Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program

Sediment Quality Objectives

Sediments in bays and estuaries are often contaminated with a variety of pollutants stemming from sources including industrial and agricultural discharges, municipal wastewater treatment plants and storm water. Exposure to contaminated sediments can have a significant effect on the health, diversity and abundance of invertebrates such as clams and worms. Foraging fish and birds may also be exposed by ingesting contaminated invertebrates or sediments. In turn, those organisms consuming contaminated fish may be exposed to toxic pollutants. These effects underscore the need to develop sediment quality objectives that protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.

This page contains links to information on the State Water Board's progress developing sediment quality objectives.

U.S. EPA APPROVAL

U.S. EPA has approved the revised water quality standards for sediment quality adopted by the State Water Board under Resolution 2018-0028 and 2011-0017 in accordance with section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act and 40 C.F.R Part 131.  The provisions become effective under the Clean Water Act upon U.S. EPA approval.


NOTICE OF DECISION

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW APPROVAL

The Office of Administrative Law has approved State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2018-0028 pursuant to section 11353 of the Government Code.

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2018-0028

On June 5, 2018, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted Resolution No. 2018-0028, amending the Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California—Sediment Quality Provisions.

BOARD MEETING

The State Water Board will hold a public meeting to consider adoption of the Proposed Final Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries of California: Sediment Quality Provisions (Proposed Final Amendments), and the Proposed Final Staff Report including the Substitute Environmental Documentation (Proposed Final Staff Report).

Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 9:30am
Joe Serna Jr. - CalEPA Headquarters Building
Coastal Hearing Room 1001 I Street, Second Floor Sacramento, CA 95814

The Proposed Final Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries of California: Sediment Quality Provisions include application and implementation of the sediment quality objective (SQO) protecting benthic communities from direct exposure to pollutants in sediments, and application and implementation of the SQO protecting human consumers of resident sportfish from contaminants and bioaccumulate from sediment into fish tissue. These amendments, together with existing sediment quality provisions of the Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Plan, will be incorporated into the Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Plan of California (ISWEBE) once it is adopted.

June 5, 2018 Board Meeting

December 5, 2017 Public Hearing

Archives

Questions or Comments?

Please email Chris Beegan, Division of Water Quality.