State Water Resources Control Board

State Water Resources Control Board
Agency name	State Water Resources Control Board
Formed	1967
Jurisdiction	California
Headquarters	Sacramento, California
Parent agency	California Environmental Protection Agency

State Water Resources Control Board The State Water Resources Control Board administers water quality and water rights in California. It operates within the California Environmental Protection Agency framework and coordinates with the California Natural Resources Agency, California Department of Water Resources, and regional boards. The board’s actions affect stakeholders including the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Central Valley Project, California State Legislature, and numerous local agencies and tribal governments.

History

The board was established in 1967 during the tenure of Governor Ronald Reagan amid rising public concern following events such as the Santa Barbara oil spill of 1969 and the expansion of environmental law exemplified by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Clean Water Act. Early regulatory development paralleled initiatives by the California Water Resources Board predecessor entities and responses to crises like the Donner Summit floods and droughts that prompted legislation such as the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Over decades the board interacted with federal actors including the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, and the Environmental Defense Fund on programs affecting the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, the Mokelumne River, and the Klamath River basin. Major historical milestones included responses to the 1991 California drought, litigation involving the Natural Resources Defense Council, and implementation of standards developed after the California Coastal Commission established protections for the San Francisco Bay estuary.

Organization and Governance

The board comprises appointed members confirmed by the California State Senate and coordinates with the five California Regional Water Quality Control Boards that align with hydrologic basins like the Los Angeles River, Central Coast, and Colorado River regions. Executive leadership reports to officials in the California Environmental Protection Agency and works alongside departments such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Public Health. Advisory bodies including the California Water Commission, the Delta Stewardship Council, and tribal liaison offices inform policy. The board operates through divisions that handle permitting, enforcement, water rights, and stormwater programs, interfacing with entities such as the California Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and municipal utilities like the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

Responsibilities and Programs

The board administers water quality standards, issues permits under the Clean Water Act Section 401 equivalent programs, and manages water rights permitting under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Programs include municipal stormwater permits affecting jurisdictions from Los Angeles County to San Diego County, agricultural discharge regulations impacting the Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley, and drinking water source protection in coordination with the California Department of Public Health. It oversees Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) planning in watersheds such as the Russian River, Kern River, and Eel River. The board implements requirements related to nutrient management, salinity control in the Salton Sea region, and ecosystem restoration projects in partnership with the California State Water Project and federal programs like the Central Valley Project Improvement Act. Collaborative programs involve stakeholders including the Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society, and regional conservancies like the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

Regulatory Authority and Enforcement

The board enforces water quality objectives and water rights through permits, cease-and-desist orders, cleanup and abatement orders, and civil liability actions under state statutes including the California Water Code. It issues waste discharge requirements for point source discharges and oversees nonpoint source pollution control aligned with federal guidance from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Enforcement actions have involved municipal entities such as the City of Los Angeles, agricultural producers in the Central Valley, and industrial dischargers including ports like the Port of Oakland and Port of Los Angeles. The board’s enforcement interacts with courts including the California Supreme Court and federal district courts, and with advocacy groups like the Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council in litigation over permits and environmental impact.

Funding and Budget

The board’s funding derives from state appropriations by the California State Legislature, fee revenues from permits, and federal grants from agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Budget cycles reflect priorities set by governors including Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom, and allocations to programs like stormwater management, groundwater sustainability linked with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and Delta ecosystem restoration. Financial oversight involves the California Department of Finance and auditing by the California State Auditor; major contracts and grants are coordinated with entities such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and regional water districts including the East Bay Municipal Utility District.

Notable Initiatives and Controversies

Notable initiatives include development of the Bay-Delta Plan affecting the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, implementation of nutrient management in the San Joaquin Valley in response to studies by the University of California, Davis, and emergency regulations during droughts like those in 2014–2017. Controversies have involved water rights disputes with agricultural interests in the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, enforcement actions against municipalities including disputes with the City of Stockton, and debates over groundwater protection tied to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and the California Environmental Quality Act. High-profile litigation has included cases brought by the Environmental Water Caucus, tribal nations such as the Yurok Tribe over Klamath River management, and environmental groups like the Friends of the River. Policy conflicts have connected the board with federal decisions by the Bureau of Reclamation and with infrastructure projects such as proposed conveyance changes in the Delta Conveyance Project.

Category:California state agencies