San Diego Region - The Basin Plan

The Basin Plan

The Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (Basin Plan) designates beneficial uses for water bodies in the San Diego Region, and establishes water quality objectives and implementation plans to protect those beneficial uses. The Basin Plan is available in electronic format only. Please note that you need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 9.0 or higher to view the following PDF files.

Updated Basin Plan - with amendments effective on or before May 17, 2016
(compiled and made available on August 5, 2016):
Cover Page
Title Pages
Foreword
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Beneficial Uses
Chapter 3 Water Quality Objectives
Chapter 4 Implementation
Chapter 5 Plans and Policies
Chapter 6 Surveillance, Monitoring, & Assessment
Chapter 7 Total Maximum Daily Loads
Appendices
San Diego Region Hydrologic Basin Plan Area Map
Basin Plan Amendments

Basin Plan Amendments

Any change to the Basin Plan requires a Basin Plan amendment. All Basin Plan amendments are subject to a full public participation and hearing process prior to adoption by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (San Diego Water Board). Basin Plan amendments also must be approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and, in many cases, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Basin Plan amendments become effective and are added to the Basin Plan document after final approval by OAL and/or USEPA, as applicable.

Current Projects:
Biological Objectives for the San Diego Region

Basin Plan Review

The Basin Plan review is the process used to identify and prioritize suggested revisions to the Basin Plan. State and federal laws require periodic review and update of the Basin Plan and, because federal law requires that water quality standards be reviewed every three years, the Basin Plan review is sometimes referred to as the "triennial review."

Public Participation

Public participation is an important part of the Basin Plan review and amendment process and is encouraged. To receive updates on Basin Plan issues, please: 1) subscribe to the "Basin Plan Issues" electronic mailing list, or 2) send a request to Ms. Michelle Santillan to have information sent to you via U.S. mail (see address below). You may also obtain information at your convenience from our website or by appointment at the San Diego Water Board office. If you are interested in participating in the Basin Plan review or amendment process, please contact Ms. Michelle Santillan at (619) 521-3369, Michelle.Santillan@waterboards.ca.gov, or California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region, 2375 Northside Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108.

Order a Copy the Basin Plan or Basin Plan Map

You can order a CD copy of the 1994 Basin Plan with the latest incorporated amendments in PDF format and/or a paper copy of the 1995 Basin Plan Map. Please note that the CD copy of the Basin Plan includes a PDF file of the Basin Plan Map. The cost per CD copy of the Basin Plan including postage is $5.00. The cost per paper copy of the Basin Plan Map including postage is $5.00.

The San Diego Water Board's Basin Plan Team

If you have questions concerning the Basin Plan please contact any of the following staff members.

Michelle Santillan, Water Resource Control Engineer (619) 521-3369
Cynthia Gorham, Senior Environmental Scientist (619) 521-3921