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Source: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/asbs.html

Ocean Standards


State Water Quality Protection Areas – Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS)

ASBS stands for Area of Special Biological Significance. These are 34 ocean areas monitored and maintained for water quality by the State Water Resources Control Board. ASBS cover much of the length of California's coastal waters. They support an unusual variety of aquatic life, and often host unique individual species. ASBS are basic building blocks for a sustainable, resilient coastal environment and economy. * Areas of Special Biological Significance - Map and Video

Announcements

Ocean Plan Exceptions

General Exception * Compliance Plans and Pollution Prevention Plans * Notice of Elimination of Discharge * Sea Ranch Association * SWRCB Response to Sea Ranch Association (April 18, 2014) * Letter from Sea Ranch Association (December 23, 2013) * U.S. Department of the Interior, Redwood National Park * Letter from Redwood National Park (November 14, 2012) * Monitoring Extension * Department of Transportation * Letter from Department of Transportation (June 25, 2013) * Letter to the Department of Transportation (May 23, 2013) * Amendments to the General Exception to the California Ocean Plan for Areas of Special Biological Significance Waste Discharge Prohibition for Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges, with Special Protections (June 19, 2012) * Resolution No. 2012-0031 * General Exception to the California Ocean Plan for Areas of Special Biological Significance Waste Discharge Prohibition for Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges, with Special Protections (March 20, 2012) * Resolution No. 2012-0012 * Change Sheet - Special Protections (circulated 3/16/12) * Revised Special Protections - showing 3/16/12 changes * Draft Response to New Comments received on Feb. 21, 2012 * Comments - Feb. 21, 2012 * Revised Public Notice - the March 6, 2012 adoption meeting for the proposed exception to the Ocean Plan’s ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition has been rescheduled for March 20, 2012. * Public Notice - The State Water Board is accepting written comments on only changes from the previously circulated Special Protections (Attachment B to the General Exception and the Environmental Impact Report) - Deadline was February 21, 2012 by Noon. (posted 2/9/12) * Revised Draft - Special Protections (Attachment B to General Exception), Strikeout Underline Version (posted 2/7/12) * Revised Draft - Special Protections (Attachment B to General Exception), Clean Version (posted 2/7/12) * Revised Attachment to Special Protections, Flowchart to Determine Compliance with Natural Water Quality (posted 2/13/12) Trinidad Head ASBS * Final PEIR - redline version showing all changes (posted 2/24/12) * Final PEIR - clean version with all changes (posted 2/24/12) * Appendices: 1 | 2 (Excel) | 3 | 4 | 5 (Excel) | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 * Public Notice | Re-Notice | Revised Notice * Comments * Draft PEIR * Appendices: 1 | 1a | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 * Map * Proposed Exception to the California Ocean Plan’s ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition
On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses. * Agenda Item 6 - Selected Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges into ASBS (General Exception) [background...] * General Exception Selected Discharges
Notice of Preparation of a Statewide Program Environmental Impact Report for a General Exception to the California Ocean Plan Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Selected Discharges into ASBS, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses (posted 2/9/10) * Public Notice * Comments Letters * Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Waste Discharges

* [Draft Special Protections](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/draft_special_protections.pdf) for Selected Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges into Areas of Special Biological Significance - March 3, 2008 
* [Draft Data Report](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/draft_data_report.pdf) - Preliminary summary of available data from ASBS exception applications received in 2006. The information in this draft report is in addition and complimentary to the August 2006 ASBS Status Report. Additional applications have been received in 2007 and not all of that data has yet been assimilated into this report.
* [Deadline for Comment Letters](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/wrkshp083105/pn_comment_ext090106.pdf) (extended to September 1, 2006 - 5pm)
  * [Comments](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/asbs_comaug2006.html)
* [Draft Staff Proposal](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/wrkshps_aug2006/special_protections06142006draft.pdf) (6/16/06)
* [Notice of Public Scoping Meetings](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/wrkshps_aug2006/pn081506scoping.pdf)
* [Notice of Board Member Quorum](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/wrkshps_aug2006/notice_quorum.pdf) (for August 15th)
* [Agenda](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/wrkshps_aug2006/agenda_asbs_aug06.pdf)
* [August Scoping Meeting Notes](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/docs/asbs/aug06_stakeholders_mtgnotes.pdf)

Telonicher Marine Laboratory Ocean Plan Exception (Humboldt State University) Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Telonicher marine Laboratory Discharge into the Trinidad Head ASBS * Resolution No. 2011-0049 * On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving, a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses for Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory * Agenda Item 3 - Telonicher Marine Laboratory discharge into the Trinidad Head Area of Special Biological Significance [background...] * Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory Ocean Plan Exception
Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses) and Initial Study for an Exception to the California Ocean Plan ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory * Public Notice »» Comments »» Response to Comments * Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration * Initial Study for Humboldt State University Marine Laboratory * Appendices »» A | B | C | D | E | F | G


Hopkins Marine Station Ocean Plan Exception (Stanford University)

Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Hopkins Marine Station Discharge into the Pacific Grove ASBS * Resolution No. 2011-0050 * On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving, a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses for Hopkins Marine Station * Agenda Item 4 - Hopkins Marine Station discharge into the Pacific Grove Area of Special Biological Significance [background...] * Hopkins Marine Station Ocean Plan Exception
Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses) and Initial Study for an Exception to the California Ocean Plan ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Hopkins Marine Station * Final Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (posted 10/6/11) * Revised Initial Study (posted 10/6/11) * Comments »» Response to Comments (posted 4/15/11) » Additional Response to Comments (posted 10/6/11) * Public Notice * Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration * Initial Study for Hopkins Marine Station »» Appendices A — F


Monterey Bay Aquarium Ocean Plan Exception Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Monterey Bay Aquarium Discharge into the Pacific Grove ASBS * Resolution No. 2011-0051 * On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving, a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses for Monterey Bay Aquarium * Agenda Item 5 - Monterey Bay Aquarium discharge into the Pacific Grove Area of Special Biological Significance [background...] * Monterey Bay Aquarium Ocean Plan Exception
Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses) and Initial Study for an Exception to the California Ocean Plan ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Monterey Bay Aquarium * Final Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (posted 10/6/11) * Revised Initial Study (posted 10/6/11) * Comments »» Response to Comments (posted 4/15/11) » Additional Response to Comments (posted 10/6/11) * Public Notice * Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration * Initial Study for and Monterey Bay Aquarium »» Appendices A — E


Bodega Marine Laboratory (University of California at Davis)

Ocean Plan Exception/Special ASBS Protections for Bodega Marine Lab Waste Discharge into the Bodega ASBS - The State Water Board held a public hearing to receive comments on a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan prohibition against waste discharge into the Bodega ASBS - July 30, 2007 * Resolution No. 2007-0058 Bodega Marine Lab ASBS Excp * Public Notice * Comment Letters » » Response to Comments (8/24/07) * Initial Study * Mitigated Negative Declaration


Wrigley Marine Science Center (University of Southern California)

Ocean Plan Exception/Special ASBS Protections for the University of Southern California Wrigley Marine Science Center Discharge into the Northwest Santa Catalina Island ASBS * Resolution 2006-0013 * Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study * Notice of Comment Period and Public Hearing - February 1, 2006 * Comment Letters and Responses to the Ocean Plan Exception * Roberts, Raspe & Blanton LLP » » Responses to Comments


Scripps Institution of Oceanography (University of California)

Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Scripps Institution of Oceanography Discharge into the San Diego - Scripps ASBS * Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity for Public Comment (Comment Deadline: March 23, 2015 by 12 noon) * Proposed Resolution * Revised Draft Addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Resolution 2004-0052 (Posted 4/10/15) * Draft Addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Resolution 2004-0052 * Hearing Notice - dated May 20, 2004 * Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration - signed May 20, 2004 * Draft Negative Declaration and Supporting Initial Study * Comments and Responses to the Ocean Plan Exception: * Coastal Law Group * Department of Fish and Game * Hopkins Marine Station * Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute * The Ocean Conservancy * U.C. Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory * U.C. San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography Comments: No.1 & No.2 * University of Southern California * Responses to Comments - 2004 * California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Letter - July 15, 2004 * Final Ocean Plan Exception and Mitigated Negative Declaration - Resolution 2004-0052 - July 22, 2004

Resources and Reports

History

Original Enforcement Process * ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, State Water Board Workshops - 2005 * October 24, 2005 (San Pedro, California) * Public Notice * Agenda * ASBS Presentation * Transcript (Disclaimer: This transcript was made from a tape recording. The State Water Board does not guarantee the accuracy of this transcript.) * Comments * California Coalition for Clean Water * City of Monterey * Environmental Group * Coalition for Practical Regulation * August 31, 2005 (Monterey, California) * Public Notice * Agenda * Attendees * ASBS Workshop Presentation * Transcript (Disclaimer: This transcript was made from a tape recording. The State Water Board does not guarantee the accuracy of this transcript.) * Comments * ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition Notification and Exception Application Process * Correspondence with Responsible Parties * Ocean Plan ASBS Exceptions : What are they? Why do you want one? How do you get one? * How to Apply for an Ocean Plan Exception - Instructions * ASBS Cease and Desist Orders * Central Coast Regional Board - 2005 * Irvine Coast ASBS - Crystal Cove * State Board Precedential Decision - 2001 * Staff Report * Summary * Santa Ana Regional Board Cease and Desist Order - 2000 * Applications for Discharge Exceptions into ASBS
The State Water Resources Control Board will hold a public meeting on January 13, 2005 to provide information to stakeholders regarding applications for exceptions to the Water Board for discharges into ASBS. Potential funding sources for planning and implementation of measures to control waste discharges into ASBS will be described. The meeting will also provide a forum for stakeholders and staff to investigate collaborative approaches to eliminating waste discharges into ASBS. * Public Notice * Final Agenda * Transcript


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