Which entity oversees the regulation of stormwater discharges in the state?

The entity that oversees the regulation of stormwater discharges in California is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The NPDES is a program established under the Clean Water Act, which authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states to issue permits for discharges of pollutants into navigable waters. In California, the State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control boards implement the NPDES program, including regulations pertaining to stormwater discharges.

The involvement of NPDES is crucial because it sets standards and requirements that must be met to minimize pollution from stormwater runoff, which can contain various contaminants that adversely affect water quality in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Compliance with NPDES permits is essential for protecting aquatic ecosystems and public health.

In contrast, while the Department of Water Resources and the California Environmental Protection Agency play important roles in broader water management and environmental protection, their functions do not specifically target the regulatory framework for stormwater discharges like the NPDES does. Similarly, the Integrated Waste Management Board focuses more on waste management rather than water quality issues directly linked to stormwater discharges.