Ocean Standards
State Water Quality Protection Areas – Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS)
ASBS stands for Area of Special Biological Significance. These are 34 ocean areas monitored and maintained for water quality by the State Water Resources Control Board. ASBS cover much of the length of California's coastal waters. They support an unusual variety of aquatic life, and often host unique individual species. ASBS are basic building blocks for a sustainable, resilient coastal environment and economy.
- Areas of Special Biological Significance - Map and Video
Quick Links
- Announcements
- Ocean Plan Exceptions
- General Exception
- Telonicher Marine Laboratory (Humboldt State University)
- Hopkins Marine Station (Stanford University)
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Bodega Marine Laboratory (University of California at Davis)
- Wrigley Marine Science Center (University of Southern California)
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (University of California)
- Resources and Reports
- Questions
Announcements
Ocean Plan Exceptions
General Exception- Compliance Plans and Pollution Prevention Plans
- Notice of Elimination of Discharge
- Sea Ranch Association
- SWRCB Response to Sea Ranch Association (April 18, 2014)
- Letter from Sea Ranch Association (December 23, 2013)
- U.S. Department of the Interior, Redwood National Park
- Letter from Redwood National Park (November 14, 2012)
- Sea Ranch Association
- Monitoring Extension
- Department of Transportation
- Letter from Department of Transportation (June 25, 2013)
- Letter to the Department of Transportation (May 23, 2013)
- Department of Transportation
- Amendments to the General Exception to the California Ocean Plan for Areas of Special Biological Significance Waste Discharge Prohibition for Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges, with Special Protections (June 19, 2012)
- General Exception to the California Ocean Plan for Areas of Special Biological Significance Waste Discharge Prohibition for Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges, with Special Protections (March 20, 2012)
- Change Sheet - Special Protections (circulated 3/16/12)
- Revised Special Protections - showing 3/16/12 changes
- Draft Response to New Comments received on Feb. 21, 2012
- Comments - Feb. 21, 2012
- Revised Public Notice - the March 6, 2012 adoption meeting for the proposed exception to the Ocean Plan’s ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition has been rescheduled for March 20, 2012.
- Public Notice - The State Water Board is accepting written comments on only changes from the previously circulated Special Protections (Attachment B to the General Exception and the Environmental Impact Report) - Deadline was February 21, 2012 by Noon.
- Revised Draft - Special Protections (Attachment B to General Exception), Strikeout Underline Version
- Revised Draft - Special Protections (Attachment B to General Exception), Clean Version
- Revised Attachment to Special Protections, Flowchart to Determine Compliance with Natural Water Quality
- Final PEIR - redline version showing all changes
- Final PEIR - clean version with all changes
- Draft PEIR
- Proposed Exception to the California Ocean Plan’s ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition
On October 18, 2011 , the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses.- Agenda Item 6 - Selected Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges into ASBS (General Exception) [background...]
- General Exception Selected Discharges
Notice of Preparation of a Statewide Program Environmental Impact Report for a General Exception to the California Ocean Plan Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Selected Discharges into ASBS, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses - Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Waste Discharges
- Draft Special Protections for Selected Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges into Areas of Special Biological Significance - March 3, 2008
- Draft Data Report - Preliminary summary of available data from ASBS exception applications received in 2006. The information in this draft report is in addition and complimentary to the August 2006 ASBS Status Report. Additional applications have been received in 2007 and not all of that data has yet been assimilated into this report.
- Deadline for Comment Letters
- Draft Staff Proposal
- Notice of Public Scoping Meetings
- Notice of Board Member Quorum
- Agenda
- August Scoping Meeting Notes
Telonicher Marine Laboratory Ocean Plan Exception (Humboldt State University)
Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Telonicher marine Laboratory Discharge into the Trinidad Head ASBS
- Resolution No. 2011-0049
- On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving, a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses for Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory
- Agenda Item 3 - Telonicher Marine Laboratory discharge into the Trinidad Head Area of Special Biological Significance [background...]
- Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory Ocean Plan Exception
Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses) and Initial Study for an Exception to the California Ocean Plan ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Humboldt State University Telonicher Marine Laboratory
Hopkins Marine Station Ocean Plan Exception (Stanford University)
Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Hopkins Marine Station Discharge into the Pacific Grove ASBS
- Resolution No. 2011-0050
- On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving, a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses for Hopkins Marine Station
- Agenda Item 4 - Hopkins Marine Station discharge into the Pacific Grove Area of Special Biological Significance [background...]
- Hopkins Marine Station Ocean Plan Exception
Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses) and Initial Study for an Exception to the California Ocean Plan ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Hopkins Marine Station
Monterey Bay Aquarium Ocean Plan Exception
Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Monterey Bay Aquarium Discharge into the Pacific Grove ASBS
- Resolution No. 2011-0051
- On October 18, 2011 (posted 10/7/11), the State Water Board will consider adoption of a resolution approving, a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan's ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses for Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Agenda Item 5 - Monterey Bay Aquarium discharge into the Pacific Grove Area of Special Biological Significance [background...]
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Ocean Plan Exception
Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (including Special Protections for Beneficial Uses) and Initial Study for an Exception to the California Ocean Plan ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, for Monterey Bay Aquarium
Bodega Marine Laboratory (University of California at Davis)
Ocean Plan Exception/Special ASBS Protections for Bodega Marine Lab Waste Discharge into the Bodega ASBS - The State Water Board held a public hearing to receive comments on a proposed exception to the California Ocean Plan prohibition against waste discharge into the Bodega ASBS -
- Resolution No. 2007-0058 Bodega Marine Lab ASBS Excp
- Public Notice
- Comment Letters » » Response to Comments
- Initial Study
- Mitigated Negative Declaration
Wrigley Marine Science Center (University of Southern California)
Ocean Plan Exception/Special ASBS Protections for the University of Southern California Wrigley Marine Science Center Discharge into the Northwest Santa Catalina Island ASBS
- Resolution 2006-0013
- Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study
- Notice of Comment Period and Public Hearing -
- Comment Letters and Responses to the Ocean Plan Exception
Scripps Institution of Oceanography (University of California)
Ocean Plan Exception / Special ASBS Protections for Scripps Institution of Oceanography Discharge into the San Diego - Scripps ASBS
- Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity for Public Comment (Comment Deadline: March 23, 2015 by 12 noon)
- Proposed Resolution
- Revised Draft Addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Resolution 2004-0052 (Posted 4/10/15)
- Draft Addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Resolution 2004-0052
- Hearing Notice
- Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration
- Draft Negative Declaration and Supporting Initial Study
- Comments and Responses to the Ocean Plan Exception:
- Coastal Law Group
- Department of Fish and Game
- Hopkins Marine Station
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
- The Ocean Conservancy
- U.C. Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory
- U.C. San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography Comments: No.1 & No.2
- University of Southern California
- Responses to Comments - 2004
- California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Letter
- Final Ocean Plan Exception and Mitigated Negative Declaration - Resolution 2004-0052
- Waste Discharge Requirements for the University of California, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego County - .
Resources and Reports
- ASBS - Map and Video
- ASBS Natural Water Quality Committee
- ASBS Coastal Reports/Publications
- ASBS Status Report
- ASBS Ocean Plan Exception Process and Pre-Exception Monitoring
- Critical Coastal Areas - the California Coastal Commission web site
Watershed Areas Bordering each State Water Quality Protection Area
- State Water Quality Protection Areas - Areas of Special Biological Significance
California's Marine State Water Quality Protection Areas
Legal descriptions, maps, and applicable Board resolutions and exceptions. - Discharges into State Water Quality Protection Areas
- Final Report - July 2003
History
Original Enforcement Process
- ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition, State Water Board Workshops - 2005
- October 24, 2005 (San Pedro, California)
- Public Notice
- Agenda
- ASBS Presentation
- Transcript (Disclaimer: This transcript was made from a tape recording. The State Water Board does not guarantee the accuracy of this transcript.)
- Comments
- August 31, 2005 (Monterey, California)
- Public Notice
- Agenda
- Attendees
- ASBS Workshop Presentation
- Transcript (Disclaimer: This transcript was made from a tape recording. The State Water Board does not guarantee the accuracy of this transcript.)
- Comments
- October 24, 2005 (San Pedro, California)
- ASBS Waste Discharge Prohibition Notification and Exception Application Process
- Ocean Plan ASBS Exceptions:
What are they? Why do you want one? How do you get one?
- How to Apply for an Ocean Plan Exception - Instructions
- ASBS Cease and Desist Orders
- Central Coast Regional Board - 2005
- Irvine Coast ASBS - Crystal Cove
- State Board Precedential Decision - 2001
- Santa Ana Regional Board Cease and Desist Order - 2000
- Applications for Discharge Exceptions into ASBS
The State Water Resources Control Board will hold a public meeting on January 13, 2005 to provide information to stakeholders regarding applications for exceptions to the Water Board for discharges into ASBS. Potential funding sources for planning and implementation of measures to control waste discharges into ASBS will be described. The meeting will also provide a forum for stakeholders and staff to investigate collaborative approaches to eliminating waste discharges into ASBS.
Questions or Comments?
- Katherine Walsh, Ocean Standards Unit - email or phone (916) 445-2317
