development of sediment quality objectives for california bays and estuaries overview and meeting...
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Development of Sediment Development of Sediment Quality Objectives for California Quality Objectives for California
Bays and EstuariesBays and Estuaries
Overview and Meeting Objectives
Steven Bay
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)
Mandate To Develop Sediment Mandate To Develop Sediment Quality ObjectivesQuality Objectives
In 1989, California Water Code was amended, requiring the SWRCB to develop SQOs for bays and estuaries.
SQOs were not developed under this program for variety of reasons.
In 1999, SWRCB was sued and lost. In 2002, Court mandated the SWRCB develop SQOs within a relatively tight time frame……
Project ScheduleProject Schedule
Scoping Document adopted by June 30 2003, completed (www.swrcb.ca.gov…..)
Draft Objectives and policy by August 5, 2005
By February 28, 2007 submit SQO policy to Office of Administrative Law
An Important OpportunityAn Important Opportunity
Project will impact several regulatory programs
– 303(d) listing
– NPDES permits
– TMDLs
Limited number of previous policy applications
– No national sediment quality criteria
– Only Washington has regulations
SSC Has a Critical RoleSSC Has a Critical Role
We want a solid scientific foundation
Limited prior experience to rely upon
– Few examples of regulations available
Developing a new approach that includes MLOE
– Think it is stronger
– Need independent feedback to ensure that implementation is correct
Three Advisory CommitteesThree Advisory Committees Scientific Steering Committee
– Independent technical review and guidance
– Learn from experience with other efforts
– Assist with resolving science/policy conflicts
Sediment Quality Advisory Committee – Provide stakeholder input for policy development– Identify potential conflicts– Enhance information exchange
Agency Coordination Committee– Provide regulatory agency input for implementation– Identify potential conflicts– Enhance information exchange
SQO Program Committees and SQO Program Committees and MembersMembers
Sediment Quality Advisory Committee – Regulated Community: Ports, POTWs, Municipal
Stormwater, Industrial Stormwater, Industrial Direct, Federal Facilities, Legacy Pollutants.
– Environmental/Conservation Organizations: SF BayKeeper, Heal the Bay, The Ocean Conservancy, Environmental Health Coalition, DeltaKeeper, Bay Foundation of Morro Bay, Sierra Club
Agency Coordination Committee– RWQCB, DTSC, DFG, USEPA, NOAA, F&WS, SLC, BCDC,
OEHHA.
Your Tasks for TodayYour Tasks for Today
Mid-Course assessment of project progress
– Are we on the right path?
– Have we responded appropriately to your comments?
Discuss issues at science-policy interface
– Advisory Committee comments
Anticipated future meetings
– July: Review of indicators and framework
– October: Review of indicator thresholds
Meeting Agenda Meeting Agenda Thursday morning (9:00-12:00)
– Update on project progress and response to SSC comments
• Multiple Line of Evidence Framework
• Chemistry Indicators
• Benthic Community Indicators
Thursday afternoon (1:00-5:00)
– Project updates (continued)
• Toxicity indicators
• Bioaccumulation-based indicators
– Advisory committee issues of concern
Meeting Agenda Meeting Agenda
Friday morning
– Closed session of SSC
Friday afternoon (1:00-4:00)
– Additional discussion of project elements
– Initial summary of SSC comments
– Action items and future meeting schedule