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and industries). Section 303(d)requires that the state develop a total maximum daily load(TMDL) for each of the listed pollutants.The TMDL is the amount of loading that the water body can receive and still be in compliance with water quality objectives.The TMDL can also serve as a plan to reduce loading of a specific pollutant from various sources to achieve compliance with water quality objectives.The TMDL determined by the state must include an allocation of allowable loadings to point and nonpoint sources,with consideration of background _ loadings and a margin of safety.The TMDL must also include an analysis that shows the linkage between loading reductions and the attainment of water quality objectives.The EPA must either approve a TMDL prepared by the state or,if it disapproves of the state's TMDL, issue its own.NPDES permit limits for listed pollutants(see below)must be consistent with the waste load allocation prescribed in the TMDL.After implementation of the TMDL,it is anticipated that the problems that led to placement of a given pollutant on the Section 303(d)list would be remediated. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES)permit program was established in Section 402 of the CWA to regulate municipal and industrial discharges to surface waters of the United States.Federal NPDES permit regulations have been established for broad categories of discharges,including point-source municipal waste discharges and nonpoint-source stormwater runoff.An NPDES permit generally identifies effluent and receiving water limits on allowable concentrations and/or mass emissions of pollutants contained in the discharge; prohibitions on discharges not specifically allowed under the permit; and provisions that describe required actions by the discharger, including pollution prevention,monitoring,and reporting activities. One category of the NPDES permits applies to municipal and industrial stormwater discharges.The RWQCBs in California are responsible for implementing the NPDES permit system(see additional information under"State Regulations" below). J STATE REGULATIONS In California,the SWRCB and associated nine RWQCBs have broad authority over water quality control issues for the state.The SWRCB is responsible for developing statewide water quality policy and exercises the powers delegated to the state by the federal government under the CWA.Regional authority for planning,permitting,and enforcement is delegated to the RWQCBs.The Central Valley RWQCB has oversight for water quality in the Delta. — Other state agencies with resource management responsibilities that involve water quality conditions include the California Department of Health Services(DHS)(for drinking water regulations),the California Department of Pesticide Regulation(DPR),the California Department of Fish and Game(DFG),the California Department of Toxic Substances Control(DTSC), and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment(OEHHA). Porter—Cologne Water Quality Control Act The Porter—Cologne Water Quality Control Act of 1969(Porter—Cologne Act) is California's statutory authority for the protection of water quality.Under the act,the state must adopt water quality policies,plans, and objectives that protect the state's waters for the use and enjoyment of the people.The act also requires waste dischargers to notify the RWQCBs of their activities through the filing of Reports of Waste Discharge(RWDs)and authorizes the SWRCB and RWQCBs to issue and enforce waste discharge requirements(WDRs),NPDES permits, Section 401 water quality certifications,or other approvals.The RWQCBs also have authority to issue waivers to RWDs/WDRs for broad categories of`low threat"discharge activities that have minimal potential for adverse water quality effects when implemented according to prescribed terms and conditions. Y Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins Each regional board formulates and adopts a regional water quality control plan,also known as a Basin Plan, for the groundwater and surface waters under its jurisdiction.The plans,required by the CWA and the Porter—Cologne Act, EDAW College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR Water Quality 4.8-4 San Joaquin County