Presenter outlines CSSRP requirements and 10-year watershed treatment timeline

A presenter at a State Water Resources Control Board presentation described the requirements for the Controllable Sediment Source Reduction Program (CSSRP) and the associated watershed treatment plans (WTPs), including timelines for implementation and reporting.

The presentation laid out why the CSSRP matters and how permittees must document work to reduce controllable sediment discharge sources. "The watershed treatment plan runs a 7 year cycle beginning 6 months after order adoption," the presenter said, and later added that "Watershed treatment plans are due to be completed 10 years from board approval." The presenter urged permittees to use monitoring and reporting to demonstrate compliance and to show the effectiveness of treatment measures.

The nut graf: the order requires permittees to identify, assess and treat controllable sediment discharge sources in prioritized HUC12 watersheds, produce field assessment work plans and WTPs for board review and approval, and submit annual interim reports and a final completion report within the timeframes set by the order.

What the plans must include
The presenter said each field assessment work plan must contain watershed identification and selection rationale, maps, a proposed schedule, and certification of the work plan. Once the field assessment is completed, its results inform the WTP, which must include detailed descriptions of proposed corrective actions to abate sediment discharges, restoration and maintenance activities, permitting actions required to implement the proposed treatments, and any planned community outreach and an implementation schedule with interim milestones.

Selection criteria and key thresholds
The presenter listed eight selection criteria for choosing HUC12 watersheds, including ownership thresholds (for example, at least 50% ownership by the U.S. Forest Service or 30% by the Bureau of Land Management), whether the watershed drains to a source watershed, an average erosion hazard rating of moderate or severe, listing on or drainage to a watershed on the Section 303(d) list of impaired waters, expected receiving-water benefits, cumulative watershed-effect analyses or similar assessments, prior relevant watershed assessments, and applicable federal agency directives affecting water quality.

Reporting, timelines and approvals
Under the order, WTPs must be implemented and completed no more than 10 years from board approval. The presenter said the permit team must submit an annual interim progress report beginning one year from the date the WTP was approved by the board and annually thereafter. These interim reports must document compliance with milestones, include an updated status of projects and activities, note NEPA process status where applicable, provide funding status, and explain any project delays. The presenter said field assessment reports "must include a summary of findings" and that "all controllable sediment discharge sources within the watershed must be identified, including type and the estimated volume of sediment discharge or potential discharge."

Project categories and exemptions
Projects conducted as part of a WTP will be designated category A or category B based on eligibility criteria. The presentation said Category B projects are exempt from additional CSDS assessment and inventory requirements (referenced as Attachment B in the order), and that early development activities approved by the Central Valley Water Board may overlap with ongoing WTP implementation.

Final reports, records and audits
The presenter said that a final completion report is due no more than 60 days after completion of board-approved WTP activities, or no later than 10 years from the date of WTP approval, whichever comes first. Final reports must describe activities treated or remaining, list added or discovered sites, estimate quantities of CSDS treated, and be signed and certified. Permittees are required to maintain project records during the project and for five years after completion. In the event of an audit, project-related documents requested must be provided to the Central Valley Water Board within 30 days of the request.

What comes next
Permittees should prepare and submit field assessment work plans for review and certification, then use approved assessments to draft WTPs for board review and approval. Annual interim reports and the final completion report are required on the schedule described in the order.