Water quality: state certification.

Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the California regional water quality control boards prescribe waste discharge requirements in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Under Section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, any applicant seeking a federal license for an activity that may result in any discharge into the navigable waters of the United States is required to first seek a state water quality certification, as specified. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act authorizes the state board to certify or provide a statement to a federal agency, as required pursuant to federal law, that there is reasonable assurance that an activity of any person subject to the jurisdiction of the state board will not reduce water quality below applicable standards. The federal act provides that if a state fails or refuses to act on a request for this certification within a reasonable period of time, which shall not exceed one year after receipt of the request, then the state certification requirements are waived with respect to the federal application. This bill would require the state board to make the certificate or statement available on its internet website for a 60-day public comment and review period, and would provide that the certificate or statement shall not be final until voted upon by a majority of the members of the state board at the conclusion of that period. The bill would require an additional 60-day public comment and review period if the certificate or statement is materially modified by the state board after the close of the initial 60-day public comment and review period.