West Fork Carson River Multiple Pollutants Vision Plan

The West Fork Carson River (WFCR), located in Alpine County, CA, is listed on the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) list of impaired waters due to exceedances of water quality standards for multiple pollutants, including chloride, nitrate, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfates, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and iron. Placement of the waterbody on the 303(d) list requires development of a regulatory action plan, such as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), to address the impairments to the waters of the WFCR.

In 2022, USEPA announced the 2022 - 2032 Vision for the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program (2022 Vision). The 2022 Vision recognizes that, in addition to TMDLs, other types of plans may be more immediately beneficial or practicable for restoring water quality, encourages the most effective approaches for restoring water quality and acknowledges how vital creativity and collaboration are for successful restoration.

The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) has identified the WFCR as one of two “Vision Watersheds” to be addressed through the development and implementation of a Vision Plan.

In 2023, Water Board staff, in collaboration with stakeholders, completed the development of the WFCR Vision Plan, which describes present and future actions that will be taken to restore and protect water quality in the WFCR.

In October 2023, the Lahontan Water Board adopted Resolution R6T-2023-0036 supporting implementation of the WFCR Vision Plan and directing staff to forward the WFCR Vision Plan to USEPA. Continued collaboration with stakeholders and local landowners in the watershed will be integral to success in implementing the WFCR Vision Plan.