Public WorkshopPublic WorkshopImplementation and Enforcement Implementation and Enforcement

of Nutrient TMDLs for Lake of Nutrient TMDLs for Lake Elsinore and Canyon LakeElsinore and Canyon Lake

CA Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board)

Western Riverside County Agricultural Coalition (WRCAC)

June, 2012

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Regional Water Board– Nutrient TMDLs for Lake Elsinore and Canyon

Lake – Agricultural Operator Requirements– Water Code 13267 Letter

Western Riverside County Ag CoalitionQuestions and Answers

Lake Elsinore/Canyon Lake Water Quality Problems

•Severe Algal blooms

•Sometimes Massive fish kills

Cause of WQ Problems:

• Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen loads

•Depletion of Oxygen

What did Regional Board do about it?What did Regional Board do about it?

Listed Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake on Clean Water Act, 303(d) list of Impaired Waters in 1994, 1998 and 2002

In 2004, adopted nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) pollution control plans or TMDLs for both Lakes

Regional Board staff having been working with Stakeholders on the implementation of the TMDLs

Lake Elsinore/Canyon Lake

TMDL Goals

Parameter Compliance Date

Total Phosphorus 2020

Total Nitrogen 2020

Ammonia Nitrogen 2020

Chlorophyll a 2015, 2020

Dissolved Oxygen 2015, 2020

Discharger Responsibilities

Reduce Loads by 2020:

Total Phosphorus,

Total Nitrogen

Assigned to:

Urban Runoff Septic Systems Agriculture Recycled Water CAFO Internal

Sediment Forest Lands

Nutrient reductions

Allocations 8,691 kg/yr

Canyon Lake – Phosphorus Loads

Existing Loads 13,558 kg/yr

Ag

Agricultural Owner RequirementsAgricultural Owner Requirements

1. On-going Monitoring Program Watershed-wide Monitoring Plan L. Elsinore, Canyon L. Monitoring Plan Annual report – due August of each year

2. Agricultural Nutrient Management Plan Draft submitted Dec. 2011 Final due July 2012 Implementation required

Land owner is responsible for meeting requirements

California Water Code California Water Code Sections 13267 and 13268Sections 13267 and 13268

Enforcement tools to ensure TMDL compliance regarding technical and monitoring reports

“…Any person/agency who has discharged, discharges, or is suspected of having discharged, or discharging, or who proposes to discharge waste,…, shall furnish…

Failing to submit the reports may warrant monetary penalty of up to $1,000 per day

By joining Western Riv. County Ag Coalition, requirements met = no enforcement

Agricultural Owner RequirementsAgricultural Owner Requirements

TMDL/Ag requirements can be met by

a. Undertaking monitoring and Nutrient Management Plan development and implementation on your own

OR

b. Becoming a member of WRCAC

Responsible StakeholdersResponsible Stakeholders US Forest Service:

– San Bernardino and Cleveland National Forest Management Zones March Air Reserve Base and March JPA State of California

– Department of Fish and Game– Department of Transportation

County of Riverside– Flood Control and Water Conservation District– DAMP Program Co-permittees including:

City of Beaumont City of Lake Elsinore City of PerrisCity of Canyon Lake City of Moreno Valley City of RiversideCity of Hemet City of Murrieta City of San Jacinto

Water Agencies:– Eastern Municipal Water District– Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District

Agriculture:– UC Cooperative Extension– Concentrated Animal Feeding Operators– Agricultural Operators– Farm Bureau

Next Steps for Ag OwnersNext Steps for Ag Owners

Work with Western Riverside County Ag Coalition (WRCAC); commit to work with/provide funding to WRCAC to meet TMDL requirements

Exemption ProcessExemption Process

If there are no agricultural practices occurring on your property, you can seek an exemption to these requirements

WRCAC will conduct exemption analysis

All exemptions are only good until next assessment cycle in 3-4 years.

WRCAC presentation to provide additional information