General Waste Discharge Requirements for Irrigated Lands in the Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds

The Regional Water Quality Control Board for the North Coast Region is establishing General Waste Discharge Requirements for irrigated agricultural lands and associated grazing operations within the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds in California. This initiative transitions agricultural operations from conditional waivers to a tiered permitting program designed to control the discharge of pollutants into surface water and groundwater. The requirements target pollutants originating from stormwater and irrigation runoff, pesticide and fertilizer application, sediment erosion, and the removal of riparian vegetation. Enrollees must assess, plan, and implement site-specific management practices, including the use of efficient irrigation systems, runoff management features, tailwater basins, and riparian buffers to reduce nutrient and pesticide loading. The project is currently in the Draft Environmental Impact Report stage, with a public comment period running from September 17, 2026, to November 16, 2026. This process is conducted in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act to evaluate environmental effects and implement the Basin Plan. While the program aims to protect water quality, the project documentation identifies significant and unavoidable impacts to agricultural resources. The regulatory framework includes specific findings on coverage requirements, monitoring and reporting programs, and compliance pathways to ensure the prevention of waste discharges in the affected watersheds.