FIELD DOCUMENTS AND WORK PLANS 2000-2003

Home Browse Search

WASTE DISCHARGE REQUAENTS ORDER NO. R5-2002-XXXX 4 MARLEY COOLING TOWER COMPANY SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY Mormon Slough, and the Stockton Diverting Canal to provide irrigation water for adjacent farmers. During this time,there are periods of limited or no flow in the Stockton Diverting Canal. 15. The Basin Plan at page H-2.00 states that: "Existing and potential beneficial uses that currently: apply to surface waters of the basins are presented in Figure II-1 and Table H-1. The beneficial uses of any specifically identified water body generally apply to its tributary streams." The Basin Plan does not specifically identify beneficial uses for the Stockton Diverting Canal,but the Basin Plan does identify present and potential uses for the Calaveras River, to which the Stockton Diverting Canal is tributary. The Basin Plan identifies the following existing beneficial uses of the Calaveras River, from New Hogan Reservoir to the Delta: municipal and domestic supply(MUN), agricultural supply (AGR) including both irrigation and stock watering; body contact recreation, canoeing and rafting, (REC-1); and other non-body contact recreation (REC-2); warm freshwater habitat (WARM); cold freshwater habitat (COLD), warm and cold migration of aquatic organisms (MIGR),warm and cold habitat spawning,reproduction, and/or early development (SPWN); and wildlife habitat (WILD). Industrial process supply(PRO) and industrial service supply(IND) are identified as a potential beneficial uses. In addition, State Board Resolution No. 88-63, incorporated into the Basin Plan pursuant to Regional Board Resolution No. 89-056, requires the Regional Board to assign the municipal and domestic supply use to water bodies that do not have beneficial uses listed in Table H-1. The Basin Plan on page H-1.00 states: "Protection and enhancement of existing and potential beneficial uses are primary goals of water quality planning..." and with respect to disposal of wastewaters states that"... disposal of wastewaters is [not] a prohibited use of waters of the State; it is merely a use which cannot be satisfied to the detriment of beneficial uses." In reviewing whether the existing and/or potential beneficial uses of the Calaveras River apply to the Stockton Diverting Canal, the Board has considered the following facts: a. Domestic Supply and Agricultural Supply The Regional Board is required to apply the beneficial uses of municipal and domestic supply to the Stockton Diverting Canal based on State Board Resolution No. 88-63 which was incorporated into the Basin Plan pursuant to Regional Board Resolution 89-056. In addition, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)has issued water rights to existing water users along Stockton Diverting Canal and the Calaveras River downstream of the discharge for domestic and irrigation uses. As noted above, municipal and domestic supply are identified as an existing beneficial use of the Calaveras River,with which the Stockton Diverting Canal exchanges water. b. Water Contact and Non-Contact Recreation and Esthetic Enjoyment The Board finds that the discharge flows through residential areas, and there is ready public access to the Stockton Diverting Canal and the Calaveras River. Exclusion of the public is