San Diego Coastkeeper works with the State Water Resources Control Board to review and update the Ocean Plan, and to plan for appropriate use of ocean waters in California.
The California Ocean Plan (Ocean Plan) is the State's water quality control plan for ocean waters. It lists "beneficial uses" of California's ocean waters which need to be protected; establishes "water quality objectives" necessary to achieve protection for those beneficial uses; and sets forth a program of implementation (including waste discharge limitations, monitoring, and enforcement) to ensure that water quality objectives are met.
The Ocean Plan controls the discharge of waste to ocean waters, and is reviewed at least every three years as required by Federal law [Section 303(c)(1) of the Clean Water Act] and State law [Section 13170.2(b) of the California Water Code]. The purpose of the triennial review of the Ocean Plan is to guarantee continued adequacy of water quality standards.
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted the Ocean Plan in 1972, and has since revised the Plan six times, most recently in December 2001. The next triennial review is currently underway.