The document provides an update from the Water Board on two of its key activities: the Regional Monitoring Program and the Stream and Wetland Systems Protection Policy. The Regional Monitoring Program monitors contamination in the San Francisco Bay through collaborative efforts and publishes its results annually in a report called "The Pulse of the Estuary." The Stream and Wetland Systems Protection Policy is a proposed amendment to establish sediment quality objectives and protect aquatic life and human health. It also coordinates state and regional policies around wetlands.

1. Water Board Update
Elizabeth Wells, PE
Project Manager
510-622-2440
ewells@waterboards.ca.gov

2. Water Board Activities
• Regional Monitoring Program
• Stream and Wetland Systems Protection
Policy

3. Regional Monitoring Program
• Monitors contamination in SF Bay
• Collaborative effort
• Results published in The Pulse of the
Estuary

5. Pulse of the Estuary - 2009
• RMP results
• Sediment discussion:
• Dredged sediment
• Suspended sediment
• Sediment coring
• Sediment quality objectives
• Copies - San Francisco Estuary Institute
• Ph: 510-746-SFEI
• www.sfei.org

6. Sediment Quality Objectives
• Protection of aquatic life in bays and estuaries
SQOs established in 2008
• Protection of human health SQOs scheduled for
adoption in 2010
• Recent data show 39% of stations in SF Bay
exceeded aquatic life SQO

7. Stream and Wetland Systems
Protection Policy
• Proposed Basin Plan Amendment
• Beneficial uses
• Water Quality Objectives
• Implementation Plan
• State and Regional Board coordination
• State wetland definition

8. Stream and Wetland Systems
Protection Policy (cont.)
• Schedule
• Scientific peer review – Nov. 2009
• Public comment – Spring 2010
• Public adoption hearing – Fall 2010