ARCHIVED REPORTS_DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

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approximately one month. The DW diversion could occur in any month but would occur only when the amount of allowable water for export is greater than the permitted pumping rate of the export pumps. Potential water quality impacts associated with this project include increases in salinity, dissolved organic carbon, and possibly changes in other water quality variables. In 2001,the SWRCB certified the EIR on the Delta Wetlands Project. In February 2007,the Public Policy Institute of California(PPIC)released a comprehensive study of the DW which assessed current challenges facing the Delta including its ecosystem,water supply reliability,water quality, and existing land uses and also identified potential options that state leaders should explore this year in implementing a long-term solution for preserving the Delta. According to the latest information release(February 7,2007),the DW is still currently being studied by the California Bay-Delta Authority and the California Department of Water Resources. 5.2.4 LARGE-SCALE WATER QUALITY PROGRAMS Because the project would influence and be influenced by several large-scale water quality programs,the"plan" approach was used to evaluate cumulative impacts on a regional scale. The regional cumulative analysis area covers the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region and includes an evaluation of the following programs: STATE OF CALIFORNIA TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD PROGRAM The State of California Total Maximum Daily Load(TMDL)Program establishes a process that provides a framework for identifying load reductions or other actions needed to attain water quality standards(i.e.,water quality goals to protect aquatic life, drinking water,and other beneficial uses). The Clean Water Act Section 303(d) established the TMDL program to guide application of State standards to individual water bodies/watersheds. The process has three steps: ► Identify Quality Limited Waters. California must identify and prepare a list [303(d) list] of waters that do not or are not expected to meet water quality standards after applying existing required controls. ► Establish Priority Waters/Watersheds.California must prioritize waters/watersheds and target high priority waters/watersheds for TMDL development. ► Develop TMDLs.For each listed water body, California must develop a TMDL that would describe load reductions necessary to achieve water quality standards, allowing for seasonal variations and an appropriate margin of safety.A TMDL is a quantitative assessment of water quality problems, contributing sources, and load reductions or control actions needed to restore and protect individual water bodies. The State Water Resources Control Board(SWRCB) and the nine Regional Boards are the state agencies responsible for implementing the TMDL program in California. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)provides federal oversight to the process by reviewing and approving both the 303(d) list of quality limited waters and each TMDL. If EPA disapproves lists or TMDLs,EPA is required to establish the lists and/or TMDLs. TMDLs should address all significant sources of listed pollutants, including point sources,nonpoint sources, and naturally occurring sources.A TMDL is the sum of the individual waste load allocations for point sources,load allocations for nonpoint sources and natural background pollutants, and an appropriate margin of safety. TMDLs must clearly identify the links between the water body use impairment and threat of concern,the causes of the impairment or threat, and the load reductions or actions needed to remedy or prevent the impairment. TMDLs are developed to provide an analytical basis for implementing pollution controls, land management practices, and restoration projects needed to protect water quality. The State of California is required to include approved TMDLs and associated implementation measures in its state water quality management plans, i.e.,Basin Plans. USEPA regulations require that NPDES permits be consistent with waste load allocations in approved TMDLs. Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR EDAW City of Manteca 5-7 Cumulative Impacts