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transcript
CannabisWaterQuality,Wildlife,WaterRights,andEnforcementPrograms
MattSt.John– NorthCoastRegionalBoardGriffinPerea & AshleyWorth– CentralValleyRegionalBoardYvonneWest&Lt.DeWayneLittle – StateWaterBoard,OfficeofEnforcement&DepartmentofFishandWildlifeErinRagazzi– StateWaterBoard,DivisionofWaterRights
SiskiyouCountyBoardofSupervisorsYreka,CA
October4,2016
PresentationOverview• Waterqualityandflowimpacts• StatewideCannabisStrategicInitiative• NorthCoast&CentralValleyRegionalBoardregulatoryprograms
• Enforcement• DivisionofWaterRightsCannabisCultivationRelatedProjects
• OpportunitiestoassistSiskiyouCounty
CommonissueswithCultivation• Illegalorpoorlydesignedsitedevelopmentandroadandstreamcrossingconstruction
• Diversionofstreamsandgroundwaterpumping• Runoff:sediment,nutrients,fertilizersandpesticides
• Householdgarbage‐ cultivationwastes• Fuelstorageandcontainment• Humanwastes
StatewideCannabisInitiativeUnregulatedlanddevelopmentforcannabiscultivationthreatenspublicsafety,impactswildlife,pollutesthelandandstreams,anddestroyshabitat.• PilotprograminitiatedinJuly2014• JointWaterBoards/FishandWildlifeStrategicPlan• Four‐prongedstrategy:
– Interagencycoordination– Regulatoryorderdevelopmentandimplementation– Educationandoutreach– Enforcement
StrategyInteragencyCoordination
RegulatoryProgram
EducationandOutreach
Enforcement
‐Counties‐Cities‐OtherAgencies
‐Identificationofsites‐Watershedprioritization‐Ongoinginspections
‐OrderR1‐2015‐0023‐OrderR5‐2015‐0013
‐Thispresentation‐Enrollmentworkshops‐Pre‐Consults
InteragencyCoordinationPrimaryPlayers:Dept.ofFishandWildlife,Region1,Region5,andStateBoardOfficeofEnforcement,andStateBoardDivisionofWaterRights• FormalManagementCoordination• PrioritizationandResourceCoordination:
• JointPrioritizationefforts• Jointinspectionsandenforcementefforts• Environmentalcrimestaskforcemeetingsandfieldefforts• Localandstateagencycoordination:newcodesandordinances,newlegislation,newregulations
• CoordinationwithlocalgovernmentsandTribes
WasteDischargeRegulatoryPrograms
• Region1:AdoptedOrderNo.R1‐2015‐0023• Region5:AdoptedOrderNo.R5‐2015‐0113• Ordersregulatethedischargeofwastefromcannabiscultivationandassociatedactivitiesoroperationswithsimilarenvironmentaleffects.
• Donot authorizecultivationofcannabis• Onlyapplytogrowsonprivateproperty
• StandardConditions– waterqualityandwaterconservationmeasures
• Tieredenrollmentrelativetowaterqualitythreats– Tier1– LowThreat– Tier2– WaterQualityManagementTier– Tier3– CleanupTier
• Facilitateenforcementactions
WasteDischargeRegulatoryPrograms
Enforcement:Authority,PastSuccesses&NextSteps
YvonneWest WaterBoards’CannabisRegulationandEnforcementUnit
Lt.DeWayneLittle CaliforniaFish&WildlifeWatershedEnforcementTeam(WET)
Water Board Photo ©
Water Boards’ Authority:
Water Quality &Water Rights
Above: Illegal water diversion at a recent inspection.Right: Cloudy water & algal bloom due to sediments and elevated nutrients from discharge of fertilizers & potting soils. Water Board photos ©
AlgalBloo
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CAFish&WildlifeEnforcementAuthority
FGC §1602 – An entity may not:substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow; substantially change or use material from; deposit or dispose debris into any river, stream, or lake without first notifying CDFW in writing. CDFW determines if notification is complete, and the entity pays applicable fees.
FGC §12025(a)(1)(A) – Up to $10,000 for eachviolation of §1602 in connection with cannabis cultivation while trespassing on public or private land;
FGC §12025(b)(1)(A) – Up to $8,000 for each violation of §1602 in connection with cannabis cultivation on land not subject to trespass;
FGC §12025(b)(2) Each day violation occurs or continues to occur is a separate violation.
ViolationsObservedDuring2015FieldInspectionsandObservations
CannabisProgramEnforcement/TaskForceInspectionsin2015:
~50%hadoneormoremoderateviolations(e.g.,undersizedcrossings,smallcontrollablesedimentsites,housekeepingissues)~25%hadsignificantviolations(e.g.,fillinsurfacewaters,poorlysitedandconstructedroads,widespreadpoorhousekeepingpractices)~25%hadnoviolationsorveryminorconcerns ~95%ofsitesusingsurfacewaterhadwaterrightsviolations;
TaskForcesAccomplishments CDFW&WaterBoardsparticipatedinover220inspectionsinNorthernCACounties,including:Shasta,Tehama,Butte,Humboldt,Trinity,&Mendocino;
Documentedmanywaterright,waterquality&FishandGameCodeviolationsincludingunauthorizeddiversion&useviolations;
ServedpropertyownerwithdetailedWaterRights&WaterQualityinspectionreports topropertyownersdetailingviolations,potentialviolations,&providedcompliancerecommendationsandNOVfromCDFW;
SubstantialincreaseinWaterRightsreportingandapplications,&LSA; Issuedformalenforcementordersrequiringsitecleanupandseekinginliability.
TaskForceCaseHighlights TheCentralValleyRegionalWaterBoardimposed$297,400liabilityagainstpropertyowner&contractor(June2015)
1st penaltyactionwithmultiagencyCannabisPilotProject; Large‐scalegradingactivitiesresultinginactualandpotentialharmtosurfacewatersintheOnoareaofShastaCounty; Gradingresultedinunlawfuldischargesofsedimenttopristinesurfacewatersthatprovidehabitattoaquaticorganismswhichareanimportantfoodsourceforfish,amphibians,birds&otherwildlife. Thecontractorconductedthegradingoperationsonpartofthepropertywithoutpermits&washeldjointlyliableforupto$139,700ofthepenalty.
TaskForceCaseHighlights(cont.)
StateWaterBoardEnforcementagainstBulkWaterHaulerresultsin$35,000Settlement(October2015)• ACLComplaintissuedforWaterRightsViolationsagainstTrinityCountypropertyownerforunauthorizeddiversionfromHayforkCreek;
• Settlementforfull amountofproposedliability; MadepossiblebyremotesurveillancewithDFW’sassistance;
SomewaterdeliverieswereallegedlyasfarawayasHumboldtCounty.
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StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,DivisionofWaterRights
ImplementationofSenateBill(SB)837CannabisInterim
PrinciplesandGuidelinesOctober4,2016‐ Yreka
StateWaterResourcesControlBoardDivisionofWaterRights
ErinRagazzi
StateWaterBoardResponsibilities• Ensureindividualandcumulativeeffectsofwaterdiversionanddischargeassociatedwithcannabiscultivationdonotaffectinstreamflowsneededforfishspawning,migration,andrearing,andflowsneededtomaintainnaturalflowvariability
PrinciplesandGuidelines• DevelopedbyStateWaterBoardinconsultationwithCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife
• Fordiversionanduseofwaterforcannabiscultivationinareaswherecultivationmayhavepotentialtosubstantiallyaffectinstreamflows
PrinciplesandGuidelines(cont.)• Principles and
guidelines shall include measures to protect springs, wetlands, and aquatic habitat from negative impacts of cannabis cultivation
• May include requirements that apply to groundwater extractions
InterimPrinciplesandGuidelines‐Concept
• Surfacewaterdiversionforbearanceperiod– Dryperiod– willvarybylocationdependingonclimateandhydrology
• Flowrequirementsfordiversionperiod(wetseason)– Maintainfirstflushflows,springrecessionflows,andportionsofotherhighflowevents
• Fishscreensandremovalofpassagebarriers• Conservationmeasures(drip,micro‐sprayirrigation)• Riparianbuffers
ImplementationandEnforcement• Goal:Developinterimprinciplesandguidelinesthatareeasilyunderstoodandenforceable
• StateWaterBoardhasprimaryenforcementresponsibilityforanyprinciplesandguidelinesimplementedasaresultofSB837
• MustnotifyCaliforniaDepartmentofFoodandAgricultureofanyenforcementactiontaken
• SB837doesnotlimittheregulatoryauthorityoftheStateWaterBoardunderotherprovisionsoflaw
ProjectedTimeline
• Conductinitialoutreachmeetingsinkeyregions:August‐ October2016– Lastmeetingtoday,October4,inRanchoCordovafrom2:00‐4:00pm(webcastavailable)
• Releasedraftpolicy,withprinciplesandguidelines,forpublicreview(60days):March‐ May2017
• StateWaterBoardmeetingforconsiderationofproposedprinciplesandguidelines:August2017
PublicParticipation• Howcanyouparticipate?
– Submitwrittencomments(telluswhatyoulikeand/orproviderecommendations)• DeadlinetosubmitcommentsisOctober7,2016
– Email:cannabisWR@waterboards.ca.gov– WrittenCorrespondence:
StateWaterResourcesControlBoard‐ DivisionofWaterRights
CannabisInterimFlowUnitP.O.Box2000Sacramento,CA95812‐2000
– SubmitcommentsonDraftInterimPrinciplesandGuidelines– AttendStateWaterBoardmeeting,andprovidecomments
» ProjectedtobeheldinAugust2017
Registrations• DevelopgeneraltermsandconditionsfortheSmallIrrigationUseregistrationprogramthatcanbeappliedstatewidetosupportcannabiscultivation
Webpages
• State and Regional Water Board cannabis cultivation information available at: waterboards.ca.gov/cannabis - portal to all Water Boards cannabis programs
EmailSubscriptionsSignupfortoreceiveemailsabouttheStateWaterBoardcommercialcannabiscultivation:
StateWaterBoard:http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/resources/email_subscriptions/• Select“WaterRights”and“CannabisCultivators”
NorthCoastRegionalBoard:http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/resources/email_subscriptions/reg1_subscribe.shtml• Select“CannabisDischargeRegulatoryProgram”
CentralValleyRegionalBoard:http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/resources/email_subscriptions/reg5_subscribe.shtml• Select“CannabisCultivationWasteDischargeRegulatoryProgram”
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ContactsMatt St. JohnExecutive Officer, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
707.570.3762Matt.St.John@waterboards.ca.gov
Lt. DeWayne LittleSupervising Warden, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
530.604.9789DeWayne.Little@wildlife.ca.gov
Yvonne WestSenior Staff Counsel, State WaterBoard’s Office of Enforcement
916.322.3626Yvonne.West@waterboards.ca.gov
Ashley WorthEnvironmental Scientist, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
530.224.6130Ashley.Worth@waterboards.ca.gov
Erin RagazziEnvironmental Program Manager, State Water Board’s Division of Water Rights
916.322.9634Erin.Ragazzi@waterboards.ca.gov
Daniel SchultzSenior Environmental Scientist, State Water Board’s Division of Water Rights
916.323.9392Daniel.Schultz@waterboards.ca.gov
WaterBoardEnforcement• Administrative• Civil• Criminal• RegulatoryTools
– Prohibitions– WasteDischargeRequirementsorWaiversthereof
– NPDESPermits
NorthCoastRegulatoryProgram• August13,2015:AdoptedOrderNo.R1‐2015‐0023– Doesnot authorizecultivationofcannabis– Regulatesthedischargeofwastefromcannabiscultivationandassociatedactivitiesoroperationswithsimilarenvironmentaleffects.
– AsofFebruary15,2016:cultivatorswith2000squarefeetormoreofcannabiswererequiredtoenrollforcoverageundertheOrder.
• Property‐widecoverage• StandardConditions– waterqualityandwaterconservation
• Tieredenrollmentrelativetowaterqualitythreats– Tier1– LowThreat– Tier2– WaterQualityManagementTier– Tier3– CleanupTier
• Frameworkforthirdpartyprograms• Programcompliancedoesnotprecludetheneedtocomplywithallapplicablelawsandregulations
NorthCoastRegulatoryProgram
CentralValleyRegulatoryProgramCurrentEnrollments(30September2016)
AshleyWorthEnforcement,CentralValleyRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard
The General Order regulates the discharge of wastes from outdoor or mixed indoor/outdoor cannabis cultivation operations that occupy and/or disturb more than 1,000 square feet.
The General Order does not authorize, endorse, sanction, permit, or approve the cultivation, use, or sale of cannabis.
Provides primacy to local jurisdictions
CentralValleyWaterBoard’sRegulatoryProgram
CentralValleyWaterBoard’sRegulatoryProgram(cont.)
Uses Discharge Prohibitions, Discharge Specifications, and Best Management Practices to Reduce and Eliminate Waste Discharges from Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation Activities
Discharge Prohibition: Hazardous Waste Discharge Specification: 100’ from surface water Best Management Practices (BMPs) Manual:
Erosion and Sediment Control Measures
TiersDe minimus: < 1,000 square feet
Tier I (Low Threat): <30% Slopes, <1/4 Acre, AND >200 feet from aquatic life bearing water body
Tier II (Moderate Threat): <30% Slopes, < 1 Acre, AND >200 feet from aquatic life bearing water body
Tier III (Elevated Threat): >30% Slopes, > 1 Acre, OR <200 feet from aquatic life bearing water body