The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2014-15

MEASUREMENTS  - Data Last Updated on: 

Statewide Policy Instream Flow Policy (AB 2121)

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

Statewide Policies

The State Water Board adopts overarching policies to provide guidance and a framework from which the Regional Water Boards can appropriately tailor their actions for their regions. The State Water Board has developed and adopted a number of statewide policies to help guide the Water Boards planning and permitting processes. Statewide plans, adopted by the State Water Board, and regional water quality control plans (basin plans), adopted by the Regional Water Boards, must adhere to statewide policies. Policies have the force and effect of regulation, and are subject to approval by the Office of Administrative Law. In addition, state policies that implement water quality standards must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Instream Flow Policy (AB 2121)

On May 4, 2010, the State Water Board adopted a policy for water quality control titled Policy for Maintaining Instream Flows in Northern California Coastal Streams. The policy contains principles and guidelines for maintaining instream flows for the purposes of water right administration. The geographic scope of the policy encompasses coastal streams from the Mattole River to San Francisco and coastal streams entering northern San Pablo Bay and extends to five counties: Marin, Sonoma, and portions of Napa, Mendocino, and Humboldt counties. More Information

( Page last updated:  6/10/15 )