Morro Bay Sediment TMDL

Information

Problem Statement - Over time, all estuaries eventually fill with sediment due to the natural processes of erosion and sedimentation. In Morro Bay these natural processes have been accelerated due to anthropogenic watershed disturbances, resulting in impairment of Beneficial Uses, principally biological resources, but also recreational uses, including: RARE, MIGR, SPWN, WILD, EST, MAR, BIOL, REC1, REC2, NAV. This impairment indicates an exceedance of the Basin Plan narrative objective for sediment, which states that: “the suspended sediment load and suspended sediment discharge rate of surface waters shall not be altered in such a manner as to cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.”

Documentation

  • January 20, 2004 - USEPA approves the Morro Bay Sediment TMDL
  • December 3, 2003 - OAL approves the Morro Bay Sediment TMDL
  • September 16, 2003 - State Water Resources Control Board approves the Morro Bay Sediment TMDL
  • May 16, 2003 - Central Coast Water Board adopts the Morro Bay Sediment TMDL

Contacts

Status and Public Notices

  • Status:
    • Report Card - September 2022
    • fully approved and effective.
  • Public Notice: none at this time.

Approval status

  • Central Coast Water Board
    - adopted May 16, 2003.
  • State Water Resources Control Board
    - approved September 16, 2003.
  • Office of Administrative Law (OAL)
    - approved December 3, 2003, which is the effective date.
  • US Environmental Protection Agency
    - approved January 20, 2004.