Inventory of the Water Resources Control Board Records

Processed by Sam Skow and Cori Schmidtbauer

California State Archives

1020 "O" Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: (916) 653-2246

Fax: (916) 653-7363

Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov

URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/

Inventory of the Water Resources Control Board Records

Inventory: F3941, R373, R372, R229

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Sam Skow and Cori Schmidtbauer
Date Completed:: October 2013
Encoded by:: Sara Kuzak

Descriptive Summary

Title: Water Resources Control Board Records

Inventory: F3941, R373, R372, R229

Creator: California. State Water Resources Control Board California. State Water Pollution Control Board California. State Water Quality Control Board

Extent: 145 cubic feet of textual material, 1,150 audiocassettes, 74 slides, 17 microfiches, 5 photo-negatives, 4 floppy disks, and 9 CD-Rom

Repository: California State Archives

Sacramento, California

Abstract: The Records of the Water Resources Control Board span the years 1949 to 2006 and contain approximately 145.5 cubic feet of textual records, as well as audiovisual materials such as audiocassette tapes, CD-Rom, and Floppy Disks. The records were created by three different records creators: (1) Water Pollution Control Board, 1949-1962; (2) Water Quality Control Board, 1963-1966; and (3) Water Resources Control Board, 1967-2006.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Access

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [Name of Agency] Records, [Record Group number].[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition and Custodial History

The California State Archives acquired the State Water Resources Control Board Records according to state law.

Agency History

Water Pollution Control Board (1949-1962)

The Water Pollution Control Board was established in 1949 through the Dickey Act (Chapter 1549, Statutes 1949). In addition to the Pollution Control Board, the Dickey Act created nine Regional Water Pollution Control Boards in each of the major California watersheds to monitor regional activities. Listed by region name and number they are: (1) North Coast, (2) San Francisco Bay, (3) Central Coast, (4) Los Angeles, (5) Central Valley, (6) Lahontan, (7) Colorado River Basin, (8) Santa Ana, and (9) San Diego. The mission of the regional water boards was to preserve and enhance the quality of California's water resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

The State Water Pollution Control Board coordinated the actions of the various state agencies involved in the regulation and monitoring of water pollution, formulated statewide water quality control policy, allocated appropriated funds to the regional boards, and initiated and managed scientific research and technical programs to establish appropriate water quality policies.

Water Quality Control Board (1963-1967)

In 1962 the Pollution Control Board was placed under the jurisdiction of the Resources Agency. Following year, the name of the board was changed to the State Water Quality Control Board (WQCB), reflecting a change in the perspective of the board members and the Resources Agency toward the need for a comprehensive approach to water pollution and water contamination. In 1964 the WQCB was appointed as the administrative agent of the Federal Construction Grants Program (Public Law 84-660) for the State of California, beginning a long-standing relationship with the federal government.

The WQCB was administered by four to six appointed members and their contracted consultants. The Board created state water quality policy and oversaw an ongoing research and technical development program. The WQCB continued to oversee the nine regional boards, whose main responsibility was the implementation of the state's water quality control policies through the formation of water quality control plans and the establishment and enforcement of water discharge requirements. Each regional board had nine part-time members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Regional Boards developed "basin plans" for their hydrologic areas, issued waste discharge requirements, took enforcement action against violators, and monitored water quality.

Water Resources Control Board (1967 -)

The scope of the Board's responsibilities broadened in 1967 (Chapter 1446, Statutes 1967) to include the establishment of an interagency system for the control of water discharge. That December, the State Water Rights Board, whose functions derived from the Water Commission Act, and the State Water Quality Control Board merged into a new board called the State Water Resources Control Board (WRCB) (Chapter 284, Statutes 1967). Additionally, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Chapter 482, Statutes 1969) substantially increased the authority and scope of both the state and regional boards, strengthening their regulatory capacity and funding, as well as providing for the creation of comprehensive water quality control plans in each of the nine regions. These plans were ultimately completed in 1975. With the implementation of the Porter-Cologne Act, the WRCB expanded its definition of the beneficial uses of water to include long-term conservation and environmental protection.

Since its formation, the Water Resources Control Board has consisted of five full-time salaried members. Together, board members share responsibility for allocating water rights, adjudicating water-rights disputes, developing statewide water protection plans, establishing water quality standards, and directing the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards.

The main responsibilities of the newly created board were divided into three main concentrations: (1) water rights, (2) water quality, and (3) planning and research. To effectively address these three areas, in 1968 the WRCB divided into five administrative units: the Executive Office, the Division of Administrative Services, the Division of Water Rights, the Division of Legal Affairs, and, inherited from the WQCB, the San Francisco Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Program. From its inception to the present, the WRCB has regularly added, dropped, and redefined the various offices and divisions that comprise its body. In 2013, the Executive Office, the Administrative Services Division, and the Water Rights Division were all that remained from the original roster.

Executive Office

Since 1968, the mission of the Executive Office has been to execute and oversee administration of the water quality and water rights laws in the California Water Code. Executive Office activities generally include conducting board business meetings, managing the department's programs and budget, and organizing and evaluating State and Regional Board programs and activities to ensure adequacy, efficiency, and economically consistent results.

Division of Administrative Services

The Division of Administrative Services performs all "housekeeping" activities for the Water Resources Control Board, including accounting, purchasing, personnel, training, filing, reception, and statistical services.

Division of Water Rights

Formerly the State Water Rights Board, the Division of Water Rights was created when its predecessor organization and the State Water Quality Control Board merged in 1968. The Water Rights Division focuses primarily on water dispute arbitration, license and permit authorization, water rights policies enforcement, Water Transfer Program and Water Quality Certification Program management, and civil liability complaint actions administration.

For more information on the Division of Water Rights, see the Water Rights Board Records, 1915-1986 (R374), which include records from the State Water Rights Board, 1956-1967, the Department of Public Works, Division of Water Resources, 1921-1956, and the State Water Commission's water-rights related work, 1913-1921.

San Francisco Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Program

In 1965, the Water Pollution Control Law (Chapter 1351, Statutes 1965) initiated one of California's most ambitious water programs to date: the San Francisco Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Program (Bay-Delta Plan).

Completed in 1973, the Bay-Delta Plan fulfilled five strategic objectives: 1) to develop a fifty-year comprehensive plan for waste disposal systems to serve the San Francisco Bay and San Joaquin Delta; 2) to plan for collection, treatment (including reclamation), and disposal of municipal and industrial wastewaters; 3) to provide for maintenance and enhancement of water quality, while allowing for California's steady population growth and industrial development; 4) to identify forms of governmental authority best equipped to implement the plan; and 5) to determine a fair apportionment of costs for development, construction, and operation of a regional system of wastewater works.

Given the magnitude of the program's scope, the State Board, serving in a supervisorial capacity, coordinated the efforts of various public and private organizations to which it had contracted major portions of the program to. State agencies included: the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Fish and Game. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission also conducted important studies in service to the program. From the private sector, Kaiser Engineers led a diverse association of engineering and financial firms which conducted studies, drafted proposals, and performed other necessary functions unavailable through State government. At the national level, the Bay-Delta Plan compelled the Water Resources Control Board to also maintain close working relationships with the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Office of Legislative and Public Affairs

Initially, the Executive Office handled the legislative and public functions of the WRCB. But in 1981, the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) was created specifically to address these areas. OLPA activities included legislative bill proposals, bill analyses, and legislative interactions on bills affecting the operations of the WRCB. OLPA also provided input on all press activities and news releases relating to Board activities affecting water policy in the State of California.

In 2007, the OLPA was dissolved and its responsibilities were split between two offices: the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Office of Public Affairs.

Chief Counsel

Initially called the Division of Legal Affairs, the Office of the Chief Counsel was created in the early 1980s to provide legal services and advice to the WRCB and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards regarding administration and protection of the waters of the State of California.

Division of Clean Water Programs

The Division of Clean Water Programs (DCWP) was created in the early 1990s. Among its other functions, the DCWP was also tasked with issuing loans and grants for the construction and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities throughout the state. Initially, the Division of Water Quality (DWQ), created in 1969, was tasked with these administrative duties in addition to its many other responsibilities. But in the mid-1980s, the Division of Clean Water Grants (DCWG) was formed strictly for this purpose, allowing the DWQ to focus on water quality issues. In 1988, the Division of Loans and Grants was formed alongside the DCWG to respond to an increased demand by cities and counties for State Revolving Loan Program Funds. By the end of the decade, the two divisions were consolidated into the Division of Loans, Tanks, and Land Disposal, which was soon succeeded by the Division of Clean Water Programs. In addition to administering State Revolving Funds and Small Community Grants for the development of state and local water infrastructure, the DCWP had various missions ranging from:

Administering a program for the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater at military bases.

Regulating underground storage tank (UST) facilities.

Developing UST regulations and providing guidance and training to users and local regulators.

Licensing UST testers.

Establishing Federal financial responsibility requirements for operators and owners of petroleum USTs.

Regulating aboveground tanks, cleanup, and abatement.

Certifying wastewater treatment operators.

The DCWP operated until 2004 when it was replaced and its administrative duties inherited by the Division of Financial Assistance.

Scope and Content

The Records of the Water Resources Control Board span the years 1949 to 2006 and contain approximately 145.5 cubic feet of textual records, as well as audiovisual materials such as audiocassette tapes, CD-Rom, and Floppy Disks. The records were created by three different records creators: (1) Water Pollution Control Board, 1949-1962; (2) Water Quality Control Board, 1963-1966; and (3) Water Resources Control Board, 1967-2006. The Water Resources Control Board records are further divided into their five sub-creators: (1) Executive Office, (2) Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (including its predecessor), (3) Office of the Chief Counsel (including its predecessor), (4) Division of Clean Water Programs (including its predecessors), and (5) San Francisco Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Program.

Researchers with an interest in the history of water quality control, water rights, and environmental policy on both state and regional levels will find the Water Resources Control Board records particularly useful. The records reveal how the scope and responsibilities of the board changed and expanded each time it was renamed. Under the Water Pollution Control Board, Verbatim Records is the strongest series, illuminating exactly what transpired at meetings. The WPCB Regional Board Meeting Files are just as important, granting researchers access to the regional boards' management of water quality policy enforcement activities in designated areas throughout the state. Under the Water Quality Control Board, Project Proposals highlight various water quality improvement projects that took place during the Board's tenure.

Records of the Executive Office contain administrative records that reveal important actions of the Water Resources Control Board. The largest series in the collection, Board Meeting and Workshop Files address the public's concerns and review the progress of projects involving chemical risks, water conservation, salinity, and wastewater. Plans and Program Committee Files, Water Quality Committee Files, and Water Rights Committee Files all demonstrate how WRCB committees contributed to policy and regulations at the regional, state, and federal levels.

Records from the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs demonstrate the WRCB's influence on California's progressive environmental policies. Bill Files in particular, spanning from 1975 to 2000, provide researchers with a comprehensive assortment of the Board's legislative contributions across the last quarter of the twentieth century.

Records from the Office of the Chief Counsel reveal the legal intricacies of the WRCB. Of interest to legal scholars, Litigation Files document the administration of the Board's defense in the Appellate Court Case, Lake Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council v. State Water Resources Control Board in the 1980s.

Records from the Division of Clean Water Programs and Division of Water Quality chronicle the evolution of California's water-infrastructure funding methods and procedures. The files also detail the processes by which cities, counties, and regions of varying sizes and population densities received funding from 1956 to 2000. Clean Water Grant Program Files, which fall under the Division of Water Quality, State Revolving Fund Files, and Small Community Grant Files provide researchers with convenient comparisons and contrasts of the Board's various financial aid programs.

Records from the San Francisco Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Program detail the years of the landmark project. A massive multifaceted undertaking, the Bay-Delta Plan involved several state and federal agencies, many city and regional boards, and numerous private contractors, all working under the direction of the State Water Resources Control Board. Researchers will find Task Force Correspondence and Regional and County Projects Meeting Files especially demonstrative of the magnitude of the program's coordinated efforts. They will likewise find that Project Reports and Proposal Studies offer an insightful look into the history of water quality control efforts in the state of California.

Accruals

Further accruals are expected.

Related Material

California Environmental Protection Agency

Department of Water Resources

State Water Rights Board

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

California. State Water Pollution Control Board

California. State Water Quality Control Board

California. State Water Resources Control Board

Water Pollution Control Board Records

R373.001, Box 1, folder 1-Box 2, folder 32

Series 1 Board Meeting Files 1949-1958

Physical Description: 58 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of board meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

Board Meeting Files consist of the minutes for the first special meeting (January 12, 1950), skips to the third regular meeting (April 6, 1950), and continues through to the fifty-first regular board meeting (March 5, 1958). Board meetings took place on a monthly basis. Minutes for special meetings are also present. During board meetings, Board members discussed actions taken since previous meetings and reported on water pollution, health and safety, and field investigations. Popular discussion topics include regional board updates, Water Wells Driller and Water Pollution Control legislation, public laws, stream sampling, Sewerage Enabling Acts, and water quality criteria.

R373.002, Box 3, folders 1-14

Series 2 Verbatim Records 1949-1958

Physical Description: 14 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of board meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

The Verbatim Records are supplementary documentation to the Board Meeting Files' minutes and agendas outlined in series R373.001. These records are complete transcripts of the topics discussed during special, regular, and joint board meetings. Verbatim Records begin with the first special meeting, include the first regular (February 2, 1950) and second regular (March 2, 1950) meetings and extend to the fifty-eighth regular meeting (December 2, 1959).

R373.003, Box 3, folders 15-21

Series 3 Executive Officers Meeting Files 1950-1961

Physical Description: 7 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

The Executive Officers' meetings were informal conferences, which were attended by both state and regional board members. The files consist of minutes and summaries of what transpired at the meetings, attendance correspondence, and meeting notices that include meeting dates and proposed topics. Topics include water appropriation, waste discharge requirements, waste water reclamation and utilization, water wells drilling, and ocean sampling. Budget and administration issues are also discussed at these meetings.

R373.004, Box 4, folders 1-19

Series 4 Regional Board Meeting Files 1953-1963

Physical Description: 19 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged numerically by regional board number as follows: (1) North Coast, (2) San Francisco, (3) Central Coast, (4) Los Angeles, (5) Central Valley, (6) Lahontan, (7) Colorado River Basin, (8) Santa Ana, and (9) San Diego. Records are further arranged chronologically within the regional board files.

Scope and Content Note

The Regional Board Meeting Files consist of meeting notices, attendance correspondence, and meeting minutes, which summarize meeting topics and transactions. Some important topics include vegetation, soil, river water, dredging, waste discharge, and dam and flood control. Administrative issues such as length of terms for board members are also discussed.

R373.005, Box 4, folders 1-19

Series 5 Board Resolutions 1950-1963

Physical Description: 4 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year and then numerically by resolution number.

Scope and Content Note

Board Resolutions are continued in series R372.001 and R229.004.

Board Resolutions were passed by the Board to address problems regarding water quality in the hope of improving administration. At the beginning of each year, an index provides the number, date, and subject description of each resolution. The files consist of reports that describe the purpose and responsible organizations for each resolution. Following the description, the reports outline the measures that will be taken in order to implement the resolution.

R373.006, Box 5, folders 5-18

Series 6 Regional Board Correspondence 1950-1958

Physical Description: 14 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged numerically by regional board and chronologically therein.

Scope and Content Note

Regional Board Correspondence primarily consist of interregional correspondence between the Los Angeles and Lahontan Regional Boards, but also include communications between these Boards and other State and Federal agencies. Within the series, the correspondents discuss board meetings, reports, and projects. Though the bulk of the correspondence originates from the Lahontan region, there is one folder containing records from the Los Angeles and the North Coast regions.

Special topics include water wells drilling and state and federal legislation, including AB1720 (1953), AB2829 (1953), H.R.8225 (1954), SJR20 (1954), SB126 (1955), AB777 (1955), AB1949 (1955), and AB2034 (1955). The series includes correspondence between the Lahontan Regional Board and the State Health Department as well as the Division of Water Resources.

R373.007, Box 6, folders 1-19

Series 7 Governor's Council Reports 1949-1963

Physical Description: 19 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged with state level reports first and are in chronological order, followed by the regional boards in numerical order by region.

Scope and Content Note

At the request of Governor Earl Warren, the Directors of State Departments and heads of other State agencies began submitting regular reports to the Governor's Office before the 15th of each month. Files within this series include reports from the State Board and the individual regional boards. Meeting Summaries concisely report the meeting minutes and further highlight activities and programs. Topics addressed in the reports include: waste discharge requirements, pollution nuisance requirements, contamination, construction loans, bond elections for waste disposal facilities, water well drillers reports, sanitary districts forms, and facility inspections.

R373.008, Box 6, folder 20-Box 7, folder 4

Series 8 State and Federal Agency Correspondence 1950-1961

Physical Description: 16 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject matter.

Scope and Content Note

State and Federal Agency Correspondence consist of correspondence between the Water Pollution Control Board's Executive Officers and state and federal agencies. Contained within this series are such topics as the: Atomic Energy Commission, Colorado Basin Engineers Advisory Council, Conservation of Natural Resources, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Division of Water Resources, H.R. 6856 Amendments, H.R. 7168 Amendments, and National Conference WPC Administration.

R373.009, Box 7, folders 5-7

Series 9 Budget Files 1950-1954

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

Budget Files consist of spreadsheets that outline expenses for the fiscal year, memoranda and correspondence that address reasons and needs for item purchases, budget revision charts, and analytical reports. While the state board budget is addressed in this series, these files primarily pertain to the Lahontan region.

F3941:1-59

Series 10 Research and Consulting Board Meeting Files 1957-1963

Physical Description: 59 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of meeting.

Scope and Content Note

The Research and Consulting Board of the State Water Pollution Control Board managed the research and technical projects mandated by the Board. The records contained in this series include correspondence, meeting notes, summary reports, report drafts, consultant contracts, meeting memoranda, rosters, meeting agendas, invoices, proposed budgets, project progress reports, editorial correspondence, research proposal abstracts, research project outlines, and contract correspondence.

Subjects covered in the meeting files focus on water quality control research projects administered by the Board, including marine waste disposal, submarine outfall, red tide, and the current meter investigation.

F3941:60-191

Series 11 Research Project Files 1951-1963

Physical Description: 132 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by project title with no specific arrangement within the project.

Scope and Content Note

From its inception, the Water Pollution Control Board sponsored research projects in order to obtain scientific data pertinent to the development of Board water pollution policies. The records in the research project files include: meeting notes, contracts, invoices, quarterly and monthly progress reports, final reports, correspondence, report proofs, project abstracts, project outlines, photographs, board resolutions, legislation summaries, charts, graphs, research proposals, charts of accounts, field work summaries, interdepartmental communications, maps, and diagrams.

The subjects covered in the research project files relate to the ten water quality control management projects administered by the Board between 1951 and 1963. These projects cover the following topics: algae oxidation of ponds, compilation of sewerage enabling acts, underground travel of pollution, water reclamation, compilation of water quality control criteria, pulp and paper, affects of water discharge on kelp, bioassay and tracer techniques, the development of an interagency system for water pollution control, and a two-part study of submarine outfall focusing on an oceanographic study and a study of the continental shelf.

Water Quality Control Board Records

R372.001, Box 7, folder 8

Series 1 Board Resolutions 1963-1966

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year and numerically by resolution number.

Scope and Content Note

Board Resolutions are a continuation of series R373.005 and are continued in series R229.004.

Board Resolutions were passed by the Board to address any problems regarding water quality in the hope of improving administration. At the beginning of each year, an index provides the number, date, and subject description of each resolution. The files consist of reports that describe the purpose and responsible organizations for each resolution. Following the description, the reports outline the measures that will be taken in order to implement the resolution.

R372.002, Box 7, folders 9-24

Series 2 Project Proposals 1961-1967

Physical Description: 16 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Project Proposals contain correspondence, contract transmittals, project agreements between researchers and supporting parties, research project proposals, research authorizations, memoranda, supporting invoices, and budget charts. Report outlines and final reports, explaining the project and research process, are also included.

The five main subjects of the Project Proposals are: (1) Detergent Study Report, (2) Eutrophication, (3) Movement of Gases in Refuse Dumps, (4) Santee County Progress Reports, and (5) Whittier Narrows.

Water Resources Control Board Records

Executive Office

R229.001, Box 7, folder 25-Box 14, folder 14

Series 1 Board Meeting Minutes 1967-1983

Physical Description: 151 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date, and numerically by meeting number.

Scope and Content Note

Board Meeting Minutes are numbered, beginning with the first meeting (December 1, 1967) and ending with the 248th meeting (August 18, 1983). The Board did not discontinue holding meetings, but simply ceased the numbering system. Non-numbered meetings and their minutes continue in the R229.003 series, Board Meeting and Workshop Files.

Board Meeting Minutes contain summaries of meeting agendas, minutes, follow-up notes, and item exhibits. They also include background material for various topics such as water rights, water quality, planning and research, reclamation, project planning and construction, surveillance and monitoring activities, and administrative issues.

R229.002, Box 14, folder 15-Box 18, folder 9

Series 2 Board Meeting and Workshop Agendas 1967-1974

Physical Description: 70 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date and numerically by meeting number.

Scope and Content Note

Board Meeting and Workshop Agendas are supplementary material to the Board Meeting Minutes, R229.001. Like the minutes, the agendas are numbered and begin with the first meeting (December 1, 1967) and end with the 146th meeting (December 19, 1974). Workshop agendas follow the meeting agendas since the Board adopted a Workshop system in 1972. Agendas for both meetings and workshops continue in series R229.003.

The agendas outline the meeting minutes and present discussion topics, which include water rights, water quality petitions and policies, construction grants, planning and research, legislation, and administrative matters. The agendas may also contain proposal reports, memoranda, and permits.

R229.003, Box 18, folder 10-Box 67, folder 2

Series 3 Board Meeting and Workshop Files 1972-2006

Physical Description: 1,192 file folders, 6 CD-Roms, 1,150 audiocassette tapes

Access Information

Six file folders from the Board Meeting Files series (Box 52/15, Box 53/7, Box 54/28, Box 55/2, Box 55/7, and Box 55/25) are restricted per Government Code 7927.705 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(k)) due to their inclusion of documents which contain information protected by attorney-client privilege.

Access to electronic records and audiovisual materials requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting or workshop date.

Scope and Content Note

Board Meeting and Workshop Files are a continuation of R229.001, Board Meeting Minutes, and R229.002, Board Meeting Agendas, and includes both meeting and workshop agendas and minutes. This series was created to accommodate the increasing use of the Workshops that began in 1972. Instead of using committees, the WRCB acted at the workshops as a committee-in-whole. Topics include water rights, water quality, planning and research, legislation, and administrative matters. Workshops were informal discussions of items to be presented for action at future business meetings. The workshops were also public forums where members of the public could address and ask questions of the Board relating to any matter within the Board's jurisdiction. Public questions need not be related to any item on the Agenda. Unlike the previous two series, the meetings and workshops in this series are not numbered but are arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Files in this series consist of meeting minutes, agendas, correspondence, and reports written by the WRCB Division of Water Quality, and Environmental Affairs Agency. Topics addressed by both formal meetings and informal workshops include the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, regional board matters, wastewater treatment, contamination, estuaries, and flood control.

R229.004, Box 67, folder 3-Box 69, folder 18

Series 4 Board Resolutions 1967-1990

Physical Description: 62 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year and then numerically by resolution number.

Scope and Content Note

This series is a continuation of series R373.005 and R372.001.

Board Resolutions were passed by the WRCB to address problems regarding water quality in the hope of improving administration. At the beginning of each year, an index provides the number, date, and subject description of each resolution. The files consist of reports that describe the purpose and responsible organizations for each resolution. Following the description, the reports outline the measures that will be taken in order to implement the resolution.

R229.005, Box 69, folder 19

Series 5 Plans and Programs Committee File 1971-1972

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

This series contains only two meeting dates: November 9, 1971, and January 11, 1972.

The Plans and Programs Committee File consists of meeting agendas that present topics and propose recommendations that address resolutions to problems pertaining to sanitation, waste sludge solids recycling, scopes and descriptions of research projects, and water quality control plans.

R229.006, Box 69, folder 20-Box 70, folder 1

Series 6 Water Quality Committee Files 1971-1972

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

This series contains only five meeting dates: (1) November 23, 1971; (2) December 8, 1971; (3) January 7, 1972; (4) January 11, 1972; and (5) January 25, 1972.

Water Quality Committee Files consist of project petition reviews, correspondence from the regional boards, state policies for water control, and state and regional board objectives. The Committee promoted cost-effective state and federal water quality regulations and also reviewed petitions offered by the regional boards regarding private companies' wastewater discharge. In particular, the meeting on November 23, 1971, addressed issues concerning the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; the meeting on January 7, 1972, provided a complete project list by county; and the meeting on January 11, 1972, pertained to regulations of the Clean Water Grant program and included discussion of the Sierra Lakes County Water District.

R229.007, Box 70, folders 2-10

Series 7 Water Rights Committee Files 1969-1972

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

Water Rights Committee Files consist of meeting agendas, reports, memoranda, correspondence, content summaries, and hearing announcements. Topics include permits and licenses, proposed legislation, water code sections amendments, water appropriation, and water rights administration.

Office of Legislative and Public Affairs

R229.008, Box 70, folder 11-Box 112, folder 5

Series 1 Bill Files 1975-2000

Physical Description: 923 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by legislative session then numerically by bill number.

Scope and Content Note

Bill Files contain bill analyses, amendments, resolutions, statements, testimonies, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, reports, photographs, and other materials related to issues and items of interest to the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, as well as its predecessor branch under the Executive Office prior to 1981.

The Office of Legislative and Public Affairs and its predecessor branch drafted legislation on a variety of water-related issues such as: waste discharge requirements (1977-1978: SB960; 1979-1980: SB385; 1987-1988: SB2829; 1999-2000: AB50 and SB2165); soil erosion control (1977-1978: SCR82; 1991-1992: AB278); water rights transfers (1979-1980: AB1856 and SB1685; 1983-1984: SB89; 1985-1986: AB2888; 1995-1996: SB1011); pesticide regulations (1979-1980: AB1626, AB2009, AB2219, AB2223, and SB1404; 1981-1982: AB77, AB945, and AB2257; 1985-1986: AB2021); treatment facilities (1979-1980: AB2512, AB3392, and SB200; 1983-1984: SB15; 1985-1986: AB15; 1989-1990: AB917); groundwater management (1979-1980: SB47 and SB1391; 1983-1984: AB3567; 1999-2000: SB989); hazardous waste disposal (1979-1980: AB1666 and SB536; 1981-1982: AB71, AB1543, and AB1796; 1983-1984: AB1806, SB1384, and SB1791; 1985-1986: AB2031, AB2038, and SB16; 1987-1988: AB526; 1989-90: AB3193 and AB3177; 1991-1992: AB240; 1993-1994: AB697 and AB2061); underground storage tanks (1987-1988: SB539 and SB921; 1989-1990: AB1030 and AB3560; 1991-1992: AB1057 and AB1359; 1993-1994: SB108; 1995-1996: SB562); water reclamation (1987-1988: SB1486-1487; 1989-1990: AB1312); and California-Mexico border infrastructure (1989-1990: AB2602; 1993-1994: AB639).

1975-1976: AB3-AB4507, ACA29-ACA42, ACR79-ACR191,AJR1-AJR30 (15ff) Box 70/11-71/1

1975-1976: Preprint SB2, SB2-SB2194, SCA11, SCR73, SJR1-SJR39, SR60 (19ff) Box 71/2-71/20

1977-1978: AB20-AB3807, ACA17-ACA69, ACR8-ACR46 (26ff) Box 71/21-72/17

1977-1978: SB4-SB2209, SCA8-SCA41, SCR3-SCR82, SJR4-SJR47 (20ff) Box 72/18-73/14

1979-1980: AB13-AB3392, ACA16-ACA90, ACR65-ACR126, AJR6-AJR67 (19ff) Box 73/15-74/6

1979-1980: SB41-SB1971, SCA4-SCA44 (17ff)Box 74/7-74/23

1981-1982: AB9-AB3744, ACA2-ACA11, ACR6-ACR108, AJR2-AJR120 (23ff) Box 74/24-75/19

1981-1982: SB4-SB2085, SCA3-SCA6, SCR79, SJR24-SJR41 (11ff) Box 75/20-76/3

1983-1984: Preprint AB8, AB110-AB4047, ACA29, ACR15- ACR31, AJR7-AJR102 (36ff) Box 76/4-77/13

1983-1984: SB10-SB2292, SCA16-SCA55, SCR16-SCR68, SJR38, SB5X (18ff) Box 77/14-78/5

1985-1986: AB15-AB4398, ACA16-ACA36, ACR26-ACR139, AJR11-AJR40 (54ff) Box 78/6-80/11

1985-1986: SB17-SB2612, SCA11-SCA32, SCR17-SCR92, SR17 (30ff) Box 80/12-81/13

1987-1988: AB13-AB4697, ACA13-ACA61, AJR14-AJR67 (53ff) Box 81/14-83/19

1987-1988: SB27-SB2891, SCA8-SCA41, SCR21-SCR88, SJR30-SJR46 (26ff) Box 83/20-84/21

1989-1990: AB4-AB4328, ACA1-ACA5, ACR34-ACR188, AJR2-AJR98 (38ff) Box 84/22-86/14

1989-1990: SB12-SB2910, SCA24-SCA53, SCR55-SCR112, SJR16-SJR59, SR12-SR33 (36ff) Box 86/15-88/4

1991-1992: Preprint AB17, AB3-AB3789, ACA3-ACA21, ACR7-ACR31, AJR4-AJR69, HR6, AB8X-AB16X (45ff) Box 88/5-91/7

1991-1992: SB7-SB2058, SCA20, SCR22-SCR47, SB8X-SB12X (35ff) Box 91/8-92/19

1993-1994: AB14-AB3813, AJR51-AJR68, AB2X (52ff) Box 92/20-94/21

1993-1994: SB13-SB2106, SCA6-SCA11, SCR7-SCR45, SJR31, SB1X (43ff) Box 94/22-96/17

1995-1996: AB4-AB3476, ACA35, AJR15-AJR30, AB9X (56ff) Box 96/18-98/20

1995-1996: SB6-SB2131, SCR20-SCR49, SB4X-SB12X, SB17XX (49ff) Box 98/21-100/20

1997-1998: AB11-AB2794, ACA35, AB3X-AB11X (66ff) Box 100/21-104/4

1997-1998: Preprint SB15, SB2-SB2240, SCA13-SCA25, SCR18-SCR64, SB7X-SB8X (49ff) Box 104/5-106/8

1999-2000: AB18-AB2932, ACA6-ACA16, ACR132, AJR5-AJR58, HR8-HR51 (88ff) Box 106/9-109/22

1999-2000: SB1-SB2203, SCR71, SJR2-SJR26, SR20 (52ff) Box 109/23-112/5

R229.009, Box 112, folders 6-17

Series 2 Legislative Files 1996-2000

Physical Description: 12 file folders

Access Information

Three file folders from the Legislative Files series (Box 112/11-12, and Box 112/15) are restricted, per Government Code 7928 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(l)) due to their inclusion of documents maintained by the Governor's Legal Affairs Secretary.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Legislative Files contain memoranda, news clippings, testimonies, correspondence, bill analyses, notes, meeting briefings, and bill reports. Topics include: Cal/EPA-Governor memoranda, conference briefing papers, environmental law consolidation, Executive Order D-5-99, Governor's Office briefings, Hot Bill Updates, veto bills, Propositions 13 and 37 (2000), Status Updates, and Voter Initiatives.

R229.010, Box 112, folder 18-Box 114, folder 11

Series 3 Chronological Correspondence 1980-2000

Physical Description: 46 file folders

Access Information

Three file folders from the Chronological Correspondence series (Box 114/2, Box 114/5, and Box 114/8) are restricted, per Government Code 7927.7 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(c)) due to their inclusion of documents pertaining to personnel.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by correspondence date.

Scope and Content Note

Chronological Correspondence contain memoranda, weekly calendars, bill reports, legislative proposals, action requests, and correspondence between the WRCB's Executive Officers and State and Federal legislators, division chiefs, the press, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regional boards, the Governor's Office, County Supervisors, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL), and other interested parties in California. Some topics include: San Francisco Waste Treatment Projects, Clean Water Grant Priority Lists, San Joaquin Valley Drainage Systems, the New Melones Reservoir, Clean Water Boards, toxic substances, the Governor's Reorganization Plan, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification.

R229.011, Box 114, folder 12-Box 116, folder 34

Series 4 Legislator Correspondence 1976-1989

Physical Description: 88 file folders

Arrangement

Sorted by legislative house and arranged alphabetically by legislator's last name.

Scope and Content Note

Legislator Correspondence contain legislator profiles, memoranda, legislative proposals, meeting briefings, and correspondence between the OLPA, as well as its predecessor branch, and each respective legislator. Though the bulk of the series is comprised of state officials from both the Senate and the Assembly, it also includes six federal legislators: Congressmen Clair W. Burgener (1982), Phillip Burton (1982-1983), Don H. Clausen (1980-1982), Robert K. Dornan (1981), and Paul N. McCloskey (1981), and Senator S. I. Hayakawa (1981-1982).

See Appendix A in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of State legislators included in the Legislator Correspondence series.

R229.012, Box 116, folder 35-Box 119, folder 28

Series 5 Legislative Proposals 1979-2000

Physical Description: 124 file folders

Access Information

One file folder from the Legislative Proposals series (Box 118/13) is restricted, per Government Code 7927.705 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(k)) due to its inclusion of documents protected by attorney-client privilege.

Arrangement

Arranged according to the record creators' three original organizational schemes. The first group is arranged alphanumerically by control number. Control numbers are generated beginning with the sponsoring agency's prefix, often followed by the two-digit year, and ending with an ordered number (for example, the California Integrated Waste Management Board's third legislative proposal of 1995 is coded CIWMB-95-3). The second grouping is arranged chronologically by "concept year." The third group is arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Legislative Proposals contain legislative proposals, notes, memoranda, correspondence, reports, and reviews. In addition to proposed legislation sponsored by the State Water Resources Control Board, this series also includes proposals from several other sources. These groups include and are given the occasionally overlapping control-number prefixes: California Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA/EPA), California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), Department of Boating and Waterways (RA), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Fish and Game (RA), Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (RA), Department of General Services (SCS), Department of Health and Human Services (CHHS/DHS/HHSA), Department of Housing and Community Development (B), Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC/CEPA), Department of Transportation (B/BTH), Department of Water Resources (RA), Environmental Affairs Agency (EA), Governor's Office of Planning and Research (GOPR/OPR), Health and Welfare Agency (HW/HWA), Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), Office of Emergency Services (OES), Resources Agency (RA), State and Consumer Services Agency (SCS), Trade and Commerce Agency (TCA), and Youth and Adult Correctional Agency (YACA).

The WRCB and the other sponsoring agencies included in this series proposed legislation on a variety of water-related issues, including: underground storage tank (UST) testing certification programs; watershed management; acid mine drainage; solid waste disposal regulatory process reform; water rights fees; streamlined hazardous waste transporter requirements; safe drinking water bonds; flood control funding; and asset management at Lake Tahoe.

See Appendix B in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of the Legislative Proposals subjects.

R229.013, Box 119, folders 29-39

Series 6 News Clips 1989-1993

Physical Description: 11 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by publication date.

Scope and Content Note

The OLPA provided its staff with bi-monthly press packets on a variety of topical water-related issues. This series contains regular news clippings collected from the following newspapers: San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Sacramento Bee, Oakland Tribune, Mammoth Lakes Review Herald, San Diego Union, Sacramento Union, Fresno Bee, and Banner Daily Journal (San Francisco).

R229.014, Box 120, folder 1-Box 121, folder 7

Series 7 Program Reports 1983-2000

Physical Description: 29 file folders and 4 floppy disks

Access Information

Four file folders from the Program Reports series (Box 120/2-5) are restricted, per Government Code 7928 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(l)) due to their inclusion of documents maintained by the Governor's Legal Affairs Secretary.

Access to electronic records requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Weekly reports, biweekly reports, and year-end reports are arranged chronologically; other reports are arranged alphabetically by title.

Scope and Content Note

Weekly, biweekly, and year-end reports contain memoranda, legislative reports, and correspondence, typically focusing on the progress of proposed legislation.

See Appendix C in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of Program Reports.

R229.015, Box 121, folder 8-Box 122, folder 3

Series 8 Federal Legislation Files 1978-2000

Physical Description: 28 file folders

Arrangement

Federal Legislation Files are organized with Bill Files first, followed by Correspondence, and then Subject Files. Bill Files are arranged chronologically by legislative session and numerically by bill number; Correspondence are arranged chronologically; and Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Federal Legislation Bill Files contain bill analyses, congressional reports, memoranda, notes, press clippings, status reports, testimony, amendments, agendas, statements, and correspondence between federal authorities in Washington D. C. and the State of California. Topics of note include: the Tijuana River (1983-1984, HR5329), the Clean Water Act (1983-1984, S431), and the Federal Superfund Reform Act of 1994 (1993-1994, HR3800).

1981-1982: S1867 (1ff) Box 121/8

1983-1984: HR1438-HR5329 (2ff) Box 121/9-10

1983-1984: S431-S757 (2ff) Box 121/11-12

1985-1986: HR8-HR4905 (1ff) Box 121/13

1985-1986: S124-S1558 (1ff) Box 121/14

1991-1992: HR12-HR5504 (2ff) Box 121/15-16

1991-1992: S2132-S2842 (1ff) Box 121/17

1993-1994: HR322-HR3800 (3ff) Box 121/18-20

1993-1994: S257-S1834 (3ff) Box 121/21-23

1997-1998: HR688-HR2094 (1ff) Box 121/24

1997-1998: S8-S1716 (1ff) Box 121/25

1999-2000: HR11-HR999 (1ff) Box 121/26

1999-2000: S226-S2503 (1ff) Box 121/27

The Federal Legislation Correspondence File documents communications between WRCB Chairwoman Carole A. Onorato and various Congressmen in Washington D. C. urging their continued fiscal support for the Burton-Santini Program at Lake Tahoe.

Federal Legislation Subject Files contain memoranda, legislative proposals, legislative concepts, bill analyses, and correspondence. Subject headings include Illinois Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, update reports, and items of general interest.

R229.016, Box 122, folder 4-Box 124, folder 33

Series 9 Cal/EPA Chronological Correspondence 1991-1994

Physical Description: 72 file folders

Access Information

Two file folders from the Cal/EPA Chronological Correspondence series (Box 122/6, and Box 124/12) are restricted, per Government Code 7927.705 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(k)) due to their inclusion of documents protected by attorney-client privilege; one file folder (Box 123/20) is restricted, per Government Code 7927.7 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(c)) due to its inclusion of documents pertaining to personnel; and one file folder (Box 124/31) is restricted, per Government Code 7923.600-7923.625 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(f)) due to its inclusion of investigatory documents.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by correspondence date.

Scope and Content Note

Cal/EPA Chronological Correspondence contain reports, issue papers, memoranda, information papers, notes, and correspondence between the WRCB and the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal-EPA). Topics of note include: acid-generation potential tests, environmental affairs agency fee surveys, the Overdue Toxic Pits Cleanup Act, gray water, and the Integrated Environmental Plan for the Mexico-U. S. Border.

R229.017, Box 125, folders 1-22

Series 10 Regional Board Subject Files 1973-2005

Physical Description: 22 file folders

Access Information

One file folder from the Regional Board Files series (Box125/15) is restricted, per Government Code 7923.600-7923.625 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(f)) due to its inclusion of investigatory documents.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject and numerically by region.

Scope and Content Note

Regional Board Subject Files contain memoranda, staff reports, recommendations, correspondence, resolutions, budget proposals, contract proposals, publications, workshop agendas, reports, amendments, court summaries, court transcripts, press releases, news clippings, plan reviews, and meeting minutes compiled by the OLPA and its predecessor branch on a variety of subjects pertaining to the regional boards. Topics include: Basin Plan Amendments and Budgets, the Interagency Agreement with the Department of Water Resources, Region 1 (North Coast), Region 2 (San Francisco Bay), Region 6 (Lahontan), Region 8 (Santa Ana), Region 9 (San Diego), septic tank guidelines, waste discharge requirements waivers, and water quality assessments, objectives, and guidelines.

R229.018, Box 125, folder 23-Box 126, folder 10

Series 11 Subject Files 1970-1986

Physical Description: 14 file folders, 74 slides, 5 photo-negatives

Access Information

Two file folders from the Subject Files series (Box 125/24 and Box 126/8) are restricted, per Government Code 7923.600-7923.625 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(f)) due to their inclusion of documents pertaining to a third party's investigation.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files contain correspondence, memoranda, testimony, meeting agendas, technical reports, water quality orders, issue papers, reports, hearing notices, news releases, notes, research summaries, public hearing transcripts, staff reviews, photographs, and news clippings compiled by the OLPA and its predecessor branch on a variety of subjects. Topics include: illegal toxic waste disposal at the Kesterson Reservoir; Federal versus State jurisdiction over the New Melones Reservoir; and Stringfellow hazardous wastes.

Office of the Chief Counsel

R229.019, Box 126, folder 11-Box 129, folder 17

Series 1 Litigation Files 1980-1989

Physical Description: 70 file folders

Access Information

One file folder from the Litigation Files series (Box 126/17) is restricted, per Government Code 7927.5 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(a)) due to its inclusion of intra-agency memoranda not normally retained in the ordinary course of business; and one folder (Box 127/3) is restricted, per Government Code 7928.705 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(h)) due to its inclusion of real estate appraisals.

Arrangement

Litigation Files are comprised of Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council v. State Water Resources Control Board Pleading Files and Administrative Records. Pleading files are arranged according to the records creator's original organization. Administrative Records are arranged numerically by volume number; for Administrative Records' Table of Contents, see Box 127/6.

Scope and Content Note

Litigation Files contain court transcripts, rulings, correspondence, water quality plans, plan proposals, decision notices, meeting minutes, meeting agendas, workshop agendas, public notices, public hearing transcripts, reports, studies, and environmental impact reports related to the Water Resources Control Board's defense against the Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council's lawsuit in the 1980s.

As an officially designated Outstanding Natural Resource Water under the provisions of the Clean Water Act, Lake Tahoe is truly a point of pride for residents of the Golden State. But with the Lake Tahoe Basin Water Quality Plan of 1980, the lake also became a point of contention. On one side, state regulators sought to expand and enforce environmental standards to better maintain the lake's renowned purity, and on the other, lakeside residents argued that the plan exceeded the Board's constitutional authority and infringed on their rights as property owners. In 1989, the Court of Appeals of California, Third Appellate District heard Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council v. State Water Resources Control Board and ultimately ruled in favor of the Board.

R229.020, Box 129, folder 18-Box 132, folder 14

Series 2 Water Quality Orders 1970-2005

Physical Description: 73 file folders

Access Information

One file folder from the Water Quality Orders series (Box 132/5) is restricted per Government Code 7923.600-7923.625 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(f)) due to its inclusion of investigatory documents.

Arrangement

Water Quality Orders are arranged chronologically by year and numerically by order number; indexes for each year are included before every first water quality order for that year.

Scope and Content Note

In coordination with the nine Regional Boards, the WRCB's Legal Division, followed by the Office of the Chief Counsel, issued water quality orders to both public and private institutions on a variety of water-related issues. All decisions and orders adopted by the Board were legally precedential, except those decisions or orders which stated that they were not, or that were superseded by later enacted statutes, judicial opinions, or actions by the Board. Though Regional Boards could not reverse State Board precedents, they could distinguish them from similar cases that they reviewed.

R229.021, Box 132, folders 15-17

Series 3 Hearing Notices 1979-1997

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by hearing date.

Scope and Content Note

Prior to issuing orders, decisions, and resolutions, the WRCB often held hearings to receive relevant evidence and opinions. Hearing notices were issued to ensure that interested parties would participate in the proceedings. Hearing Notices include a description of the topic, a time, date, and location for the hearing, instructions for issuing statements, and a list of interested persons.

R229.022, Box 132, folder 18-Box 133, folder 3

Series 4 Rulemaking Files 1992-2003

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Access Information

One file folder from the Rulemaking Files series (Box 132/23) is restricted, per Government Code 7928 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(l)) due to its inclusion of documents maintained by the Governor's Legal Affairs Secretary.

Arrangement

Arranged according to the records creator's original organization (roughly numerically by title, chapter, and section number).

Scope and Content Note

Rulemaking Files contain amendments, certifications, resolutions, correspondence, statements, rulemaking proposals, public hearing transcripts, economic and fiscal impact statements, reports, and memoranda relevant to specific adoptions, amendments, and repeals to the California Code of Regulations (CCR). These rulemaking files document changes to Title 23 CCR, Chapters 6-28, and Sections 6-3974, pertaining to: adjudicative proceedings regulations; Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act implementation provisions; Administrative Procedures Act implementation regulations; and alien eligibility limitations for certain programs.

Division of Water Quality

R229.023, Box 133, folders 4-15

Series 1 Clean Water Grant Program Files 1972-1986

Physical Description: 12 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by appendix letter; for an itemized description of appendices see Box 133/4.

Scope and Content Note

Clean Water Grant Program Files contain notes, correspondence, memoranda, status reports, agreements, committee reports, charts, discussion summaries, blank construction contracts, notices, and amendments related to the Clean Water Grant Program Delegation of Authority Agreement and Implementation Agreements with the Federal EPA.

Under the provisions of the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) (Public Law 92-500), the federally funded Clean Water Grant Program (CWGP) was established to facilitate the construction of municipal sewage treatment plants throughout the country. Initially, the federal government provided up to seventy-five percent of each facility's capital costs. As time wore on, Congress reduced the federal portion of the grants until in 1987, with the passage of that year's Water Quality Act (WQA) (Public Law 100-4), the grants program was abandoned in favor of a revolving loan program. This series essentially documents the lifespan of the CWGP in California.

Division of Clean Water Programs

R229.024, Box 133, folder 16-Box 134, folder 5

Series 1 State Revolving Fund Files 1956-2000

Physical Description: 8 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by fiscal year, and include records created by the Division of Water Quality, Division of Clean Water Grants, Division of Loans and Grants, as well as the Division of Clean Water Programs.

Scope and Content Note

State Revolving Fund Files contain Federal Construction Grant Application lists and priority lists, project lists, correspondence, project summaries, program guidelines, notices, statements, and status reports related to the disbursement of funds to city and county agencies throughout California.

The longest spanning series in the collection, State Revolving Fund Files include loan program priority lists from 1956 through 2000. Created by several consecutive divisions in charge of loan and grant processing and disbursal, SRF Files provide the researcher with useful comparisons and contrasts of the multiple programs under which the State funded its water infrastructure projects, as well as the organizations in charge of disbursing the programs' funds. The State Revolving Fund is especially highlighted in this series. In 1987, Congress approved the Federal Water Quality Act. This act created the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) which replaced the CWA Construction Grants Program. Converting its previous system of grant disbursal into the more cost-effective SRF loan program, the Water Resources Control Board, aided by initial capital provided by federal grants and state contributions, increased its investment capacity, boosted revenues through earned interest, and expanded improvement projects of the state's water and sewage infrastructure.

R229.025, Box 134, folders 6-17

Series 2 Small Community Grant Files 1978-2000

Physical Description: 12 file folders

Access Information

One file folder from the Small Community Grant Files series (Box 134/7A) is restricted, per Government Code 7927 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(r)) due to its inclusion of archaeological site data.

Arrangement

Arranged numerically by SCG number followed by chronologically arranged SCG policy memos; this series includes records created by the Division of Water Quality, Division of Clean Water Grants, Division of Loans and Grants, as well as the Division of Clean Water Programs.

Scope and Content Note

Small Community Grant Files contain notes, reports, SCG program priority lists, correspondence, memoranda, water quality orders, negative declarations, evaluation surveys, communication summaries, SCG applications, proposals, workshop agendas, award approvals, SCG contract amendments, resolutions, loan disbursement requests, environmental impact reports, project feasibility reports, photographs, and wastewater treatment facility construction and improvement plans.

Though the Water Resources Control Board largely transitioned from granting funds to lending them for wastewater treatment and water quality projects, it still allocated grants for small communities provided they met specific criteria: 1) the community hosted a population of 20,000 people or less, and 2) its annual median household income (MHI) was eighty percent or less than the statewide MHI. This series documents the cases of two such cities, Nevada City and Mendota, which acquired SCGs in order to construct a new wastewater treatment plant or to improve an old one. Also included are separate SCG policy memos.

R229.026, Box 134, folder 18-Box 135, folder 15

Series 3 Policy Files 1977-1998

Physical Description: 18 file folders

Arrangement

Policy Files are arranged into two groupings. One group is arranged chronologically by document date and the second group is arranged alphabetically by subject heading. This series includes records created by the Division of Water Quality, Division of Clean Water Grants, Division of Loans and Grants, as well as the Division of Clean Water Programs.

Scope and Content Note

Policy Files contain correspondence, procedural handbooks, reports, resolutions, employee development guides, contract amendment guidelines, notes, and memoranda related to policy proposals and implementations of state programs. Some topics covered in this series include: jointly funded projects, the Oil Spill Liability Fund, the privatization of wastewater treatment facilities, the State Revolving Fund, Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund claims, and water recycling and reclamation.

R229.027, Box 135, folder 16-Box 136, folder 12

Series 4 Subject Files 1976-1993

Physical Description: 23 file folders

Access Information

Three file folders from the Subject Files series (Box 135/17-19, and Box 136/4) are restricted, per Government Code 7927 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(r)) due to their inclusion of archaeological site data.

Arrangement

Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading, and include records created by the Division of Water Quality, Division of Clean Water Grants, Division of Loans and Grants, as well as the Division of Clean Water Programs.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files contain memoranda, reports, correspondence, proposed implementation plans, press releases, news clippings, regulations printouts, clearance reports, analyses, and notes related to the numerous projects managed by the Clean Water Programs Division and its predecessor divisions. Some topics include: agricultural land, engineering branch training, the International Boundary Water Commission, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

See Appendix D in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of Subject Files.

San Francisco Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Program

R229.028, Box 136, folder 13-Box 137, folder 1

Series 1 Task Force Correspondence 1966-1973

Physical Description: 17 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by organization name and chronologically therein.

Scope and Content Note

Task Force Correspondence contain correspondence, agreements, resolutions, memoranda, task orders, reports, agendas, water quality orders, and statements. This series includes the following topics: Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), 1967-1972, regarding regional planning coordination, the development of a Unified Waste Water Management Plan, and land use alternatives related to growth and open space; Bay Area Advisory Group, 1968-1973, regarding County Contact Committees, the development of future quality criteria for the Contra Costa subregional study, and toxicity and biostimulation in San Francisco Bay-Delta waters; Cal/EPA, 1966-1973, regarding San Francisco Bay pollution control activities, the Alameda County subregional report, and interagency agreements between the WRCB and the Departments of Conservation, Public Health, Parks and Recreation, and Water Resources; Division of Planning and Research, 1969-1973, regarding toxicity and biostimulation in San Francisco Bay-Delta waters, and the development of an environmental monitoring program for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Bay; Division of Water Quality, 1971-1972, regarding the Bay-Delta 3-C Planning Grant final report, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, and the Sacramento City/County Sewerage Project; San Francisco Regional Board #2, 1969-1973, regarding land use planning and water resources management in the San Francisco Bay Basin Plan, the Bay-Delta Planning and Grants Administration, and discharge certifications for neighboring cities and counties; U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1967-1969, regarding the San Luis Drain and the Central Valley Project; and U. S. Corps of Engineers, 1967-1973, regarding coordinating efforts in the areas of oceanography, construction problems, drain facilities, and navigation, coordinating the Corps Triple S Study with the Bay-Delta Program, and developing and implementing the Joint Agreement for Interagency Water Quality Management Planning Assistance by the Corps of Engineers for the Bay-Delta Area.

R229.029, Box 137, folders 2-6

Series 2 Subject Files 1967-1972

Physical Description: 5 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files contain correspondence, program agendas, notes, statements, presentation transcripts, memoranda, reports, press releases, news clippings, and analyses. Subjects include conservation groups, Galveston Bay Study and Texas Water Advisory Board, pesticides, reclamation, and toxicity.

R229.030, Box 137, folder 7-Box 139, folder 12

Series 3 Project Reports and Proposal Studies 1958-1973

Physical Description: 48 file folders, 17 microfiche

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by report title and proposal/study subject; reports and studies are grouped separately.

Scope and Content Note

The project proposal studies portion of this series contains statements of understanding, notes, press releases, correspondence, memoranda, proposals, analyses, and status reports. Proposal/study subjects include: Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA) Grants; FWPCA Requests for Federal funds; geometric and hydrological water quality data; Kaiser Engineers (KE); and KE status reports (02/1967-09/1968).

See Appendix E in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of Project Reports.

R229.031, Box 139, folder 13-Box 141, folder 11

Series 4 Regional and County Projects Meeting Files 1965-1973

Physical Description: 36 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by location name followed by general files.

Scope and Content Note

Regional and County Projects Meeting Files contain statements, correspondence, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, reports, memoranda, notes, agreements, resolutions, news clippings, studies, study reviews, maps, budget proposals, transcripts, contract drafts, graphs, and service proposals. Generally, at the regional and county project meetings, local planning committees coordinated with the Water Resources Control Board as well as the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board in order to develop local waste disposal programs and to create local liaison committees for the Bay-Delta Program in the various regions.

Included are meetings from the following regions and counties: Alameda County subregional, Contra Costa County subregional, Fairfield subregional, Livermore Valley subregional, Marin County, Marin Southern subregional, Marin/Sonoma County subregional, Monterey Bay Area, Napa County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, San Mateo County subregional, Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County subregional, Solano County subregional, Sonoma County, and Vallejo/Napa subregional.