Notice of Staff Public Workshop
Regarding
Regional General Waste Discharge Requirements for Vegetation or Sediment Removal or Management Activities for Fire or Flood Risk Reduction
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region (Central Coast Water Board) staff will hold a public workshop to present information and receive input on the recently released draft Regional General Waste Discharge Requirements for Vegetation or Sediment Removal or Management Activities for Fire or Flood Risk Reduction (General WDRs).
The workshop will be held on June 26, 2024 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and will have both in-person and remote attendance options.
In Person Attendance:
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Central Coast Water Board
895 Aerovista Place, Suite 101
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Remote Attendance:
09:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://waterboards.zoom.us/j/98185189711?pwd=v0zluxcdkpXfr6XmEhPb3JPqsaWdK4.1
Meeting ID: 981 8518 9711
Passcode: 797849
Or call in (669) 900-9128, meeting code: 981 8518 9711
Background
The Central Coast Water Board has developed the proposed General WDRs for discharges to waters of the state associated with vegetation or sediment management activities conducted for fire or flood risk reduction. To reduce wildfire and flood risk, vegetation and sediment management in waters of the state has increased in pace and scale. Vegetation and sediment management activities for fire and flood risk reduction can result in discharges of waste to waters of the state and have the potential to adversely impact water quality. Permits that include conditions and requirements to prevent or control discharges of waste under state and federal laws are necessary to protect waters of the state. The proposed General WDRs represent a step by the Central Coast Water Board to support vegetation and sediment management while also protecting water quality and beneficial uses of waters of the state.
The proposed General WDRs were released for public review on June 3, 2024 and are available on the Central Coast Water Board website.[1]
Purpose
This workshop will provide participants with explanations of the proposed General WDRs, followed by opportunities for participants to ask questions and provide comments.
Who Should Attend?
Individuals in the Central Coast region interested in vegetation or sediment management activities for fire or flood risk reduction conducted in and around waters of the state should attend. This includes tribal representatives, municipal representatives, other public agency representatives, environmental groups, members of the public, and other interested parties.
RSVP
To facilitate workshop planning, please RSVP and identify whether you plan to attend in-person or remotely. Please RSVP by emailing April Woods at April.Woods@waterboards.ca.gov.
Procedural Matters
Public participation will be in-person and virtual. Central Coast Water Board staff will provide brief presentations covering an overview of the proposed General WDRs. Afterwards, there will be time for participants to comment and ask questions. Oral comments will be noted and considered at the meeting. Written comments on the proposed General WDRs will be accepted as described below. The presentation slides will be available by request following the meeting.
Public Comments
Comments must be received by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Persons interested in providing written comments on the proposed General WDRs are encouraged to submit comments by electronic mail. Please email written comments to April.Woods@waterboards.ca.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to the following address:
Central Coast Water Board
401 Water Quality Certification Program
895 Aerovista Place, Suite 101
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Language Services
The proposed general WDRs are available in English and the staff workshop will be offered in English. To request translation of written documents, interpretation services in another language or sign language services, please use one of the following options:
Accessibility
Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired (TDD) users may contact the California Relay Service at (800) 735-2929 or voice line at (800) 735-2922.
Future Notices
The public workshop will occur at the time and date noted above. Any change in the date, time, or other meeting information will be noticed through the proposed General WDRs email subscription list. Parties interested in receiving future notices, including changes to this notice of the public workshop, must sign up for the email distribution list using the subscription form,[2] select the box for “Veg. & Sediment Removal General Order” and provide the required information.
Contact Information
For questions regarding the staff workshop or proposed General WDRs, please contact April Woods at April.Woods@waterboards.ca.gov or (805) 549-3332.
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