California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA)
The California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) is a professional member association dedicated to the advancement of stormwater quality management through collaboration, education, implementation guidance, regulatory review, and scientific assessment. CASQA has been a leader since 1989 when the field of stormwater management was in its infancy. CASQA’s membership is comprised of a diverse range of stormwater quality management organizations and individuals, including cities, counties, special districts, industries, and consulting firms throughout the state. A large part of our mission is to assist California stormwater permittees in developing, implementing, and maintaining effective stormwater quality management programs, and draw upon the collective experiences of its individual members, to share successes and avoid the pitfalls.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
Through The Weather Channel, weather.com, Weather Underground, Intellicast.com and third-party publishing partners, the company provides millions of people every day with the world’s best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens. Through WSI and Weather Central, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital.
In the past, Project Clean Water functioned as a broad and inclusive forum for exploring water quality issues in the San Diego region. Workgroups and Committees were formed from throughout the region to discuss issues of shared concern, find consensus solutions to priority problems, and work to characterize baseline conditions in the region’s watersheds. In recent years, Project Clean Water’s stakeholders have focused thier efforts in support the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management Program. Current Project Clean Water efforts are focused on providing a centralized point of access to water quality information and resources for San Diego County Watersheds.
San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
Our mission at the San Diego Regional Board is developing and enforcing water quality objectives and implementing plans that will best protect the area’s waters while recognizing our local differences in climate, topography, geology and hydrology. The San Diego Regional Board is comprised of seven part-time members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The San Diego Board’s “basin plan” encompasses our hydrologic areas, issuing waste discharge requirements, enforcement action against violators, and monitoring water quality. The task of protecting and enforcing the many uses of water, including the needs of industry, agriculture, municipal districts, and the environment is an ongoing challenge for the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI)
The CESSWI™ certification recognizes individuals who have proven they are technically qualified to provide consistent competent site inspections of erosion, sediment and stormwater management practices for compliance with appropriate local, statewide and national laws and regulations on permitted construction sites. Registrants holding the CESSWI certification have an increased credibility on a job site as an individual who has demonstrated the necessary technical ability and experience to perform erosion, sediment and stormwater inspections.
Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)
The CPESC® certification represents many disciplines and specialties that work to produce site-specific plans and designs that comprehensively address current and potential erosion and sedimentation issues with practices and measures that are cost effective, understandable and that meet environmental and regulatory requirements. CPESC registrants meet educational and practical experience standards, subscribe to the code of ethics, pass a rigorous qualifying exam, and maintain expertise through a continuing professional development program.
Certifed Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ)
The CPSWQ® certification recognizes professionals who understand the connection between human actions on the landscape and stormwater quality. Registrants come from all disciplines of stormwater quality management, including engineers, hydrologists, planners, and landscape architects. Competence is demonstrated through education, work experience, and a comprehensive written exam. The Certification is acknowledged internationally, with some US states (e.g. California) requiring it for the preparation of stormwater pollution prevention plans.
Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control (CISEC)
To provide an inspector certification program for individuals that demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in the principles and practices of controlling sediment and erosion and other stormwater pollutants and their applicability to discharge permit documents. Demonstrate the necessary skills to observe onsite and offsite conditions that impact the quality of stormwater discharges from active construction sites. Demonstrate the ability to inspect installed best management practices and their ongoing maintenance to determine if the mitigation measures will minimize the discharge of sediment and other pollutants from active construction sites. Demonstrate the ability to communicate and report on their inspection of active construction sites as to whether storm water management compliance issues associated with water quality may exist with federal, state and/or local discharge permit regulations.
Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS)
The Stormwater program regulates stormwater discharges from locations such as industrial facilities, construction sites, and small linear projects. The Stormwater program is also responsible for processing, reviewing, updating, terminating Notices of Intent (NOIs), annual reports, and maintaining the billing status of each discharger. SMARTS has been developed to provide an online tool to assist dischargers in submitting their NOIs, NECs, NOTs, and Annual Reports, as well as, viewing/printing Receipt Letters, monitoring the status of submitted documents, and viewing their application/renewal fee statements. The system will also allow the Regional Board and State Board staff to process and track the discharger submitted documents.
EPA Construction General Permit
Stormwater discharges from construction activities (such as clearing, grading, excavating, and stockpiling) that disturb one or more acres, or smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater program. Prior to discharging stormwater, construction operators must obtain coverage under an NPDES permit, which is administered by either the state (if it has been authorized to operate the NPDES stormwater program) or EPA, depending on where the construction site is located. Where EPA is the permitting authority, construction stormwater discharges are almost all permitted under the Construction General Permit (CGP). The CGP requires compliance with effluent limits and other permit requirements, such as the development of a SWPPP. Construction operators intending to seek coverage under EPA’s CGP must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) certifying that they have met the permit’s eligibility conditions and that they will comply with the permit’s effluent limits and other requirements. To submit the NOI, the operator should use the “eNOI” system (or “electronic NOI system”).
State Water Resources Control Board
The State Water Board’s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources, and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.