The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has released draft Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for marijuana cultivation activities for public review and comment. The proposal, which has been in development for several months, is the first in California to impose new environmental requirements on cannabis growers, and could serve as a model for similar programs in other regions. A public workshop has been scheduled for May 7, 2015 in Eureka, and comments are due by June 8, 2015.
The environmental impacts from marijuana cultivation, both legal and illegal, on water and wildlife have been well documented by researchers around the state, particularly with respect to pesticides, water diversion, and soil erosion. These impacts have, in many instances, had devastating effects on local water supplies in RCRC member counties, where marijuana cultivation has become increasingly prolific. Several RCRC member counties have been working directly with the State Water Board and regional boards, along with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the USDA Forest Service, and other agencies on local environmental crimes task forces to identify and mitigate the negative effects on water quality and wildlife. Other California regional boards, such as the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, are also in the process of creating regulatory programs to address the impacts from marijuana cultivation. In addition, Assemblymember Jim Wood has introduced Assembly Bill 243 to mandate that all regional boards to develop similar requirements to those being proposed by the North Coast Water Board.
The proposed order and related documents can be accessed here.