Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin (Basin Plan)

The Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin (Basin Plan) is the Board's master water quality control planning document.  It designates beneficial uses and water quality objectives for waters of the State, including surface waters and groundwater.  It also includes programs of implementation to achieve water quality objectives.

Basin Plan

The current Basin Plan consists of the 2019 Basin Plan edition and all of the following amendments approved after March 2019 and as listed below:


Amendments Under Development

Amendment to Incorporate Applicable Provisions of Statewide Water Quality Control Plans and Policies

Basin Plan documents available for review and comment (February 16, 2024 – April 3, 2024):


Historical Editions of the Basin Plan


Historical Basin Plan Amendments

Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin to Improve and Clarify Waste Discharge Prohibition Language.

Adopted by Regional Board on February 18, 2022. Approved by State Board on June 7, 2022. Approved by Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on November 2, 2022 (effective date).

Staff Report

  • Attachment 1: Resolution No. R3-2022-0001
    • Attachment A: Strikeout and underline version of the proposed Basin Plan amendments
  • Attachment 2: Project Report including the CEQA Checklist
  • Attachment 3: Notice of CEQA Scoping Meeting – Oct 2018
  • Attachment 4: Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity to Comment – Jan 2020
  • Attachment 5: Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity to Comment – Sept 2021
  • Attachment 6: Public comments and staff responses

State Water Board Resolution No. 2022-0022


Amendment to Revise Turbidity Water Quality Objective Units

Amending the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin to Revise Beneficial Use Designations and to Make Editorial Changes.


Triennial Review

The California Water Code and the Clean Water Act and require Basin Plans to be reviewed and updated periodically (at a minimum every three years).

Go to the Central Coast Basin Plan Triennial Review Process page.


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