The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board's (Central Coast Water Board's) Resolution R3-2023-0003 amends the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin to incorporate total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for nitrogen compounds and an associated implementation strategy for reducing nitrogen loading to surface waters of the Santa Ynez River basin, Santa Barbara County. The State Water Resources Control Board approved the amendment in Resolution 2024-0004 on January 17, 2024.

Responsibility for achieving nitrogen load reductions falls upon several point source and nonpoint source implementing parties as described in Attachment A to Resolution R3-2023-0003. The Central Coast Water Board will rely on existing regulatory mechanisms, voluntary actions, and grant funding to ensure implementation actions to reduce nitrogen loading to the river basin are carried out and maintained by implementing parties.

TMDL attainment dates are established for achieving water quality objectives. The Central Coast Water Board will track progress towards achieving the TMDLs in accordance with California Water Code section 13242. If existing efforts are not expected to achieve the TMDL as scheduled, the Executive Officer or the Central Coast Water Board may require changes to existing monitoring, reporting, and/or implementation efforts pursuant to California Water Code sections 13263, 13267, or 13383.