California Environmental Protection Agency
CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardNorthCoastRegion
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021
WaiverofWasteDischargeRequirements
for
NonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivities
onNationalForestSystemLands
intheNorthCoastRegion
TheCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,NorthCoastRegion,(hereinafterRegionalWaterBoard)findsthat:1. TheNorthCoastRegionencompasses12,434,700acres(19,429squaremiles).The
UnitedStatesForestService(USFSorNationalForest)administersandmanagesapproximately5,099,078acres(7,967squaremiles)ofNationalForestSystem(NFS)landswithintwoUSFSRegionsandsixNationalForests,accountingforapproximately41percentoftheNorthCoastRegion:
a. TheUSFSRegion5(PacificSouthwestRegion)managestheModocNational
Forest,KlamathNationalForest,Shasta‐TrinityNationalForest,SixRiversNationalForest,andMendocinoNationalForest(referredtocumulativelyasNationalForests),accountingforapproximately5,015,756acresoftheNorthCoastRegion.
b. TheUSFSRegion6(PacificNorthwestRegion)managestheRogueRiver‐Siskiyou
NationalForest,accountingforapproximately83,322acresoftheNorthCoastRegion.
2. TheUSFSmanagesNFSlandsformultipleuses,whichincludeactivitiessuchas
grazing,forestry,recreation,vegetationmanagement,andrestoration.Activitiesassociatedwiththeseusesmaygeneratesediment,affectshadecanopy,orinfluenceotherwaterqualityparametersofwatersofthestate.ThisWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsForNonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivitiesonNFSLandsintheNorthCoastRegion(“Waiver”)addressesnonpointsourcedischargesofwastetowatersofthestatefromactivitiesassociatedwithspecificusesofNFSlands(alsoreferredtoas“nonpointsourceactivities”)detailedinFindingNo.4.
3. TheUSFS’slandmanagementoveralargeportionoftheNorthCoastRegionprovides
auniqueopportunityforcomprehensivepermitcoveragethatcanprovidemoreefficientprotectionofthebeneficialusesofwaterbyaddressingtemperatureandsedimentsourcessystematicallyacrossthelandscape.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐2‐USFSWaiver4. ThisWaivercoversdischargesfromnonpointsourceactivities,whichhavethe
potentialtodischargewastesthatmayaffectwatersofthestate.Mostofthepotentialwaterqualityimpactsareassociatedwitherosionandsedimentdeliveryand/oralterationstoripariansystemsthatmayreduceshadeandaffectwatertemperatures.Theseactivitiesandtheirpotentialwaterqualityimpactsaredescribedbelow:
TimberHarvesting:TimberharvestingactivitiesonNFSlandsandthe
associatedroadnetworkhavethepotentialtogeneratesedimentfromequipmentuseandfromerosionofbaregroundonroads,landings,andskidtrails,andtoreduceshadecanopyfromtreeremovalduetologging,roadconstruction,andequipmentoperations.
Roads:Maintenance,construction,upgrades(measurestakentobringaroaduptocurrentdesignstandards),stormproofing(astormproofedroadisonewheremeasureshavebeentakentoeitherupgradeordecommissiontheroadastominimizetheriskandpotentialmagnitudeoffutureerosionandsedimentdelivery),anddecommissioning(removalofthoseelementsofaroadthatunnaturallyreroutehillslopedrainageorpresentslopestabilityand/orerosionandsedimentdeliveryhazards)ofroadsposeapotentialimpacttowaterqualityfromerosion,masswasting,andcanopyremoval.TheNFSroadnetworkisextensive,servingthemultipleusesassociatedwithNFSlands,includingtimberharvesting,recreation,mining,andgrazing.
Grazing:Grazingbylivestockindesignatedriparianzoneshasthepotentialtogeneratethedischargeofnutrientsandpathogensfromanimalwaste,andtoremoveriparianshade.Grazingindesignatedriparianzonescanalsocauseincreasedsedimentloadstosurfacewatersandphysicalcompactionofthestreambed.Disturbanceandovergrazingofstreambankscancausedecreasedbankstability,increasederosion,andreducedriparianandinstreamvegetationtotrapsediment.
Recreation:ThereisawidearrayofrecreationalactivitiesthattakeplaceonNFSlands.Themostcommonwaterqualityimpactsfromrecreationalactivitiesthatareaddressedwiththiswaiverareerosionandsedimentationassociatedwiththeuseoftrails,roads,andcampingsites.
VegetationManagement:Inadditiontotimberharvesting,theUSFSmanagesvegetationonitslandsforforesthealth,restoration,rehabilitation,andfuelmanagement.Managementmayincludethinning,prescribedburns,andothermeanstoimproveforesthealthandresiliency,reducethelikelihoodandseverityofwildfire,andprotectcommunitiesatrisk.Vegetationmanagementactivitieshavethepotentialtoincreaseerosionandsedimentationaswellasalternaturalshadeandstreamtemperatures.
Restoration:Theseactivitiesaregenerallyassociatedwithroaddecommissioning(addressedabove),roadupgradesandstormproofing,
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐3‐USFSWaiver
remediationofexistingandpotentialsedimentdischargesites,streamchannelandfloodplainhabitatimprovements,andforestrehabilitation.Theseactivitiesarerestorativeinnatureandaredesignedtoreducelong‐termerosionandsedimentation.Thereisthepotentialforshort‐termincreasesinsedimentationduringandimmediatelyafterconstruction.
FireSuppression:Theseactivitiesmaygeneratesedimentandimpactdesignatedriparianzonesduringandafterthefirefightingprocess,whichmayincluderoadbuilding,re‐openingofoldroads,firelineconstruction,andback‐burning.ImmediateremediationofpotentialdischargesitesgeneratedbywildfireisrequiredundertheUSFSBurnedAreaEmergencyRehabilitation(BAER)program,whoseobjective,inpart,istoprescribeandimplementemergencytreatmentonfederallandtominimizethreatstolifeorpropertyfromtheeffectsofafire,andtostabilizeandpreventunacceptabledegradationtonaturalorculturalresources.FirefightingandtheimplementationoftheBAERprogramareconductedpursuanttospecificplansandproceduressetoutineachNationalForest’sLandandResourceManagementPlan(LRMP).ANationalForestmayconductactivitiesaftertheBAERactivitiestoaddressadditionalerosioncontrol,reforestation,andriparianimprovements.
FireRecovery:Firerecoveryoperationsincludevariousmanagementmeasuresincludingtimberharvesting,vegetationmanagementandrestorationactivitiesdescribedabove.Dependingonthesizeofthefire,theprojectareacanbeverylargeandeveninvolvemultiplewatersheds.Timberharvestingactivities,includinghazardtreeremoval,fromfiresalvageonNFSlandshavethepotentialtogeneratesedimentdischargesfromequipmentuseandfromerosionofbaregroundonroads,landings,andskidtrails,andtoreduceshadecanopyfromtreeremovalduetologging,roadconstruction,andequipmentoperations.Firerecoveryprojectswillbeanalyzedonacase‐by‐casebasisunderCategoryB.ThisWaivercoversdischargesfromemergencyactionsdefinedinCaliforniaCodeofRegulations,title14,section15269.SeeFindingNos.44‐49foradditionaldetailsonemergencyprojects.
5. ThisWaiverappliestotwocategoriesofactivities,CategoryAandCategoryB,which
aregroupedaccordingtothelevelofpotentialimpacttowaterquality.ActivitiesthathavealowpotentialimpacttowaterqualityareeligibleforCategoryA.ActivitiesthathaveamoderatepotentialimpacttowaterqualityareeligibleforCategoryB.FindingNo.37providesadditionaldetailsaboutthesecategories.
6. SubjecttopublicnoticeandapprovalbytheExecutiveOfficer,otherfederalagenciesconductingactivitiesdescribedunderFindingNo.4mayelecttoenrollandcomplywiththisOrdertoensurethatdischargesareauthorized.AfederalagencymayrelyonUSFSBMPsordemonstrateequallyormoreprotectivewaterqualitymeasures.AllprovisionsoftheOrdershallapplyexceptGeneralConditionNos.2,5‐6,13‐14,16,36‐37,and39,andCategoryBConditionNos.9and18.TheapplicationmustincludeappropriatemonitoringandreportingrequirementsthatshallbecomeenforceableunderWaterCodesection13267uponapprovalbytheExecutiveOfficer.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐4‐USFSWaiver
7. ThisWaiverdoesnotauthorize:
Miningdischarges,exceptforcontrolofnonpointsourcestotheextentthatthe
USFSemploysmanagementpracticesthataddresssedimentandtemperaturefromroads,unvegetatedsoil,andbuildingpadsthatareassociatedwithminingactivityonNFSland.Whereprospectingorminingrelatedactionsdischargeorhavethepotentialtodischargewaste(s)intowatersofthestate,theoperatorisrequiredbystatelawtofileareportofwastedischarge(ROWD)withtheRegionalWaterBoard.
DischargesbythirdpartiesconductingactivitiesonNFSlandsunderwrittenauthorizationoftheUSFSexceptasspecifiedinGeneralConditionNo.11andNos.21‐34.
Dischargesofhazardousorhumanwaste. Dischargesfromtheapplicationofherbicidesorpesticides.Notificationof
proposedpesticideapplicationsarerequiredinGeneralConditionNo.18tohelpdetermineifpermittingbytheRegionalWaterBoardisrequired.
WastedischargesthatrequireaseparatepermitfromtheStateorRegionalWaterBoardorotheragencies,suchasactivitiesthatrequireaCleanWaterActsection404/401permit,aNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permit,oraconstructionstormwaterpermit.
ThisWaiverdoesnotapplytospecificprojectsassociatedwiththeactivitiesonfederallandidentifiedhereinwhenthespecificprojectmayresultinimpactstowaterqualitythatcannotbemitigatedtoless‐than‐significantlevels.
8. ThisWaivercontainsprimarilythesamerequirementsastheWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforNonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivitiesonNationalForestSystemLands,OrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029(2010Waiver),withafewupdatesandimprovements.The2010WaiverwasthefirstpermittocomprehensivelyregulatenonpointsourcepollutiononUSFSlandsintheNorthCoastRegion.The2010WaiverfunctionedwellinprovidingaframeworkforpermittingnonpointsourceactivitiesandprotectingwaterqualityonUSFSlandsoverthepastfiveyears;however,lessonslearned(bybothRegionalWaterBoardandUSFSstaff)fromthefirstfiveyearsofimplementationhelpinformrefinementsforthisnextiterationofthepermit.ImprovementsinthisWaiverinclude:citingnewUSFSprogramsthataddressrestorationandwaterqualityprotection;newNationalBestManagementPractices(BMPs)andmonitoringprotocols;alternativesforaddressingthetreatmentoflegacysedimentsitesincertainCategoryBprojects;establishmentofforest‐wideinchannelmonitoringnetworks;additionalmonitoringoflivestockgrazing,roadprojecteffectivenessandpost‐firemonitoring;andrequirementsfortrackingandreportingtreatmentofsedimentdischargesites.ThisWaiverwillsupersedeOrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029exceptforconditionsthatapplytoindividualprojectsalreadycoveredbythe2010WaiverandprojectsalreadyindevelopmentasshownontheMarch2015USFSScheduleofProposedActions(SOPA,apubliclistofupcomingUSFSprojects)withaccompanyingNEPADecisionNoticebyOctober1,2015,orforwhichtheNEPAprocesshasbeeninitiatedpriortoOctober8,2015,providedtheymeettheeligibilitycriteriaand
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐5‐USFSWaiver
remainincompliancewiththeconditionsofOrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029untilcompleted.
USFSPlanningFramework9. TheUSFSactivitiesaregovernedbyaplanningframeworkthatcontainsoverarching
policiesandguidanceaswellasstandardsandspecificguidelines,whichrepresentareasonableandlogicalapproachtoaddressingwaterqualityprotectionsneededinawatershed.Theplanningframeworksetsaprocessfordeterminingandimplementingmeasuresnotonlytomitigatepotentialwaterqualityimpacts,butalsotoenhanceandprotectwaterquality.Asdescribedindetailbelow,elementsoftheplanningframeworkrangefromtheoverarchingwatershedprotectiongoalsoftheNorthwestForestPlan(NWFP)andSierraNevadaForestPlan(SNFP),toveryspecificBMPsforUSFSactivities,includingnonpointsourceactivitiesonNFSlandtoprevent,minimize,andmitigatewastedischargesandothercontrollablewaterqualityfactors.
10. ThewaterqualityprotectionsandmeasurescontainedintheUSFSplans,policies,andotherdocumentsthatcomprisetheUSFSplanningframeworkaredescribedinFindingNos.11‐18,andarereferredtocollectivelyinthisWaiveras“USFSGuidance.”
11. NFSlandsaremanagedaccordingtotheUSFSGuidance,whichisappliedthrougha
nestingorhierarchyofspatialscales(e.g.nationally,regionally,provinces,forest,district,watershed,site).ForestServiceManualsprovidenationaldirectionforNFSlands.ForestServiceHandbooks(FSH)provideregionalpolicydirection.TheNWFPprovidesoverallguidanceonamultiple‐forestscale.LRMPsaredevelopedforeachNationalForest.IndividualNationalForestsusetheWatershedConditionFramework1(WCF)toguidewatershedassessmentandrestorationonawatershedscale.WCFreplacestheWatershedImprovementProgram(WIP)referencedinthe2010Waiverandaccomplishesthesameassessmentandrestorationgoalsandactivities.Theassessmentsdevelopedforeachwatershedareusedtoidentifyprioritywatershedsanddevelopwatershedrestorationplansthatguiderestorationactivitieswithineachprioritywatershed.Inthisway,theapproachtoaddressingpotentialimpactsfromUSFSactivitiesandprojects,includingwaterquality,inthebroadermultiple‐regionguidanceisconsistentwiththeguidanceestablishedforeachNationalForest,watershed,andeachspecificsite,withprojectsatthesite‐scalebeingresponsivetowatershedneedsandconsistentwiththeNWFPandLRMPs.
12. TheUSFSGuidanceaddressesprotection,maintenance,andenhancementofwater
qualityinareasonableandlogicalmanneratitsvariousspatialscales.Keywaterqualitycomponentsofthebroadestplanningframeworkaredescribedbelow:
NWFP‐TheNWFPprovidestheUSFSwithanassessmentandplanningprocessthatguidesitsactivitiesintheSixRivers,Klamath,Mendocino,Shasta‐Trinity,andRogue
1USDA,2011.WatershedConditionFrameworkreplacespreviousWatershedImprovementProgram.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐6‐USFSWaiver
River‐SiskiyouNationalForests,aswellasthatportionoftheModocNationalForestwithintheNWFP.LRMPs‐In1994,theNWFPamendedLRMPsforNationalForestswithinitsjurisdiction,makingLRMPsthelandmanagementplansforthoseNationalForests.AquaticConservationStrategy‐TheprimarymechanismprotectingaquaticresourceswithintheNWFPistheestablishmentoftheAquaticConservationStrategy(ACS),whichhasnineobjectivesformaintainingandrestoringthefunction,diversity,andintegrityoftheriparianandaquaticsystem,includingwaterqualityprotection2.ThefocalareasoftheACSareRiparianReservesandKeyWatersheds.RiparianReserves‐RiparianreservesareakeycomponentoftheACSandcompriselandsalongstreams,andunstableandpotentiallyunstableareaswherespecialstandardsandguidelinesdirectlandmanagement.Riparianreservesapplytofivecategoriesofstreamsorwetlandsasfollows:1)fishbearingstreams;2)permanentlyflowingnon‐fishbearingstreams;3)constructedpondsandreservoirs,andwetlandsgreaterthanoneacre;4)lakesandnaturalponds;and5)seasonallyflowingorintermittentstreams,wetlandslessthanoneacre,andunstableandpotentiallyunstableareas.Thesereserveareasmaintainhydrologic,geomorphicandecologicalprocessesthatdirectlyaffectstreamsandfishhabitats.Widthsofthereservescanrangefromaminimumof100feetoneachsideofintermittentstreamstoover300feetoneachsideofperennialfishbearingstreams.OnlyactivitiesthatprotectorenhanceACSobjectivesarepermissiblewithinariparianreserve.Riparianreservesservetoprotectaquaticresourcesandwaterqualityfromtimberharvestingactivities,roadbuilding,andothernonpointsourceactivities,bymaintainingadiverseripariancommunitythatprovidesresiliencytothesystem,abufferareafromupslopeactivities,canopyforshadeandaquaticnutrition,andmaintainingthefunctionofthedesignatedriparianzonestofilterandmetersedimentcomingfromhillsidesanddownawatercourse.KeyWatersheds–Tier1keywatershedscontributedirectlytoconservationofat‐riskanadromoussalmonids,bulltrout,andresidentfishspecies.Theyalsohaveahighpotentialforbeingrestoredaspartofawatershedrestorationprogram.Tier2keywatershedsmaynotcontainat‐riskfishstocksbutareimportantsourcesofhighqualitywater.SpecificdirectionforthemanagementoftheseareasiscontainedineachNationalForest’sLRMP.SierraNevadaForestPlan‐AportionoftheModocNationalForestisnotincludedintheNWFP,butiscoveredbytheSierraNevadaForestPlan(SNFP),amendedin2004(http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/snfpa/final‐seis/).TheSNFPisanalogoustotheNWFP,providingsimilarguidanceforNationalForestsintheSierraNevadaMountainsandModocPlateau,includinganAquaticManagementStrategy(AMS)similartotheACS.
2 http://www.reo.gov/library/reports/newsandga.pdf
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐7‐USFSWaiver
TheSNFPequivalenttothe“RiparianReserve”isthe“RiparianConservationArea.”Theterm“designatedriparianzone”isdefinedandusedinthisWaivertoincludeboththeNWFP“RiparianReserve”andtheSNFP“RiparianConservationArea.”ACSandAMScomponents,includingriparianprotections,areincludedinLRMPsforeachNationalForest.TheSNFPhasCriticalAquaticRefuges(CARS)thataresimilartoKeyWatershedsthatprovidesomeofthehealthiestandmostproductiveaquatichabitatontheNationalForests.Theseareasreceiveagreaterlevelofprotectionandareconsideredprioritiesforrestorationtoensurethathighqualityareasareretained.
13. TheUSFSWCFisanationwideprogramthatguides:assessmentofwatershed
conditions;identificationofprioritywatershedsandessentialrestorationneedsforthoseprioritywatersheds;andimplementationofrestorationactivities.EssentialrestorationprojectsforprioritywatershedsaredocumentedinWatershedRestorationActionPlans(WRAP),whicharemaintainedintheUSFSWatershedConditionAssessmentTrackingTool.AllrestorationprojectswithintheprioritywatershedsareenteredintotheWatershedImprovementTracking(WIT)database,alongwithotherrestorationprojectsnotlocatedinprioritywatersheds.ImplementationoftheWCFresultsinassessmentandrestorationatthewatershedscale.Watershedrestorationprojectsaddresslegacyandpotentialsedimentdeliverysites.Theidentification,prioritization,andremediationoflegacysedimentsitestoaddressspecificproblemsandmeetgoalsforimprovingandmaintainingwatershedfunctionsisalsoanimportantcomponentfortheRegionalWaterBoard’snonpointsourceprogramandTMDLcompliance.Watershedrestorationprojectsalsoaddressaquatic,riparian,andterrestrialhabitatenhancement,andimprovingforeststandresiliencytowildfire.
14. TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureStrategicPlanforFY2010‐2015(USDA,2010a3)targetstherestorationofwatershedandforesthealthasacoremanagementobjectiveoftheUSFS. Toachievethisgoal,theUSFSisdirectedtorestoredegradedwatershedsbystrategicallyfocusinginvestmentsinwatershedimprovementprojectsandconservationpracticesatlandscapeandwatershedscales.
TheWCFisacomprehensiveapproachforclassifyingwatershedcondition,proactivelyimplementingintegratedrestorationinprioritywatershedsonNationalForestsandgrasslands,andtrackingandmonitoringoutcome‐basedprogramaccomplishmentsforperformanceaccountability.
15. TheWCFwascompletednationwidein2012followinganiterativesix‐stepprocess,
whichwillbeupdatedperiodicallyasconditionschangeontheground.Thissix‐stepprocessislistedbelow:
3USDA,2010a.StrategicPlanfortheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture2010–2015.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐8‐USFSWaiver
classifytheconditionofallsixthfieldsubwatersheds4intheNationalForestbyusingexistingdatalayers,localknowledge,andprofessionaljudgment;
prioritizewatershedsforrestorationandestablishprioritywatershedsfortargetedimprovementequivalenttoafive‐yearprogramofwork(eachforestinitiallyselectedtwoprioritywatersheds;however,additionalprioritywatershedswillbeaddedbeginningin2016);
developWRAPsthatidentifycomprehensiveproject‐levelimprovementactivities; implementintegratedsuitesofprojectsinprioritywatersheds; forselectedwatersheds,verifyperformanceaccountabilityforwatersheds
reportedashavingcompletedallessentialprojects;and monitorimprovementofwatershedconditions.
16. USFSdocumentsthatprovideguidanceforwatershed‐scaleplanning,restoration,andassessment,include:
theUSFSRegion5ForestServiceHandbook(FSH)2509.22‐SoilandWater
ConservationHandbook,Chapter20(July1988)thatprovidesdirectionforassessingcumulativewatershedeffects;
theUSFSRegion5ForestServiceHandbook(FSH)2509.22‐SoilandWaterConservationHandbook,Chapter10(December2011)thatprovidesdirectionforprotectionandimprovementofwaterqualityonNationalForestSystemlandsinCalifornia;
USFSpublicationFS‐977,WatershedConditionFramework(May2011)thatprovidesaframeworkforassessingandtrackingchangestowatershedcondition;and
theUSFSManual,Chapter2020(September2008)thatprovidesapolicyforusingecologicalrestorationinthemanagementofNFSlands,furthersupportingwatershedanalysisandrestoration,andtheACS.
17. IndividualprojectsandactivitiesonNFSlandundergoanalysistodetermine
appropriatesite‐specificmanagementpracticesnecessarytoavoidwaterqualityimpacts.TheUSFSinCaliforniaoperatesunderaManagementAgencyAgreementwiththeStateWaterResourcesControlBoard(StateWaterBoard),whichwasdevelopedthroughtheCleanWaterActsection208programin1981.TheManagementAgencyAgreementrelies,inpart,onBMPs5.
18. TheBMPsdescribedintheUSFSBMPManualareperformancebasedmanagement
measurestobeappliedtoactivitiesonNFSlandstoavoidwaterqualityimpacts,andforeachindividualsite,specificon‐the‐groundprescriptionshavetobeidentifiedandimplementedtomeetBMPs.Severaldocumentsandprocessesprovideguidanceforeffectiveidentificationandimplementationofsite‐specificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsincluding:
4 Watershed classification systems are discussed in the Monitoring and Reporting Program that accompanies this
Waiver. 5 USFS BMPs were initially developedbyPacificSouthwestRegionofForestServicein1981,andrevisedin
1987,2000and2011.NationalBMPsweredevelopedandpublishedinApril2012.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐9‐USFSWaiver
NationalBestManagementPracticesforWaterQualityManagementonNationalForestSystemLands(USDA20126);
IndividualUSFSLandandResourceManagementPlans; USFSTimberSalesAdministrationHandbook; Project‐specificdesigncriteria; RegionalSoilsstandardsincludedintheLRMPs(providedirectionforprotecting
soilproductivity,particularlyasitappliestogrounddisturbancerelativetosoilcompactionanderosion);
WetWeatherOperationStandardsthateachNationalForesthastoaddresspracticestoavoiderosionandsedimentationfromactivitiesconductedduringwetweather;and
Projectimplementationmechanisms(e.g.,contracts,grazingpermits,andotheragreements).
19. ManyindividualprojectsandactivitiesonNFSlandareconductedbyprivateparties
undercontractsorpermitsissuedbytheUSFS.Forexample,privatepartiesbidontimbersalesandotherprojects,andifawarded,enterintoacontractwiththeUSFStoperformthoseactivities.ThecontractorsthatenterintocontractswiththeUSFStoconductnonpointsourceactivitiesinFindingNo.4andCategoryBarereferredtoas“contractors”andthecontractsas“contracts”forthepurposesofthisWaiver.Inaddition,privatepartiesapplyforandareissuedagrazingpermit,awrittenpermitauthorizationbytheUSFSthatallowstheprivatepartiestograzetheiranimalsorlivestockandconductincidentalactivities(e.g.,camps,watertroughs,temporarycorrals,herding,livestockloadingandunloading)onNFSlands.TheseprivatepartiestowhomtheUSFSissuesagrazingpermittoconductprivateparties’nonpointsourceactivitiessetforthinFindingNo.4andCategoryBarereferredtoas“grazingpermittees”andthepermitasa“grazingpermit”forpurposesofthisWaiver.InordertobecoveredbythisWaiver,contractorsandgrazingpermitteesmustconductactivitiesonNFSlandinaccordancewiththecontractorgrazingpermit(specifyingon‐the‐groundprescriptions)andapplicableconditionsofthisWaiver.ContractorsandgrazingpermitteesaresubjecttoGeneralConditionNo.11andNos.21‐34.
LegalandRegulatoryStructure20. WaterCodesection13260(a)requiresthatanypersondischargingwasteor
proposingtodischargewastewithinanyregionthatcouldaffectthequalityofthewatersofthestate,otherthanintoacommunitysewersystem,mustfilewiththeappropriateregionalwaterboardaROWDcontainingsuchinformationanddataasmayberequired.
21. PursuanttoWaterCodesection13260,regionalwaterboardsprescribewaste
dischargerequirements(WDRs)exceptwhenitfinds,pursuanttoWaterCodesection
6 USDA, 2012. National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System
Lands. USDA Forest Service, FS-990a, April 2012.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐10‐USFSWaiver
13269thatawaiverofwastedischargerequirementsforaspecifictypeofdischargeisinthepublicinterest.
22. TheStateWaterBoard2004PolicyfortheImplementationandEnforcementofthe
NonpointSourcePollutionControlProgram(NPSPolicy)requiresthatnonpointsourcedischargesofwasteberegulatedbywastedischargerequirements,waiverofwastedischargerequirements,orprohibitiontoensurecompliancewithregionalwaterboardwaterqualitycontrolplans.
23. PursuanttotheWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegion(BasinPlan)
andStateWaterBoardplansandpolicies,includingStateWaterBoardResolutionNo.88‐63,andconsistentwiththefederalCleanWaterAct,theexistingandpotentialbeneficialusesofwatersintheNorthCoastRegionincludeoneormoreofthefollowing:
a. MunicipalandDomesticSupply(MUN)b. AgriculturalSupply(AGR)c. IndustrialServiceSupply(IND)d. IndustrialProcessSupply(PROC)e. GroundwaterRecharge(GWR)f. FreshwaterReplenishment(FRSH)g. Navigation(NAV)h. HydropowerGeneration(POW)i. WaterContactRecreation(REC‐1)j. Non‐contactWaterRecreation(REC‐2)k. CommercialandSportFishing(COMM)l. ColdFreshwaterHabitat(COLD)m. WarmFreshwaterHabitat(WARM)n. WildlifeHabitat(WILD)o. PreservationofAreasofSpecial
BiologicalSignificance(BIOL)
p. Rare,Threatened,orEndangeredSpecies(RARE)
q. MarineHabitat(MAR)r. MigrationofAquaticOrganisms(MIGR)s. Spawning,Reproduction,and/orEarly
Development(SPWN)t. ShellfishHarvesting(SHELL)u. EstuarineHabitat(EST)v. Aquaculture(AQUA)w. NativeAmericanCulture(CUL)x. FloodPeakAttenuation/FloodWater
Storage(FLD)y. WetlandHabitat(WET)z. WaterQualityEnhancement(WQE)aa. SubsistenceFishing(FISH)
24. TheBasinPlancontainswaterqualityobjectivestoprotectthesebeneficialuses.
25. NumerousstreamsintheNorthCoastRegionarelistedasimpairedforsedimentand
temperaturepursuanttoCleanWaterActsection303(d).TheCleanWaterActrequiresstatestoaddressimpairedwatersbydevelopingatotalmaximumdailyload(TMDL)orimplementingwaterqualityprogramsthatresultintheattainmentofwaterqualitystandards.SedimentandtemperatureTMDLshavebeendevelopedforthemajorityoftheimpairedwatersintheNorthCoastRegionandtheseTMDLshavemanycomponentsincommon.WhiletheactualloadallocationsandtargetsmayvaryfromoneTMDLtoanother,alladdressthebasicissuesofreducingandpreventingexcesssedimentinputsandofdecreasingwatertemperaturebyprotectingandrestoringnaturalshade.
26. TheconditionsinthisWaiverprovidereasonableassurancethatsediment,
temperature,andnutrientimpairmentsonNFSlandswillberestoredbyrequiring:1)
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐11‐USFSWaiver
protection,maintenance,andenhancementofriparianconditionsandshade;2)inventoriesandremediationoflegacysedimentsites;3)theapplicationofBMPsandon‐the‐groundprescriptionsonNFSlandtoavoidexcesssedimentdischargesandtoimproveshade;and4)periodicreview,monitoring,andreassessment.
27. TMDLImplementationPlans(akaActionPlans)containspecificimplementationactionsrelatedtotimberharvestandotheractivitiesonNFSlands,andareconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthisWaiver.
28. USFSimplementationoftheTMDLsfortheScottRiverandSalmonRiverwatersheds
wereaddressedinseparateMemorandaofUnderstanding(MOU)betweentheRegionalWaterBoardandtheUSFS.ItistheintentoftheRegionalWaterBoardtoaddanyspecificimplementationtasksofthoseMOUstothisWaiverinGeneralConditionNos.13and14.Theimplementationstrategyfortheremainderofthesedimentandtemperatureimpairedwaters,includingthosewithcompletedTMDLs,isdescribedintheTotalMaximumDailyLoadImplementationPolicyStatementforSediment‐ImpairedReceivingWatersintheNorthCoastRegion(ResolutionR1‐2004‐0087)andthePolicyfortheImplementationoftheWaterQualityObjectiveforTemperature(ResolutionR1‐2014‐0006).BothofthesepoliciesstatethattheRegionalWaterBoardshalladdresssedimentwastedischargesonawatershed‐specificbasisanddirectstafftousepermittingauthoritiestocontrolsedimentwastedischarges.
29. TheScottRiverMOUbetweentheKlamathNationalForest(KNF)andtheRegional
WaterBoardspecifiedtheUSFSshallcompleteaninventory,anddevelopaprioritylistandschedule,fortherepairofallroadandnon‐roadrelatedsedimentsourcesonNFSlandsintheScottRiverwatershed.TheMOUalsospecifiedthatKNFshalldevelopandimplementaforest‐widewaterqualitymonitoringplandescribingandimplementingsedimentcontrolpracticestorepairandcontrolsedimentwastedischargesites,anddescribinggrazingmanagementpracticesthatmeetBMPs.MostofthetasksspecifiedintheMOUhavebeensuccessfullycompleted,includingdevelopinganinventoryandprioritylistfortherepairofroad‐relatedsedimentsources,developingandimplementingaforest‐widewaterqualitymonitoringplan,anddescribingandimplementingsedimentcontrolpracticesandBMPs.Completionofaschedulefortherepairandcontrolofsignificantroadandnon‐roadrelatedsedimentsourcesinaccordancewiththeMOUremainstobecompleted.AschedulefortreatmentofthesesedimentsourcesshallbecompletedbyOctober1,2016asspecifiedinGeneralConditionNo.13.
30. TheSalmonRiverMOUbetweentheKNFandSixRiversNationalForest,andtheRegionalWaterBoard,specifiedthatallmanagementactivitiescomplywiththeKNFLRMP,theSalmonRiverSub‐basinRestorationStrategycontinuetobeimplemented,andtheKNFdevelopandimplementaforest‐widewaterqualitymonitoringplan.TheMOUalsospecifiedthattheSalmonRiverSub‐basinRestorationStrategybeupdated.MostofthetasksspecifiedintheMOUhavebeensuccessfullycompleted.Roadstormproofinghasbeencompletedon26milesofroadintheSalmonRiverwatershedsincetheMOUwassigned,andaforest‐widesedimentandtemperaturemonitoring
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐12‐USFSWaiver
planhasbeendevelopedandimplemented.AnupdatetotheActionPlancontainedintheSalmonRiverSub‐basinRestorationStrategyremainstobecompletedinaccordancewiththeMOU.ThisActionPlanshallbeupdatedbyOctober1,2016inaccordancewithGeneralConditionNo.14andshalladdresstheriskofelevatedstreamtemperaturescausedbymanagement‐relateddebrisflowsintheSalmonRiversub‐basin,andshallincludeanevaluationofminetailingpilesandgrazingallotmentriparianarearestorationpotentialandpriorities.
31. CompliancewiththisWaiverconstitutesTMDLcomplianceforestablishedTMDLs.In
addition,thisWaiverprovidestheimplementationmechanismtoaddressimpairmentsinwatershedslistedontheCleanWaterActsection303(d)list.
TheWaiver
32. ThisWaivercontainsfourprimarycomponents.Theprimarycomponentsare:1)the
maintenanceandrestorationofdesignatedriparianzonespursuanttotheAquaticConservationStrategyandAquaticManagementStrategy;2)thetimelyimplementationofwatershedrestorationplansthatrequireinventories,prioritization,andtreatmentoflegacysedimentsites;3)BMPsforsite‐specificactivitiesincludingtheimplementationofon‐the‐groundprescriptions;and4)aMonitoringandReportingProgram(MRP).
33. AsdescribedinFindingNo.12,theACSintheNWFPandcorollaryAMSintheSNFP,applydesignatedriparianzoneprotectiontoallintermittentstreams,perennialstreams,andwetlands.DesignatedriparianzonesprovideshadetomeettheBasinPlanwatertemperatureobjective;buffersurfacewatersfromdischargesofwasteassociatedwithupslopeactivitiesbytrappingsediment;andprotectthenaturaldiversityofvegetationthatenhancesresiliencyoftheripariansystemandthemorphologyofthestreamsystem.ThisWaiverrequirestheUSFStoprotectandmaintaindesignatedriparianzones(seeGeneralConditionNo.4).SuccessfulimplementationoftheWaiverisrequiredforsedimentandtemperatureTMDLcompliance.
34. TheUSFSwillactivelyaddresseslegacysedimentsitesorpre‐existingthreatsto
waterqualitythroughidentification,prioritization,andtreatmentofsuchsiteswithinCategoryBprojectsand/orthroughessentialprojectsintheWCFprocessasdescribedinFindingNos.13‐15.Alegacysedimentsitemeetsallofthefollowingconditions:a. isdischargingorhasthepotentialtodischargesedimenttowatersofthestatein
violationofapplicablewaterqualityrequirements;b. wascausedoraffectedbyhumanactivity;andc. mayfeasiblyandreasonablyrespondtopreventionandminimization
managementactivities.ThisWaiverrequiresthatallactiveandpotentiallegacysedimentsitesbeidentified,inventoried,prioritized,scheduled,andimplementedfortreatmentforallCategoryB
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐13‐USFSWaiver
projectsand/orthroughtheWRAP(seeCategoryBConditionNo.1).IftheUSFSdoesnothaveaWRAPforthesixthfieldsubwatershedwhereaCategoryBactivityisproposedforcoverageunderthisWaiver,theUSFSmustproposetreatmentsofallexistinglegacysedimentsiteswithintheprojectareaaspartoftheproposedproject.Grazingallotmentsareexemptfromtherequirementtoidentifyandtreatlegacysedimentsites.TradingthetreatmentoflegacysedimentsitesinsideaCategoryBprojectareawithlegacysedimentsitesoutsideoftheprojectareamaybeacceptable,providedthetreatmentsitesarewithinthesamesixthfieldsubwatershedanditcanbedemonstratedthattheproposedtreatmentsprovideanequalorgreaterbenefittowaterquality.SuchalternativesshallbesubmittedtotheExecutiveOfficerforapproval.(SeeCategoryBConditionNo.2)ThisWaiverrequirestheUSFStomakelegacysiteinventoriesandWRAPsavailabletoRegionalWaterBoardstaffforreviewandallowinspectionofsitesasneededtoassistinprioritization(seeGeneralConditionsNos.5and6).RegionalWaterBoardstaffwillconferwiththeUSFSonlegacysiteinventoriesandtreatmentprojectstoverifyreasonableprogress.SuccessfulimplementationoftreatmentsandWRAPsisrequiredforsedimentandtemperatureTMDLcompliance.TheUSFSshouldidentifyandprepareaWRAPforatleastoneprioritywatershed(sixthfieldsubwatershed)withineachTMDLlistedwatershed(fourthfieldsub‐basin)tohelpassurereasonableprogresswithTMDLcompliance.
35. SomeCategoryBprojectsmaybetoolargeorcontainprojectspecificconditionsthatmakeitinfeasibleorunnecessarytotreatalllegacysedimentsites.Insuchcases,thisWaiverprovidesforalternativelegacysedimentsitetreatmentplansthatinventoryexistingsitesandproposetotreatsomeportionofthelargestsedimentproducingsiteswithintheprojectareamaybesubmittedtotheExecutiveOfficerforapproval.(SeeCategoryBConditionNo.3)Alternativeplansubmittalsshallincludeadescription(e.g.projecttype,location,volumeofsediment,etc.)ofpastlegacysedimentsitetreatmentsandrestorationeffortsimplementedwiththesamesixthfieldwatershedwithinthepast20years.
36. AsdescribedinFindingNos.18and19,site‐specificactivitiescoveredunderthis
Waivermustimplementon‐the‐groundprescriptionstomeetBMPgoalstoavoidwaterqualityimpacts.TorelyontheimplementationofUSFSGuidanceandtheUSFSBMPManualtoensurewaterqualityprotection,theremustbetransparencyinwhichon‐the‐groundprescriptionsareselectedtoimplementBMPs,anddocumentationofBMPimplementationanditseffectiveness.Toaddresstheseneeds,thisWaivercontains:1)conditionsthattheUSFSanditscontractorsandgrazingpermitteesimplementtheUSFSGuidanceandtheUSFSBMPManual,includingtheidentificationofon‐the‐groundprescriptionsforanindividualproject;2)amechanismtoensuretheirimplementation;and3)monitoringrequirementstoensureimplementationoftheon‐the‐groundprescriptionsandtoevaluatetheireffectiveness.Successfulimplementationofon‐the‐groundprescriptionstomeetBMPgoalsisrequiredforsedimentandtemperatureTMDLcompliance.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐14‐USFSWaiver
TheaboveprocessresultsintheBMPsbeingtranslatedintositespecificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsforaprojectoractivityandforthoseprescriptionstobeincludedincontracts,grazingpermits,orotheragreements.Themonitoringprogramincludesachecklistapproachwherebyeachoftheon‐the‐groundprescriptionsisverifiedasbeingproperlyimplemented.
37. AssummarizedinFindingNo.5,thisWaiverappliestotwocategoriesofactivities,
whicharegroupedaccordingtolevelofpotentialimpacttowaterquality.ActivitiesthathavealowpotentialimpacttowaterqualityareeligibleforCategoryA.TheCategoryAlistinAttachmentAspecifiesthoseactivitiesfoundtomeetthisclassification.CategoryBappliestoactivitieswithamoderatepotentialimpacttowaterqualityandrequirestheUSFSprovidemoreinformationtotheRegionalWaterBoard,whowillthenconductamoredetailedreview.InCategoryB,characteristicsofanactivity,suchasintensityandproximitytosurfacewaters,andthesensitivityofthearea,willdeterminewhichBMPsandon‐the‐groundprescriptionsareneededtoensuretheactivitywillhavealess‐than‐significantimpactonwaterquality.TheCategoryBlistinAttachmentBspecifiesthoseactivitiesfoundtomeetthisclassification.ThisWaiverdoesnotapplytospecificprojectsassociatedwiththeactivitiesonfederallandidentifiedhereinwhenthespecificprojectmayresultinimpactstowaterqualitythatcannotbemitigatedtoless‐than‐significantlevels.
Certainfactorsincreasetheriskofpotentialwaterqualityimpacts: theactivity’sproximitytowater(e.g.insideadesignatedriparianzonevs.outside
adesignatedriparianzone); thetypeandsizeoftheactivity;and theon‐thegroundconditionswheretheactivitytakesplace(e.g.equipmenton
steepgroundvs.flatground).38. PursuanttoWaterCodesection13263,subdivision(i),itisappropriatetoregulate
dischargesfromnonpointsourceactivitiesasdescribedinFindingNo.4underageneralwaiverratherthanindividualdischargerequirementsbecausethisWaiveraddressesthesameorsimilardischargesofwastefromthesameorsimilaroperationsandproposesthesameorsimilartreatmentmethodsandmanagementpractices.Byregulatingthesedischargesandactivitiesunderageneralwaiver,itsimplifiesandstreamlinestheregulatoryprocessandallowsRegionalWaterBoardstafftofocusitslimitedresourcesonworkingwiththeUSFStoprotectwaterquality.ItisnotanefficientuseofRegionalWaterBoardstafftimetoprocessWDRsforeachandeveryUSFSactivitywhenmanyoftheproposedactivitieshaveonlyapotentiallylowormoderateimpactonwaterqualityandaneffectiveWaiverprogramcanbeestablishedthatcanrely,inpart,ontheUSFSadministrationofitsexistingprogramsthatareinplacetoprotectwaterquality.ThisWaivercontainsmonitoringandreportingrequirementsthatallowtheRegionalWaterBoardtoassesstheWaiver’seffectivenessatprotectingwaterquality.TheRegionalWaterBoardwillreevaluatetheWaivernolaterthanfiveyears,whenitmustberenewed,andearlierif
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐15‐USFSWaiver
appropriate.AtthattimetheRegionalWaterBoardcanmakeanynecessaryadjustments.
MonitoringandReporting39. TheManagementAgencyAgreement,whichwasdescribedinFindingNo.17,requires
implementationandeffectivenessmonitoringofthemanagementpracticesincludedintheUSFSBMPManual.TheUSFSconductedaBMPEvaluationProgram(BMPEP)tomeetthisrequirement.Through2014,BMPmonitoringwasconductedfollowingprotocolsdevelopedforthePacificSouthwestRegion(Region5)oftheUSFS.In2013,allNationalForestsbegantestingimplementationoftheNationalCoreBMPMonitoringProgram.TheRegionalBMPMonitoringprogramwillbereplacedbytheNationalCoreBMPMonitoringProgramoncethefinaltechnicalguideandnationaldirectivesarereleased,whichisanticipatedtooccurattheendof2016.BoththeBMPEPandtheNationalBMPMonitoringProgramsprovideannualonsiteassessmentsofarandomlyselectedsubsetofallBMPsthatwereimplementedaspartofactivitiesconductedwithinaNationalForest,assessingbothproperimplementationandeffectiveness.ImplementationofeffectiveBMPsisnecessarytoreachwaterqualitygoalsandobjectives.USFSBMPmonitoringresultsfortheNorthCoastRegionfrom2011through2014conductedundertheRegionalmonitoringprotocolsshowthat93percentofBMPswereratedasimplementedcorrectlyand82percentwereratedaseffectiveinpreventingadversewaterqualityeffects.
40. Additionalmonitoringisneededtoensurefullimplementationandtoprovidea
feedbacklooptomeasuretheeffectivenessofvariousmanagementpractices.Theremustbemonitoringandreportingtodemonstratethattheactualon‐the‐groundprescriptionsidentifiedforaparticularactivityareeffectiveatmeetingthegoalsofthespecificBMPsidentifiedtoaddressimpactsofspecificactivitiesandtodemonstratethattheywereimplementedandeffective.Achecklistapproachtoverifyingproperimplementationofon‐the‐groundprescriptionsisincludedintheMRPforthisWaiver.
41. Inaddition,monitoringofinstreamconditionsisimportantandneededtodescribe
theextenttowhichbeneficialusesaresupportedandtoassistinprioritizingremediationandwatershedrestorationactivities.
42. PursuanttoWaterCodesection13267,theMRPisattachedwhichincludes:
a. establishmentofaforest‐widein‐channelmonitoringnetwork;b. trackingprojectsandactivitiesdesignedtoabateexistingandthreatened
sedimentdischarges;c. descriptionsofUSFSroadandtrailpatrols,andinspectionprograms;d. summaryofBMPEPand/orNationalBMPMonitoringactivities;e. retrospectivemonitoringtoevaluatethelong‐termperformanceofBMPsand
attendanton‐the‐groundprescriptions;f. achecklistapproachforallCategoryBactivitiestoensurefullimplementationof
BMPsandon‐the‐groundprescriptions;
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐16‐USFSWaiver
g. achecklistapproachforroad‐relatedCategoryBactivitiestoensureeffectivenessofroad‐relatedBMPsandon‐the‐groundprescriptions;
h. grazingallotmentmonitoringincludingstreambank,wetlandandriparianvegetationmonitoring,andpathogenindicatorbacteriamonitoring;and
i. post‐fireBurnedAreaEmergencyRehabilitationreports.43. KlamathNationalForesthasdevelopedtheKlamathNationalForestSedimentand
TemperatureMonitoringPlanandQualityAssuranceProjectPlan(USDA2010b7)toaddressTMDLimplementationintheportionsoftheSalmon,Scott,Shasta,andKlamathriverswithintheKlamathNationalForest.Thismonitoringplansupersedestherequirementforaforest‐widein‐channelmonitoringnetworkdescribedintheMRP.
EmergencyActivities44. USFSemergencyactivitiesmayincludewildfiresuppressionandBAER.TheUSFShas
procedurestoaddressfiresuppressionactivitiesandminimizeimpactsofthesuppressionactivitiesonwaterquality.EachNationalForestalsohasconditionsandprocessesinitsLRMPtoaddressfiresuppressionactivities,includingguidanceforfuelingequipment,useoffireretardants,andothercomponentsoffiresuppression.
45. Subjecttoanotificationrequirement,WaterCodesection13269,subdivision(c)
allowstheRegionalWaterBoardtowaiveWDRsfordischargesresultingfromimmediateemergencyworknecessarytoprotectlifeorpropertyorimmediateemergencyrepairstopublicservicefacilitiesnecessarytomaintainserviceasaresultofadisasterinadisaster‐strickenareainwhichastateofemergencyhasbeenproclaimedbytheGovernor.Theseactivitiesandthosespecificactionsnecessarytopreventormitigateanemergency(doesnotincludelong‐termprojects)areexemptfromCEQA.(Cal.CodeRegs.,tit.14,§15269.)TheRegionalWaterBoardhasdiscretiontoestablishconditionsonanysuchwaiver.(WaterCode,§13269,subd.(d).)
46. ExtremedroughtconditionshavepersistedintheState,increasingtheriskandoccurrenceofwildfires.Lightningstormsandhightemperatureshavefurtherincreasedthisrisk,severityandthespreadofadditionalwildfires.Highseveritywildfiresresultinthelossofsignificantvegetation,canopy,androotstrength,andincreasedhydrophobicsoils,andcanleadtoadverseimpactstowaterqualitythroughincreasesinerosion,landslidefrequency,sedimentyield,turbidity,peakflowsandflooding,temperatures,andvariouschemicalparameters.Timelymanagementcanhelptomitigatetheseimpacts.Forexample,timelyinstallationoferosioncontrol,appropriatelysizeddrainagestructures,andcriticaldipscanhelpmitigateimpacts.Additionally,itisoftennecessarytoremovehazardtreestoprotectthepublicandagencypersonnel,andsalvagedeadanddyingtreeswithsubsequentreplantingtoaccelerateforestrestoration.Insomecases,theseactionsmayresultinshort‐term
7 USDA, 2010b. Klamath National Forest Sediment and Temperature Monitoring Plan and Quality Assurance
Project Plan. USDA, Forest Service, Klamath National Forest. September 28, 2010.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐17‐USFSWaiver
impactsthatcannotbemitigatedtoless‐than‐significant,butneverthelesscanandshouldbeimplementedinatimelymanner.TheformalprocessforsubmittingareportofwastedischargeandprocessinganindividualWDRorwaivertakesmanymonthsandundulydelaysrecovery.Providingcoverageundertheemergencyexemptiondiscussedaboveisanappropriateresponseinsuchcases,subjecttoWaiverconditionsandsatisfactoryinformationprovidedunderFindingNo.49below.
47. DuringemergencyresponsestheresponsibleUSFSofficialisauthorizedtotake
actionsnecessarytocontroltheimmediateimpactsoftheemergencyandtomitigateharmtolife,property,orimportantnaturalorculturalresources.Whentakingsuchactions,theresponsibleofficialshalltakeintoaccounttheprobableenvironmentalconsequencesoftheemergencyactionandmitigateforeseeableadverseenvironmentaleffectstotheextentpracticalunder36CFR§220.4Generalrequirements:NEPA(42U.S.C.4332(2)(C)).(b)(1).
48. ThisWaivercoversdischargesfromemergencyactionsdefinedinCaliforniaCodeof
Regulations,title14,section15269.TheWaiverrequirestheUSFStopostemergencyincidentsonitswebsiteandtomaintainrecordsforRegionalWaterBoardstaffreview,asappropriate.
49. PortionsofafirerecoveryprojectsubmittedunderCategoryBmayqualifyfortheemergencyexemptionuponafindingbytheExecutiveOfficer.UnderWaterCodesection13269,subdivisions(c)and(d),theExecutiveOfficermayaddconditionsordeterminenottowaiveWDRs.InitsWavierApplication,theUSFSmustdescribehowtheprojectmeetsthedescriptionunderCaliforniaCodeofRegulations,title14,section15269,andadditionalinformationunderOrdersectionC.7.
AdditionalFindings50. StateWaterBoardResolutionNo.68‐16("StatementofPolicywithRespectto
MaintainingHighQualityofWatersinCalifornia")requiresthatwhenevertheexistingqualityofwaterisbetterthanthequalityestablishedinpoliciesasofthedateonwhichsuchpoliciesbecomeeffective,suchexistinghighqualitymustbemaintained.AnychangeintheexistinghighqualityisallowedbythatpolicyonlyifithasbeendemonstratedtotheRegionalWaterBoardthatanychangewillbeconsistentwithmaximumbenefittothepeopleofthestateandwillnotunreasonablyaffectpresentandanticipatedbeneficialuseofsuchwater,andwillnotresultinwaterqualitylessthanthatprescribedinthepolicies.Thepolicyfurtherrequiresthatdischargersmeetwastedischargerequirementswhichwillresultinthebestpracticabletreatmentorcontrolofthedischargenecessarytoassurethatpollutionornuisancewillnotoccurandthatthehighestwaterqualityconsistentwithmaximumbenefittothepeopleofthestatewillbemaintained.
ThisWaiverisconsistentwithResolutionNo.68‐16becauseoverallitwillresultinanetbenefittowaterqualitybysettingforthconditionsthatimplementriparianandshadeprotectionsandenhancements,addresslegacysedimentsites,andimplementBMPsandon‐the‐groundprescriptionsfornewactivities.Theactivitiespermitted
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐18‐USFSWaiver
underthisWaiverhavebeendeterminedtohavealowpotentialimpacttowaterqualitywhenconductedpursuanttothetermsoftheWaiver,resultingincompliancewithapplicablewaterqualitycontrolplans,includingapplicablewaterqualityobjectives.TheimplementationofBMPsandon‐the‐groundprescriptionsidentifiedforeachactivity,andthemonitoringoftheireffectiveness,willresultinthebestpracticabletreatmentorcontrolofthedischargeandwillassurethatpollutionornuisancewillnotoccurandthatthehighestwaterqualityconsistentwithmaximumbenefittothepeopleofthestateismaintained.
51. TheRegionalWaterBoard,actingastheleadagencyundertheCalifornia
EnvironmentalQualityAct(PublicResourcesCode,sections21000‐21777)(CEQA),adoptedamitigatednegativedeclaration(SCHNo.2010042031)forWaiverR1‐2010‐0029onJune10,2010.(Cal.CodeRegs.,tit.14,§15072.)ThisOrderdoesnotresultinanyphysicalchangesintheenvironmentdifferentfromthepreviousWaiverandisthereforeexemptfromCEQAundertitle14,CaliforniaCodeofRegulations,sections15061,subdivision(b)(3).Twocategoricalexemptionsarealsoapplicableundertitle14,CaliforniaCodeofRegulationssections15307and15308,forcertainactionsbyregulatoryagenciestomaintain,restore,orenhancenaturalresourcesandtoprotecttheenvironment.TheRegionalWaterBoardwillfileanoticeofexemptioninaccordancewithtitle14,CaliforniaCodeofRegulations,section15062.Mitigationmeasuresnecessarytoreduceoreliminatesignificantimpactsontheenvironment,andmonitoringandreportingareincorporatedasconditionsofapprovalbelow.
52. TheRegionalWaterBoardhasreviewedthecontentsofthisWaiver,themitigated
negativedeclarationpreparedforWaiverR1‐2010‐0029,writtenpubliccommentsandtestimonyprovidedafternoticeandhearing,andherebyfindsthattheadoptionofthisWaiverisconsistentwiththeBasinPlan,andisinthepublicinterest.
THEREFORE,ITISHEREBYORDEREDthatOrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029isrescinded,exceptforconditionsthatapplytoindividualprojectsontheMarch2015USFSScheduleofProposedActions(SOPA,apubliclistofupcomingUSFSprojects)withaccompanyingNEPADecisionNoticebyOctober1,2015,orforwhichtheNEPAprocesshasbeeninitiatedpriortoOctober8,2015,providedtheymeettheeligibilitycriteriaandremainincompliancewiththeconditionsofOrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029untilcompleted.ByNovember30,2015,theUSFSshallreportthenamesandstatusofallprojectstobecoveredunderOrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029totheRegionalWaterBoard;andITISHEREBYORDEREDthattheprovisionsofWaterCodesection13260,subdivision(a)and(c),andWaterCodesection13264,subdivision(a)areherebywaivedfordischargesfromNFSlandthatresultfromemergencyactions,asdefinedinCaliforniaCodeofRegulations,title14,section15269;andITISHEREBYORDEREDthatpursuanttoWaterCodesections13263,subdivision(a),13267,and13269,theRegionalWaterBoardwaivestherequirementtosubmitareportofwastedischargeandtherequirementtoestablishwastedischargerequirementsfordischargesofwastesresultingfromactivitiesonNFSlandsdescribedinFindingNo.4.Thefollowingconditionsshallapply:
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐19‐USFSWaiverGeneralConditions(applytobothCategoryAandBActivities)1. TheUSFSshallfacilitateearlyRegionalWaterBoardstaffinvolvementintheproject
planningprocessforallprojectsthathaveapotentialtoimpactwaterqualityandforprojectsthatwillbecoveredbythisWaiver.Thisincludesprojectscoping,NEPAdevelopmentandreview,andpre‐projectconsultations.
2. TheUSFSshallnotifyRegionalWaterBoardstaffwhentheSOPAreportsarepostedontheirwebsitetoinformstaffofupcomingactivities.Ifpossible,USFSshouldindicatewhichprojectsarelikelytobeenrolledinCategoryB.
3. CompliancewithWaiverconditionswillensurethatnosignificantenvironmentalimpacttowaterqualityoccursfromanactivitycoveredbythisWaiver.ActivitiesthathavepotentiallysignificantimpactstowaterqualitythatcannotbereducedtolessthansignificantlevelsarenoteligibleforcoverageunderthisWaiverandtheUSFSshallsubmitaROWDtotheRegionalWaterBoardand/orobtainauthorizationfromtheappropriateagencyforapermitnotissuedbytheRegionalWaterBoard.
4. USFSshallmanageandmaintaindesignatedriparianzones(asdefinedinFindingNo.12),toensureretentionofadequatevegetativecoverthatresultsinnaturalshadeconditions,within300feetslopedistanceoneachsideoffish‐bearingstreams,150feetslopedistanceoneachsideofperennialstreams,and100feetslopedistanceoneachsideofintermittentstreams,orthesitepotentialtreeheightdistanceoneachsideofthestream,whicheverisgreatest(perNWFPACSStrategy8).ReferencetotheNWFPACSStrategyincludesanymodificationstothosedocumentsduringthelifeofthisWaiver,solongasthemodificationsareequallyormoreprotectiveofwaterquality,asdeterminedbytheExecutiveOfficer.TimelyimplementationisnecessaryforsedimentandtemperatureTMDLcompliance.Site‐specificpotentialeffectiveshadeisdefinedastheshadeonawatercourseequivalenttothatprovidedbytopographyandpotentialvegetationconditionsatasite.Exceptionstothisconditionwillbeconsidered.InorderforRegionalWaterBoardstafftodeterminetheadequacyofthejustificationforanexception,thejustificationmustidentifytheproposedcanopyreductionandexpectedrecoverytime,provideanestimateofthepre‐andpost‐projectshadeorsolarimpacts,andexplainhowsuchanexceptionwillresultinanetlong‐termbenefittowaterqualityandstreamtemperatures.
5. UndertheWCF,aWRAPshouldbeinplaceforatleastoneprioritysubwatershed(sixthfield)withineachTMDLwatershed(fourthfield).TheUSFSshallconsultwiththeRegionalWaterBoardwhenselectingaprioritywatershedtohelpchoosethewatershedlikelytoproducethegreatestbenefitforsedimentimprovement.Onceessentialprojectsthataddressreducingimpactstowaterqualityarecompletedwithinaprioritywatershed,anotherprioritywatershedwillbeselectedundertheWCFwithintheTMDLwatershed,untilallthreatstowaterqualityareaddressed.The
8 The NWFP is currently under review and may be revised in the future.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐20‐USFSWaiver
USFSshallmakeWRAPsavailabletoRegionalWaterBoardstaffforreviewandallowinspectionofsitesasneededtoassistinprioritization.
6. TheUSFSshallworkjointlywithRegionalWaterBoardstafftoresolveanyissuesassociatedwithprioritizationofwatersheds,includingthoseundertheWCF,especiallywithregardtoaddressingexistinglegacysedimentsitesand/orinstreamrestorationactivitiesaimedatimprovingbeneficialuses.NothinginthisWaiverprecludesspecificagreementsmadebetweentheUSFSandtheRegionalWaterBoardtodevelopNationalForestspecificBMPsthatcoversite‐specificconditionswhennecessary.
7. AllactivitiesundertakenbytheUSFSshallcomplywiththeUSFSGuidanceandtheUSFSBMPManualforwaterqualityprotection.ThisincludesfollowingtheWetWeatherOperationStandardsasdevelopedforeachNationalForest,andminimizingerosionandripariandisturbancefromroads,watercoursecrossings,roaddecommissioning,orotheractivitiesthathavethepotentialtodischargesedimentoraffectnaturalshadeconditionsonwatercourses.ReferencetotheUSFSGuidanceandUSFSBMPManualincludesanymodificationstothosedocumentsduringthelifeofthisWaiver,solongasthemodificationsareequallyormoreprotectiveofwaterquality,asdeterminedbytheExecutiveOfficer.
8. TheUSFSshallcomplywithallmitigationmeasuresidentifiedinthemitigatednegativedeclaration(SCHNo.2010042031).CEQAmitigationmeasuresshallconstituteenforceableconditionsunderthisOrder.
9. TheUSFSshallincludespecificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsdesignedtomeettheUSFSBMPswithintheenvironmentaldocumentpreparedpursuanttoNEPA.Thespecificprescriptionsshallalsobeincludedinallcontracts,grazingpermits,agreements,andotherinstrumentsusedtodirecttheactivitiesofcontractors,grazingpermittees,USFSpersonnel,volunteers,oranyotherthirdpartiesspecifiedinthisWaiver.TheintentistoprovideclarityandtransparencyinhowtheBMPswillbeimplementedandtofacilitatethemonitoringofBMPimplementation(MonitoringandReportingProgram,SectionIII.A).
10. Inadditiontoprovidingspecificon‐the‐groundprescriptions,theUSFSshallprovidecopiesofthisWaivertocontractorsandgrazingpermittees,andUSFSvolunteersandanyotherthirdpartiesspecifiedinthisWaiver,andnotifythemoftheirresponsibilitiestocomplywiththeWaiver.
11. ActivitiesdescribedinFindingNo.4,andundertakenbycontractorsandgrazingpermittees,shallcomplywiththeUSFSGuidanceandtheUSFSBMPManualandallapplicablemitigationmeasuresidentifiedintheaccompanyingmitigatednegativedeclarationforwaterqualityprotectionasarticulatedbysite‐specificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsidentifiedintheUSFScontractorgrazingpermit,andGeneralConditionNos.21‐34.ThisincludesfollowingtheWetWeatherOperationsStandardsasdevelopedforeachNationalForest,andminimizingerosionandripariandisturbancefromactivitiesthathavethepotentialtodischargesedimentthataffectnaturalshade
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐21‐USFSWaiver
conditionsonwatercourses.ViolationsofthisWaiveraresubjecttoenforcementtotheextentallowedbylaw.TheUSFSwillmaintainexclusiveauthoritytodeterminewhethercontractorsorgrazingpermitteesarecomplyingwiththetermsandconditionsoftheUSFScontractorgrazingpermit.
12. ThisWaiverdoesnotauthorizeanynonpointdischargesbythirdpartiesconductingactivitiesonNFSlandsunderwrittenauthorizationoftheUSFSexceptasspecifiedintheWaiver(GeneralConditionNo.11,andNos.21‐34).
13. Aschedulefortherepairandcontrolofsignificantroadandnon‐roadrelatedsedimentsources,inaccordancewiththeScottRiverMOU,remainstobecompletedtofulfilltherequirementsofthisMOU.AschedulefortreatmentofthesesedimentsourcesshallbecompletedandsubmittedtotheRegionalWaterBoardbytheKNFbyOctober1,2016.
14. AnupdatetotheActionPlancontainedintheSalmonRiverSub‐basinRestorationStrategy,inaccordancewiththeSalmonRiverMOU,remainstobecompletedtofulfilltherequirementsofthisMOU.ThisActionPlanshallbeupdatedbytheKNFandSixRiversNFbyOctober1,2016andshalladdresstheriskofelevatedstreamtemperaturescausedbymanagement‐relateddebrisflowsintheSalmonRiversub‐basin,andincludeanevaluationofminetailingpilesandgrazingallotmentriparianarearestorationpotentialandpriorities.
15. CompliancewithalloftheconditionsofthisWaiverconstitutescompliancewithsedimentandtemperatureTMDLimplementation.TMDLimplementationincludes:legacysedimentsiteinventories,prioritization,andtreatment;retentionofnaturalshadewithindesignatedriparianzones;andapplicationofon‐the‐groundprescriptionsthatmeetUSFSBMPsfornewactivities.
16. RegionalWaterBoardstaffandstafffromeachNationalForestcoveredbythisWaivershallstrivetomeetannually,orasnecessary,todiscussandrectifyanyissuewithWaivercompliance,TMDLimplementation,oranyotherissuesassociatedwiththisWaiver.
17. USFSshallobtaincoverageundertheGeneralPermitforStormWaterDischargesAssociatedwithConstructionandLandDisturbanceActivities(ConstructionGeneralPermit,2009‐0009‐DWQ,asamendedby2010‐0014‐DWQand2012‐0006‐DWQ)fornon‐timberconstructionprojectsonNFSlandsthatdisturboneormoreacresofsoil,orlessthanoneacrebutarepartofalargercommonplanofdevelopmentthatintotaldisturbsoneormoreacres.Constructionactivitysubjecttothispermitincludesclearing,grading,anddisturbancestothegroundsuchasstockpilingorexcavation,butdoesnotincluderegularmaintenanceactivitiesperformedtorestoretheoriginalline,grade,orcapacityofthefacility.
18. ThisWaiverdoesnotauthorizedischargesfromtheapplicationofherbicidesorpesticidesasstatedinFindingNo.7.However,theUSFSshallnotifytheRegionalWaterBoardinwritingatleast90dayspriortotheproposedapplicationof
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐22‐USFSWaiver
herbicidesorpesticides,unlessRegionalWaterBoardstaffagreesinwritingtoalessernotice.Thenotificationshallincludethetypeofpesticide,methodandareaofapplication,projecteddateofapplication,andmeasuresthatwillbeemployedtoassurecompliancewiththeBasinPlan.
19. TheUSFSshallsubmittotheRegionalWaterBoardacopyofanyapplicationtotheStateWaterBoardforaStatewideGeneralNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)PermitforResidualAquaticPesticideDischargestoWatersoftheUnitedStatesfromAlgaeandAquaticWeedControlApplications(Order2013‐0002‐DWQ).
20. TheUSFSmaysubmitinformationonlowriskusesorapplicationsofpesticides(e.g.usearoundbuildings/facilities,boraxstumptreatmentforrootdisease)forconsiderationbyRegionalWaterBoardstafftodevelopalistofactivitiesexemptfromthenotificationinGeneralConditionNo.18.
21. ActivitiesconductedunderthisWaivermustbeincompliancewithwaterqualityrequirements,theBasinPlan,andamendmentsthereto.
22. Thedischargeofsoil,silt,bark,slash,sawdust,orotherorganicandearthenmaterialfromanylogging,construction,orassociatedactivityofwhatevernatureintoanystreamorwatercourseinquantitiesdeleterioustofish,wildlife,orotherbeneficialusesisprohibited.
23. Theplacingordisposalofsoil,silt,bark,slash,sawdust,orotherorganicandearthenmaterialfromanylogging,construction,orassociatedactivityofwhatevernatureatlocationswheresuchmaterialcouldpassintooraffectanystreamorwatercourseinquantitieswhichcouldbedeleterioustofish,wildlife,orotherbeneficialusesisprohibited.
24. ThisWaivercoversdischargesofwastefromactivitiesdescribedinFindingNo.4.ThisWaiverdoesnotcoverdischargesassociatedwithactivitiesnotdescribedinFindingNo.4.Forexample,thisWaiverdoesnotcoverdischargesdescribedinFindingNo.7suchasminingwaste,hazardousmaterial,orhumanwaste.
25. DischargesofwastenotspecificallyregulatedunderthisWaiverareprohibitedexceptincompliancewiththeWaterCode.
26. PursuanttoWaterCodesection13269,thisWaiver,andanyenrollmentunderthisWaiver:1)isconditional;2)maybeterminatedatanytime;3)doesnotpermitanyillegalactivity;4)doesnotprecludetheneedforpermitswhichmayberequiredbyotherfederal,stateorlocalgovernmentalagencies;and5)doesnotprecludetheRegionalWaterBoardfromadministeringenforcementremedies(includingcivilliability)pursuanttotheWaterCode.
27. ThisWaiver,orindividualactivitiesenrolledundertheWaiver,maybere‐openedformodifications,revokedandreissued,orterminated.Intheeventthatunforeseen
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐23‐USFSWaiver
circumstancesresultingfromtheWaiverhavetheeffectofunreasonablyconstrainingUSFSactivities,theUSFSmayseekconsiderationformodificationstotheWaiverbywrittenrequesttotheExecutiveOfficer.
28. ThisWaiver,includingenrollmentsunderthisWaiver,shallnotcreateavestedright,anddischargesofwasteshallbeconsideredaprivilege,asprovidedforinWaterCodeSection13263.
29. AwaiverofWDRsforatypeofdischargemaybesupersedediftheStateWaterBoardorRegionalWaterBoardadoptsspecificWDRsorgeneralWDRsforthistypeofdischarge.
30. ThisOrderdoesnotauthorizeanyactthatresultsinthetakingofathreatenedorendangeredspeciesoranyactthatisnowprohibited,orbecomesprohibitedinthefuture,undereithertheCaliforniaEndangeredSpeciesAct(FishandGameCodesections2050to2097)ortheFederalEndangeredSpeciesAct(16U.S.C.A.sections1531to1544).USFSshallberesponsibleformeetingallrequirementsoftheapplicableEndangeredSpeciesAct.TheUSFSshallobtainasnecessary,andcomplywith,allotherapplicablelocal,state,andfederalregulationsand/orrequiredpermits.
31. ActivitiesauthorizedunderthisWaivershallnotcausepollution,contamination,ornuisanceasdefinedbyWaterCodesection13050.
32. ViolationsofWaiverconditionsaresubjecttoenforcementactionsinthesamemannerasenforcementofwastedischargerequirements.
33. ThisWaivermustnotaffecttherightofanypersontomaintainatanytimeanyappropriateactionforreliefagainstafederalagencyoraprivatepartyconductingoperationsonfederallandsmanagedbythefederalagency.
34. WiththeexceptionofGeneralConditionNo.11,theUSFSshallcomplywithallWaiverconditionsincludingspecificconditionsforprojectsenrolledunderCategoryB.
35. InsituationswheremultipleactivitiesareincludedaspartofanapplicationforcoverageundertheWaiver,USFSshallidentifyitasaCategoryBactivityifanyoftheactivitiesfallunderCategoryB.IfthereisaquestionofwhetheraprojectisCategoryAorB,submittheprojectasaCategoryBandRegionalWaterBoardstaffwillmakeadetermination.
36. TheUSFSshallcomplywiththemonitoringandreportingrequirementscontainedintheMonitoringandReportingProgramofthisOrder.MonitoringandreportingrequirementsareissuedpursuanttoWaterCodesection13267andmaybemodifiedfromtimetotimebytheExecutiveOfficer.
37. CorrectiveactionsidentifiedthroughimplementationmonitoringintheMonitoringandReportingProgramshallbetakenwhiletheprojectisactive,priortotherelease
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐24‐USFSWaiver
ofcontractors,andpriortotheonsetofthefirstwetweatheroperationsperiodafterprojectinitiation.
38. IntheeventanunauthorizeddischargeofwasteoccursasaresultofUSFSactivities,theUSFSshallnotifytheExecutiveOfficerwithin48hoursofthediscoveryofthedischarge,providinganaccuratedescriptionofthenatureofthedischarge,anyimpactsfromthedischarge,andremedialactionstakentoabateandcleanupthedischarge.Awrittenreportshallfollowwithin14daysofthenotificationofdischarge.
39. ByNovember30,2015,theUSFSshallreporttotheRegionalWaterBoardthenamesandstatusofallprojectstheybelievearecoveredorwillbecoveredunderOrderNo.R1‐2010‐0029;
ProjectCategoriesAandBA. CategoryAProjects
CategoryAincludesactivitiesthatasproposedhavealowlikelihoodofimpactstowaterquality,andassuch,requirenoadditionalconditions.TheGeneralConditionsaboveapplytoCategoryAProjects.ActivitiesincludedinCategoryAarelistedinAttachmentA.TheUSFSmayproposetoaddadditionaltypesofactivitiestothiscategorization,subjecttoapprovalbytheExecutiveOfficer.
NoapplicationisrequiredforactivitiescoveredunderCategoryAofthisWaiver.TheUSFSshallkeeprecordsofactivitiescoveredunderCategoryAofthisWaiver,includinganyenvironmentalassessmentspriorto,during,oraftertheactivity,forRegionalWaterBoardstaffreview,asdeemednecessary.
B. CategoryBProjectsCategoryBprojectsincludeactivitiesthatrequireadditionalmitigationmeasures,asdescribedundertheCategoryBConditionsbelow,andRegionalWaterBoardreviewandevaluationforcompliancewiththeWaiver.TheGeneralConditionsaboveapplytoCategoryBprojects,aswellasadditionalCategoryBConditionslistedbelow.CategoryBprojectactivitiesarelistedinAttachmentB.ApplicationforcoverageunderthisWaiverisrequiredforsuchactivitiesandprojects,asdescribedundertheCategoryBWaiverApplicationProceduressectionbelow.
CategoryBConditions:
1. TheUSFSshallactivelyaddressalllegacysedimentsites(asdefinedinFinding
No.34)forCategoryBprojects.AlllegacysedimentsitesforCategoryBprojectsmustbeidentified,inventoried,prioritized,scheduled,andimplementedfortreatmentaspartoftheCategoryBprojectactivities.TheinventoryshallbesubmittedtotheRegionalWaterBoardduringprojectdevelopment.Grazingallotmentsareexemptfromtherequirementtoidentifyandtreatlegacysedimentsites.IftheCategoryBprojectiswithinasixthfieldsubwatershedthat
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐25‐USFSWaiver
containsanactiveWRAPthatistreatinglegacysedimentsites,theCategoryBprojectisexemptfromtreatinglegacyadditionalsedimentsites.
2. TradingthetreatmentoflegacysedimentsitesinsideaCategoryBprojectarea
withlegacysedimentsitesoutsideoftheprojectareamaybeacceptable,providedthetreatmentsitesarewithinthesamesixthfieldsubwatershedanditcanbedemonstratedthattheproposedtreatmentsprovideanequalorgreaterbenefittowaterquality.SuchalternativesshallbesubmittedtotheExecutiveOfficerforapproval.
3. NotwithstandingCategoryBConditionNo.1above,someCategoryBprojects
maybetoolargeorcontainprojectspecificconditionsthatmakeitinfeasibleorunnecessarytotreatalllegacysedimentsites.Insuchcases,alternativelegacysedimentsitetreatmentplansthatinventoryandproposetotreatsomeportionofthelargestsedimentproducingsiteswithintheprojectareamaybesubmittedtoExecutiveOfficerforapproval.Anyalternativeplansubmittalshallincludeadescription(e.g.projecttype,location,volumeofsediment,etc.)ofpastlegacysedimentsitetreatmentsandrestorationeffortsimplementedwiththesamesixthfieldwatershedwithinthepast20years.
4. TheUSFSshallmakelegacysiteinventoriesandWRAPsavailabletoRegional
WaterBoardstaffforreviewandallowinspectionofsitesasneededtoassistinprioritization(seeGeneralConditionsNos.5and6).RegionalWaterBoardstaffwillconferwiththeUSFSonlegacysiteinventoriesandtreatmentprojectstoverifyreasonableprogress.SuccessfulimplementationoftreatmentsandWRAPsisrequiredforsedimentandtemperatureTMDLcompliance.TheUSFSshouldidentifyandprepareaWRAPforatleastoneprioritywatershed(sixthfieldsubwatershed)withineachTMDLlistedwatershed(fourthfieldsub‐basin)tohelpassurereasonableprogresswithTMDLcompliance.
5. TheUSFSshallconductaninterdisciplinaryreviewoftheproposedactivity,
includingreviewbywatershedspecialists,andidentifyon‐the‐groundprescriptionsneededtoimplementtheUSFSBMPManual,andanyadditionalnecessarycontrolmeasuresfortheproposedactivity.TheUSFSshallclearlyindicatewithinNEPAdocumentswhetheranyofthefollowingareincludedwithinaproposedproject:
a. Activitieswithinorwhichcouldaffect:
i. designatedriparianzones;orii. wetlands;oriii. knownactivelandslidesorunstableareas.
b. Typeofactivity:i. construction,reconstruction,upgrade,orrepairofwatercourse
crossings;ii. useorreconstructionofexisting,orconstructionoruseofnewlandings
orskidtrailswithindesignatedriparianzones;
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐26‐USFSWaiver
iii. equipmentoperationswithindesignatedriparianzones,exceptonexistingpermanentroadsorcrossings;
iv. prescribedfirewithindesignatedriparianzones;v. pileburningwithindesignatedriparianzones;vi. roaddecommissioningwithindesignatedriparianzones;vii. instreamrestorationprojects;viii. forestrestoration,includingtimberharvestandfuelreductionprojects
involvingthinningwithinouteredgesofdesignatedriparianzoneswhichutilizeendliningorheavyequipment;or
ix. heavyequipmentuseonslopesover40percent.
6. TheUSFSshallsubmitacompleteapplication,asdescribedundertheCategoryBWaiverApplicationProceduressectionbelow.
7. Foractivitiescarriedoutbycontractorsandgrazingpermittees,USFSshall
includeinitscontractorgrazingpermit:a. Specificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsdevelopedfortheactivitythat
implementtheUSFSBMPManual,andanyadditionalwaterqualitymeasuresidentifiedintheNEPAdocumentandotherenvironmentaldocumentssupportingtheproject;
b. AcopyofthisWaiver;andc. Aprovisionstatingthatcontractororgrazingpermitteeissubjecttothis
Waiver,specificallyGeneralConditionNo.11andNos.21‐34.
8. Wheretheproposedactivityincludesdirectorindirecteffectstowaterquality,theUSFSshallconductacumulativewatershedeffects(CWE)analysisandincludespecificmeasuresintheproposedactivityneededtoreducethepotentialforCWEsinordertoassurecompliancewiththeBasinPlan.ThescaleandextentofCWEanalyseswillbecommensuratewiththescaleandintensityoftheprojectsseekingcoverageunderthisWaiver.CWEsanalyseswillfollowguidanceintheregionalCWEpolicy,R‐5FSH2509.22,SoilandWaterConservationHandbook,Amendment1,andmayrangefromqualitativereasoningtoapplicationandinterpretationofquantitativemodels.
9. TheUSFSshallincludethelargerplanningcontextundertheWCFforspecific
projectsinanyrequestforcoverageunderthisWaiver(e.g.,howaparticularactivityorprojectfitswithinthewatershedprioritiesdevelopedthroughtheplanningprocess).TheUSFSshallincludetheWRAP(s)forsixthfieldsubwatershed(s)withinthelargerfourthfieldTMDLwatershed.Inaddition,otherlegacysiterestorationworkalreadyplannedorunderwayoutsideoftheWCFandwithinthelargerfourthfieldTMDLwatershedshallbeidentified.AtleastoneWRAPshouldbedevelopedwithineachfourthfieldTMDLwatershed.ThisinformationwillbeincludedaspartoftheCWEnarrativeanalysisandmaybeincludedintheCWEnumericalanalysis.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐27‐USFSWaiver
10. ActivitiesmustbeconductedinaccordancewiththeprojectdescriptionintheaccompanyingUSFSNEPAdocument,includinganyprojectmodificationsandthespecificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsdesignedtoimplementtheBMPsidentifiedtoavoidanyadverseimpact(s)towaterquality.
11. Activitiesshallbemonitored,pursuanttotheMonitoringandReporting
Program,toassurethatallon‐the‐groundprescriptionsareimplementedandeffectiveinavoidinganyadverseimpact(s)towaterquality.Shouldsuchmonitoringindicatethaton‐the‐groundprescriptionswerenotimplementedorthatunacceptableimpactsoccurred,correctivemeasurestoremediatetheimpactandimplementtheon‐the‐groundprescriptionshallbetakenassoonasfeasible.
12. Areaswheresoilhasbeendisturbedbyprojectactivities,excludinggrazing,
withindesignatedriparianzonesmustbestabilizedpriortothebeginningofthewinterperiod,andpriortosunsetiftheNationalWeatherServiceforecastisa“chance”(30percentormore)ofrainwithinthenext24hours,orattheconclusionofoperations,whicheverissooner.
13. TheUSFSshallreporttotheRegionalWaterBoard,withintendaysofdiscovery,
areaswithindesignatedriparianzonesthataredisturbedbygrazingthatmayresultinasignificantdischarge,andanymeasurestakentoprevent,minimize,ormitigatethepotentialtodischarge.MonitoringtoverifytheeffectivenessoftheremediationmayberequiredbytheExecutiveOfficer.
14. Whereprescribedfiremanagementactivitiesareconductedwithindesignated
riparianzones,theUSFSmustprevent,minimize,andmitigatedischargestowatersofthestatebyfollowingtheappropriateUSFSBMPsorotherstandarderosioncontroltechniques.
15. EachNationalForestmustensurethatgrazingactivitiesareconsistentwithACS
andAMSgoals,andtheUSFSBMPManual.USFSshallseekenrollmentunderthisWaiverforanynewgrazingallotmentsortherenewalofgrazingallotments.
16. Informationfrominspectionsandmonitoringofconditionsongrazing
allotmentsshallbemadeavailabletoRegionalWaterBoardstaffuponrequest,inadditiontoreportingrequirementsdescribedtheMonitoringandReportingProgramforthisWaiver.
17. TheUSFSshallimplementtheACSandAMS,andtheriparianreserveprogramto
prevent,minimize,andmitigatesedimentdischargesbyfollowingtheappropriateBMPsandstandarderosioncontroltechniquesforactivitiesadjacenttostreamsanddrainages,orotherlocationsorsituationswherepotentialfordischargeexists.
18. TheUSFSwillcollaboratewiththeRegionalWaterBoardstafftoevaluate
researchanddemonstrationactivitiesonfuelsreductionprojectswithin
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐28‐USFSWaiver
designatedareastoensureplansforthoseprojectsincludeappropriatedesignfeaturestopreventorlimitimpactstowaterqualityandmayrequire:
a. additionalmonitoringasappropriate,suchasquantitativemonitoringof
impactstosoils(compaction,infiltrationrate,etc.),groundcoverinventories,vegetationrecovery,orwaterqualityanalysis;and
b. specificenvironmentaltriggersorthresholdsthatmustnotbeexceededduringimplementation.
19. TheUSFSshallminimizenewroadconstructioninwatershedsdesignatedby
USFSas“KeyWatersheds”andinhighriskor303(d)listedwatersheds.920. TheUSFSshallconduct,asidentifiedbyRegionalWaterBoardstaff,any
additionalassessmentsandenvironmentaldocumentationfornewroadsassociatedwithtimberharvestingactivities.
C. CategoryBWaiverApplicationProcedures
1. TheUSFSshallsubmitawrittenNoticeofIntent(NOI)(AttachmentC)andApplicationtotheRegionalWaterBoard.TheNOIcertifiesUSFS’sintenttocomplywithconditionsofthisWaiver.
2. TheNOIshallbesignedbyaUSFSlineofficerortheirauthorizedrepresentative.3. TheNOIandApplication(collectivelytheWaiverApplication)shallbefiledafter
projectapprovalbyUSFS,andatleast30dayspriortoanticipatedcommencementofon‐the‐groundactivities.CertifiedmailmaybeusedtoconfirmthedeliverydateoftheNOIandtheinitiationofthe30‐dayreviewperiod.Totheextentpossible,WaiverApplicationsandrelatedmaterialsshallbesubmittedinasearchablePortableDocumentFormatbyemailtoNorthCoast@waterboards.ca.gov.
4. SubjecttoCategoryBWaiverApplicationProceduresNo.3,iftheWaiver
Applicationiscomplete,theExecutiveOfficershallacceptordenyinwritingwithin30daysfromitsreceiptoftheWaiverApplication.
5. TheExecutiveOfficerhasthediscretiontoadjusttimeframesatthewritten
requestoftheUSFS.6. Tobecomplete,theWaiverApplicationmustcontainthefollowinginformation:
9Highriskwatershedsarethosewatershedsthatareatorabovethresholdsofconcernforcumulative
watershedeffects,asdeterminedbytheEquivalentRoadedAreaorothermodels,orinwatershedswith303(d)listedimpairedwaters.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐29‐USFSWaiver
a. Abriefdescriptionoftheproposedactivity.Providingareferencetomoredetailedexplanationscontainedinsupportingdocumentsissufficient.10
b. Activitystartandenddates;referencetomorespecifictimelinesinsupportingdocumentsissufficient(seefootnote10).
c. Thename(s)andcontactinformationforprimaryprojectmanagementpersonnel.
d. AdescriptionofcompliancewiththeWaiverconditionsingeneralterms,withon‐the‐groundprescriptionssetoutinthesupportingdocumentsbeingsufficient(seefootnote10).
e. Implementationmonitoringchecklistsand/orroadprojecteffectivenessmonitoringchecklistsshallbedevelopedbyUSFSprojectstaff(timber,range,recreation,engineering,etc.)foreachCategoryBproject.
f. Identification,proposedtreatments,andaschedulefortreatmentofexistinglegacynonpointsourcesedimentsites,iftheprojectisnotinWatershedConditionFrameworkprioritywatershedandWRAPs.
g. Theproposedproject’srelationtotheWatershedConditionFrameworkprioritywatershedsandWRAPs,withinapplicableTMDLlistedwatershed(s).CopiesofrelevantWRAPswillbeattachedtotheapplication.
h. Identificationandproposedtreatmentsofexistinglegacysedimentsitesifaninventoryandprioritizationoflegacysedimentsiteshasnotbeeninitiatedintheprojectarea,asdescribedintheprojectdescription,(perGeneralConditionNos.5and6)orreferencetothelegacysiteinventoryforwatershedswithaWRAP.
i. Copiesofrelevantportionsofallenvironmentaldocumentsthatsetoutthedetailsofaproject,especiallyon‐the‐groundprescriptions,includingsupportingdocumentsthatdescribeindetailtheactivitiesandmanagementpracticesthatwillbetakentoreducepotentialwaterqualityimpactstolessthansignificantlevels(e.g.,NEPAdocuments,wetweatheroperationsstandards,technicalreports,designcriteria,assessments,watershedrestorationplans).
j. TheUSFSshallclearlyindicatewithinNEPAdocuments,andprovideanindexof,thespecificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsdesignedtomeettheBMPstoavoidanyadverseimpact(s)towaterquality.Specificon‐the‐groundprescriptionsshallbeincludedinallcontractsandgrazingpermits.
7. Forportionsofanyfirerecoveryprojectsubjecttheemergencyexemption,the
USFSshalldescribehowtheprojectmeetsthedescriptionunderCaliforniaCodeofRegulations,title14,section15269,andthefollowingadditionalinformation:
a. Howtheprojectisdesignedtominimizedisturbancetoriparianreserves
(includingroadsandlandings);b. Avoidancemeasures(i.e.nowetweatheroperations,roadtreatments,slash
pileplacement,etc.);andc. Anyadditionalwaterqualityprotectionmeasures.
10Citationtoawebsiteoranelectronicversionofadocumentisacceptable.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐30‐USFSWaiverD. CategoryBWaiverTerminationProcedures
1. TheUSFSshallsubmitaNoticeofProjectCompletion(AttachmentD)uponprojectcompletion,certifyingthatalltheconditionsandmonitoringandreportingrequiredbythisWaiverhavebeenmet.TheenrollmentunderthisWaiverwillbeterminateduponreceiptofaTerminationofCoverageletterfromtheExecutiveOfficer,or30daysaftertheNoticeofCompletionhasbeensent,whicheveroccursfirst.
ThisWaivershallbecomeeffectiveonOctober8,2015andshallexpireonOctober8,2020,unlessextendedbytheRegionalWaterBoard.Certification:I,MatthiasSt.John,ExecutiveOfficerdoherebycertifythattheforegoingisafull,true,andcorrectcopyofanOrderadoptedbytheCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,NorthCoastRegion,onOctober8,2015.____________________________
MatthiasSt.JohnExecutiveOfficer
15_0021_Waiver_USFS
Attachments:
A. CategoryAProjectsB. CategoryBProjectsC. NoticeofIntent(NOI)ApplicationFormD. NoticeofProjectCompletion(NOC)Form
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐31‐USFSWaiver
AttachmentACategoryAProjects
1. Christmastreeharvestunderindividualpermits(doesnotincludecommercialChristmastreecutting);
2. Cuttingoffirewoodunderindividualpermits(doesnotincludecommercialfirewoodcuttingonfederallands);
3. Hazardtreeremovalindesignatedcampsites;4. Hazardtreeremovalalongroads;5. Treeplantingandrevegetationofdisturbedareaswithnomechanicalsite
preparation;6. RoutineannualroadandOHVtrailmaintenance,suchasculvertcleaningandlow
impactreplacement/modification/upgradingoutsideofdesignatedriparianzoneswherethereisnoriskofsedimentdeliverytowatercourses,roadsurfaceimprovements(paving,patching,blading,gravelsurfacing),brushing,ditchcleaningandcrossdraincleaning;
7. HandThinningwithoutassistancefromheavyequipmentandnoriskofdischarge;8. Minoractivitiesinsmallareasthatareconductedbyhandcrews;9. ActivitiesconductedincompliancewithRoadUsePermits;10. Dispersedcamping,campingindevelopedrecreationsites,useofnon‐motorized
trails,fencebuilding,andsimilarlow‐impact,dispersedactivities;11. Timberharvest,fuelreduction,vegetationmanagement,andunderstoryorpile
burningusinghandcrewsoutsideofRiparianReserveswherethereisnoriskofsedimentdeliverytowatercourses;
12. Installationofvaulttoilets;13. Foottrailbridgereplacementandtrailworkusinghandcrews;14. Non‐emergencyfirerestorationandrehabilitationofburnedareasoutsideof
designatedriparianzonesandwherethereisnoriskofsedimentdeliverytowatercourses;and
15. RoadandTrailMaintenance:a. Signinstallationandmaintenanceb. Brushingforsightdistanceandroadclearancec. Creatingclosuredevicesd. Roadsidehazardandmaintenancetreese. Installingandmaintainingculvertappurtenances(inletsections,riprap,
over‐sidedrains,dropinlets,risersetc.)f. Repair,upgrade,orreplacementofpavedsurfaces.
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐32‐USFSWaiver
AttachmentBCategoryBProjects
1. Non‐emergencyrestorationandrehabilitationofburnedareas,andfirerecovery;2. Pre‐Commercialthinning,heavyequipmentuse,orburningindesignated
riparianzones;3. Vegetationmanagement,particularlyprescribedburnsandmechanical
masticationadjacenttostreamsanddrainages,orothersituationsorlocationswherelikelihoodofdischargeexists;
4. Timberharvestandfuelreductionactivities,includingforestrestorationprojectsandresearchanddemonstrationprojectsonfuelreduction;
5. UnderstoryorpileburningwithinRiparianReserves;6. Activitiesconductedbyhandcrewsindesignatedriparianzonesthatposearisk
ofdischarge;7. Roaddecommissioningandroadstorage/roaddeactivation;8. Roadupgradingandstormproofingwherethereispotentialfordischarge;9. Roadconstructionactivitiesnotsubjecttocoverageunderthestate‐wide
constructionstormwaterpermit;10. MaintenanceactivitiesrelatedtoNationalForestTransportationSystem(NFTS)
motorvehicletrailsadjacenttowatercourseswherethelikelihoodofdischargeexists;
11. Rangemanagementactivities;12. Nonpointsourceactivitiesassociatedwithmining(e.g.,roads,buildingpads,
unvegetatedsoilareasasdescribedinFindingNo.7);and13. Watershedprojects,includingbutnotlimitedtoinstreamrestorationprojects
andlegacysedimentsitetreatmentactivities
California Environmental Protection Agency
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 ‐33‐USFSWaiver
AttachmentCCategoryBNoticeofIntentApplicationForm
NoticeofIntenttoComplywiththeWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforNonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivitiesonNationalForestSystemLandsintheNorthCoastRegionOrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021
USFSCONTACTINFORMATION
USFSProjectContact NationalForest
RangerDistrict
Address Telephonenumber
PROJECTINFORMATION
ProjectName ProjectSize(acres)
PrimaryWatershedName(s) StreamName(s)
ProjectType StreamName(s)
ProjectDescription
CERTIFICATIONIherebycertifythatIunderstandandintendtocomplywithallcriteriaandconditionsofOrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021andallapplicablewaterqualitycontrolregulations.
Signature,USFSAuthorizedOfficer Date
OrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021USFSWaiver
‐34‐
AttachmentDCategoryBNoticeofProjectCompletionForm
NoticeofProjectCompletionandFinalCertificationofComplianceWiththeWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforNonpointSourceDischargesRelatedtoCertainFederalLandManagementActivitiesonNationalForestSystemLandsintheNorthCoastRegionOrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021 USFSCONTACTINFORMATION
USFSProjectContact NationalForest
RangerDistrict
Address Telephonenumber
PROJECTINFORMATIONProjectName
PrimaryWatershedName(s) StreamName(s)
ProjectType
DateofProjectCompletion
CERTIFICATION
IherebycertifythattheaboveProjectwasconductedinconformancewithallapplicableprovisionsofOrderNo.R1‐2015‐0021.Additionally,IcertifythatdischargesresultingfromtheaboveProjectwereincomplianceorareexpectedtocomplywithallrequirementsofapplicablewaterqualitycontrolplans.
Signature,USFSAuthorizedOfficer Date