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Water Quality

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS), also known as polluted runoff, is the leading cause of water quality impairment in California and in the nation. This type of pollution is the major contributor of pollution to impacted streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, marine waters, and ground water basins in California, and adds significant pollution to harbors and bays. The Coastal Commission's Water Quality Unit mission is to protect and restore the ecological health and integrity of the ocean and California's coastal watersheds by encouraging the use of water quality planning principles.

• Publications
  • Model Urban Runoff Program
    The model urban runoff program, or MURP, is a "how-to" guide for addressing polluted urban runoff in small municipalities (with populations under 100,000) in California. The program was developed jointly by the cities of Monterey and Santa Cruz, the California Coastal Commission, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments.
  • California Management Measures For Polluted Runoff
    This set of management measures, which make up Volume 2 of the Nonpoint Source Program Strategy and Implementation Plan, (992KB PDF) form the core of the state’s plan and provide goals for the management of polluted runoff, to which various management practices can be applied.
    • Table of Contents and Introduction (40KB PDF file, opens new window)
    • Agriculture (90KB PDF file, opens new window)
    • Forestry (Silviculture) (101KB PDF file, opens new window)
    • Urban Management Measures (91KB PDF file, opens new window)
    • Marinas & Recreational Boating (114KB PDF file, opens new window)
    • Hydromodification (47KB PDF file, opens new window)
    • Wetlands, Riparian Areas, and Vegetated Treatment Systems (43KB PDF file, opens new window)
• Sample Policies and Ordinances
  • Excerpts from The Periodic Review of the Implementation of San Luis Obispo County's Local Coastal Program (30KB PDF file, opens new window)
    In July 2001, the CCC adopted the findings of the Periodic Review of the San Luis Obispo County Local Coastal Program, which included recommendations for controlling polluted runoff. The commission action on the SLO periodic review may provide guidance for other jurisdictions updating LCPs. The following excerpt, from the commission-approved staff report, makes suggestions for improving the water quality component of the SLO LCP.
• Water Quality Links
  • MURP Internet Resources List (86KB PDF file, opens new window)
    Extensive web links to useful Best Management Practices information and other water quality resources.
  • Resources for Local Governments Water Quality Links Page
    Links on the Internet specific to Water Quality.