinexistingnoiselevels,butthenoiseassociatedwithheavyequipmentuseisnotanylouderthannoisesthatwouldtypicallyoccurwithintwomilesofanairport.NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDcontemplatetheuseofstructuralBMPsthatwouldlikelybelocatedinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip.However,evenifthisweretooccur,thecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDwouldnotresultinexcessivenoiselevels.TheuseofheavyequipmentfortheconstructionandinstallationofsomestructuralBMPscouldresultintemporaryincreasesinexistingnoiselevels,butthenoiseassociatedwithheavyequipmentuseisnotanylouderthannoisesthatwouldtypicallyoccurwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip.

XIII.POPULATIONANDHOUSING‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Inducesubstantialpopulationgrowthinanarea,eitherdirectly(forexample,byproposingnewhomesandbusinesses)orindirectly(forexample,throughextensionofroadsorotherinfrastructure)?

X

b)Displacesubstantialnumbersofexistinghousing,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

X

c)Displacesubstantialnumbersofpeople,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

X

POPULATIONANDHOUSING:a),b)andc)NoImpactDiscussion:NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDcontemplatetheuseofstructuralBMPsthatwouldinducesubstantialpopulationgrowthinanarea,eitherdirectly(forexample,byproposingnewhomesandbusinesses)or


indirectly(forexample,throughextensionofroadsorotherinfrastructure).NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDcontemplatetheuseofstructuralBMPsthatwoulddisplacesubstantialnumbersofexistinghousing,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere.NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDwoulddisplacesubstantialnumbersofpeople,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere.Therefore,thereisnoimpact.XIV.PUBLICSERVICES Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Wouldtheprojectresultinsubstantialadversephysicalimpactsassociatedwiththeprovisionofneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentalfacilities,needforneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentalfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentalimpacts,inordertomaintainacceptableserviceratios,responsetimesorotherperformanceobjectivesforanyofthepublicservices:

Fireprotection? X Policeprotection? X Schools? XParks? XOtherpublicfacilities? XPUBLICSERVICES:FireProtection)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedLogically,theincreaseinriparianvegetationincreasesthefuelloadsforwildfires.Whilefuelloadsdonotcausefirestheincreasingmassavailablecanincreaseseverityofafireandcouldimpactthedemandonfireprotectionservices.Allowingfortheremovalorthinningofuplandvegetationthathashighevapotranspirationratesandincreasesfireriskscouldbeamitigationmeasurethatresultinmultiplebenefitstotheenvironment.Formorediscussionseethesectiononaesthetics.Theappropriatefindingislessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.


PUBLICSERVICES:PoliceProtection)LessThanSignificantWiththewidespreadincreaseinmarijuanacultivationthroughouttheregionbothlocalandstatelawenforcementandresourceagencieshaveseenanincreaseinthenumberofcasesthatleadtoenforcementactions.Marijuanacultivationintheregionhascauseddischargesofsedimentandpesticidesaswellasanincreasedwaterdemand.WhilemanyoftheseoperationsarelegalunderCalifornialawtheyarestillillegalunderfederallaw.AccordingtoRegionalWaterBoardstaff,manyofthesesmallandstatelegaloperationsareseekinginputandmakingattemptstoreducetheirimpactstoenvironmentthroughroutineBMPsthataddresserosionandsedimentcontrolaswellaswaterefficiencystrategies.Stillmanymorelargescaleoperationsgofullybeyondthescopelawwithlittlecautiontowardscriminalandenvironmentallegality.Withobservationsspanningoverthepastfewdecadesandspecialemphasisonthelastfewyears,thedemandonlawenforcementincludingtheRegionalWaterBoardhasalreadytakenplace.Moreover,whiletheTemperaturePolicywillapplytomarijuanagrowerswithrespectshade,sediment,andflow,thesecomponentsdonotnecessarilyimplicatepoliceresources.Therefore,asignificantincreaseinthedemandforpublicserviceshasalreadyoccurredandtheimpactfromthisPolicyonpoliceservicesislessthansignificant.PUBLICSERVICES:Schools,Parksorotherpublicfacilities)NoImpactDiscussion:TheproposedBasinPlanamendmentdoesnotinvolveneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentfacilities.Becausetheproposedprojectdoesnotinvolvetheseelements,theappropriatefindingisnoimpact.XV.RECREATION‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Wouldtheprojectincreasetheuseofexistingneighborhoodandregionalparksorotherrecreationalfacilitiessuchthatsubstantialphysicaldeteriorationofthefacilitywouldoccurorbeaccelerated?

X

b)Doestheprojectincluderecreationalfacilitiesorrequiretheconstructionorexpansionofrecreationalfacilitieswhichmighthaveanadversephysicaleffectontheenvironment?

X


RECREATION:a)andb)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableDiscussion:NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSED,withtheexceptionofdamdecommissioning,contemplatetheuseofstructuralBMPsthatwouldincreasetheuseofexistingneighborhoodandregionalparksorotherrecreationalfacilitiessuchthatsubstantialphysicaldeteriorationofthefacilitywouldoccurorbeaccelerated.IntheeventthattheKlamathRiverreservoirsaredecommissioned,flatwaterrecreationuserswillhavetousetheotherflatwaterfacilitiesintheregion.Inaddition,impacttowhite‐waterrecreationwillbeadverselyaffectedinspecificreachesoftheKlamathRiverduetochangesinflowstagesatcertaintimesofyearandhavebeendeterminedtobesignificantandunavoidable.Onceadecommissioningplanisdeveloped,mitigationmeasuresidentified,intheplanmustensurethattheotherregionalfacilitieshavetheinfrastructureinplacetosupporttheincreaseduserbase.Mitigationmeasuresidentifiedincludesuchthingsasinstallation/relocationofcampgrounds,restrooms,boatramps,garbageservice,etc.Although,significantimpactstorecreationhavebeenidentifiedthelongtermbenefitassociatedwiththeremovaloftheKlamathhydroelectricfacilitiesispositivetowardsrecreationalvalues.ForexampleseveralofthereservoirsandreachesoftheKlamathRiverareimpairedforrecreationduetopoorwaterqualityassociatedwithtoxicalgalblooms.Ithasbeendeterminedthatdamremovalwouldalleviatetheseimpairments.Additionally,ithasbeendeterminedthatdamremovalwouldhavelong‐termbeneficialeffectsonfree‐flowingcondition,waterquality,scenic,wildlife,fishery,andrecreationrivervaluesassociatedwiththeupstreamanddownstreamreachesdesignatedasWildandScenic.XVI.TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)Conflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinanceorpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystem,takingintoaccountallmodesoftransportationincludingmasstransitandnon‐motorizedtravelandrelevant

X


componentsofthecirculationsystem,including,butnotlimitedtointersections,streets,highwaysandfreeways,pedestrianandbicyclepaths,andmasstransit?b)Conflictwithanapplicablecongestionmanagementprogram,including,butnotlimitedtolevelofservicestandardsandtraveldemandmeasures,orotherstandardsestablishedbythecountycongestionmanagementagencyfordesignatedroadsorhighways?

X

c)Resultinachangeinairtrafficpatterns,includingeitheranincreaseintrafficlevelsorachangeinlocationthatresultsinsubstantialsafetyrisks?

X

d)Substantiallyincreasehazardsduetoadesignfeature(e.g.,sharpcurvesordangerousintersections)orincompatibleuses(e.g.,farmequipment)?

X

e)Resultininadequateemergencyaccess?

X

f)Conflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycle,orpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilities?

X

TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC:a)andb)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:NoneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSED,contemplatetheuseofstructuralBMPsthatwouldcauseanincreaseintrafficwhichissubstantialinrelationtotheexistingtrafficloadandcapacityofthestreetsystem(i.e.,resultinasubstantialincreaseineitherthenumberofvehicletrips,thevolumetocapacityratioonroads,orcongestionatintersections).Constructionactivitieshavethepotentialtoincreasetrafficvolumesorreducespeedsonpublicroads.


However,itisstaffsjudgmentthatthepotentialcompliancemeasuresareunlikelytobecorrelatedwiththepublicroadsystemstoanysignificantdegree.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC:c)andd)LessThanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:Increasedtreeretentionmayconflictwiththesitedistancerequirementsoftransportationagencies(publicroads)areasdesignatedasclearrecoveryzones.Differentlevelsofroadsystems(e.g.freeways,highways,interstates,citystreetsandcountyroads)havevariouslevelsofdesignrequirementsinconsiderationofsitedistancetohelpensurepublicsafety.Inaddition,clearrecoveryzones(areasadjacenttoroadshoulders)arecreatedandmaintainedincertainlocationsoutsidethehighwayshouldertoprovideanopportunityforvehiclesthatleavetheroadwaytocometoasafestoportoreturntotheroadway.Arecoverableslopeisaslopeonwhichamotoristmay,toagreaterorlesserextent,retainorregaincontrolofavehiclebyslowingorstopping.Slopesflatterthan1V:4Haregenerallyconsideredrecoverable(U.S.FederalHighwayAdministration).Thousandsofmilesofroadseitherparallelorintersectstreams,riparianareasand/orfloodplains.Therefore,itispossiblethatretainingriparianvegetationtoprovidesite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeortheinstallationofsedimentcontrolcompliancemeasurescouldinfringeuponsitedistanceorclearrecoveryzonerequirements.However,withproperplanningandcoordinationwithlocal,countyandstatetransportationagenciesmostconflictscouldberesolved.Forinstanceduringtheroadplanning,designandenvironmentalimpactassessmentstagesthesetypesofconstraintsorconflictsareanalyzedbytransportationengineersandbiologists.Throughtheexistingprojectplanning,CEQAprocess,interagencycoordinationandexistingregulation(NPDESstormwaterpermitsand401Certifications)potentialconflictsareresolvedbyavoidance,minimization,oroff‐sitecompensatorymitigation.ForexamplemanystructuralBMPsdesignedtoreducesedimentandpollutedstormwaterrunnoffhaveoftenbeendeterminedtobepossibletoconstruct,butinfeasibleduetosafetyconstraints.Alternately,adequatelyvegetatedslopesflatterthan1V:4HarealsopotentiallocationsforstructuralBMPsforbiofiltrationofpollutedstormwaterandareknowntoreduceerosionandsedimenttransport.Throughpropercoordination,planninganddesignclearrecoveryzonescanmeetpublicsafety,stormwatertreatment,anderosionandsedimentcontrolgoals.Therefore,itisstaffsdeterminationthatthepotentialimpactsarelessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated.TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC:e)andf)LessThanSignificant

Theproposedprojectdoesnotinvolveinstallationofhazardousdesignfeatures,andwillnotaffectemergencyaccessorparkingcapacity.Theproposedprojectwillnotconflictwithpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycle,orpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuch


facilities.Becausetheproposedprojectdoesnotinvolvetheseelements,theappropriatefindingislessthansignificant.XVII.UTILITIESANDSERVICESYSTEMS‐‐Wouldtheproject: Potentially

SignificantImpact

LessThanSignificant



NoImpact

a)ExceedwastewatertreatmentrequirementsoftheapplicableRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard?

X

b)Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects?

X

c)Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewstormwaterdrainagefacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects?

X

d)Havesufficientwatersuppliesavailabletoservetheprojectfromexistingentitlementsandresources,orareneworexpandedentitlementsneeded?

X

e)Resultinadeterminationbythewastewatertreatmentproviderwhichservesormayservetheprojectthatithasadequatecapacitytoservetheproject’sprojecteddemandinadditiontotheprovider’sexistingcommitments?

X

f)Beservedbyalandfillwithsufficientpermittedcapacitytoaccommodatetheproject’ssolidwastedisposalneeds?

X

g)Complywithfederal,state,


andlocalstatutesandregulationsrelatedtosolidwaste?

X

UTILITIESANDSERVICESYSTEMS:a)ande)NoImpactTheproposedBasinPlanamendmentwillnothaveanyeffectonwastewatertreatmentrequirements.Therefore,theappropriatefindingisnoimpact.UTILITIESANDSERVICESYSTEMS:b),c),andd)andPotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableCompliancemeasuresthatrequireconstructionordemolitionoffacilitiescouldresultinshortterminterruptionofutilities.Severalcompliancemeasures,includingbutnotlimitedto,sedimentcontrolbasins,LIDfeatures,irrigationsystemsandtailwatermanagementsystemstoreducesedimenttransporttostreamshavethepotentialtocauseanimpactonutilities.However,mitigationmeasurescanreduceanyimpactstoalessthansignificantlevel.Damremovalcouldleadtoshortterminterruptionsinutilities,includingbutnotlimitedtowater,gasandelectricity.Relianceongroundwateroralternatewatersourcescouldresultinexpansionofexistingwaterandenergydeliverysystems.Thisamountwoulddependonwhichcompliancemeasuresareselectedandonthehydrologyandextentofexistingpermittedwateruseatfuturepointsofdiversion.Inaddition,surfacewatersuppliesmaybeinsufficienttomeetallfuturedemandsevenintheabsenceoftheBasinPlanamendment.Surfacewaterresourcesarealreadylimitedinsomeareasandfuturewatersupplieswillbelimitedbythenaturalsupplyavailabilityratherthanbyrestrictionsonwaterdiversionandstorage.Somestreamsintheregionareaarealreadyfullyappropriatedforsomeoralloftheyear.Theselectionoftheappropriatecompliancemeasuresbyresponsiblepartieswillneedtotakeintoconsiderationtheirexistingwaterresources.Basingselectionofcompliancemeasuresonexistingwaterresourceswillpreventtheneedtoseeknewentitlements.AnotheralternativewatersupplypracticeforwaterpurveyorscurrentlybeingconsideredintheNorthCoastRegionisgroundwaterbanking,alsoknownasaquiferstorageandrecovery(ASR).WithpotentialrestrictionsonmunicipalwatersuppliesthereisthepotentialforASRprojectstobecomemorecommonplacethroughouttheregion.Therearepotentialadverseenvironmentalimpactswiththesetypesofprojects.However,inlightofclimatechangeandexistingregulationsonflowrestrictionsinmanyareasintheNorthCoastRegion,thesetypesofmeasurescouldmitigatepotentialincreasesindemand.


Oneofthepotentialalternativepracticesthatcouldbeusedbygrowerswouldbetheuseofcovercropstoincreaseinfiltrationandreducesurfacerunoffofwater,whichmaycontaincontaminants.Theuseofcovercropsmayrequireadditionalirrigationwater,butmayalsoresultinreducedevaporationfromsoilsurfaces,resultinginnoorlittlenetchangeinirrigationwaterneeds.Improvedirrigationefficiency,oneoftheprinciplemeansofreducingagriculturaldischarges,willlikelyresultinwatersavings.Ifadditionalripariandiversionfacilitiesareconstructed,theconstructionactivityshouldbeundertakeninamannerthatdoesnotadverselyaffectfishandwildliferesources,perFishandWildlifeCodesection1602.IfCDFWdeterminesthattheconstructionactivitymaysubstantiallyadverselyaffectfishandwildliferesources,aLakeorStreambedAlterationAgreement(Agreement)wouldbeprepared.ConditionsthatCDFWmayrequireinclude,butarenotlimitedto,avoidanceorminimizationofvegetationremoval,useofstandarderosioncontrolmeasures,limitationsontheuseofheavyequipment,limitationsonworkperiodstoavoidimpactsonfisheriesandwildliferesources,minimumbypassflowrequirements,andrequirementstorestoredegradedsitesorcompensateforpermanenthabitatlosses.Inaddition,renderingadamincapableofstoringwaterbyleavingthestructureinplacewhileallowingwatertopassthrough,maybealesscostlyalternative,andmayreduceimpactstofishandwildlifehabitattolessthansignificantlevels.TheAgreementwouldincludereasonableconditionsnecessarytoprotectthoseresourcesandmustcomplywithCEQA.Inadditiontotheregulatoryrequirementsdescribedabove,theseasonalstorageofsurfacewaterinmostnewoffstreamstoragefacilitieswillrequireawaterrightpermitfromtheStateWaterBoard.Unlessanexemptionapplies,theStateWaterBoard’sreviewofwaterrightapplicationsissubjecttoCEQA.Inaddition,inactingonwaterrightapplications,theStateWaterBoardmusttakeintoconsiderationthepublicinterestandtheapplicableBasinPlan.(Wat.Code,§§1253,1255,1257,1258.)Accordingly,theStateWaterBoardwillhavetheopportunitytoidentifyandmitigatetheimpactsofconstructingoff‐channelstoragereservoirsaspartoftheStateWaterBoard’sreviewofindividualwaterrightapplications.Similarly,theStateWaterBoardwillhavetheopportunitytoensurethatapplicantscomplywithanyotherapplicableregulatoryrequirements.Inclusionofthefollowingpermitterms,willensurethatapplicantscomplywithanyotherapplicableregulatoryrequirements.

Nowatershallbedivertedunderthispermit,andnoconstructionrelatedtosuchdiversionshallcommence,untilpermitteeobtainsallnecessarypermitsorotherapprovalsrequiredbyotheragencies.Ifanamendedpermitisissued,nonewfacilitiesshallbeutilized,norshalltheamountofwaterdivertedincreasebeyondthemaximumamountdivertedduringthepreviouslyauthorizedtimeperiod,untilpermitteecomplieswiththerequirementsofthisterm.


Within90daysoftheissuanceofthispermitoranysubsequentamendment,permitteeshallprepareandsubmittotheDivisionofWaterRightsalistof,orprovideinformationthatshowsproofofattemptstosolicitinformationregardingtheneedfor,permitsorapprovalsthatmayberequiredfortheproject.Ataminimum,permitteeshallprovidealistorotherinformationpertainingtowhetheranyofthefollowingpermitsorapprovalsarerequired:(1)lakeorstreambedalterationagreementwiththeDepartmentofFishandWildlife(Fish&G.Code,§1600etseq.);(2)DepartmentofWaterResources,DivisionofSafetyofDamsapproval(Wat.Code,§6002.);(3)RegionalWaterQualityControlBoardWasteDischargeRequirements(Wat.Code,§13260etseq.);(4)U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersCleanWaterActsection404permit(33U.S.C.§1344.);or,(5)localgradingpermits.Permitteeshall,within30daysofissuanceofallpermits,approvalsorwaivers,transmitcopiestotheDivisionofWaterRights.

Basedonthewiderangeofpotentialimpactsassociatedwithwatertreatmentandsupply,andenforcementofmitigationameasureisuncertain,adverseimpactstotheenvironmentarepotentiallysignificantandunavoidable.UTILITIESANDSERVICESYSTEMS:f)andg)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:Otherthanthediscussionofcompliancemeasuresfordamremoval,noneofthecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisSEDgenerateasignificantsourceofsolidwaste.ConstructionandimplementationofstructuralBMPsmaygeneratesolidwastesrequiringdisposalsuchasearthenmaterialorerosioncontrolmaterials(e.g.siltfences,temporaryfencing,rustedoutculverts).Theamountofwasteneedingdisposal,however,willbeveryminimal,andcouldthereforebeservedbyanexistinglandfill.Fordamremoval,theimplementationofaHazardousMaterialsManagementPlan(HMMP)wouldmitigatetheeffectsontheenvironmenttoalessthansignificantamount.HMMPstypicallyincludepotentialoptionsfordisposalsitesandBMPsforwastehandling,transportinganddisposal,aswellashealthandsafetymeasurestoprotectworkersandthepublic.Thismitigationmeasureshouldreducetheimpactsandeliminateproblemswithcompliancewithfederal,state,andlocalstatutesandregulationsrelatedtosolidwastedisposal.Thepotentialpracticesthatcouldbeappliedbygrowersshouldnotresultinanychangesinthegenerationofsolidwasteandthereforeshouldnotaffectcompliancewithfederal,state,orlocalstatutesandregulationsrelatedtosolidwaste.


MANDATORYFINDINGSOFSIGNIFICANCEa)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableDiscussion:Allofthesecompliancemeasuresidentifiedinthisenvironmentalanalysiswilllikelyimprovewaterqualityfromthecurrentbaselineinthewatershedwhichwilllikelycontinuewithouttheapplicationoftheseadditionalprotections.Compliancemeasuresthatrequiresubstantialearthmovementwouldlikelyundergoconsultationwithfederal,stateandlocalagencies,includingbutnotlimitedtothecountytheprojectislocatedin,CDFGandtheUSFWS.Specificmitigationmeasureswouldbeappliedbytheagenciestoavoidimpactstorare,threatenedorendangeredspecies.Ifnosuchmitigationisavailable,theuseofthatcompliancemeasureinthespecificareashouldnotbeimplemented.Inmostcasestheimpactsofinstallingstructuralcompliancemeasureswouldbetemporary,andanyimpactscouldbeavoidedbyadjustingthetimingand/orlocationtotakeintoaccountanycandidate,sensitive,orspecialstatusspeciesortheirhabitats.Theexceptiontothiswouldbeshorttermimpactsassociatedwithdamdecommissioningwhichhasthepotentialtosignificantlyimpactwaterqualityfromthereleaseofincreasedloadsoffinegrainedsediment.Itisestimatedthatimpactstowaterqualitywouldrangefromweekstomonthswiththeapplicationofappropriatemitigationmeasures.

Thepotentialimpactsoftheprojectwillnotcauseasignificantcumulativeimpactintheenvironmentwiththeexceptionofadamdecommissioningscenario.Infact,theadoptionoftheproposedBasinPlanamendmentshouldresultinimprovedwaterqualityintheNorthCoastRegionwillhavesignificantbeneficialeffectsontheenvironmentoverthelongterm.MANDATORYFINDINGSOFSIGNIFICANCEb)PotentiallySignificantandUnavoidableDiscussion:Cumulativeimpacts,definedinsection15355oftheCEQAGuidelines,refertotwoormoreindividualeffects,thatwhenconsideredtogether,areconsiderableorthatincreaseotherenvironmentalimpacts.CumulativeimpactassessmentmustconsidernotonlytheimpactsoftheproposedBasinPlanamendment,butalsotheimpactsfromotherBasinPlanAmendments,municipal,andprivateprojects,whichhaveoccurredinthepast,arepresentlyoccurring,andmayoccurinthefuture,inthewatershedduringtheperiodofimplementation.Non‐structuralcompliancemeasuresthatmaybeimplementedarenotlikelytohavecumulativeimpactsontheenvironment.Impactsassociatedwithimplementationofmostofthestructuralmeasureswillbeshort‐term,temporaryandspatiallydistributedacrossthewatershed,andwillnothavesignificantadverseeffectsontheenvironment.Compliancemeasuresthatinvolvesubstantialearth


movementcouldhavepotentiallysignificantcumulativeimpacts.However,manyoftheseactivitieswillberegulatedunderexistingStateandRegionalpermits,includingbutnotlimitedtostate‐wideCaltransstormwaterpermit,stormwaterpermitforconstructionsitesoverone(1)acre,ortimberharvestoperationsonpublicandprivatelands.Thelikelihoodofinstallationofstructuralcompliancemeasuresonfederallandisquitehighasapproximately55%oftheregionisinfederalownership.RegionalWaterBoardstaff’sengagementintheseregulatoryprogramswillprovideanopportunitytolimitthepotentialforcumulativeimpactsbyensuringthatmultipleprojectsproposingimplementationofBMPswiththepotentialtocauseshort‐termimpactsarephasedappropriatelytolimitpotentialcumulativeimpacts.Basedonareviewoftheavailableinformation,andasaresultofimplementingtherangeofcompliancemeasuresfromthepreservationofshadetosedimentcontrolsandthemodificationofwatersupplytodamdecommissioning,ithasbeendeterminedthatsignificantandunavoidableimpactstotheenvironmentarelikelytooccur.Theseimpactsincludeelevatedexhaustlevels,fugitivedust,vehicleandGHGemissions,turbidity,suspendedsedimentloadsandreductionsofdissolvedoxygen,potentialnegativealterationofcriticalhabitatformultiplefishspecies,groundwaterresources,culturalresources,scenicquality,recreation,andnoise.Mostoftheseimpactsareexpectedtobeshortterm.Individualproject‐specificCEQAreviewwillbenecessaryinthosecasesasappropriate.Manycanandwillbemitigatedtolessthansignificantlevelswiththeimplementationofspecificmitigationmeasures.However,becauseoftheprogrammaticnatureofthisCEQAanalyses,itisnotpossibletosaywithcertaintythatallimpactswillbemitigatedtolessthansignificantlevels.IdentifiedmitigationwillbecomeenforceableinpermitsandotherordersbytheRegionalWaterBoard,butwecannotbecertainthatotheragencieswilladopttherecommendedmitigationforactivitiesunderthejurisdictionofotheragencies.Asaresult,evenimpactsidentifiedaslessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporatedmustalsobeconsideredunavoidableatthistime.NotwithstandingthepotentialnegativeaffectsdiscussedaboveandthroughoutthisSED,itislikelythatlongtermbeneficialeffectswillberealizedonaestheticresources,biologicalresources,geologyandsoils,GHGemissions,hydrologyandwaterquality,andrecreation.MANDATORYFINDINGSOFSIGNIFICANCEc)LessThanSignificantDiscussion:Asexplainedpreviously,theproposedBasinPlanamendmentisdesignedtoimprovelongtermwaterqualitybyprovidingaregulatoryprogramdesignedtoprotectandrestorewaterqualityandthebeneficialusesofwaterintheNorthCoastRegion.AnimportantobjectiveoftheproposedBasinPlanamendmentistherestorationofahealthyandviablesalmonidfisheryandthepreservationofhighqualitywaters.


9.6AlternativeMeansofComplianceTheCEQArequiresananalysisofreasonablyforeseeablealternativemeansofcompliancewiththeruleorregulation,whichwouldavoidoreliminatetheidentifiedimpacts29.Theresponsiblepartiescanusethestructuralandnon‐structuralcompliancemeasuresdescribedinsection9.4,orotherstructuralandnon‐structuralcompliancemeasures,tocontrolandpreventpollution,andmeettherequirementsoftheproposedBasinPlanamendment.Thealternativemeansofcomplianceconsistofthedifferentcombinationsofstructuralandnon‐structuralcompliancemeasuresthattheresponsiblepartiesmightusetomeettheirloadallocationsandachievecompliancewiththetemperatureobjectivesorTMDLActionPlans.Becausethereareinnumerablewaystocombinecompliancemeasures,allofthepossiblealternativemeansofcompliancecannotbediscussedhere.However,becausemostoftheadverseenvironmentaleffectsareassociatedwiththeconstructionofstructuralcompliancemeasuresrelatedtoearthmovementorconstructionofinfrastructure(e.g.,fencing,off‐channelwaterfacilities,aquaticecosystemrestorationrestoration)toavoidoreliminateimpacts,projectproponentsshouldalwaysmaximizetheuseofnon‐structuralmeasurestotheextentfeasible,anddesignstructuralcompliancemeasurestotakeintoconsiderationsite‐specificconditionstominimizeenvironmentaleffects.

29 Cal.CodeRegs.,tit.14,§15187(c)(3).


10.0 ECONOMICANALYSIS10.1IntroductionTheRegionalWaterBoardsarelegallyrequiredtoconsidereconomicsinTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)30developmentandwaterqualitycontrolplanning(basinplanning)31.TherearethreetriggersforRegionalWaterBoardconsiderationofeconomicsorcostsinbasinplanning.Theyare:

TheBoardmustconsidereconomicsinestablishingwaterqualityobjectivesthatensurethereasonableprotectionofbeneficialuses.

TheBoardsmustcomplywiththeCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA)32whentheyamendtheirbasinplans.CEQArequiresthattheBoardsanalyzethereasonablyforeseeablemethodsofcompliancewithproposedperformancestandardsandtreatmentrequirements.Thisanalysismustincludeeconomicfactors.

Chapter9istheanalysisofpotentialenvironmentalimpacts,asrequiredunderCEQA,associatedwithadoptinganamendmenttotheWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegion(BasinPlan)toincludethedraftregionalTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlansfortheEelRiver,MattoleRiverandNavarroRiverTemperatureTMDLs.InChapter9,staffidentifiesthereasonablyforeseeablecompliancemeasuresnecessarytoachievecompliancewiththeTemperatureImplementationPolicyandassociatedactions.Thesecompliancemeasuresaremanagementpracticesmostlikelytobeimplementedtoachievecompliancewithwaterqualitystandardsfortemperature.10.2ScopeoftheEconomicAnalysisWhatfollowsisanestimateofthecostsassociatedwithcompliancemeasures.Thecostsaregivenasarange,dependentonthespecificcharacteristicsofthelandoroperationtowhichagivenmanagementpracticeisapplied.Alistofpotentialfundingsourcesisalsogiven.TheRegionalWaterBoardisnotobligatedtoconsiderthebalanceofcostsandbenefitsassociatedwithimplementationofaTMDLorBasinPlanamendment.ItisonlyobligatedtoconsidereconomicfactorsandmayadoptaTMDLorBasinPlanamendmentevenifthecostsaresignificant.10.2.1MethodologyThecostsidentifiedinthischapterprimarilycomefromfoursourcesofinformation:theNaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)FieldOfficeTechnicalGuide(FOTG),CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife(CDFW)SalmonidStreamHabitatRestorationManual(2006)(Manual),CDFWCohoSalmonRecovery

30See33U.S.C.§1313(d);40C.F.R.§130.7.31SeeWat.Code,§13240‐1324732Pub.ResourcesCode§21000etseq.


Strategy,CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)2013contractproposalawardinformation.ThecostinformationprovidedintheNRCSFOTGisanationaldatasettoassistlocalNRCSDistrictsinsettingcostsharesforimplementingconservationpractices.CostestimatesareprovidedatthecountylevelandthedatausedforthisanalysisarespecifictoNorthernCalifornia(includingDelNorte,Humboldt,Trinity,Siskiyou,MendocinoandSonomaCounties),asdescribedintheirFiscalYear2013PaymentSchedule.ThecostsincludedintheCDFGManualaredescribedasupslopeerosioninventoryandsedimentcontrolguidance.ThenumbersarebasedonestimatesfromPacificWatershedAssociates,aconsultingfirmspecializinginerosioncontrolwork.Actualcostscanvaryconsiderablydependingonoperatorskillandexperience,equipmenttypes,localsiteconditions,andregionallocation.10.2.2ExistingRequirementsLandownersandprojectproponentsareboundbyvariousexistingregulatoryrequirementsthatinvolvewaterqualityandnaturalresourceprotection.TheeconomicimpactofexistingobligationsshouldnotbeattributedtothecostsofcompliancewiththeproposedBasinPlanamendment.Limitingthescopeoftheeconomicanalysisisdifficultgiventhesimilarityofmeasuresnecessarytoachieveawiderangeofwaterqualityandwildlifeprotectiongoals.Toremainasfocusedaspossible,thiseconomicanalysisonlycontemplatesthecostsofmeasuresidentifiedasreasonablyforeseeable(seeChapter9)intheimplementationoftheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlans.However,iftakenasawhole,theyarelikelyanoverestimateoftheactualcostsofcompliance.Thisisbecauseofthemultipleandoverlappingregulatoryprogramsunderwhichthesamemeasuresarereasonablyforeseeable.Forexample,sometemperaturecontrolcostsarerelatedtoactionsnecessarytoavoidaviolationofthesedimentprohibitionsintheBasinPlanandtoavoidatakingundertheEndangeredSpeciesActortofullymitigateimpactsofauthorizedtakes.OthercostsmaybeincurredasaresultofcompliancewiththeCleanWaterAct(CWA),otherrelatedstatutesandregulations,orlocallanduseordinances.Conversely,compliancewiththeproposedTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlan(s)willhelpdischargerscomplywiththeotherregulatoryrequirements.10.2.3GeographicScopeTheimplementationactionswithintheproposedBasinPlanamendmentarenotuniformlyrequiredacrosstheNorthCoastRegionorevenacrosspropertieswithsimilarlanduses.Instead,manyoftheimplementationactionswillberequiredoflandowners/projectproponentsonanas‐needed,site‐specificbasisoraresimplyactivitiesthatareencouragedbytheRegionalWaterBoard.Economicconsiderationsdifferwithsite‐specificissuesandapplicableactionsnecessaryforcompliancewithinthethreemaincategories(shade,sedimentation,andflow)thataffectstreamtemperature.Forexamplethecostforretainingshade


ontimberlandswillbedifferentacrosstheregiondependingontheamountofyieldandproduct(a.ka.species)toharvest.Likewiserestorationactioncostwillnotbeuniformsincediversebioregionsandmicroclimateswithinthoseregionswillplayaroleinthespeciescompositioninriparianareas.Inaddition,moreintensivelanduseactivitieswillfacegreatercoststhanlessintensivelanduseactivities.Activitiesonsteep,erosiveslopesinproximitytowaterbodieswillrequiregreatercareandhighercoststhanactivitiesonlandsthatdonotdelivertoawaterbodyoronlandsthatarenothighlyerosive.Additionally,developingalternativewatersupplies,conservationpractices,andswitchingfromsurfacewaterdiversionstogroundwaterpumpingarehighlysite‐specificeconomicconsiderationsthatcanbegenerallyassessedbutshouldnotbeimpliedastheabsoluteupperandlowerlimitofcostsinallinstances.DamRemovalThecostofremovingdamsvariesfairlyregularlywiththeheightandwidthofthedam,butproject‐specificfactors,suchasstructuretype,sediments,waterrights,easements,andtheneedformonitoringcangreatlyimpactthetotalcostoftreatment.FriendsoftheEarthperformedcasestudiesofmorethan30damremovalprojectsintheUnitedStatesandfoundthatsomesmalldamscanberemovedforunder$10,000.Theremovalofalargerdam(e.g.,15‐20feetinheight)cancostasmuchas$1million.Inneithercasedothesecostestimatesincludetheimportantconsiderationsofthecostofpermits,easements,design,ormonitoring.Themediancostofdamremovalinthisstudywasabout$100,000.However,thisfindingcannotbeinterpretedtosuggestthatthiswillalwaysbetrueinCaliforniaorelsewhereinthefuture.Previousdamremovalswerenottheresultofarandomselection;itislikelythatrelativelyinexpensiveremovalprojectshavebeenundertakenfirstandthataverageremovalcostswillriseovertime.(Sunding,D./A.P.Zwane,2004)IrrigatedAgricultureIrrigatedagricultureoccursthroughouttheNorthCoastRegionandis

predominantlyconcentratedin:1)theTuleLakeregioninSiskiyouandModocCounties;2)theScottValley,ShastaValley,andupperKlamathRiverValleyinSiskiyouCounty;3)RoundValley,PotterValley,EdenValley,AndersonValleyandtheupperRussianRiverValleyinMendocinoCounty;and4)AlexanderValley,DryCreekValley,RussianRiverValleyBelowDryCreekandtheLagunadeSantaRosainSonomaCounty.Principalirrigatedcropsarebarley,irrigatedpasture,alfalfahayandotherhay,oats,potatoes,wheatandgrapes.Formostofthemanagementpractices,arangeofcostsisgiven,dependingonnumeroussite‐specificfactorstobedeterminedbylandowners/dischargers.Typicalcategoriesofcomplianceforirrigatedagricultureincludemaintainingandpreservingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade,controllingerosionandsediment,addressingtailwaterandsurfacewaterimpoundments,preservingexistingcoldwaterresources,aquaticecosystemrestorationandactionstorestoreormaintainstreamflowstosupportallbeneficialuses.


GrazingGrazingactivitiesoccurthroughouttheNorthCoastRegionbothonprivateandpubliclands.AswiththeestimatedcoststotheirrigatedagriculturalcommunitytocomplywiththeproposedBasinPlanAmendment,theestimatestothegrazingcommunityarederivedfromNRCSFiscalYear2013PaymentSchedule.Typicalcategoriesofcomplianceforgrazingincludemaintainingandpreservingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade,controllingerosionandsediment,preservingexistingcoldwaterresources,aquaticecosystemrestorationandactionstorestoreormaintainstreamflowstosupportallbeneficialuses.RoadsTheroadnetworksintheNorthCoastRegioncontributetoelevatedtemperaturesintributarywatershedsthroughthedischargeofexcesssediment.Insomecases,aninventoryofroadswilldeterminethatdecommissioningorupgradingofroadsisrequired.Regardlessofthemethodofregulationortheresponsibleparty,therequirementsforcontrollingsourcesofsedimentfromroadsaresimilarandimplementationwillpotentiallyfocusonthefollowingprocess:

1. Inventory:Identifysourcesofexcesssedimentdischargeorthreateneddischargeandquantifythedischargeorthreateneddischargefromthesource(s).

2. Prioritize:Prioritizeeffortstocontroldischargeofexcesssedimentbasedon,butnotlimitedto,severityofthreattowaterqualityandbeneficialuses,thefeasibilityofsourcecontrol,andsourcesiteaccessibility.

3. Implement:Developandimplementfeasiblesedimentcontrolpracticestoprevent,minimize,andcontrolthedischarge.Roaddecommissioningmayberequiredaspartofaresponsibleparties’loadallocationifmaintainingtheroadiscostprohibitive,roadisnotneededorisasourceofuncontrollableexcesssedimentdischarge.

4. MonitorandAdapt:UsemonitoringresultstodirectadaptivemanagementinordertorefineexcesssedimentcontrolpracticesandimplementationschedulesuntildischargesarereducedtoalevelthatmeetsanyapplicableTMDLloadallocationsandwaterqualitystandards.

Typicalcategoriesofcomplianceforroadsincludemaintainingandpreservingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade,controllingerosionandsediment,preservingexistingcoldwaterresources,andaquaticecosystemrestoration.TimberTimberharvestactivitiescansubstantiallyimpactwatertemperature.TheTemperatureImplementationPolicyandActionPlansfocusesoncontrollingsedimentandprotectingriparianfunctionsfromtimberharvestactivitiestomeet


thewatershed‐wideTMDLallocationsandtemperatureobjectivesasdescribedthroughoutthisstaffreport.TimberharvestonnonfederallandsiscurrentlyregulatedbytheRegionalBoardthroughacombinationofgeneralWDRsandconditionalwaiversofWDRs.ThecostsassociatedwithWDRsarenotoutlinedhereastheyareacurrentrequirement.RoadsthatarepartofatimberharvestplanorNon‐IndustrialTimberManagementPlan(NTMP)arearequiredbytheWDRsandwaiversfortimberharvestonnonfederallandstoimplementanerosioncontrolplan.AdditionalcoststotimberoperatorsassociatedwiththeproposedBasinPlanamendmentcouldcomefromtheadditionalretentionoftreesabovetheexistingrequirementsincertainareas.Therefore,theadditionalretentionoftreescouldpotentiallybeaforegonerevenue.However,duetothebroadrangeofpotentialfactorsincludingsitepotential,topography,existingrequirements,andamountoftimberavailablethespecificcostsaretoocomplextoestimate.Typicalcategoriesofcompliancefortimberoperationsincludemaintainingandpreservingsite‐specificpotentialeffectiveshade,controllingerosionandsediment,preservingexistingcoldwaterresources,andaquaticecosystemrestoration.10.3EstimatedCostsofComplianceThefollowingexamplesarenotmeanttobeexhaustiveofthesuitablesuiteofcompliancemeasures,butratherprovidearepresentativesamplewiththewidestrangetoaccommodateasmanycompliancescenariosaspossible.Sitepotentialisdefinedastheshadeprovidedbytopographyandfullpotentialvegetationconditionsatasite,withanallowancefornaturaldisturbancesuchasfloods,windthrow,disease,landslides,andfire.Table10‐1presentstheestimatedcostsofcompliancemeasurestopreserve,maintainandrestoreshade.Addressingelevatedwatertemperatureassociatedwithexcesssedimentdischargesincludescontrollingthecumulativeimpactsofsedimentwastedischargesonsuchwatershedsthataffectstreamtemperature.Table10‐2presentstheestimatedcostsofcompliancemeasurestocontrolsedimentation.Addressingelevatedwatertemperatureassociatedwithalterationofnaturalthermalregimesincludesabalanceofwaterdemandforallbeneficialuses.Table10‐3presentstheestimatedcostsofcompliancemeasuresthataddresstailwater,surfacewaterimpoundments,inputfromcoldwaterresources,andsurfacewaterflows.


Table10‐1

EstimatedCostsofReasonablyForeseeableComplianceMeasurestoPreserve,MaintainandRestoreShade

ReasonablyForeseeable

ComplianceMeasure

PracticeName Rangeof PracticeCosts

NRCSPracticeCodeorSource

Useexclusion Forageexclusion $0.64‐1.32/ft #472

RiparianRestoration Riparianforestbuffer/herbaceouscover

$165.04‐22,916.06/acre #390,#391

Protectandmanageexistingwetlandand/orriparianareasfortheirnaturalfilteringfunctions

Riparianherbaceouscover/forestbuffer,wetlandrestoration

$165.04‐22,916.06/acre #390,#391,#657

Animaltrailsandwalkways


Notavailable #575

Streamcrossing Ford,culvert,bridge $363‐1,488per/Lft #578

RiparianRestoration ‐‐ $44.03/ft2‐$2,706/Lft A.Riley,2008

RiparianRestoration ‐‐ A.Riley,2008

Retainin‐channeltreesfollowingtimberoperationsIncreasedripariancanopyretentioninClassIIandIIIwatercourses

Notapplicable Dependentonsitespecificdeterminations

Staffjudgment


Table10‐2EstimatedCostsofReasonablyForeseeableComplianceMeasures

AssociatedwithErosionandSedimentControlReasonablyForeseeable

ComplianceMeasure

PracticeName Rangeof PracticeCosts

NRCSPracticeCodeorSource

Reduceerosion‐Maintaincropresidueorvegetativecover

CoverCrop $113.75‐206.64/acre

#340

Erosioncontrol DrySeed $0.40/ft2 Caltrans2013Erosioncontrol CompostCover $0.20‐0.80/ft2 Caltrans2013

Erosioncontrol CompostBlanket $250/cubicyard Caltrans2013

Erosioncontrol RolledErosionControlBlanket $2.00/ft2 Caltrans2013

Erosioncontrol Straw $0.05/ft2 Caltrans2013

Erosioncontrol Hydroseed $0.05/ft2 Caltrans2013

Reduceerosionandsequestersediment‐Streambufferareas/Fieldborders

FieldBorders:Ripariantree &shrubestablishment;Non‐nativeornativeseedbedpreparation

$211‐1,617/acre #386

Reduceerosionandsequestersediment‐Riparianrestoration

Tree&ShrubEstablishment $1.20‐3.20/unit #612

Reducesoilerosion‐Improvesoilproperties

Deeptillage/1 Scenario $20.10/acre #324

Res.&TillageMgt,MulchTill $28.10/acre #345Reduceslopelength,steepness,orunsheltereddistance

Precisionlandforming $175/acre #462

ContourFarming $10.10/acre #330ContourBufferStrips $282.30‐

917.40/acres#332

Reducesoilerosion‐Practicestoreducedetachment

ConservationCover $237.40‐2,279.90/acre

#327

ConservationCropRotation $6.10‐30.90/acre #328ResidueandTillManagement $36‐71.12/acre #329Covercrop $113.75‐

206.64/acre#340

Criticalarea planting $398.21‐14,046.80/acre

#342

Seasonalresiduemanagement $3.76/acre #344Diversion $3.17‐5.69/ft #362Windbreak/shelterbeltestablishment

$0.45‐0.90/ft #380

Practicestoreducedetachment(cont.)

Windbreak/shelterbeltrenovation

$0.56‐4.77/ft #650

Mulching $297.73‐756.15/acre

#484

Hydromulch $0.05/yard2 Caltrans2013Irrigationwatermanagement $28.09‐ #449



AssociatedwithErosionandSedimentControl202.12/acre

Crosswindridges/stripcropping/trapstrips

Notavailable #589

Surfaceroughening Wasteutilization $175.21‐

949.51/acre#612

Wildlifeuplandhabitatmanagement

Notavailable #633$17.50‐392.05/acre

#645

Practicestoreducetransportwithinthefield

Contourfarming $304.10/acre #330

Fieldwindbreak Notavailable #392Grassedwaterway $1502.42/acre #412Contourstripcropping $1.60‐3.83/acre #585Herbaceouswindbarriers Notavailable #442AFieldstripcropping Notavailable #586Terrace $2.09‐3.40/Lft #600Contourbufferstrips $282.29‐

917.41/acre#332

Practicestotrapsedimentbelowthefieldorcriticalarea

Sedimentbasins Notavailable #350

Fieldborder $210.57‐1617.25/acre

#386

Filterstrip $210.57‐448.10/acre

#393

Waterandsedimentcontrolbasin $4.86/cubicyard #638Mulchexposedareas Mulching $297.73‐

756.15/acre#484

GrazingManagementPlan

Tobedetermined

Pastureandhayplanting Seedbedpreparation,seeding,non‐native

$191.43‐501.24/acre

#512

Rangelandplanting Drillorbroadcast,nativeornon‐native

Notavailable #550


Animaltrailsandwalkways Notavailable #575

Streamcrossing Ford,culvert,bridge $90‐1,488per/Lft #578/Caltrans2013

Forageharvestmanagement

Forageharvestmanagement $12.74‐61.61/acre #511

Vegetationcontrolwithgrazing

Prescribedgrazing $3.89‐5.80/acre #528

Wetlandwildlifehabitatmanagement

Low,mediumorhighintensity $17.50‐248.94/acre

#644



AssociatedwithErosionandSedimentControlInstallationofgradestabilizationstructures

Gradestabilizationstructure Notavailable #410

Streambankandshorelineprotection

Low‐highcomplexity $17.58‐80.26/ft #580

Streamchannelstabilization

Streamchannelstabilization Notavailable #584

RoadSurfacestabilization

Asphaltpaving $238,000/mile SiskiyouCountyPublicWorks

Asphaltpaving $115.00‐300.00/ton

Caltrans2013

Chipsealing $57,000/mile SiskiyouCountyPublicWorks

Rocking $4,250‐10,000/1000ft

Weaver,et.al.(2006)

ClassIIAggregateBase $75.00/cubicyard Caltrans2013ImportRockMaterial $100.00/cubicyard Caltrans2013Dustabatement $90hr

HarrisBladeRental,

RoadFillslope/cutbankcompliancemeasures

Removal/stabilizationofunstablefill.

$2‐5/cubicyard Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Soilstabilization(mulch/vegetate)offillandcutslopes.

$19‐22/1,000ft. Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Controlsediment Disconnectroaddrainagefromwatercourses(draintohillslopes).

$170/1,000ft Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Installrollingdip $85‐170/each Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Installditchreliefculvert $645‐825/each Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Installstreamcrossing $3,270/each Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Fiberroll $5.00‐20.00/Lft Caltrans2013Siltfence $8.00‐20.00/Lft Caltrans2013Gavelcheckdam $8.00‐20.00/Lft Caltrans2013

Stabilize/treatcrossingapproach

Rockroadsurface $4,250‐10,000/1,000ft

Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Installadditionalroaddrainage:waterbars,rollingdips,crossdrains

$85‐3,270/each Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Stabilize/treatcrossingsandassociatedfills

Removeundersized/failingculverts

$3‐10/cubicyard Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Removeunstablefill $2‐5/cubicyard Weaver,et.al.(2006)

Rockarmor,riprapfillslopes $150‐725.00/Cubicyard

Caltrans2013

Rockslopeprotectionfabric $5.00‐100.00/yard2

Caltrans



AssociatedwithErosionandSedimentControlDrainroadawayfromunprotectedfills

$10,000‐75,000/mile

Weaver,et.al.(2006)

DevelopaRoadSystemPlan

ErosionControlPlan,non‐timberlanduse

$3528‐7,740/100acres

R.FitzgeraldMemodatedAugust6,2005

ErosionControlPlan,timberlanduse

$2,370‐7,740/100acre

WaterPollutionControlPlan $650‐10,000/per Caltrans2013Roaddecommissioning Recontourroadtoprovidefora

stable,hydrologically“invisible”site(e.g.removeperchedfill,outslopeoldroadprism,removecrossings)

$2,000‐$50,000/miledependingonsteepnessandlocationofroad

Weaver,et.al.(2004)

Minimizeroadsystem(density)tocorrespondwithmaintenanceresources

$2,000‐50,000/miletorecontourunnecessaryroads

Weaver,et.al.(2004)

Decommissionroadsadjacenttowatercourseandrelocatetomidslopeorridgetopifpossible

$3,000‐23,000permile

CDFWCohoRecoveryPlan


Table10‐3EstimatedComplianceMeasuresCoststo

AddressTailwater/SurfaceWaterImpoundments/ColdWaterResources/In‐StreamFlows

ReasonablyForeseeableComplianceMeasure

NRCSPracticeName NRCSPracticeCost NRCSPracticeCode

Irrigationscheduling Irrigationwatermanagement $28.09‐202.12/acre #449Efficientapplicationofirrigationwater

Microirrigation $503.85‐1835.93/acre #441

Efficienttransportofirrigationwater

Installationofpipingtoreplaceopenditches

$2.47‐5.13/ft #516

Useofrunoffortailwater

Irrigationsystem/tailwaterrecovery

Notavailable #447

Managementofdrainagewater

Runoffmanagementsystem Notavailable #570

Vegetatedfilterstrips Filterstrip $210.57‐448.10/acre #393Surfacefieldditch Fieldditch Notavailable #607Watertablecontrol,controlleddrainage

Subsurfacedrain $3.86‐6.44/ft #606

Installationofpipelineforoff‐channelwater

Pipeline,roughterrain,steelorplastic

$2.47‐5.13/ft #516

Constructingoff‐streampond

Pondupto50AcFt $12,969.38‐32,068.24/no.

#378

Installingtroughortankforoff‐channelwater

Wateringfacility $1,958.69‐5,020.64/no. #614

Constructingwell Waterwell $15,413.45‐41,537.97/no.

#642

Improvingsprings Springdevelopment $2,629.19‐4,335.61/no. #574

Barrierremoval(dam) NA $10,00‐500,000/per CDFWCohoRecoveryPlan

Barrierremoval(non‐structuralsites)

NA $2,400‐34,000/per CDFWCohoRecoveryPlan

Barrierremoval(streamcrossings)

NA $15,000‐500,000/per CDFWCohoRecoveryPlan

Riparianrevegetation NA $5,000‐135,000/acre CDFWCohoRecoveryPlan

Streambankrestoration

NA $125.00/ft2 CDFWCohoRecoveryPlan

Fencing NA $3.00‐12.00/Lft CDFWCohoRecoveryPlan


10.4SourcesofFundingPotentialsourcesoffundingincludemoniesfromprivateandpublicsources.Publicfinancingincludes,butisnotlimitedto:grantfunds,asdescribedbelow;single‐purposeappropriationsfromfederal,state,and/orlocallegislativebodies;and,bondindebtednessandloansfromgovernmentinstitutions.10.4.1SummaryofPertinentStateFundingProgramsThereareseveralpotentialsourcesofpublicfinancingthroughgrantandfundingprogramsadministered,atleastinpart,bytheRegionalWaterBoardandtheStateWaterBoard.Theseprogramsvaryovertimedependinguponfederalandstatebudgetsandballotpropositionsapprovedbyvoters.StatefundingprogramspertinenttotheproposedBasinPlanamendmentaresummarizedanddescribedbelow.AdditionalinformationcanbefoundontheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardwebpage(http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/).AgriculturalDrainageLoanProgramTheAgriculturalDrainageLoanProgramwascreatedbytheWaterConservationandWaterQualityBondActof1986toaddresstreatment,storage,conveyance,ordisposalofagriculturaldrainagewaterthatthreatenswatersoftheState.Thereisafundingcapof$20millionforimplementationprojectsand$100,000forfeasibilitystudies.Loanrepaymentsareforaperiodofupto20years.AgriculturalDrainageManagementLoanProgramTheAgriculturalDrainageManagementLoanProgram,createdbyProposition204anddistributedthroughtheAgriculturalDrainageManagementSubaccount,providesloanandgrantfundingforDrainageWaterManagementUnits.DrainageWaterManagementUnitsarelandandfacilitiesforthetreatment,storage,conveyance,reductionordisposalofagriculturaldrainagewaterthat,ifdischargeduntreated,wouldpolluteorthreatentopollutethewatersoftheState.Thisprogramisavailabletoanycity,county,district,jointpowerauthority,orotherpoliticalsubdivisionoftheStateinvolvedwithwatermanagement.AgriculturalWaterQualityGrantsProgramTheAgriculturalWaterQualityGrantProgramprovidesfundingforprojectsthatreduceoreliminatenon‐pointsourcepollutiondischargetosurfacewatersfromagriculturallands.FundingfromPropositions50hasapproximately$15millioningrantfundingisavailableunderthisfundingcycle.Eligibleprojectsinclude:

AgriculturalWaterUseEfficiencyImplementationProjectsthatresultinwatersavings,increasedin‐streamflow,increasedwaterquality,andincreasedenergyefficiency

AgriculturalWaterUseEfficiencyTechnicalAssistance,Planning,FeasibilityStudies,ResearchandDevelopment,Training,Education,PublicOutreach,andPilotprojects


FederalCleanWaterActSection319NonpointSourceImplementationProgramThisprogramisanannualfederallyfundednonpointsourcepollutioncontrolprogramthatisfocusedoncontrollingactivitiesthatimpairbeneficialusesandonlimitingpollutanteffectscausedbythoseactivities.Statesmustestablishpriorityrankingsforwatersonlistsofimpairedwatersanddevelopactionplans,knownasTotalMaximumDailyLoads(TMDLs),toimprovewaterquality.ProjectproposalsthataddressTMDLimplementationandthosethataddressproblemsinimpairedwatersarefavoredintheselectionprocess.Thereisalsoafocusonimplementingmanagementactivitiesthatleadtoreductionand/orpreventionofpollutantsthatthreatenorimpairsurfaceandgroundwaters.CleanWaterStateRevolvingFundTheFederalWaterPollutionControlAct(CleanWaterActorCWA),asamendedin1987,providesforestablishmentofaCleanWaterStateRevolvingFund(CWSRF)program.Theprogramisfundedbyfederalgrants,Statefunds,andRevenueBonds.ThepurposeoftheCWSRFprogramistoimplementtheCWAandvariousStatelawsbyprovidingfinancialassistancefortheconstructionoffacilitiesorimplementationofmeasuresnecessarytoaddresswaterqualityproblemsandtopreventpollutionofthewatersoftheState.TheCWSRFLoanProgramprovideslow‐interestloanfundingforconstructionofpublicly‐ownedwastewatertreatmentfacilities,localsewers,sewerinterceptors,waterrecyclingfacilities,aswellas,expandeduseprojectssuchasimplementationofnonpointsource(NPS)projectsorprograms,developmentandimplementationofestuaryComprehensiveConservationandManagementPlans,andstormwatertreatment.IntegratedRegionalWaterManagementGrantsIntegratedRegionalWaterManagement(IRWM)isacollaborativeefforttomanageallaspectsofwaterresourcesinaregion.IRWMcrossesjurisdictional,watershed,andpoliticalboundaries;involvesmultipleagencies,stakeholders,individuals,andgroups;andattemptstoaddresstheissuesanddifferingperspectivesofalltheentitiesinvolvedthroughmutuallybeneficialsolutions.

TheDepartmentofWaterResourceshasanumberofIRWMgrantprogramfundingopportunities.CurrentIRWMgrantprogramsinclude:planning,implementation,andstormwaterfloodmanagement.DWR'sIRWMGrantProgramsaremanagedwithinDWR'sDivisionofIRWMbytheFinancialAssistanceBranchwithassistancefromtheRegionalPlanningBranchandregionaloffices.

10.4.2SummaryofPertinentFederalFundingProgramsSeveralfederalagencies,includingbutnotlimitedtotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,NOAAFisheries,U.S.FishandWildlifeService,andUSDANaturalResourcesConservationService,alsoprovidegrantsandotherfundingopportunities.Table10‐4presentedbelowprovidesasummaryofthepertinentfederalfundingprograms.


TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyprovidesaccessthroughitswebpagetoacatalogoffederalfundingopportunities:http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/shedfund/databases.cfmTheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture–NaturalResourceConservationServicehasawidevarietyofagricultural/timberfinancialsupportprograms.TheEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP)isavoluntaryprogramthatprovidesfinancialandtechnicalassistancetoagriculturalproducersthroughcontractsuptoamaximumtermoftenyearsinlength.Thesecontractsprovidefinancialassistancetohelpplanandimplementconservationpracticesthataddressnaturalresourceconcernsandforopportunitiestoimprovesoil,water,plant,animal,airandrelatedresourcesonagriculturallandandnon‐industrialprivateforestland.Inaddition,apurposeofEQIPistohelpproducersmeetFederal,State,Tribalandlocalenvironmentalregulations.Thefinancialassistanceprogramsinclude:AgriculturalManagementAssistanceAgriculturalWaterEnhancementProgramAirQualityInitiativeCooperativeConservationPartnershipInitiativeConservationInnovationGrantsConservationStewardshipProgramEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgramEmergencyWatershedProtectionProgramWildlifeHabitatIncentiveProgramWebsite http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig/Foradditionalagriculturespecificgrants:http://www.grants.gov/search‐grants.html?fundingCategories%3DAG%7CAgriculture


Table10‐4SummaryofPertinentFederalFundingPrograms

FundingProgram ProgramDescriptionAquaticEcosystemRestoration(CAPSection206)

Workunderthisauthoritymaycarryoutaquaticecosystemrestorationprojectsthatwillimprovethequalityoftheenvironment,areinthepublicinterest,andarecost‐effective.ThereisnorequirementthatanexistingCorpsprojectbeinvolved

BringBacktheNativesGrantProgram

TheBringBacktheNativesinitiative(BBN)fundson‐the‐groundeffortstorestorenativeaquaticspeciestotheirhistoricrange.Projectsshouldinvolvepartnershipsbetweencommunities,agencies,privatelandowners,andorganizationsthatseektorehabilitatestreamsideandwatershedhabitats.Projectsshouldfocusonhabitatneedsofspeciessuchasfish,invertebrates,andamphibiansthatoriginallyinhabitedthewaterwaysacrossthecountry.FundingfortheBBNprogramisadministeredthroughNFWFfromfederalagenciescooperatingtosupportthisprogram.CooperatingagenciesandorganizationsincludetheUSFishandWildlifeService(USFWS),BureauofLandManagement(BLM),USDAForestService(USFS),andTroutUnlimited(TU).

CoastalProgram TheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(USFWS)CoastalProgramworkstoconservehealthycoastalhabitatsonpublicorprivatelandforthebenefitoffish,wildlife,andpeoplein22specificcoastalareas.Theprogramformscooperativepartnershipsdesignedto(1)protectcostalhabitatsbyprovidingtechnicalassistanceforconservationeasementsandacquisitions;(2)restorecoastalwetlands,uplands,andriparianareas;and(3)removebarrierstofishpassageincoastalwatershedsandestuaries.Programbiologistsproviderestorationexpertiseandfinancialassistancetofederalandstateagencies,localandtribalgovernments,businesses,privatelandowners,andconservationorganizationssuchaslocallandtrustsandwatershedcouncils.

Community‐basedHabitatRestorationPartnershipGrants

TheNOAACommunity‐basedRestorationProgram(NOAACRP)providesfundsforsmall‐scale,locallydrivenhabitatrestorationprojectsthatfosternaturalresourcestewardshipwithincommunities.Theprogramseekstobringtogetherdiversepartnerstoimplementhabitatrestorationprojectstobenefitlivingmarineresources.Projectsmightincluderestoringsaltmarshes,mangroves,andothercoastalhabitats;improvingfishpassageandhabitatqualityforanadromousspecies;removingdams;restoringandcreatingoysterreefs,removingexoticvegetationandreplantingwithnativespecies;andsimilarprojectstorestorehabitatorimprovehabitatqualityforpopulationsofmarineandanadromousfish.

ConservationReserveProgram

TheConservation ReserveProgram(CRP)isavoluntaryprogramforagriculturallandowners.ThroughCRP,youcanreceiveannualrentalpaymentsandcost‐shareassistancetoestablishlong‐term,resourceconservingcoversoneligiblefarmland.

ConservationSecurityProgram

TheConservationSecurityProgram(CSP)isavoluntaryconservationprogramthatsupportsongoingstewardshipofprivatelandsbyprovidingpaymentformaintainingandenhancingnaturalresources.CSPidentifiesandrewardsthosefarmersandrancherswhoaremeetingthehigheststandardsofconservationandenvironmentalmanagementontheiroperations.

Cooperative Watershed Management Program

DepartmentoftheInteriorBureauofReclamation.ThepurposeoftheCooperativeWatershedManagementProgramistoenhancewaterconservation,includingalternativeuses;improvewaterquality;improveecologicalresiliencyofariverorstream;,andtoreduceconflictsoverwateratthewatershedlevelbysupportingtheformationofwatershedgroupstodeveloplocalsolutionstoaddresswatermanagementissues.

EmergencyWatershed

TheUSDANaturalResourcesConservationService'sEmergencyWatershedProtection(EWP)programhelpsprotectlivesandpropertythreatenedby



FundingProgram ProgramDescriptionProtection naturaldisasterssuchasfloods,hurricanes,tornadoes,droughts,and

wildfires.EWPprovidesfundingforsuchworkasclearingdebrisfromcloggedwaterways,restoringvegetation,andstabilizingriverbanks.Themeasuresthataretakenmustbeenvironmentallyandeconomicallysoundandgenerallybenefitmorethanonepropertyowner.EWPalsoprovidesfundstopurchasefloodplaineasementsasanemergencymeasure.Floodplaineasementsrestore,protect,maintain,andenhancethefunctionsofthefloodplain;conservenaturalvaluesincludingfishandwildlifehabitat,waterquality,floodwaterretention,groundwaterrecharge,andopenspace;reducelong‐termfederaldisasterassistance;andsafeguardlivesandpropertyfromfloods,drought,andtheproductsoferosion.EWPcanprovideupto90percentcostshareinlimitedresourceareasasdeterminedbytheUSCensus.

EnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram

TheUSDANaturalResourcesConservationService'sEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP)wasestablishedtoprovideavoluntaryconservationprogramforfarmersandrancherstoaddresssignificantnaturalresourceneedsandobjectives.EQIPofferscontractswithaminimumtermthatendsoneyearaftertheimplementationofthelastscheduledpracticesandamaximumtermoftenyears.Thesecontractsprovidefinancialassistancetoprogramparticipantstoimplementconservationpractices.Personsorlegalentities,whoareownersoflandunderagriculturalproductionorwhoareengagedinlivestockoragriculturalproductiononeligiblelandmayparticipateinEQIP.EQIPactivitiesarecarriedoutaccordingtoanenvironmentalqualityincentivesprogramplanofoperationsdevelopedinconjunctionwiththeproducerthatidentifiestheappropriateconservationpracticeorpracticestoaddresstheresourceconcerns.ThepracticesaresubjecttoNRCStechnicalstandardsadaptedforlocalconditions.NRCSapprovestheplanofoperationsandobligatescontractfundsfortheconservationpracticeslistedintheplanofoperations.

FarmandRanchLandsProtectionProgram(FRPP)

TheUSDANaturalResourcesConservationService'sFarmlandProtectionProgram(FPP)isavoluntaryprogramthathelpsfarmersandrancherskeeptheirlandinagricultureandpreventsconversionofagriculturallandtonon‐agriculturaluses.Theprogramprovidesmatchingfundstoorganizationswithexistingfarmlandprotectionprogramsthatenablethemtopurchaseconservationeasements.Theseentitiespurchaseeasementsfromlandownersinexchangeforalumpsumpayment,nottoexceedtheappraisedfairmarketvalueoftheland'sdevelopmentrights.Theeasementsareforperpetuityunlessprohibitedbystatelaw.Eligiblelandislandonafarmorranchthathasprime,unique,statewide,orlocallyimportantsoilorcontainshistoricalorarchaeologicalresources;supportsthepolicyofaStateorlocalfarmandranchlandprotectionpolicy;issubjecttoapendingofferbyaneligibleentity;andincludescropland,rangeland,grassland,pastureland,forestlandandotherincidentallandthatispartofanagriculturaloperation.

Five‐StarRestorationProgram

TheEPAsupportstheFive‐StarRestorationProgrambyprovidingfundstotheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundationanditspartners,theNationalAssociationofCounties,NOAA'sCommunity‐basedRestorationProgramandtheWildlifeHabitatCouncil.Thesegroupsthenmakesubgrantstosupportcommunity‐basedwetlandandriparianrestorationprojects.Competitiveprojectswillhaveastrongon‐the‐groundhabitatrestorationcomponentthatprovideslong‐termecological,educational,and/orsocioeconomicbenefitstothepeopleandtheircommunity.Preferencewill



FundingProgram ProgramDescriptionbegiventoprojectsthatarepartofalargerwatershedorcommunitystewardshipeffortandincludeadescriptionoflong‐termmanagementactivities.Projectsmustinvolvecontributionsfrommultipleanddiversepartners,includingcitizenvolunteerorganizations,corporations,privatelandowners,localconservationorganizations,youthgroups,charitablefoundations,andotherfederal,state,andtribalagenciesandlocalgovernments.Eachprojectwouldideallyinvolveatleastfivepartnerswhoareexpectedtocontributefunding,land,technicalassistance,workforcesupport,orotherin‐kindservicesthatareequivalenttothefederalcontribution.

FishandWildlifeManagementAssistance

DepartmentoftheInteriorFishandWildlifeServiceFundsmaybeusedtoconductfishandwildlifemanagementactivitiesthatalignwiththeconservation,restoration,andmanagementgoalsandprioritiesoftheFishandWildlifeConservationOffices.ThisincludesgoalsandprioritiesidentifiedbytheNationalFishPassageProgram(NFPP)andindividualpartnershipsundertheNationalFishHabitatPartnership(NFHP).Restorationworkcanconsistofhabitatconstructionactivitiessuchasculvertreplacements,damnremovals,fishwayconstruction,installationoffishhabitatstructuresandvegetationplantings.Examplesoffundedactivitiesincludehabitatrestoration(streamimprovementsordeconstructionofbarrierstoincreasequalityofaquatichabitats),monitoringandassessment,removalofbarrierstopassage,fishpropagation,andaquaticplantestablishment.Thisalsoincludeseffortstominimizetheestablishment,spread,andimpactofaquaticinvasivespecies,includingthoseeffortsconductedundertheauspicesoftheState/InterstateAquaticNuisanceSpecies(ANS)ManagementPlanGrantProgram.Technicalassistance–intheformofadviceonbiological,chemical,and/orphysicalaspectsofaproject–isalsoavailabletoawardees.Awardeesareexpectedtoincludeapublicoutreachcomponentintheirproject.ApplicantsapplyingforState/InterstateANSManagementPlanfundsmustbeaStateorInterstateorganizationwithanANSTaskForceapprovedplan.

HealthyForestsReserveProgram

TheHealthyForestsReserveProgram(HFRP)isavoluntaryprogramestablishedforthepurposeofrestoringandenhancingforestecosystemsto:1)promotetherecoveryofthreatenedandendangeredspecies,2)improvebiodiversity;and,3)enhancecarbonsequestration.ProgramimplementationhasbeendelegatedbytheSecretaryofAgriculturetotheNaturalResourcesConservationService.

ForestLegacyProgram

ThroughitsForestLegacyProgram(FLP),theUSDAForestServicesupportsstateeffortstoprotectenvironmentallysensitiveforestlandsfromtheconversiontonon‐forestusesthroughtheuseofconservationeasementsandfee‐simplepurchase.Designedtoencouragetheprotectionofprivatelyownedforestlands,FLPisanentirelyvoluntaryprogram.Theprogramenableslandownerstoretainownershipoftheirlandandcontinuetoearnincomefromitwhilekeepingdrinkingwatersafeandclean,conservingvaluableopenspaceaswellasprotectingcriticalwildlifehabitatsandoutdoorrecreationopportunities.Theprogrampromotesprofessionalforestmanagementandrequiresforestmanagementplans.Theprogramemphasizesstrategicconservation‐workinginpartnershipwithStates,localcommunitiesandnon‐governmentalorganizationstomakeadifferenceonthelandandforcommunitiesbyconservingareasof



FundingProgram ProgramDescriptionunbrokenforest,watershedorrivercorridorforestsorbycomplimentingexistinglandconservationefforts.FLPconservationeasementsrestrictdevelopment,protectarangeofpublicvaluesandmanyrequirepublicaccessforrecreation.

NOAAOpenRiversInitiative

TheNOAAOpenRiversInitiative(ORI)providesfundingandtechnicalexpertiseforcommunity‐driven,smalldamandriverbarrierremovals,primarilyincoastalstates.Projectsareexpectedtoprovideaneconomicboostforcommunities,enhancepublicsafety,andimprovepopulationsofNOAAtrustresourcessuchasstripedbass,Atlanticandshortnosesturgeon,AtlanticandPacificsalmon,Americaneel,Americanshad,bluebackherring,andalewife.Proposalsselectedwillbeimplementedthroughacooperativeagreement

NationalIntegratedWaterQualityProgram(NIWQP)

TheNationalIntegratedWaterQualityProgram(NIWQP)providesfundingforresearch,education,andextensionprojectsaimedatimprovingwaterqualityinagriculturalandruralwatersheds.TheNIWQPhasidentifiedeight"themes"thatarebeingpromotedinresearch,educationandextension.Theeightthemesare(1)Animalmanureandwastemanagement(2)Drinkingwaterandhumanhealth(3)Environmentalrestoration(4)Nutrientandpesticidemanagement(5)Pollutionassessmentandprevention(6)Watershedmanagement(7)Waterconservationandagriculturalwatermanagement(8)Waterpolicyandeconomics.Awardsaremadeinfourprogramareas‐NationalFacilitationProjects,RegionalCoordinationProjects,ExtensionEducationProjects,andIntegratedResearch,EducationandExtensionProjects.Pleasenotethatfundingisonlyavailabletouniversities.

NationalWildlifeRefugeFriendsGroupGrantProgram

TheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundationprovidesgrantsforprojectsthathelporganizationstobeeffectiveco‐stewardsofourNation'simportantnaturalresourceswithintheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem.Thisprogramprovidescompetitiveseedgrantstohelpincreasethenumberandeffectivenessoforganizationsinterestedinassistingtherefugesystemnationwide.Theprogramwillfund:(1)Start‐upGrantstoassiststartingrefugesupportgroupswithformativeand/orinitialoperationalsupport(membershipdrives,training,postage,etc.);(2)CapacityBuildingGrantstostrengthenexistingrefugesupportgroups'capacitytobemoreeffective(outreachefforts,strategicplanning,membershipdevelopment);and(3)ProjectSpecificGrantstosupportaspecificproject(conservationeducationprogramsforlocalschools,outreachprogramsforprivatelandowners,habitatrestorationprojects,etc.)

NativePlantConservationInitiative

TheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation'sNativePlantConservationInitiative(NPCI)supportson‐the‐groundconservationprojectsthatprotect,enhance,and/orrestorenativeplantcommunitiesonpublicandprivateland.Projectstypicallyfallintooneofthreecategoriesandmaycontainelementsofeach:protectionandrestoration,informationandeducation,andinventoryandassessment.Applicantsareencouraged,whenappropriate,toincludeapollinatorcomponentintheirproject.ThisprogramisfundedbytheBureauofLandManagement,ForestService,FishandWildlifeService,andNationalParkService.

NorthAmericanWetlandsConservationActGrantsProgram

TheU.S.FishandWildlifeService'sDivisionofBirdHabitatConservationadministersthismatchinggrantsprogramtocarryoutwetlandsandassociateduplandsconservationprojectsintheUnitedStates,Canada,andMexico.Grantrequestsmustbematchedbyapartnershipwithnonfederal



FundingProgram ProgramDescriptionfundsataminimum1:1ratio.ConservationactivitiessupportedbytheActintheUnitedStatesandCanadaincludehabitatprotection,restoration,andenhancement.Mexicanpartnershipsmayalsodeveloptraining,educational,andmanagementprogramsandconductsustainable‐usestudies.ProjectproposalsmustmeetcertainbiologicalcriteriaestablishedundertheAct.Visittheprogramwebsiteformoreinformation.(Clickonthehyperlinkedprogramnametoseethelistingfor"PrimaryInternet".)

PartnersforFishandWildlifeProgram

ThePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramprovidestechnicalandfinancialassistancetoprivatelandownerstorestorefishandwildlifehabitatsontheirlands.Since1987,theprogramhaspartneredwithmorethan37,700landownerstorestore765,400acresofwetlands;over1.9millionacresofgrasslandsandotheruplandhabitats;and6,560milesofin‐streamandstreamsidehabitat.Inaddition,theprogramhasreopenedstreamhabitatforfishandotheraquaticspeciesbyremovingbarrierstopassage.

PesticideEnvironmentalStewardshipGrants

EPA'sPesticideEnvironmentalStewardshipProgram(PESP)offersgrantstosupportthereductionofrisksfrompesticidesinagriculturalandnon‐agriculturalsettings,andtoimplementpollutionpreventionmeasures.AllorganizationswithacommitmenttopesticideriskreductionareeligibletojoinPESPasmembers,eitherasPartnersorasSupporters.Formoreinformationaboutmembershiprequirementsandavailablegrants,clickontheprogramnameandrefertothelinklistedunder"PrimaryInternet."

ProjectModificationsforImprovementoftheEnvironment(CAPSection1135)

WorkunderthisauthorityprovidesformodificationsinthestructuresandoperationsofwaterresourcesprojectsconstructedbytheCorpsofEngineerstoimprovethequalityoftheenvironment.Additionally,theCorpsmayundertakerestorationprojectsatlocationswhereanexistingCorpsprojecthascontributedtothedegradation.Theprimarygoaloftheseprojectsisecosystemrestorationwithanemphasisonprojectsbenefitingfishandwildlife.Theprojectmustbeconsistentwiththeauthorizedpurposesoftheprojectbeingmodified,environmentallyacceptable,andcompletewithinitself

PullingTogetherInitiative

TheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation'sPullingTogetherInitiative(PTI)providesameansforfederalagenciestopartnerwithstateandlocalagencies,privatelandowners,andotherinterestedpartiestodeveloplong‐termweedmanagementprojectswithinthescopeofanintegratedpestmanagementstrategy.ThegoalsofPTIare:(1)toprevent,manage,oreradicateinvasiveandnoxiousplantsthroughacoordinatedprogramofpublic/privatepartnerships;and(2)toincreasepublicawarenessoftheadverseimpactsofinvasiveandnoxiousplants.PTIprovidessupportonacompetitivebasisfortheformationoflocalweedmanagementarea(WMA)partnerships,allowingthemtodemonstratesuccessfulcollaborativeeffortsanddeveloppermanentfundingsourcesforthemaintenanceofWMAsfromtheinvolvedparties.Successfulprojectswillservetoincreasepublicawarenessandinterestinfuturepartnershipprojects.

WatershedProtectionandFloodPreventionProgram

Alsoknownasthe'WatershedProgram'orthe'PL566Program,'thisprogramprovidestechnicalandfinancialassistancetoaddresswaterresourceandrelatedeconomicproblemsonawatershedbasis.Projectsrelatedtowatershedprotection,floodmitigation,watersupply,waterquality,erosionandsedimentcontrol,wetlandcreationandrestoration,fishandwildlifehabitatenhancement,agriculturalwaterconservation,andpublicrecreationareeligibleforassistance.Technicalandfinancialassistanceisalsoavailableforplanningnewwatershedsurveys.



FundingProgram ProgramDescriptionSustainableAgricultureResearchandEducation

TheSustainableAgricultureResearchandEducation(SARE)programoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureworkstoadvancefarmingsystemsthataremoreprofitable,environmentallysoundandgoodforcommunitiesthroughaninnovativegrantsprogram.Morespecifically,SAREfundsscientificinvestigationandeducationtoreducetheuseofchemicalpesticides,fertilizers,andtoxicmaterialsinagriculturalproduction;toimprovemanagementofon‐farmresourcestoenhanceproductivity,profitability,andcompetitiveness;topromotecrop,livestock,andenterprisediversificationandtofacilitatetheresearchofagriculturalproductionsystemsinareasthatpossessvarioussoil,climatic,andphysicalcharacteristics;tostudyfarmsthathavearemanagedusingfarmpracticesthatoptimizeon‐farmresourcesandconservationpractices;andtopromotepartnershipsamongfarmers,nonprofitorganizations,agribusiness,andpublicandprivateresearchandextensioninstitutions.ClickonprogramnameandcheckthelinkinthePrimaryInternetboxformoreinformationaboutgrantopportunitiesandprogramresults.

WatershedRehabilitationProgram

ThisprogramprovidesFederalcost‐sharefundingfortherehabilitationofagingdamsthatwereinstalledprimarilythroughtheWatershedProtectionandFloodPreventionProgramoverthepast55years.Thepurposeforrehabilitationistoextendtheservicelifeofdamsandbringthemintocompliancewithapplicablesafetyandperformancestandardsortodecommissionthedamssotheynolongerposeathreattolifeandproperty.

WatershedRehabilitationProgram

ThisprogramprovidesFederalcost‐sharefundingfortherehabilitationofagingdamsthatwereinstalledprimarilythroughtheWatershedProtectionandFloodPreventionProgramoverthepast55years.Thepurposeforrehabilitationistoextendtheservicelifeofdamsandbringthemintocompliancewithapplicablesafetyandperformancestandardsortodecommissionthedamssotheynolongerposeathreattolifeandproperty.

WatershedRestorationandEnhancementAgreementAuthority

DepartmentofAgricultureForestService.Projectsthatprotect,enhance,orrestoreresourceswithinawatershedandprovidetangiblebenefitstoachievingForestServicegoalsandobjectivesareallowableunderWyden.Projecttypesarenotlimitedtoactualprojectsontheground;forexample,streamgabioninstallation,checkdamconstruction,fishhabitatrestoration,orculvertcleaning.Watershedanalysisstudies,habitatsurveysandwildlifespeciesmonitoring,dependingonthebenefittoresourceswithinthewatershed,arealsopermissibleunderWyden.AnyprojectcarriedoutunderWydenauthoritymustcomplywithallapplicableFederal,Stateandlocallawsandregulations,policiesandpermitrequirements;forexample,NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,CleanWaterAct,andEndangeredSpeciesAct.Projectsmustbewithinawatershedforthestatedprogramobjectives.UseofgrantsisrestrictedtoStateandPrivateForestryfunding.

WetlandsReserveProgram

Throughthisvoluntaryprogram,theUSDANaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)provideslandownerswithfinancialincentivestorestoreandprotectwetlandsinexchangeforretiringmarginalagriculturalland.Toparticipateintheprogramlandownersmaysellaconservationeasementorenterintoacost‐sharerestorationagreement(landownersvoluntarilylimitfutureuseoftheland,butretainprivateownership).LandownersandtheNRCSjointlydevelopaplanfor



FundingProgram ProgramDescriptiontherestorationandmaintenanceofthewetland.

WildlifeHabitatIncentivesProgram

TheWildlifeHabitatIncentivesProgram(WHIP)isavoluntaryprogramforpeoplewhowanttodevelopandimprovewildlifehabitatonprivatelands.Itprovidesbothtechnicalassistanceandcostsharingtohelpestablishandimprovefishandwildlifehabitat.ParticipantsworkwithUSDA'sNaturalResourcesConservationServicetoprepareawildlifehabitatdevelopmentplaninconsultationwithalocalconservationdistrict.Theplandescribesthelandowner'sgoalsforimprovingwildlifehabitat,includesalistofpracticesandascheduleforinstallingthem,anddetailsthestepsnecessarytomaintainthehabitatforthelifeoftheagreement.


11.0 PUBLICPARTICIPATIONThischapterdescribessomeoftheopportunitiesthathavebeenmadeavailabletothepublicforcommentonandparticipationinthedevelopmentofthePolicytoImplementtheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperatureandActionPlanstoAddressTemperatureImpairmentsintheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverWatersheds.11.1TemperaturePolicyStatementResolutionProcessThePolicyStatementforImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectiveforTemperatureintheNorthCoastRegion(policystatement;ResolutionNo.R1‐2012‐0013)establishedthescopeandapproachofthisPolicyanddirecteditsincorporationintotheBasinPlan.ThecontentofthepolicystatementisincorporatedintothisPolicy.TheRegionalWaterBoardheldthreepublichearingsaspartofthepolicystatementadoptionprocess:onSeptember29,2011,November3,2011,andJanuary19,2012.Thatprocessincludedtwopubliccommentperiods.Additionally,RegionalWaterBoardstaffheldnumerousmeetingswithstakeholdersduringthatprocess.11.2CEQAScopingRegionalWaterBoardstaffheldCEQAscopingmeetingsonFebruary15th,27thand28th,2013,inSantaRosa,Bayside,andYrekaCA,respectively.Forty‐onecommentswerereceivedinwrittenform,while59werereceivedinverbalformatthescopingmeetings.Commentswerereceivedfromfivefederal,stateandlocalagencies,eightnongovernmentalorganizationsandspecial‐interestgroups,andfourindividuals.Seesection9.2.2forfurtherdiscussion.11.3PresentationstotheRegionalWaterBoardRegionalWaterBoardstaffhasprovidedtwoupdatestotheRegionalWaterBoardasinformationitemsatRegionalWaterBoardmeetings.ThefirstofthesewasonMarch15,2012,andfocusedonthescheduleforthedevelopmentofthisPolicy.ThesecondwasonJune13,2013.Atthatmeetingstaffpresentedabroadoverviewofthehistory,approach,status,andremainingstepsintheprocessofdevelopingthisPolicy.11.4OtherActivitiesRegionalWaterBoardstaffhastakentheopportunitytodiscussthedevelopmentandapproachofthisPolicyatvariousmeetingsin2012and2013.StaffhasgivenbriefupdatesandoverviewsofthePolicyattheEelRiverWatershedForum,CalFire’sSectionVTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeetings,aSonomaCountyPlanningCommissionmeeting,andothersimilarvenues.Additionally,stafforganizedameetingwiththeplaintiffsinthelawsuitthatresultedintheStipulatedAgreement(seesection6.1)onMay28,2013.StaffalsoorganizedmeetingswithenvironmentaladvocatesonJune26,2013,FarmBureaurepresentativesonAugust9,2013,andwithforestryadvocatesonAugust13,2013.


11.5TMDLDevelopmentProcessThedevelopmentoftechnicalTMDLanalysesfortheMattole,Navarro,andEelRiverTMDLsincludedafullpublicparticipationprocessatthetimeoftheirdevelopment.Eachoftheprocessesincludedatleastonepublicmeetinginornearthewatershed,aswellasapublichearing,publiccommentsolicitation,andresponsestocomments.ThepublicprocessforeachoftheseTMDLsisdiscussedbelowforcompleteness.ThefollowingdiscussionparaphrasesthepublicparticipationdiscussionscontainedintheindividualTMDLs.MattoleRiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAandRegionalWaterBoardstaffheldtwopublicmeetingsintheMattoleRiverwatershedduringthepubliccommentperiodonthedraftTMDL.ThefirstwasheldonNovember12,2002,attheMattoleGrangeinPetrolia,andthesecondwasheldonNovember13,2002,attheWhitethornGrangeinWhitethorn.StafffromtheUSEPAandtheRegionalWaterBoardstaffgavepresentationsonthecontentofthedraftTMDLandassociatedTechnicalSupportDocument(TSD)andansweredquestionsfromthepublicatthosemeetings.AlegalnoticewasplacedintheEurekaTimes‐StandardandHumboldtBeacon,whicharenewspapersofgeneralcirculationintheMattoleRiverwatershed.Inaddition,thepubliccommentperiodwasannouncedintheMattoleRestorationCouncilnewsletterdistributedduringthecommentperiod.TheUSEPApreparedaresponseforallwrittencommentsonthedraftTMDLsreceivedduringthecommentperiod,aswellasthemajorcommentsfromtheinformationalpublicmeetings.(USEPA2002a)Navarro RiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAplacedapublicnoticeofthedraftNavarroRivertemperatureTMDLintheSantaRosaPressDemocrat,AndersonValleyAdvertiser,andMendocinoBeacon,whicharenewspapersofgeneralcirculationintheNavarroRiverwatershed.TheUSEPAheldapublicmeetingonTuesday,October3,2000,attheAppleHallDiningRoomattheMendocinoCountyFairgroundsinBoonville.Atthemeeting,staffoftheUSEPAandRegionalWaterBoarddescribedtheTMDLandansweredquestionsregardingthem.TheUSEPApreparedawrittenresponsetoallwrittencommentsonthedraftTMDLreceivedbyEPAduringthecommentperiod.Inresponsetocomments,theRegionalWaterBoardstaffconductedadditionaltechnicalanalysisontheimpactsofflowconditionsontemperature.AtechnicaladdendumwaspreparedandthedraftTMDLwasrevised.TheTMDLestablishedbytheUSEPAwerelargelybasedontheTSDpreparedbyRegionalWaterBoardstaff.RegionalWaterBoardstaffprovidedforpublicparticipationinthedevelopmentoftheTSDthroughmeetings,presentations,andanewsletter.(USEPA2000)SouthForkEelRiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAheldtwopublicmeetingsinGarberville,severalmeetingswithinterestedparties,apublichearing,andrespondedtopubliccommentsthroughchangestotheTMDLandacommentresponsesummary.Inaddition,USEPAstaffparticipatedinaradioshowdiscussingtheTMDL.NoticesoftheavailabilityofthedraftTMDLweresenttolocalnewspapersandradiostations,whichgenerated


severalnewspaperarticlesintheEurekaTimesStandardandSantaRosaPressDemocrat.(USEPA1999)NorthForkEelRiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAplacedapublicnoticeofthedraftNorthForkEelRivertemperatureTMDLintheWillitsNewsandSantaRosaPressDemocrat,whichareofgeneralcirculationinMendocinoandTrinityCounty,aswellastoindividualsontheUpperEelWatershedForummailinglist.TheUSEPApreparedawrittenresponsetoallwrittencommentsonthedraftTMDLreceivedduringthecommentperiod.Inaddition,aninformalmeetingtodiscussthedraftTMDLwasheldonSeptember18,2002inCovelo.(USEPA2002b)MiddleForkEelRiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAplacedapublicnoticeofthedraftMiddleForkEelRiverTemperatureTMDLintheWillitsNewsandSantaRosaPressDemocrat,whicharepapersofgeneralcirculationinMendocinoandTrinityCounties.Inaddition,theUSEPAsentanoticetothoseonthemailinglistoftheUpperEelWatershedForum.TheUSEPAheldapublicmeetingonOctober16,2003,inCovelo,California.TheUSEPApreparedaresponsivenesssummarythataddressedallthecommentsthatwerereceivedduringthepubliccommentperiod.(USEPA2003)UpperMainEelRiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAplacedapublicnoticeofthedraftUpperMainEelRiverTemperatureTMDLintheWillitsNewsandSantaRosaPressDemocrat,whicharepapersofgeneralcirculationinMendocinoCounty.TheUSEPAalsometwithPG&E,FriendsoftheEelRiver,andNationalMarineFisheriesServiceduringtheFallof2003.TheUSEPAheldameetinginWillitsduringthesummerof2004forlandownerswhoselandwastobesurveyedforthesedimentsourceanalysis.ThepublicnoticeregardingavailabilityofthedraftUpperMainEelTMDLwaspostedontheUSEPA’swebsite,andmailedoremailedtoadditionalparties.TheUSEPApreparedaresponsivenesssummarythataddressedallthecommentsthatwerereceivedduringthepubliccommentperiod.(USEPA2004)MiddleMainEelRiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAplacedapublicnoticeofthedraftMiddleMainEelRiverTemperatureTMDLintheWillitsNewsandEurekaTimes‐Standard,papersofgeneralcirculationinMendocino,Humboldt,andTrinitycounties.TheUSEPAandtheRegionalWaterBoardstaffalsoheldpublicmeetingsinAlderpointinAprilandNovember2005todiscusstheTMDL.ThepublicnoticeregardingavailabilityofthedraftMiddleMainEelTMDLswaspostedontheUSEPA’swebsiteandmailedoremailedtoadditionalparties.TheUSEPAreceived3commentsonthedraftTMDLandmaderevisionsbaseduponthosecomments.(USEPA2005)LowerMainEelRiverTemperatureTMDLTheUSEPAplacedapublicnoticeofthedraftLowerEelRiverTemperatureTMDLintheWillitsNewsandEurekaTimes‐Standard,papersofgeneralcirculationin


MendocinoandHumboldtcounties.TheUSEPAalsodiscussedtheTMDLwithvariouslandownersinthewatershed,beginninginearly2006.ThepublicnoticeregardingavailabilityofthedraftLowerEelRiverTMDLwaspostedontheUSEPA’swebsiteandmailedoremailedtoadditionalparties.ApublicmeetingonthedraftLowerEelRiverTemperatureTMDLwasheldonOctober22,2007,attheSixRiversNationalForestconferenceroominEureka,California.TheUSEPAalsorespondedtoinquiriesforinformationduringthepubliccommentperiod.TheUSEPAreviewedallwrittencommentsthatwerereceivedduringthepubliccommentperiod,revisedthefinalTMDLasappropriate,andpreparedaresponsivenesssummarythataddressesthecommentsreceived.(USEPA2007)


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A‐1ResponsetoPeerReviewCommentsonthePeerReviewDraftPolicyfortheImplementationoftheWater

QualityObjectivesforTemperature

Appendix1:RegionalWaterBoardStaffResponsetoPeerReviewCommentsonthePeerReviewDraftStaffReport

SupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature

August28,2013

InaccordancewithSection57004oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,theNorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard(RegionalWaterBoard)isrequiredtoreceiveexternalscientificpeerreviewofthescientificbasisofanyproposedamendmenttotheWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegion(BasinPlan).ThisdocumentisacompilationofcommentsprovidedbythescientificpeerreviewersofthePeerReviewDraftStaffReportSupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature,July12013.ThefollowingindividualsprovidedscientificpeerreviewofthePeerReviewDraftStaffReportSupportingthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectivesforTemperature:

MarkT.Stacey,Ph.D.Professor,DepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringUniversityofCaliforniaJohnC.Stella,Ph.D.AssistantProfessorDepartmentofForestandNaturalResourcesManagementStateUniversityofNewYorkSallyE.Thompson,Ph.D.AssistantProfessorDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringUniversityofCalifornia

Thereviewerswereaskedtoevaluate6statementsrepresentingtheassumptions,assertions,andconclusionsthatconstitutethescientificbasisoftheproposedactionstodeterminewhetherthescientificportionoftheproposedruleisbaseduponsoundscientificknowledge,methods,andpractices.Reviewerswerealsoinvitedtoaddressanyotherscientificissuesthatshouldbepartofthescientificportionoftheproposedrulethatarenototherwisedescribed.Finally,thereviewerswereinvitedtocommentonwhethertakenasawhole,thescientificportionoftheproposedactionsarebaseduponsoundscientificknowledge,methods,andpractices.Thereviewer’scommentsandRegionalWaterBoardstaffresponsesarepresentedbelow.



1.Increasedsolarradiationloadsaretheprimarycontrollabledriverofelevatedwatertemperatures.Increasingsolarradiationloads(decreasedshade)resultinincreasingstreamtemperatures.Preservingshadeisalegitimatemeansofpreventingstreamtemperatureincreases.Stacey1:Theapproachofpreservingshadeiswellarguedandpresented,buttheconceptualmodelforhowshadeinteractswithotherfactorsshouldbefurtherdeveloped,inparticulartheroleofairtemperature,equilibriumtemperatureandtheinteractionofshadeandflowindefiningthespatialstructureofwatertemperaturemustbeconsideredbothinthediscussionofthefactorsthatgovernwatertemperatureandindefiningthe“naturalstate”forthesystem(discussedabovein“BigPicture”comments).RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Additionaldiscussiondescribingequilibriumtemperatureandtheinteractionoftemperaturedrivershasbeenaddedtothereportinresponsetothecomment.Thompson1:Firstly,itisclearfromthereviewpresentedbythescientistshere,aswellasotherresearch,thatsolarradiationisnotalwaystheprimarydriverofelevatedwatertemperatures.Examplescanbereadilyfoundwhereloweredgroundwatertables(Loinaz,Davidsenetal.2013),surfacewaterdiversions,point‐scaledischarges(Loinaz,Davidsenetal.2013),agriculturalreturnflows(Oremland,Steinbergetal.1991;Fujimoto,Ouchietal.2008),andpotentiallyanthropogenicclimatechange(Roth,Westhoffetal.2010)contributetostreamtemperatureincreases.WhileConclusion5“Evaluationoftheseimpactsismostappropriateonasite‐specific,case‐by‐casebasis”broadlycoversthesedistinctions,itmaybeappropriatetoconsiderrephrasingConclusion1:“IncreasedsolarradiationloadsarelikelytobetheprimarycontrollabledriverofelevatedwatertemperaturesinmostwaterwaysintheNorthCoastRegion.”RegionalWaterBoardresponse:RegionalWaterBoardstaffacknowledgethatthesuggestedqualifiersareappropriate.TheconclusionreferredtowaswrittentodirectthereviewerstothescientificissuesinthePolicy;however,thespecificlanguageisnotcontainedinthePolicy.Thetemperatureimpactsassociatedwithsurfacewaterdiversions,pointsourcedischarges,andagriculturalreturnflowsareaddressedthroughthisPolicy.Staffhavemodifiedthestaffreporttoreflectthequalifiedstatement.Thompson2:Secondlyitisnotclearthatpreservingshadewillalwaysbeeffectiveinpreventingstreamtemperatureincreases.Thevalueofriparianshadingfortemperaturemodificationiscontingentonchannelwidth(Moore,Spittlehouseetal.2005).In



largestreamswhereripariancanopiescannoteffectivelyshadetheentirewatersurface,riparianshadingisunlikelytomodifystreamtemperatureonaverage(Lee,Huangetal.2012).Similarly,theimportanceofriparianshadingfortemperaturecontrolappearstovarythroughouttherivernetwork.Arecentstudysuggeststhatriparianbuffersmayhaveminimalinfluenceonthetemperatureofheadwaterstreams.Inaclear‐cutexperimentsover11smallheadwaterchannels(1.9–8.5hawatersheds)inWashingtonState,Janischetal.(2012)foundnosignificantdifferencesintemperaturebetweenclearcutchannels,continuouslybufferedchannels,andpatch‐bufferedchannels.Treecoverprovidedlittlepredictiveinsightintotemperaturechanges,whichweremorestronglycorrelatedtothetotalwatersurfaceareainthestreams.Again,thecase‐by‐caseapproachsuggestedinConclusion5issuitableforaddressingmanyofthesespecialcases.Theseobservationsdosuggest,however,thatamorecautiousstatementaboutthelegitimacyofpreservingshadetomaintainlowstreamtemperaturesmightbewarranted.“Whereexistingstreamchannelshadingisextensiveorcanotherwisebeshowntorepresentasignificantcontrolonstreamtemperatures,preservingshadeisalegitimatemeansofpreventingstreamtemperatureincreases.”RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffagreesthatshadeisnotaneffectivemeansofpreventingtemperatureincreasesinstreamswithgreatwidthsinrelationtotreeheights,onaverage.StaffalsoagreeswithDr.Thompson’scomment(Thompson12)thatshadeprovidedbyvegetationmaybeecologicallysignificantinsituationswhereitreducessolarloadingtothermalrefuges.Languageacknowledgingtheseconceptshasbeenincorporatedintothestaffreport.StaffhavereviewedthearticlebyJanisch,etal(2012),andnotetheauthors’reservationsthatconfoundingfactorswerenotcontrolledintheexperiment,suchastheshadeprovidedbyslashdebris,thecompositionofthestreambedsubstrate,andthedegreeofinteractionwithwetlands.Boththeinteractionwithwetlandsandthesubstratecompositionwereshowntocorrelatewithtemperaturesafterthefact.Furthermore,theauthorspointoutthatwhiletheresultsofthestudygenerallyshowhighertemperatureincreasesinclearcutstreamsversusbufferedstreams,theresultsdidnotagreewithotherstudiesofheadwaterstreams(Gomietal2006),thatshowedmuchhighertemperatureincreasesassociatedwithlossofshade.Theauthorspointouttheextremelylowflowsthatexistedduringtheexperiment,aswellasthepossibilitythatthetemperatureswerebufferedbyhyporheicexchange.Thesumofthisinformationindicatesthatinsomecasesthermalprocessesotherthansolarinsolationmaybethedominantprocessdeterminingstreamtemperatures.Languageacknowledgingthisconcepthasbeenincorporatedintothestaffreport.



Thompson3:Sitepotentialeffectiveshade:Thesitepotentialeffectiveshadeconceptisappealing,butwillpresentchallengesintermsofevaluationoverlargescales,realismandconsistencybetweendifferentlocationswithdifferentlandusehistory,climate,geologyetc.Inhighlydisturbedsystemswherestreamsarealreadyextensivelymanaged,linkingchannelstolocalnaturalbenchmarksmaybeunrealistic.BysettingTMDLlevelsonshadeasafunctionofpotentialshading,problematicsituationscouldarisewheretheshadecouldbeconsideredhighlyimpacted,evenwherefullshadingwoulddolittletoaffectbulkstreamtemperatures(thelowerreachesoflargeriversagainprovideanexampleofthissituation).Thesedistinctionsareaddressedatthepolicylevelbasedontheproposedsite‐specificapproach.TheTMDLdevelopment,however,doesnotseemtohaveadoptedafullysite‐specificapproachbylinkingTMDLstopotentialeffectiveshading,ratherthanthetemperaturechangesthatcouldbeachievedbypotentialeffectiveshading.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Thetopicofwhenshadecontrolsarenoteffectiveatcontrollingtemperatures,suchaswidestreamchannelsrelativetotheheightofvegetation,hasbeenincorporatedintothestaffreport.Stella1:Fromthelargenumberofstudiesconducted,itappearsthatriparianshadeisthemajordriverofwatertemperaturethatcanbecontrolleddirectlybyhumanlandmanagementactions…RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.2.Theestablishmentofriparianbuffersfortemperatureprotectionisaneffectiveandimportantmanagementmeasureforthecontrolofsometypesofsedimentanddischarges.Stacey2:Ifoundthereportconvincingthatmanymanagementactionswouldacttocontrolsedimentdischargeandwatertemperaturesimultaneously.However,thecausallinkbetweensedimentloadsandwatertemperatureislesswellestablished,butinmyopinionitdoesn’tneedtobe.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.Thecausallinkbetweensedimentloadsandwatertemperatureisdiscussedbelow.Thompson4:Itisuncontroversialthatthepresenceofriparianvegetationwillreduceratesofbankerosionandsedimentmobilizationinmanycircumstances(Liu,Zhangetal.



2008).Providedthespatialextentofriparianvegetationislargeenough(bothintermsofbufferwidth,bufferslopeandbufferlengthalongthechannel),andthevegetationissufficientlydense,itisfeasiblethatriparianvegetationwillprovideanimportantmanagementmeasuretopreventadditionofsedimentintostreams.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.Thompson5:Twothingsareunclearinthisconclusionspecifically,andinthepolicyoverall.Thefirstisthebasisfordefiningariparianbuffer.Thesecondiswhetherthe“establishmentofriparianbuffers”isintendedpurelyasapreventativemeasure(topreserveexistingvegetationandpreventfutureimpacts)orifitalsoisconsideredatechniqueformitigation,offsetorrestoration.Assessingthelikelyvalueofrestorationforbothsedimentandtemperaturemanagementperspectivesisconsiderablymoreproblematicthanassessingthevalueofprevention.Ihaveexpandedonthesecommentsunderthe“BigPicture”section.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Theseissuesareaddressedintheresponsetothe“bigpicture”comments,below.Thompson6:Alltheprovidedsupportinginformationrelatestoin‐channelgeomorphology,whichmaybenegativelyimpactedbyincreasedsedimentloadingonstreams.Theadditionalroleofsedimentinincreasingturbidity,whichalterstheabsorptionoflightbythewatercolumnwasnotdiscussed(Henderson‐Sellers1986).Itisunclearwhetherthisfactorhasbeenoverlookedorconsideredunimportantinthisstudy.Itmaybemoredirecttodevelopconclusionsaboutchannelgeomorphology,andthevalueofriparianvegetationforchannelgeomorphology(bystabilizationofbanksandregulationofsedimentdischarges).RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffhasbeenunabletofindsupportintheliteratureforthehypothesisthatturbidityhasasignificanteffectonstreamtemperatures.Staffarefamiliarwiththeliteratureonstreamheatingprocessesandnotethattheseminalworksonthetopicaresilentonthetopicofturbidity(e.g.,PooleandBerman2001,SinokrotandStefan1993,Webbetal2008).Itmaybethatturbidityimpactsthedistributionoftemperaturesinthewatercolumn.Thenotionthatturbidityleadstoincreasedtemperaturesthroughalteringtheabsorptionoflightdoesn’tcomportwiththeknownpropertiesofwater,wherewaterbodiesactas“blackbodies”withhighabsorptionproperties.Tosomedegreetheissueismoot,becauseturbidityismostoftenpresentattimeswhentemperaturesarenotaconcern,andmoresignificantlyturbidityisapollutantthatisalreadyregulated.Thewaterqualityobjectiveforturbidityrequiresturbiditybeincreasednomorethan20%abovebackground,whichisarelativelystringentstandard.



Stella2:…Maintainingsomeformofriparianbufferprotectionthroughoutanetwork,particularlyinlow‐orderstreamreaches,shouldresultinthepreservationofmoreriparianshadeandconsequentlylowerlevelsofsolarheatingtothewatersurface.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.3.Thediversionandstorageofwaterhasthepotentialtoelevatewatertemperatures.Stacey4:Asdescribedinthe“BigPicture”commentsabove,theinterplaybetweenshade,flowandairtemperature(eventhoughitisexternaltomanagementcontrol)shouldbemoreclearlydevelopedinthereport.Flowhasasimilareffectonwatertemperaturetoshade:bothreducetherateatwhichthewatertemperatureapproachesitsequilibrium.Assuch,changesinflowcanmitigateoraccentuatetheeffectivenessofshadeinpursuingthepolicyobjectives.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:SeeresponsetoStacey1.Thompson7:Again,thisconclusionissubstantivelysound,withminorcaveats.Reductionsinflowwillreducethethermalmassandthevelocitywithinastream.Thiscanbereadilyobservedfromtheenergybalanceequationforareach:

Hereρisthedensityofwater,Cptheheatcapacityofwater,Vthemeanstreamflow,Dthemeandepth,andQisthenetheatexchange.Clearlyforlowerdepthsandvelocities,greatertemperatureincreaseswilloccur(Moore,Spittlehouseetal.2005).Itisnotalwaystrue,however,thatstoragewillincreasetemperatures.TheKlamathRiverstudycitedintheStaffReportsuggeststhatthermaldelaysandreducedtemperatureextremesresultfromdamreleases.Whilethesedelaysandreducedtemperatureextremesmaybeproblematicinunimpairedwaterbodies,theymayalsoofferopportunitiestomitigatethermaleffectsinstreamsthatareexperiencinghightemperatureconditions.



RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffagreethatstorageofwaterdoesn’talwaysincreasetemperatures,andthatmanagementofcoldwaterfromthebottomofreservoirsmayprovideopportunitiestopositivelyaffectwatertemperatures.However,thestatedassumptionisthatthestorageofwaterhasthepotentialtoincreasewatertemperatures;theimplicationisthattheRegionalWaterBoardshouldevaluatesuchconditionswhenconsideringthewaterqualityimpactsassociatedwithonstreamimpoundments.Thompson8:Similarly,diversionofflowsuggeststhatonlysurfacewaterabstractionhasthepotentialtoalterstreamtemperatures.Ingroundwater‐fedstreams,itisclearthatsignificantimpactsmayalsoresultfromgroundwaterpumping.Forinstance,inamodelingstudy,watertablefluctuationsleadingtoreducedgroundwaterinputwereshowntopotentiallyincreasestreamtemperaturesby0.3to1.5oC(Loinaz,Davidsenetal.2013).Thisiscomparabletothechangesassociatedwithsolarradiation.Groundwaterabstractionhasthesamepotentialtoinfluencestreamflowandtemperaturesassurfacediversionsandshouldbeexplicitlyidentifiedassuch.Thus,amoreappropriateconclusionmightbe:Reductionsinstreamflowduetosurfacewaterdiversion,groundwaterabstractionorstorageofwaterhavethepotentialtoelevatewatertemperaturesandalterthemagnitudeandtemporalpatternofin‐‐streamtemperaturevariations.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffagreesthatgroundwaterwithdrawalshavepotentialtoimpactstreamtemperatures,dependingonthesituation.Thetopicisexplicitlyidentifiedinsection4.3(hydrodynamics)inrelationtotheScottRiverTMDL.ThePolicydirectsstafftoaddress“…activitieswiththepotentialtoreduceinstreamsummerflowsorreducesourcesofcoldwater…”,whichincludesreductionsofcoldwaterderivedfromgroundwater.4.ThePolicycomprehensivelyidentifiesthetemperaturefactorsthatmustbeaddressed.Stacey4:Ithinkthereportdoesagoodjobofidentifyingtheimportantcontrollablefactors,buttheirinteractionisnotwell‐developed,andIthinkitisamistaketoleaveoutfactorsthatarenotunder(immediate)humancontrol(specificallyairtemperature).Further,althoughManning’snisidentifiedasafactor,itisdiscountedquicklyanditseffectonbothdepthandflow,andhencewatertemperature,arenotdeveloped.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:



Additionaldiscussiondescribingequilibriumtemperatureandtheinteractionoftemperaturedrivers,aswellasairtemperaturesandchannelroughness(Manning’sn)hasbeenaddedtothereportinresponsetothisandothercommentsofferedbyDr.Stacey.Thompson9:Thepolicyhasidentifiedthemajorfactorsthatmustbeaddressed,howeverthereisscopetobemoreexplicitandtoaddsomefurtherfactorsthatarelikelytobeminorinmostcases,butmightbeimportantinsomespecificinstances:

1.Asdiscussedabove,turbidityaltersstreamenergybudgets,andhasnotbeenexplicitlyaddressedinthispolicy.

2.Groundwaterabstractionshouldbemoreexplicitlyidentifiedasafactorimpactingtemperature.Listingitasa“landuse”factorisindirect.

3.Similarly,surfacewaterabstractionshouldbeexplicitlyidentifiedasafactor,ratherthanconsideringitafunctionoflanduse.

4.Recentstudieshighlightanationaltrendofincreasingstreamtemperatures.Onepotentialreasonforthismaybeglobalwarming(Kaushal,Likensetal.2010).Whileitisunlikelythatthiscanbeaddressedatthelocallevel,itmaybeimportanttoconsiderstrongerlocalmitigationtargetstooffsetthisbackgroundofregionaltemperaturerise.Forexample,if1oCtemperatureriseswereexpectedduetobackgroundwarming,itmaybemoreappropriatetolimitin‐‐‐streamwarmingto4oCratherthan5oC,asanuncontrollablefactorwouldbelikelytoimposetheadditional1oCrise.

5.Urbanizationisstronglyassociatedwithincreasedstreamtemperatures,andurbanstormwatermaythusmeritconsiderationasapointsourceofheat(Kaushal,Likensetal.2010).WhileNorthernCaliforniaisnotextensivelyimpactedbyurbanization,populationgrowthintheregionislikelytomeanthaturbanlandareawillincreaseinthefuture.Sinceurbandevelopmentisoftenplannedandregulated,therearerealopportunitiestodesignurbanwatermanagementtominimizethermalimpactsonreceivingwaterbodies.

6.Irrigationreturnflowshavearealpotentialtoprovideapointheatsourceandmayrequiremoreovertconsideration(Oremland,Steinbergetal.1991;Fujimoto,Ouchietal.2008).

RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Thefollowingresponsescorrespondtothenumberedpointsabove:1:Seeresponsetocomment“Thompson6”,above.2&3:Theintentistoaddresstemperatureconcernswithwaterwithdrawals,bothsurfaceandsubsurface.Thewording“landusesassociatedwith”ismeanttobebroadtocovertherangeofactivitiesthatmayreducecoldwaterflows.Oftenthereductionsinflowsareassociatedwithactivediversions,butotherlanduseactivities,suchasthosethatlimitoreliminategroundwaterrechargeresultingin



decreasedgroundwaterinputstoastream,forinstance,arenotassociatedwithdiversions.Texthasbeenaddedtothereportdiscussingthistopic.4.Additionaltexthasbeenaddeddiscussingtheissueofglobalwarmingandtheassociatedregulatoryimplications.5&6.ThePolicyexplicitlydirectstheRegionalWaterBoardtoprevent,minimize,andmitigatetemperaturealterationsassociatedwith“(t)hequality,quantity,locationandtimingofeffluent,stormwater,andagriculturalreturnflowdischarges.”5.Evaluationoftheriskoftemperatureimpactsassociatedwithaprojectismostappropriateonasite‐specific,case‐by‐casebasis.Stacey5:Ibelievethisbalanceishandled,andjustified,well.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.Thompson10:Itishighlyappropriatethattemperatureimpactsshouldbeevaluatedonasitespecific,case‐by‐casebasis.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.6.Thetypesofactionsnecessarytorecoverawaterbodythatistemperatureimpairedduetoreductionsinstreamshadearethesametypesofactionsthatpreventawaterbodyfrombecomingtemperatureimpaired.Stacey6:Icommendtheauthorsontheclaritywithwhichtheyaddressedthisissue.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.Thompson11:Thisisscientificallyjustifiable.Theonlypointofdifferentiationthatrequiresclarificationishowthepolicyrelatestomitigation/offsets/restoration,inthecontextofimpairedversusunimpairedwaterbodies.Thereismoreconfidenceandagreaterchanceofsuccessassociatedwithpreventingtemperatureimpairmentthroughtherecommendedstrategiesthanthereisinreversingtemperatureimpairmentthroughrestoration,mitigationoroffsetcreation.Seebigpicturecommentsbelow.



RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Commentnoted.Theissueofpreventionvsrestorationisaddressedbelow.7.“BigPicture”Comments:Stacey7:DiscussionofConceptualmodel.Theauthorsmakeitclearthatmultiplefactorsaresimultaneouslyactingtoalterstreamtemperatures,butthedescriptiontheyprovideseemstoconveyaconceptualmodelthatdoesnotaddresstheinteractionsbetweenthevariousfactors.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:SeeresponsetoStacey1.Stacey8:Further,theroleoflong‐termatmosphericwarmingmustbebetterintegratedintothediscussion,asshade,flowandotherfactorsmustallbeconsideredinthatcontext.Briefly,airtemperature,whichwillincreasebyseveraldegreesundermostclimateprojections,establishestheequilibriumtemperatureforawaterbody.Theotherfactorsdescribedinthisreport,includingshade,flow,andratioofdepthtowidth,affecttherate(inspaceortime)atwhichthewatertemperatureapproachesthatequilibrium.Asaresult,ifairtemperaturesincrease,thedemandsonshade,flowandotherfactorswillincreaseifwatertemperaturesaretobepreserved.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:SeeresponsestoStacey1,Stacey4,andThompson9.Stacey9:Itrytoillustratetheseinteractionswiththefollowing,conceptualfigureshowingtheevolutionofwatertemperaturealonganarbitrarychannelreach:



Inthiscase,westartatacooltemperature(‘Tst’)attheupstreamendofthereach,andthenthewatersapproachtheequilibriumtemperature(‘Teq’)withdistancealongthereach.HereIshowthetemperaturesactuallyreachingtheequilibriumtemperature,butofcoursethatmayormaynothappenwithinagivenreach.Thekeypointhereisthatthebasecasetrajectorywillbedeterminedbytheequilibriumtemperature,whichisitselfstronglydependentonairtemperatureandwillincreaseovertimewithclimateforcing.Thesecondcaseshowninthefigureillustratestheeffectsofincreasedflow(dashedredline),whichdecreasestheeffectivespatialrateofapproachtotheequilibriumtemperature(notethatthetemporalrateofincreaseremainsthesame,butthewholetemperaturedistributionispusheddownstream).Thefinalcaseillustrateshowaregionofcompleteshadingmodifiesthetemperaturetrajectory(dashedgreenline).HereIshowtheextremecasewhereinaportionofthereach(thepartwiththeflatpartofthegreencurve)thewatertemperaturedoesnotincreaseatallinordertoillustratethespatialinteractionsbetweenthesethreedrivingforces.Notethatdownstreamoftheshadedsection,thewatertemperatureagainbeginstoincreasetowardstheequilibriumtemperature;thisrateofincreaseisdeterminedbytheflowrate.Assuch,bothshadeandflowhavesimilarbufferingeffectsonwatertemperature–theyextentthecoolwatersignaturefromupstreamfurtherdownintothereach–



butneitheraddressestheequilibriumtemperaturethatwouldbereachedattheendofalongreach.Ithinkthereportwouldbenefitfromaclearer,andmorecomplete,presentationofthesefactorsandhowtheyinteracttodeterminethedistributionofwatertemperaturealongastreamreach.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:StaffagreewiththeDr.Stacey’sdescriptionoftheseprocesses.Theconceptsdiscussedabovehavebeenincorporatedintothestaffreport.Stacey10:Thisalsoleadstoarelatedquestionastohowthe“naturalstate”shouldbedefined.If“naturalstate”isbasedonhistoricaltemperatures,thenunderwarmingairtemperatures,moreshadeorflowwouldberequiredthanduringhistoricalconditions.Alternatively,if“naturalstate”isbasedonhistoricaldistributionsofshadeandflow,thenpreservingthenaturalstatewillleadtoincreasesinwatertemperatureduetochangesinairtemperature(andequilibriumwatertemperature).Inessence,myconceptualpictureofthegoalsofthepolicyistodoourbesttofightalosingbattleagainstincreasingairandwatertemperatures,bymakinguseofshadeandflowstomitigatetheeffectsofelevatedequilibriumtemperatures.Eventhoughairtemperaturesand,byextension,equilibriumwatertemperaturesarebeyondmanagementcontrol,theyneedtobediscussedinordertoclearlyestablishthegoalsandapproachesofthepolicy.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:ThisPolicyattemptstoachievenaturaltemperaturesbyrestoringandmaintainingtheconditionsthatdrivetemperatureconsistentwiththeirunalteredstates.Dr.Staceyiscorrectinpointingoutthatthisistosomedegreealosingbattleinthefaceofglobalclimatechange.Additionallanguagediscussingthesetopicsandtheirregulatoryimplicationshasbeenincorporatedintothestaffreport.Stacey11:SpatialScalesofInterestandLevelofDetailintheReport.Itwasverydifficulttodeterminetheapproachusedtoreachthequalitativeresults,forexampleinFigure2inthereport.Evengoingtothesupplementarymaterials(NCRWQB2000),Iwasleftwithuncertaintyastoexactlyhowthesesensitivitycalculationsweredone.Ofparticularconcerninthiscaseisthespatialstructureofthecalculationsandwheretheanalyzedtemperatureswererelativetotheshade.Itappearsthattheanalysiswasforasinglereachwithasingle‐valuedfractionalshadingandtheoutputtemperaturewasatthedownstreamendofthatreach.Thesensitivityofwatertemperaturetoshadingwilldecreasewithdistancedownstreamoftheshadedregion(asillustratedinthefigureabove),anditisn’tclearwhatspatialscaleshouldberesolvedorconsideredtomeetthepolicygoals.



RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Dr.Staceyiscorrectthat“theanalysiswasforasinglereachwithasingle‐valuedfractionalshadingandtheoutputtemperaturewasatthedownstreamendofthatreach.”Thishasbeenclarifiedinthetextofthestaffreport.Stacey12:Thisleadstoarelatedconcernabouthowthermalrefugiaaretobeconsidered,bothintheanalysisofwatertemperatureandintheapplicationofthepolicy.Doestheremovalofasmallpoolthatlocallyleadstoanincreaseinwatertemperatureofmorethan5degreesviolatethestandard?Howsmallofapoolwouldbenegligible?Ithinkthereportwouldbenefitfromaclearstatementastohowtheauthorsarethinkingaboutspatialscalesofinterest,evenifitisjusttogiveacontexttothereportandtheresultspresented(particularlyinFigure2).RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Thewaterqualityobjectivefortemperaturestates“atnotimeorplace”shalltemperaturesbeincreased5oF.Thislanguageisunequivocal,thustheconsiderationofthermalrefugiaisappropriate.Thequestionofhowsmallofapoolwouldbenegligiblerelatesbacktobeneficialuses.Waterqualityobjectivesareestablishedtomaintainbeneficialuses,thereforethescalethatisrelevantisthescalethatissignificantinthecontextofthebeneficialusesinquestion.Languagedescribingthisconcepthasbeenincorporatedintothestaffreport.Stacey13:Finally,Iwouldnotethatthelinkbetweensedimentloadandwatertemperatureisnotwelldeveloped.Thereportdoesmaketheeffectiveargumentthatmanyofthemanagementoptionsavailableforcontrollingwatertemperaturewillalsohelpcontrolsedimentloading.But,theauthorsalsogoontostatethatsedimentloadisoneofthefactorsthatcauseschangesinwatertemperatures.Thereasoninggoesthatsedimentloadcan(a)changethewidth‐to‐depthratioofthestream;and(b)alter(reduce)hyporheicexchanges,whicharesourcesofcoolwateratvariouslocationsalongthestreams.WhileIagreethattheeffectsoffinesedimentsonhyporheicexchangewouldlikelyincreasestreamtemperatures,thescaleoftheeffect,bothintermsofthespatialscaleandthemagnitudeofthetemperaturechange,isnotanalyzedorpresented.Thereportwouldbemorepersuasiveiftheseeffectswerequantified.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffalsoidentifiedthelossofriparianvegetationassociatedwithchannelwideningandthelossofthermalrefugiaassociatedwithstratifiedpoolsaspossibletemperatureimpactsassociatedwithincreasedsedimentloads.Howeverthisdiscussionwasnotincludedinthesectiontitled“Landuseactivitieswiththepotentialtoincreasesedimentdelivery.”ThereportincludesdiscussionofastudyofDeerCreekinnorthernCalifornia,whereTompkins(2006)foundthatreduceddailymaximumwatertemperaturesinhyporheicseepsontheorderof3.5oC(6.3



oF)createdthermalrefugiaforsalmonids.ThereportalsodiscussesastudysimilartoTompkins’,inwhichLoheideandGorelick(2006)documenteddailymaximumtemperaturereductionsontheorderof2oC(3.8oF)inastudyofa1.7km(1.1.mi)streamreachofCottonwoodCreekinPlumasCounty,California.Stacey14:Withregardstotheinfluenceofsedimentloadonwidth‐to‐depthratio,Iwouldnotethatthisisanindirecteffectonwatertemperature.Further,thereareotherfactorsbesidessedimentloadthathavestronginfluenceonwidth‐to‐depthratio,mostnotablyManning’sn.Iwouldsuggestthatthereportacknowledgetheserelatedinfluences:thatwidth‐to‐depthratiomaybethefactorthatdirectlyinfluenceswatertemperature(orrather,therateofchangeofwatertemperatureasdiscussedabove),butthatotherfactors(suchasManning’sn)thatareundermanagementcontrolwillworktodeterminethewidth‐to‐depthratio.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffhaveincludedlanguagetothestaffreportacknowledgingotherfactorsundermanagementcontrolthatdeterminewidth‐to‐depthratios.Thompson12:Onelimitationoftheexistingpolicyisthatthenuancesofstreamtemperatureasanindicatorofhabitatqualityarenotexplored.Forexample,whilebulkstreamtemperaturesmaynotbeaffectedbybankshading,localcoolsitesmightbegenerated.Thesesitesaresignificantaquaticrefuges.Becauseonly“streamtemperature”wasdiscussed,Ihavehighlightedthatriparianvegetationinwidechannelsmaynotbesignificantasadriverofin‐‐‐channeltemperatures.Thisofcourseignoresitspotentialsignificanceingeneratinglocalthermalrefuges,whichcanbeecologicallysignificant(Nichols,Willisetal.2013).RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffhaveaddedlanguagetothestaffreportthatdiscussestheseconcepts.Also,seeresponsetoStacey12.Thompson13:Significanttemporalvariabilityinstreamtemperaturesalsooftenoccurs,evenwithinaday.Lagsduetotraveltimebetweenupstreamanddownstreamareasmaymeanthat“pulses”ofhotwaterarriveindifferentlocationsatdifferenttimes.Thisgenerateschallengesformonitoring,butalsovariationthatcanbeimportantforhabitatdiversity(Nichols,Willisetal.2013).Itisunclearwhetherorhowthispolicycouldaccountforspatialandtemporalvariability.Thereareseveralanecdotalaccountsofmisinterpretationoflocalstreamtemperaturesbasedonafixedmonitoringtimemissingthearrivalofthermalpulsesfromupstream.Highfrequencymonitoringmethodscancircumventthisproblem.Explicitlyconsideringtheroleoflocalizedcoolrefugesmightalsoprovidegreaterflexibilityinidentifyingsite‐specificstrategies.



RegionalWaterBoardresponse:ThisPolicyattemptstoachievenaturaltemperaturesbyrestoringandmaintainingtheconditionsthatdrivetemperatureconsistentwiththeirunalteredstates.Thisapproachaddressesspatialandtemporalvariabilitythroughtherecognitionofthespatialandtemporalvariabilityofthedriversoftemperature.RegionalWaterBoardstaffhavefoundtemperaturedatacollectedfromgrabsamplestohavelittleutility.Staffmonitorstemperatureusingtemperaturerecordersthatmeasureatleasteveryhour,deployedformultipledaysandoftenmanyweeks.Thompson14:Althoughthereissignificantliteraturedescribingtheeffectofremovingshadeandriparianvegetationonstreamtemperatures,peerreviewedstudiesdescribingtheeffectsofrestorationofriparianvegetationarelesswidelypublished,andunclearintheirresults.Forinstance,inapairedstudyalongfourstreamsinNewZealand,someofwhichhadexperiencedrestorationofriparianhabitat20yearspreviously,nosignificantdifferencesinstreamtemperaturebetweentreatmentandcontrolsitescouldbefound(Collins,Doscheretal.2013).AreviewofmultipleriparianbufferplantingsinNewZealandfoundthatinonlyonesite(wherecompletecanopyclosurehadoccurred)werestreamtemperaturesreducedinthereachwhererestorationoccurred(Parkyn,Davies‐‐‐Colleyetal.2003).Thereisthereforeanasymmetry,inthatitisveryclearthatremovalofvegetationandincreasesinsolarexposurearelikelytoincreasetemperatures;butitisnotclearthatrestorationofriparianvegetationwilllowerstreamtemperatures.Itislikelythatthisdiscrepancyresultsfromtheneedtoconsiderthespecificcharacteristicsofriparianbuffers.Sincetheseconsiderationsarerelevanttothedesignofbuffers,whetherforrestorationorprotection,Ihaveelaboratedonsomeissuesbelow.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffhavereviewedthepaperscited,andnotethatthebuffersevaluatedinthemwereintendedtoaddresssedimentandnutrientconcerns.Staffagreethataddingshadetoastreamthatisatequilibriumwithhighairtemperatureswillnothaveagreateffect.Thisappearstobethecaseinthereachesstudied.Still,othershavedemonstratedthatreductionsintemperatureassociatedwithrestoredriparianareas,andevenrestoredemergentvegetation,canbeachievedinrelativelyshorttimescales.ThereportprovidesexamplesofthisfromthePacificNorthwest.Thisissueisalsorelevanttothetopicofequilibriumtemperature.Staffhaveaddedlanguagetothestaffreportdiscussingtheconceptsofequilibrium,preservation,andrestoration.Thompson15:Ignoringgroundwater,hyporheicandtributaryinputs,thechangeintemperatureΔTwithinastreamoveranyreachlengthL:



Hereρisthedensityofwater,Cptheheatcapacityofwater,Vthemeanstreamflow,Dthemeandepth,andQisthenetheatexchange.ThelengthofthereachLoverwhichsolarinputsarereducedneedstobelargeenoughtomeetatargetvalueofΔTforthatreach;thegreatertheflowrate(VD)thelongerLwillhavetobe(Moore,Spittlehouseetal.2005).Thus,shortbufferlengthsmaybeineffectiveinmodifyingtemperatures.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:TheRegionalWaterBoardmostoftenreliesontheimplementationofpre‐definedoperatingrules,performancestandards,bestmanagementpractices,orrestrictionsoncertainactivitiestoaddresspotentialwaterqualityimpactsassociatedwithnonpointsourcelanduses,inlieuofprescribedbufferrequirementsforindividualprojects,ofteninthecontextofadaptivemanagement.Thisapproachaddressesmultiplewaterqualityconcernsassociatedwithnear‐streamactivities,aswellasthecumulativeimpactsassociatedwithmultipleprojectsacrossthelandscape.LanguagedescribingthisapproachhasbeenincorporatedintotheStaffReport.Thompson16:Whileanarrowbuffercanreducestream‐shading,widerbuffersareneededtoallowadistinctmicroclimate(e.g.withcoolerairtemperaturesandgreaterhumidity)tobegeneratedrelativetoopensurroundings(Moore,Spittlehouseetal.2005).Widerbuffersalsohaveagreaterpotentialtobecomeself‐sustainingfromanecologicalpointofview,ratherthanbecomingcolonizedbyweedyvegetation(Collins,Doscheretal.2013).RegionalWaterBoardresponse:SeeresponsetoThompson15.Also,theinformationdescribingthemagnitudeofeffectsofhumanactivitiesonmicroclimatesindicateschangesarerelativelysmallanddifficulttoquantify(Bartholow2000,Brosofske1997,Chenetal.1993,Chenetal.1999,Dongetal.1998,Ledwith1996).TheRegionalWaterBoard’sapproachofaddressingsitepotentialeffectiveshadethroughriparianbuffersaddressessolarradiation,whichhasbeendemonstratedtoresultinheatfluxesanorderofmagnitudehigherthanthoseassociatedwithairtemperatureandwindspeed(i.e.,convectionandevaporation)(Johnson2004).Nonetheless,riparianmanagementpracticesthataddresssitepotentialeffectivealsoprovidealevelofprotectionofmicroclimates.Thompson17:Detailedanalysesofsedimentsourcesinstreamnetworksusuallyidentifyparticularlocations(subwatersheds,pointsources,etc)thatdominatetheinputof



sedimentintowatersheds.Buffersshouldincludetheseareastohaveasignificantimpactonsedimentloading.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Whileitistruethatbuffersmustfunctionallycaptureandcontainsignificantvolumesofsedimentinorderforthemtoaffectgeomorphology,thisisnottheonlypurposebuffersserve.Bufferspreventdisturbancesthatoftengeneratesedimentdeliveredtostreamchannels,theyfiltersedimentserodedfromactivitiesoutsideofbuffers,theyproviderootstrengthinstreambanksandunstableareas,andtheyprovidevegetativecovertopreventsurfaceerosion.Sedimentloadreductionsassociatedwiththesebenefitsmaynotbelargeenoughtoaffectgeomorphology,buttheydocontributetootherwaterqualityissuesassociatedwithbiology,suchasspawninggravelcomposition,thattheRegionalWaterBoardhasaninterestincontrolling.Thepointofassumptionnumber2isthatriparianbuffersfortemperatureprotectionareaneffectiveandimportantmeasureforotherwaterqualityconcernsbesidestemperature,notthattheyprovidethesedimentcontrolsnecessarytopreventchangesingeomorphologybythemselves.TheRegionalWaterBoardaddressessedimentdischargesdirectlythroughtheimplementationoftheSedimentTMDLImplementationPolicy,whichrequirestheRegionalWaterBoardaddresssedimentsourcesthroughbothregulatoryandnonregulatoryactivities,similartothisPolicy.Thompson18:AsintimatedintheexamplesfromNewZealand,itmayrequiredecadesforrestorationofriparianvegetationtomeaningfullyalterphysicalcharacteristicsofthelocalthermalregime.Similarly,evenifbuffersaresuccessfulinreducingsedimentinputsintochannels,thelongresidencetimeofsedimentwithinchannelsmaymeanthatfewifanychangestothein‐streamgeomorphologyandthusvulnerabilitytothermalloadingoccuronobservabletimescales.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:RegionalWaterBoardstaffconcurwithDr.Thompson’sstatementregardinglongrecoverytimescalesfollowingvegetationremovalandsedimentinputs.Thesetimescalesofrecoverysupporttheneedtoprevent,minimize,andmitigateimpactassociatedwithnonpointsourcesofpollution.Thompson19:Asalludedtoinseveralpointsabove,thepolicyissilentonspaceandtimescales.Whileperhaps“site‐specific”and“case‐by‐case”analysisencapsulatesthis,itisworthreiteratingthattherearespecificlengthscales(relatedtoflowandchannelmorphology)andtimescales(relatedtoprocessesofplantgrowth,riparianrecoveryandsedimentresidencetimes)thatwillimpacttheefficacyofanygivenintervention.Abroaderdiscussionoftheseissueswouldbebeneficial.



RegionalWaterBoardresponse:StaffhaveaddednewtextthataddressestheissuesDr.Thompsonraisesabove.Thompson20:Protectionofriparianbuffersleadstobroaderquestionsofriparianmanagement,weedcontrol,ecologicalvalueetc.Whilethispolicyisclearlytargetedatin‐channelconditions,aholisticapproachthatacknowledgestheinterfacewithriparianecologymorebroadlywouldbevaluable.Ialsonotethatalthoughthepolicyhasfocusedonriparianvegetation,emergent,in‐channelvegetationhasalsobeenshowntohelpcontrolstreamtemperatures,andoftenleadstoimprovementsonfastertimescalesthanareneededtodevelopaclosed‐canopyriparianbuffer(Roth,Westhoffetal.2010).RegionalWaterBoardresponse:TheRegionalWaterBoardrecognizesthateffortstoprotectthefunctionsofriparianareasshouldnotleadtoriparianareasbecoming“nomanagementzones”,andthatdoingsocancreateotherissuessuchasthoseidentifiedbyDr.Thompson.TheRegionalWaterBoardembracesanapproachofprevention,minimization,andmitigationofimpactsassociatedwithactivitiesthathavepotentialtocauseorcontributetoelevatedwatertemperatures.Atthesametime,theRegionalWaterBoardacknowledgesthatmanagementactivitiesinriparianzonesareoftennecessary.Texthasbeenaddedtothestaffreportthatacknowledgestheseideas.StaffarealsokeenlyawareoftheincredibletemperaturereductionsthathaveaccompaniedthegrowthofemergentvegetationfollowingcattleexclusioninareasoftheShastaRiverwatershedandrecognizetheneedtoconsiderthesebenefitsaswellasbenefitsassociatedwithriparianvegetation.Staffhasaddedlanguageclarifyingthesitepotentialeffectiveshadeconceptalsoappliestoemergentvegetation.Stella3:Thereisagenerallackofquantificationofuncertaintyineitherthenaturalsystemorintemperaturemodelspresentedasthescientificbasisfortheproposedpolicychange.Quantifyinguncertaintyiscriticalforassessinghowwellmodelscanpredictsystembehavior,andmanagementprescriptionsandrecommendationsthatarebasedonmodelingresultsneedtobeconsideredinlightofuncertaintyinthemodels.Thereareatleastthreetypesofuncertaintyanalysiswhicharerelevanthere:(a)accuracyassessmentofmodeledtemperaturecomparedtoobservedinstreamtemperature(i.e.,modelvalidation);(b)sensitivityanalysisofmodelparametersonpredictedtemperatures;and(c)propagationofparametererrorthroughthetemperaturemodels.Inabriefreviewofseveraloriginalreports(e.g.,Navarro,ScottandKlamathRiverTMDLstudies),Ihavenotseenmanyexamplesofrigorousmodelvalidationoruncertaintyanalysispresented.TheNavarroRivertemperatureTMDLstudyprovidesonegoodexampleofaparametersensitivityanalysis(Figure4oftheStaff



Report,andFigure5‐2ofNCRWQCB2000),andtheprominenceofriparianshadeasadriverissupportedbystrongcorrelationsbetweenwatertemperatureandmeasuredshade(Figures5‐3and5‐4inNCRWQCB2000).However,thedegreetowhichthetemperaturemodelswerequantitativelyvalidated,andhowuncertaintyinmodelparametersmayqualifymodelpredictionsarenotapparent.Irecognizethatthesestudiesoperatedundertimeandbudgetconstraints,andinsomecasesthecomplexityofthewaterquality/temperaturemodelsmadeuncertaintyanalysisdifficult.ConsistentwithTMDLguidelines,thestudiestypicallyincludesectionsonMarginsofSafety,andassumeaconservativeapproachtorecommendations.Nevertheless,somenumericalestimatesastomodeluncertaintyshouldbeincludedintheStaffReport,tothedegreethattheseanalyseswerecompletedforindividualprojectswithspecificconsiderationofmodelingshadeanditsinfluenceonwatertemperature.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:RegionalWaterBoardstaffagreethatmodelvalidationandaccuracyassessmentareimportantcomponentsofwaterqualitymodelinganalyses.TheRegionalWaterBoard,theUSEPA,andtheircontractorshaveattemptedtoaddressthisstepintheprocessineachinstance.Forinstance,theScottRivertemperaturemodeldevelopmentprocessforthetemperatureTMDLanalysisfollowsthestandardapproachofcalibratingthemodelusingdatafromoneperiodandevaluatingtheperformanceofthemodelbasedonthemodel’spredictionsforanother,independenttimeperiod.Asuiteofaccuracystatisticsareprovidedinatableanddiscussedinthetext,andcomparisonsbetweenpredictedandobservedtemperaturestracesareprovidedinanappendix.AseparateappendixcontainsanassessmentoftheRIPTOPOshademodel’sperformancecomparedtomeasureddata.Themodelingexerciseconductedexplicitlyevaluatedthesensitivityofthemodelparametersonpredictedtemperatures.Similarly,theKlamathRiverTMDLreportincludesanappendixthatdiscussesthemodeltestingprocessingreatdetail.Otheranalysesalsocontaindiscussionsofmodelvalidation,andsensitivity,albeitnotthroughaconsistentapproach.Itisimportanttounderstandtheutilityofthemodelingexercises,whichistheidentificationoftemperaturefactorsthatareaffectedbyhumanactivitiesandmostimportantforthecontroloftemperature.Theresultsofthemodelingexercisesarenotintegratedintopermitsandhaveonlybeenintegratedinwaterqualitygoalsinafewselectcases.TheresultsoftheshadeandtemperaturemodelsdevelopedforthetemperatureTMDLsarenotintendedtobeusedinplaceofasite‐specificapproachtoimplementingtemperatureprotection.Theshadeandtemperaturemodelshavebeenusedtoidentifythemostimportantfactorstoconsiderinsourcereductionefforts,estimateloadingatawatershedscale,andelucidateimportantphysicalprocessesandinteractions,suchasthetemperatureeffectsoftheinteractionofgroundwaterandsurfacewater.



Stella4:Oneparticularlyimportantcaseoftheuncertaintyissuesdescribedaboveisinthecalculationofshadepotentialforanygivenproject.Knowingwhatthepotentialshadeforareachis,relativetoitscurrentcondition,iscriticalfor‘regulationofshadeasacontrollablefactor’(Section3.4oftheStaffReport).Thoughtemperaturemodelsdiffersomewhatinapproach,allthestudiesIreviewedappeartoincludeaspatially‐explicit(e.g.,GIS‐based)submodelthatcalculatesthepotentialshadeforeachsiteorreach.Asreportedinthemethodssectionsofthesestudies,potentialshadeiscalculatedbasedonthestreamchannelmorphologyandorientation,surroundingtopography,vegetationcommunitiespresentintheriparianzone,treedensity,andthemaximumheightgrowthpotentialoftreespeciesinthosecommunities.Thecalculationofpotentialtreeheightanddensitycanvaryconsiderablyamongsitesandreaches,especiallywithinenvironmentallyheterogeneousenvironmentssuchasriparianzones(FriedmanandLee,2002;BalianandNaiman,2005;FierkeandKauffman,2005).IftheapproachtakenintheNavarroRiverstudyistypical,potentialshadeispredictedusingpredictionsoftreeheightbasedondiameteratbreastheight(dbh),withasinglecurvedeterminedforeachspecies33.However,thereisconsiderablevariationinboththedbh‐heightcurveandmaximumtreeheightatmaturityforkeyspeciessuchasredwoodandDouglas‐fir.Whenimplementingtheproposedpolicychangesforreachesofinterest,itwouldbehelpfulataminimumtopropagatetheerrorassociatedwiththedbh‐heightrelationship,aswellasriparianstanddensity,throughthecalculationsofpotentialshade,inordertounderstandthelikelyvariationpotentialshadevalues.Somerangeofthesevaluesshouldbeusedasgoalsforrestorationandasinputstothestreamtemperaturemodels.ThedataonmodeledversusobservedshadepresentedinFigure5‐17oftheNavarroRiverstudy(NCRWQCB2000)isagoodstartinthisdirection.Thisstudyalsousedarangeof5%to70%shadeinthemodelsensitivityanalysis,andfounddifferencesinpredictedtemperatureof>3degreesC.ForanygivenprojectthatfallswithintheproposedWaterQualityControlPlanamendment,howgreatistheuncertaintyinpotentialshadeestimates,andhowgreattheresultingtemperatureuncertainty?RegionalWaterBoardresponse:TheresultsoftheshadeandtemperaturemodelsdevelopedforthetemperatureTMDLsarenotintendedtobeusedinplaceofasite‐specificapproachtoimplementingtemperatureprotection.ThegreatestutilityofthemodelexercisesconductedinsupportoftemperatureTMDLdevelopmentisinidentifyingwhichfactorsthatdrivetemperaturedynamicsareimportant,aswellaswhentemperaturedrivershaveanegligibleeffectontemperatures.AnexampleofthisistheanalysisconductedfortheLowerEelRivertemperatureTMDL.Theresultsof

33Thoughoutofthescopeofthecurrentreview,itshouldbenotedthatrecentadvancesinremotesensing,especiallyinacquisitionandprocessingofLiDARdata,havethepotentialtogreatlyincreasetheaccuracyofripariancanopyheightestimationandstructure(e.g.,Seavyetal.,2009),andconsequentlyestimatesofriparianshadepotential.



thatanalysiswereusedtodemonstratethat:1)theshadingofthemainstemEelRiver(andcorrespondingtemperaturedifferences)wasnegligibleunderanyvegetationscenario.Thesameanalysisshowedthattemperaturesoftributarystreamsarequitesensitivetoriparianvegetationconditions.Theresultswerenotusedtodefinewhatlevelsofshade,orheightofvegetation,orwatertemperaturesarenecessaryforachievementoftheTMDLandwaterqualityobjectives.Rather,theresultsareusedtoillustratethatriparianvegetationneedstobemanagedinamannerthatdoesnotelevatetemperaturesintheseareas.Inthiswaythepolicyimplicationsandimplementationstrategiesarenotsensitivetothemodelcalibration.However,RegionalWaterBoardstaffacknowledgesthatdevelopingabetterunderstandingoftherelationshipofeffectiveshadetobufferdepthanddensityisagoodgoalandintendtopursuethegoalthrougheffectivenessmonitoring.Stella5:TheStaffReportincludesasectionon“Site‐specificimplementation”(Section3.2),whichidentifiessomeofthelocalfactorsthatmayinfluencetheeffectofriparianshadeoninstreamtemperature.Inadditiontothefactorslisted,Isuggestseveralmoretoconsiderinreferencetotheireffectonpotentialshadeforasite.Thesearedescribedbelow.Overall,itisunclearhowtheseconsiderations—boththosedescribedintheexistingdocumentandothersthatreviewersidentify—willbeimplementedinaconsistentwaywithinthepolicyamendment.Perhapsfurtherdevelopmentofquantitativeorqualitativeguidelineswillbenecessary,eitherasrangesofparameterinputsintomodelsorsomerubrictoscaletheiroutputsinlightofsite‐specificfactors.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:RegionalWaterBoardstaffhasexpandedthesectiononsite‐specificimplementationandaddedasectiondiscussingtheuseofmanagementmeasuresandadaptivemanagementinthecontextofnonpointsourcepermitting.Stella6:Oneimportantconsiderationinfluencingshadepotentialisthatspeciescompositionandcanopystructureofriparianvegetationvariesgreatlydependingonnetworkpositionandgeomorphiccontrolsonthereach(e.g.,unconfinedvs.confined,alluvialversusbedrock).ParticularlyintheNorthCoastregion,low‐orderstreamstendtobedominatedbytallconifersthatgrowclosetothestreamchannel,whereashigh‐orderstreamsmayhaveamixtureofconifersandmuchshorterhardwoods,particularlyalongwideralluvialreaches.Vegetationcommunitymapsusedtocalculatepotentialshadetypicallydonottakeintoaccountthislevelofdetail,yetthiscanbeveryimportantintermsofestimatingmaximumpotentialheightofthestreamsidevegetation.Thevariationinriparianvegetationcompositionwithinanetworkcanamplifythedifferenceinshadepotentialbetweennarrow,confined,conifer‐dominatedheadwaterstreamsanddownstreamreacheswithwideractivechannels,lesstopographicshadingfromunconfinedvalleys,andmorevaried



vegetationwithsignificantamountsofhardwoodandshrubspeciesofshorterstature.ThedescriptionsofshademodelsthatIreviewedtakeintoaccountthetopographyandactivechannelwidth,butnotthenear‐streamvegetationcommunitiesasseparatefromthelandscapelevelvegetationmaps.LookingtotheapplicabilityofthistemperatureTMDLapproachbeyondtheNorthCoastregion,thevariationinripariancommunitystructureandcompositionwithinanetworkcanbeevenmorepronouncedinotherregions(e.g.,CentralValleyand/ordesertstreams).ThereforeinboththeNorthCoastregionandmoregenerally,thereshouldbesomethoughtastohowtoquantifytheeffectsofvegetationcompositiongradientswithinstreamnetworksasinputstoshade‐basedtemperaturemodels.RegionalWaterBoardResponse:Theseissuesareimportantconsiderationsinthedevelopmentofshademodels.However,theseconsiderationsaremadeatthesite‐specificlevelforindividualprojects.Inthesesituationsthetypesofvegetationpresentareknown.Theassumptionsoftheshademodelsdonotcomeintoplayattheprojectlevelpermittingscale.Thispolicydirectsstafftoaddresselevatedwatertemperatureconcernsattheproject‐level,takingintoaccountthesite‐specificfactors,astheyrelatetotheconsistentconclusionsofnorthcoastTMDLs:thatshade,sediment,andflowconcernsneedtobeevaluatedandaddressed,ifnecessary,fortheprotectionofwatertemperature.Stella7:Arelatedissueisthatthenaturalandhumandisturbancehistoryofareachneedstobeconsideredwhensettingpotentialshadetargets.Riparianzonesarehighlydynamicecosystems,withphysicaldriverssuchasflooding,fireanddroughtexertingstronginfluencesonthevegetationcommunitytrajectory.Thestructureofriparianvegetationwillbehighlydependentonthetimesincealargedisturbance,particularlyinsteep,semi‐aridsystemssuchastheNorthCoastregionwhereextremeevents(e.g.,the1964and1997floods)causechannel‐settingdisturbancesoverlargespatialscales(e.g.,networkstoregions)andsubsequentripariancommunityrecoverycanlastdecadesuntilmaximumvegetationheightanddensityareachieved.TheStaffReportalludestothisprocessdirectlyaffectinginstreamtemperatures,initscitationofKlamathRiverwatertemperaturerisingfollowingtheclearingofriparianvegetationinthe1997floodevent(delaFuenteandElder1998,ascitedonp.22oftheStaffReport).Thatpeakflowevent,whichwasclassifiedata19.5yearrecurrenceinterval,resultedinacutealteration—bankerosion,depositionorremovalofvegetation—of16%to19%ofallstreamchannelswithintheKlamathRiverbasin(delaFuenteandElder1998).Presumablyeventsofthismagnitudewilloccuratleastseveraltimesacentury,wellwithinthelifespanofthedominantshadetreespeciesintheregion.ThereforedisturbanceisamajorcontrolontheshadepotentialoftheriparianecosystemintheNorthCoastregion,canaffectlargeareasofthestreamnetworksynoptically,andcanlimitthespatialextentofolderriparianstandsdominatedbytalltrees.Thisprocessmustbe



consideredwhenusingreferencereachestosetpotentialshadetargetsandinpredictingthelong‐termeffectofmanagementactions.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffagreesthattheissuespresentedinthecommentabovearerelevantandmustbeconsideredinanyanalysisofasite’shistory,trajectory,andpotential.Thesite‐specificapproachthispolicydirectsallowsforthosetypesofconsiderationsintheimplementationofthepermittingandgrantprograms.Thegeneralapproachthatthispolicyandtheintrastatetemperatureobjectivecallsforistheregulationofactivitiesinamannerthatensuresthatnaturalrecoveryprocessesthatdisturb,rearrange,andrecoverstreamchannelsandriparianzonescontinue.AdditionaltextdiscussingtheseissueshasbeenaddedtotheStaffReport.Stella8:ThediscussionofsedimentprocessesinconjunctionwithstreamtemperatureisausefulfeatureoftheStaffReportandreflectscomplexinteractionsamongmultiplewaterqualitycomponents.Asnotedinthereport,excesssedimentloadingcanaffectinstreamtemperaturethroughalterationofthechannelmorphologyandinteractionswithriparianvegetationdynamics.Inaddition,manyoftheriparianbufferprescriptionstomitigatehighinstreamtemperaturesthroughincreasedshadewillhavethepositivebenefitofmitigatingsedimentdeliverytothechannel,andviceversa.Inasimilarvein,itisimportanttoconsiderpotentialnegativeinteractionsbetweenriparianvegetationmanagementandgeomorphicprocessgoals,particularlyalongregulatedstreamsintheNorthCoastregion.AlongtheTrinityRiver,forexample,severealterationoftheriver’shydrologyledtoriparianencroachmentwithintheformeractivechannel(Trushetal.,2000).Presumably,thiscreatedincreasedriparianshadeastheactivechanneldecreasedandvegetationincreasedindensityandheight,andtheincreasedshadewaspresumablyabenefittomaintaininglowinstreamtemperature,particularlyinareachwithgreatlyreduceddischargeandthuslesscapacitytobufferhighheatloads.However,thevegetationencroachmentandsubsequentformationofhigh,immobileriparianbermsseverelyalteredthechannelmorphodynamics,sedimentdeliveryprocesses,andlargewoodydebrisrecruitment,andgreatlyreducedtheoverallhabitatfornativesalmonidsandotheraquaticorganisms.InthecaseoftheTrinityRiver,theinterestsofmaintainingriparianshadeandofmaintaininganatural,dynamicstreamchannelwereatodds,andcontemporaryriverrestorationeffortsarefocusedonremovingtheriparianbermsandrescalingtheactivechannel(TRRP2013).TheTrinityRiverisafairlyextremecaseofrivermanipulation,butithighlightstheimportanceofconsideringpotentialtradeoffsbetweencompetingmanagementconcerns,inthiscaseshadepotentialandsedimentprocesses.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:StaffagreeswiththepointDr.Stellamakesandhasaddednewtextdescribinghowthesite‐specificapproachisintendedtoallowforthesekindsofsituationstobeacknowledgedandaddressed.



Stella9:Theissueofclimaticwarmingposeschallengestostreamandriparianmanagementworldwide,inparticularinsensitiveareassuchasCaliforniaandotherMediterranean‐climateregions(Underwoodetal.,2009;Stellaetal.,2012).Becauseofthestronglinkbetweenairtemperatureandinstreamtemperatures,ongoingregionalwarminginCaliforniawillmakefreshwaterstreamslesshabitableforsalmonidsandothercoldwaterorganismsatthesouthernedgeoftheirranges.Itisuncleartomehowthisnon‐stationarityofthesystemwillbeconsideredwithintheproposedTMDLpolicyamendment.Howwilltemperaturemodelsincorporatethe‘newnormal’intopredictionsandlandmanagementprescriptions?Isitpossiblethatmeterologicalandhydrologicchangesmayincreasetherelativestrengthofthesedriversoninstreamwatertemperature,withpotentiallylessinfluencefromriparianshade?IrecommendthattheStaffReportprovidesomeacknowledgementofthisissue,andpotentialimplicationsforpolicy.RegionalWaterBoardresponse:Staffhaveaddednewtexttothestaffreportdiscussingthetopicofclimatechangeanditsramifications.

140221 final draft temp policy staff report...final draft march 13, 2014 state of california ... 2.0...

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