The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) is
nearing the end of more than a decade-long policy development
process that would create a statewide definition of wetlands for
the purposes of determining what bodies of water are to be
considered protected “Waters of the State.” CSAC has signed on to
a joint letter expressing concerns with several elements of the
proposed policy.
The joint letter was submitted to the State Water Board on
September 18th, 2017 as part of the final public comment period.
The next step in this policy adoption process is a response by
the State Water Board to the public comments that it has
received. This policy is expected to come up for a vote of
adoption by the State Water Board this coming winter. CSAC has
been working with dozens of other private, non-profit and public
works groups to express concerns with the proposed policy.
Included in the proposed policy are both a new statewide
definition of wetlands and procedures for discharges of dredged
or fill material to “Waters of the State.” This proposed policy
has been drafted in part to include more wetlands under State
jurisdiction. The proposed definition and procedures will be used
in both 401 State Water Quality Certifications as required under
the Federal Clean Water Act and in the issuance of Water
Discharge Requirements under California’s Porter-Cologne Water
Quality Control Act.
