Conceptual Model to Support PCB Management and Monitoring in the San Leandro Bay Priority Margin Unit Final Report

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | November 2nd, 2019

The goal of this report is to answer three questions related to management and monitoring of PCBs in priority margin units. To this end, a conceptual model was develope

The goal of this report is to answer three questions related to management and monitoring of PCBs in priority margin units. To this end, a conceptual model was developed that includes four major elements: 1. loading from the watersheds; 2. initial deposition and retention; 3. processes determining the long-term fate of PCBs in sediment and water; and 4. bioaccumulation in the food web

Conceptual Model to Support PCB Management and Monitoring in the San Leandro Bay Priority Margin Unit, Phase One

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | June 1st, 2018

The goal of RMP PCB special studies over the next few years is to inform the review and possible revision of the PCB TMDL and the reissuance of the Municipal Regional P

The goal of RMP PCB special studies over the next few years is to inform the review and possible revision of the PCB TMDL and the reissuance of the Municipal Regional Permit for Stormwater, both of which are tentatively scheduled to occur in 2020. Conceptual model development for a set of four representative priority margin units will provide a foundation for establishing an effective and efficient monitoring plan to track responses to load reductions, and will also help guide planning of management actions. The Emeryville Crescent was the first PMU to be studied in 2015-2016. The San Leandro Bay PMU is second (2016-2017), Steinberger Slough in San Carlos is third (2017), and Richmond Harbor will be fourth (2018). The conceptual model reports for these four PMUs will be developed and presented using a consistent framework, and will build on each other to form an integrated assessment of these four areas. The lessons learned from these analyses will also be more generally applicable to similar contaminated sites on the margins of the Bay.

Condition of California Perennial, Wadeable Streams Based on Algal Indicators

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project | October 1st, 2013

Algae can serve as indicators of stream ecological condition in two ways. Information about algal community composition can be used for bioassessment analogous to the

Algae can serve as indicators of stream ecological condition in two ways. Information about algal community composition can be used for bioassessment analogous to the way in which benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) are employed (e.g., as described in Ode et al. 2011). When algae occur in excess (i.e., in the case of eutrophication), stress to the system can result; as such, the total amount of algae present also becomes an indicator of stream health in its own right. To date, the state of California has invested in several initiatives to build capacity for conducting stream algal assessment. This includes support for creation of a planning document funded by State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) (Fetscher and McLaughlin 2008) and establishment of SWAMP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field sample collection (Fetscher et al. 2009) and a laboratory processing and enumeration SOP (currently in review) for determining algal community composition. In addition, an algae Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for bioassessment of southern California streams was recently completedby Fetscher et al. (2013), and a state algae laboratory, based at California State University San Marcos, has been established. Over the past several years, the state of California’s Perennial Stream Assessment (PSA)and Reference Condition Management Program (RCMP), the southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC), and other smaller programs have collected and processed algae samples using the SWAMP protocols. As such, a substantial amount of standardized data on stream algae and instream, vascular macrophytes (together hereafter referred to as stream “primary producer indicators”) have been collected in California since 2007. However, no consolidated analysis of these data has been conducted so far. This report represents such an effort.

Conduct Airborne Electromagnetic Surveys

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 15th, 2020

Confined Animal Facility Permitting and Reporting Under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act: An Analysis of Regional Board Activities

Stanford University | February 2nd, 2026

This white paper analyzes reports containing (1) data from 2023 for the five regions with the largest numbers of CAFs in California; and (2) data from 2024 from the regio

This white paper analyzes reports containing (1) data from 2023 for the five regions with the largest numbers of CAFs in California; and (2) data from 2024 from the region with the most CAFs in the state. We identify six central problems with the self-reporting regime: CAFs frequently underreport wastewater production, or fail to report it at all. CAFs frequently underreport manure production. CAFs do not disclose, or inadequately document, where waste goes. Most CAFs fail to report how much waste they apply to their crops. (Those that do typically report significant overapplication.) CAFs frequently fail to account for all nutrients in the waste they produce. Regional Boards do not adequately enforce reporting requirements.

Confirmation of Initial Incidental Take for Adult Delta Smelt for the 2018 Water Year

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) | January 4th, 2018

Conjunctive Management and Groundwater Storage (Resource Management Strategy)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 29th, 2016

Conjunctive management or conjunctive use refers to the coordinated and planned use and management of both surface water and groundwater resources to maximize the availab

Conjunctive management or conjunctive use refers to the coordinated and planned use and management of both surface water and groundwater resources to maximize the availability and reliability of water supplies in a region to meet various management objectives. Surface water and groundwater resources typically differ significantly in their availability, quality, management needs, and development and use costs. Managing both resources together, rather than in isolation, allows water managers to use the advantages of both resources for maximum benefit. Conjunctive management thus involves the efficient use of both resources through the planned and managed operation of a groundwater basin and a surface water storage system combined through a coordinated conveyance infrastructure. Water is stored in the groundwater basin that is planned to be used later by intentionally recharging the basin when excess water supply is available, for example, during years of above-average surface water supply or through the use of recycled water. The necessity and benefit of conjunctive water management are apparent when surface water and groundwater are hydraulically connected. Well-planned conjunctive management that prevents groundwater depletion by maintaining baseflow to streams and support for ecosystem services not only increases the reliability and the overall amount of water supply in a region, but also provides other benefits such as flood management, environmental water use, and water quality improvement.  

Conjunctive Water Management Resource Management Strategy

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 29th, 2024

Conjunctive water management, also referred to as conjunctive use, is broadly defined as the coordinated and planned use and management of the different sources of water

Conjunctive water management, also referred to as conjunctive use, is broadly defined as the coordinated and planned use and management of the different sources of water in time and space. It is usually focused on surface water and groundwater resources to maximize the availability and reliability of water supplies in a region to meet various management objectives. It is a holistic approach to water resource management that can increase available water for beneficial uses, allow water agencies greater flexibility in scheduling deliveries, and improve drought resiliency (California Department of Water Resources 2003).

Connecting the dots between water, energy, food, and ecosystems issues for Integrated Water Management in a changing climate

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | March 7th, 2017

Global climate change creates critical challenges through increasing temperature, reducing snowpack, and changing precipitation for water, energy, and food, as well as fo

Global climate change creates critical challenges through increasing temperature, reducing snowpack, and changing precipitation for water, energy, and food, as well as for ecosystem processes at a regional scale. The water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus and related ecosystems have complex linkages with climate change implications. The overall objectives of this white paper are to provide background on this important subject, and help local water managers and the public better understand: *The ecosystem services for water, energy, and food in a changing climate. *The water-energy nexus and related climate change mitigation actions in California. *The energy used in California’s water sector and estimates of the energy intensity of regional water supplies. Particularly, this paper largely consolidates the water-energy content originally published in California Water Plan Update 2013 (Volumes I, II, and III), which included: *A framework for the energy intensity of California water systems. *An estimate of the regional energy intensity of water supplies. *Water-energy related climate change mitigation policies and actions. *Climate change mitigation benefits and tradeoffs associated with each of the 30 Resource Management Strategies found in Volume III. Furthermore, this paper will explore how water, energy, food, and climate change are interconnected with ecosystems, and why we need to understand these connections and identify the information gaps and related challenges and opportunities for ecosystem services in multiple sectors. Ecosystem services provide life support, goods, and natural resources in water, energy, and food, as well as environments. These are knowledge gaps for lack of conceptual framework and practices to interlink major climate change drivers of water resources with water-energy-food nexus and related ecosystem processes. This white paper provides information review and a conceptual framework to bridge these knowledge gaps. The case studies summarized in this paper indicate there is a large variation in energy intensities for groundwater and federal, state, and local water supplies, both within each hydrological region and among the 10 hydrological regions in California. Regional decisions were critically important in addressing water-energy conflicts and meeting local climate change challenges. These examples can be applicable for the United States and other countries with similar climate change challenges that use diversity of regional water resources for energy and food production. Future interdisciplinary research and support could bridge information and data gaps that are important for using best management practices to obtain efficiency of water, energy, and food systems related to climate change. The increased regional temperature, changes in snowpack and precipitation, and increased water stresses from drought can reduce ecosystem services and affect the water and energy nexus, agricultural food production, and fish and wildlife habitats in California. Regional decisions and practices in integrated management of water, energy, food, and related ecosystem processes are essential to adapting to and mitigating global climate change effects. Science and policy support for interdisciplinary research are critical in developing databases and tools for comprehensive analysis to fill knowledge gaps and address ecosystem service complexity, related natural resource investment, and integrated planning needs. There are significant challenges and opportunities in California to use integrated water management for water, energy, food, and the environment related to climate change. The California Water Action Plan and California Water Plan Update provide a road map and resource management strategies to use integrated water resource management for the multiple benefits of these sectors. The examples and case studies in this white paper have been used to identify information gaps and address related complexity and challenges. Questions posed in this paper regarding water and energy related to the food production cycle need further research and discussion. Overall, we should identify opportunities for innovation and technologies with multiple benefits, evaluate tradeoffs, and address integrated challenges in water, energy, food, and the environment to adapt and mitigate climate change.

Conservation Strategy for Restoration of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley Regions

CALFED | May 15th, 2014

The Conservation Strategy describes ERP goals and conservation priorities for Stage 2 of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (CALFED) and was developed by the Department of Fish

The Conservation Strategy describes ERP goals and conservation priorities for Stage 2 of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (CALFED) and was developed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), collectively known as the ERP Implementing Agencies. This document serves as the conceptual framework that will guide future ERP environmental restoration, including development of conservation priorities and processes to identify and implement restoration opportunities, and monitoring to guide and improve its success in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta), and the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley regions. This Conservation Strategy builds on information presented in the Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan (ERPP) (CALFED 2000a), the Multi-species Conservation Strategy (MSCS) (CALFED 2000d), ERP Milestones Reports (CALFED 2001b) and Annual Reports (DFG 2011b), the best available science on current ecological conditions, related programs and planning efforts, and input from stakeholders and the general public. There are many different kinds of conservation planning currently underway for the Delta, Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley regions and restoration is very much a shared vision between and among the agencies, various resource users, and the public. ERP Implementing Agencies will be using this ERP Stage 2 Conservation Strategy as a guide through the end of Stage 2 (2030). It provides a comprehensive ecosystem restoration strategy for ERP efforts in the Focus Area (Focus Area) (Figure 1), allowing flexibility in adapting responses accordingly to new scientific findings, changed circumstances and new or modified future conservation priorities. This Conservation Strategy will serve as a guide to identify programmatic-level types and locations of potential restoration actions based on conservation priorities. It is not a prescription for restoration actions at any specific site. Within this strategy is a compilation of conservation priorities, articulated from lessons learned during Stage 1, which may be used to meet ERP goals. All agencies, groups, or individuals interested in resource conservation and management within the Focus Area are encouraged to use this document as a guide to help coordinate activities to address ERP conservation priorities.