Friends of Gualala River Protecting the Gualala River watershed and the species living within it
In 1994, the entire Gualala River watershed was listed on section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act as impaired for excessive sedimentation / siltation. Excessive sediment in the Gualala River watershed impairs Beneficial Uses associated with the Gualala River’s salmonid fishery and habitat.
In 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for sediment in the Gualala River Watershed, supported by the Gualala River Watershed Technical Support Document for Sediment (TSD), which was developed by North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (North Coast Water Board) staff.
Pursuant to section 13242 of the California Water Code, North Coast Water Board staff have developed the Action Plan for the Gualala River Sediment TMDL (Action Plan) and Staff Report Supporting the Gualala River Sediment TMDL Action Plan (Staff Report) – see below.
The Action Plan and Staff Report reference and summarize key components of the Gualala River Sediment TMDL and the TSD. The Action Plan and Staff Report provide an implementation strategy to achieve the TMDL load allocations through various measures to manage sediment sources and attain water quality standards.
The Action Plan and Staff Report were published by the North Coast Water Board on July 11, 2025. Public comments on the Action Plan must be submitted by Monday, August 25, 2025 at 5 pm.
A Public Workshop on the Action Plan will be held at the Water Board’s office, 5550 Skylane Blvd, Suite A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 on Thursday or Friday, August 14-15, 2025 at 9 am. A Public Hearing on the Action Plan will be held at the Water Board’s office on Thursday or Friday, December 4-5, 2025 at 9 am. Following the public hearing, the Water Board will consider adoption of the Action Plan.
Action Plan
Draft Action Plan for the Gualala River Sediment TMDL
Staff Report
Draft Staff Report Supporting the Gualala River Sediment TMDL Action Plan
- Appendix A: Gualala River Total Maximum Daily Load for Sediment
- Appendix B: Gualala River Watershed Technical Support Document for Sediment
- Appendix C: Gualala River Sediment TMDL Action Plan California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Draft Environmental Checklist
- Appendix D: External Peer Review Exemption for Gualala River Sediment TMDL Action Plan
- Appendix E: Gualala River Watershed Monitoring Data Assessment
How to submit comments
Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 PM on August 25, 2025. Please send comments by selecting from the following methods:
- Email up to 15 megabytes to NorthCoast@waterboards.ca.gov and use the subject heading “Draft Gualala River TMDL Action Plan”
- Follow electronic submittal guidelines for comments greater than 15 megabytes
- Fax to 707-576-2069
- Mail or Hand Deliver to:
- North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Attention: Draft Gualala River TMDL Action Plan 5550 Skylane Boulevard, Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1072
See the Notice of Public Comment Opportunity for more information.
