City of Vallejo, CA, CA

In response to the federal Clean Water Act, all municipalities are considered regulated waste dischargers under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit administered by their respective Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Municipalities are regulated based on their jurisdiction over and/or maintenance responsibility for municipal storm drain systems and watercourses they own or operate. The NPDES Permit is concerned primarily with regulating trash, pollutants, and excessive hydrologic runoff which can carry sediment and cause flooding.

To streamline and strengthen regional compliance, Bay Area stormwater programs worked with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to draft a Bay Area wide Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) that encompasses the permittees of Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo counties, as well as the cities of Fairfield, Suisun, and Vallejo. The MRP “levels the playing field” by applying the same requirements across jurisdictions while allowing some room for flexibility in implementation.

GUIDE TO EATING FISH FROM THE CALIFORNIA COAST

Fish tissue collected from the San Francisco Bay can contain relatively high concentrations of mercury and PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls). The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has issued fish consumption advisories warning people to limit their consumption of San Francisco Bay fish. Visit OEHHA's Fish Advisories page for their most up-to-date information.

NEW DEVELOPMENT

Provision C.3 in the MRP requires site designs for new developments and redevelopment projects to minimize impervious surfaces such as the area of new roofs and paving. Where feasible, pervious surfaces should be used instead so runoff can infiltrate the underlying soil. Remaining runoff from impervious areas must be captured and used or treated using bio-retention systems. In some cases, the rates and durations of site runoff must also be controlled.

Project applicants must also execute agreements to allow municipalities to verify that stormwater treatment and flow-control facilities are maintained in perpetuity.

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board for the San Francisco Bay Region reissued the MRP in May 2022 which was amended in 2023. The permit regulates stormwater discharges from municipal storm drains operated by 76 local government entities, including those in Vallejo.

The City of Vallejo consulted with the Contra Costa Clean Water Program staff and adopted the CCCWP Stormwater C.3 Guidebook and associated guidance for use in Vallejo.

C.3 requirements are separate from, and in addition to, requirements for erosion and sediment control and for pollution prevention measures during construction.

Effective May 17, 2017, projects that create or replace 2,500 square feet or more, but less than 10,000 square feet, of impervious surface must prepare and submit a Stormwater Control Plan for Small Land Development Project. Please refer to the latest guidebook page below for more details:

• Contra Costa Clean Water Program’s (CCCWP) C.3 Page

• City of Vallejo Appendix A: Local Exceptions and Additional Requirements

Derek Crutchfield
Environmental Services Manager
(707) 648-5348

SOLANO STORMWATER ALLIANCE

The Solano Stormwater Alliance works collaboratively to prevent pollution from entering waterways that flow to the San Francisco Bay by managing storm drain networks, encouraging community stewardship, and more. Visit their page for more information.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY

Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers have shown to be significant sources of pollutants that contaminate storm drains. Learn more.

ILLEGAL STORM DRAIN DISCHARGE