State Implementation Policy (SIP)

The State Implementation Policy (SIP) applies to discharges of toxic pollutants into the inland surface waters, enclosed bays, and estuaries of California subject to regulation under the State’s Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and the federal Clean Water Act. Such regulation may occur through the issuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits or other relevant regulatory approaches. The SIP establishes a standardized approach for permitting discharges of toxic pollutants to non-ocean surface waters in a manner that promotes statewide consistency.

• Public Notice and Scoping Document: Water Quality Objectives for Cadmium and Related Implementation Methods.
• Exception Procedures:
  • Procedures for Case-by-Case Exceptions from SIP Provisions
  • Procedures for Case-by-Case Exceptions from Criteria/Objectives
  • Case-by-Case Exceptions Response to Regional Board Comments
• California Toxics Rule (CTR): The U.S. Environmental Agency published the CTR in the Federal Register (65 Fed. Register 31682-31719), adding Section 131.38 to Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, on May 18, 2000. See the full text of the CTR.
• Archives - Information related to the SIP amendments.