Coastkeepers advocate for San Diego's biological objectives to improve water quality standards

The State Water Resources Control Board meeting held on May 6, 2025, focused on the proposed biological objectives for the San Diego region, a critical step in enhancing water quality management. Representatives from San Diego Coastkeeper and Orange County Coastkeeper presented their perspectives, emphasizing the need for a shift from chemical-only assessments to a more comprehensive evaluation of biological integrity in waterways.

The Clean Water Act and the Porter Cologne Act aim to maintain the chemical, physical, and biological health of water bodies. However, discussions revealed that California's water quality objectives have largely concentrated on chemical parameters, which do not fully capture the ecological health of aquatic environments. As a result, many waterways in the San Diego area have been rated poorly in terms of biological health, highlighting the urgency for the adoption of biological objectives.

The San Diego Regional Board has been awaiting State Board approval for nearly four and a half years to implement these objectives, which were initially adopted by Region 9 in December 2020. The delay has raised concerns among environmental advocates, who argue that the current focus on chemical metrics is insufficient for protecting aquatic ecosystems.

During the meeting, it was noted that the proposed biological objectives would not hinder flood control maintenance activities, a point emphasized by the San Diego Regional Board. This clarification aimed to address concerns raised by permittees regarding potential regulatory barriers to necessary maintenance work in flood control channels.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the financial challenges faced by the city of San Diego in maintaining its stormwater infrastructure. The stormwater department is grappling with a significant budget deficit, which has led to deferred maintenance and exacerbated flooding issues in certain areas. Advocates stressed that these financial constraints should not be blamed on the proposed biological objectives, as the regional board has indicated that maintenance activities can proceed without conflict.

The discussion also touched on the implications of citizen suit enforcement related to the biological objectives. While some permittees expressed concerns about potential litigation, advocates argued that the adoption of these objectives would not necessarily lead to increased enforcement actions, as existing chemical parameters already indicate compliance issues.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the pressing need for the adoption of biological objectives in the San Diego region to ensure the long-term health of its waterways. The State Water Resources Control Board is expected to consider the proposed amendment soon, with advocates urging prompt action to address the ecological challenges facing the region's water bodies.