San Diego Region - The Basin Plan

The Basin Plan

Updated Basin Plan - with amendments effective on or before September 1, 2021

Cover and Title Pages
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Beneficial Uses
Chapter 3 - Water Quality Objectives
Chapter 4 - Implementation
Chapter 5 - Plan and Policies
Chapter 6 - Surveillance, Monitoring and Assessment
Chapter 7 - Total Maximum Daily Loads
Appendices
San Diego Region Hydrologic Basin Plan Area Map

San Diego Basin Plan Map webapp
Provides information contained in the San Diego Region Basin. The dataset is limited to the beneficial use definitions and designations, and water bodies in the region. Additional features include watersheds with applicable TMDLs, surface waters identified as impaired on the 2014-2016 Clean Water Act 303(d) list, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Protected Areas, and Department of Water Resources Groundwater Basins.

Terms of Use
The San Diego Basin Plan Map webapp is subject to revision and is for informational purposes only. The San Diego Basin Plan Map webapp and its content are provided on an "as is," "as available" basis, and may be subject to errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region, makes no representations about the suitability, reliability, availability, timeliness, and accuracy of the information and content on the San Diego Basin Plan Map webapp. It is not intended, and should not be relied upon or construed, as a regulatory document regarding any specific issue or factual circumstance. Use of the San Diego Basin Plan Map webapp is at your sole risk. By using the San Diego Basin Plan webapp, the user accepts these Terms of Use. If you do not accept these Terms of Use, you may not access or use the San Diego Basin Plan Map webapp or its content.

Basin Plan Amendments

Any change to the Basin Plan requires a Basin Plan amendment. All Basin Plan amendments are subject to a full public participation and hearing process prior to adoption by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (San Diego Water Board). Basin Plan amendments also must be approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and, in many cases, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Basin Plan amendments become effective and are added to the Basin Plan document after final approval by OAL and/or USEPA, as applicable.

Current Projects:

Designation of Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL), Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB), and Subsistence Fishing (SUB) Beneficial Uses to Surface Waters in the San Diego Region

Tijuana River Valley Water Quality Restoration

Biological Objectives for the San Diego Region

Contact Water Recreation (REC-1) Water Quality Objectives – coming soon

Basin Plan Review

The Basin Plan review is the process used to identify and prioritize suggested revisions to the Basin Plan. State and federal laws require periodic review and update of the Basin Plan and, because federal law requires that water quality standards be reviewed every three years, the Basin Plan review is sometimes referred to as the "triennial review."

Public Participation

Public participation is an important part of the Basin Plan review and amendment process and is encouraged. To receive updates on Basin Plan issues, please: 1) subscribe to the "Basin Plan Issues" electronic mailing list, or 2) send a request to Ms. Michelle Santillan to have information sent to you via U.S. mail (see address below). You may also obtain information at your convenience from our website or by appointment at the San Diego Water Board office. If you are interested in participating in the Basin Plan review or amendment process, please contact Ms. Michelle Santillan at (619) 521-3369, Michelle.Santillan@waterboards.ca.gov, or California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region, 2375 Northside Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108.

Order a Copy of the Basin Plan Map

You can order a paper copy of the 1995 Basin Plan Map. The cost per paper copy of the Basin Plan Map including postage is $5.00.