The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region has scheduled a public hearing as part of the process for considering amendments to incorporate the Lake Tahoe TMDL into the Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region.

This action is being proposed to meet the requirements of federal Clean Water Act section 303(d). The Basin Plan amendment process is authorized under California Water Code section 13240. The Basin Plan amendment is a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act and the Water Board is the lead agency. The Water Board wishes to obtain public input on the proposed Basin Plan amendment.

The Water Board has prepared draft Basin Plan amendments, a draft Lake Tahoe TMDL Technical Report, and a draft Lake Tahoe TMDL Report which includes an environmental checklist. The draft substitute environmental documents were prepared pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.5. These documents are accessible at the Water Board office in South Lake Tahoe or on the web page at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/lahontan/water_issues/programs/tmdl/lake_tahoe/index.shtml.

There will be a public hear Sept. 7-8 at Lake Tahoe Community College in the board room at the South Lake Tahoe campus at One College Drive. The time has not been set.

The Water Board will not take action on the proposal until its regular meeting on Nov. 9-10.

Oral statements will be heard in September, but for accuracy and to the extent possible, testimony should be presented in writing. Submittal of written comments is encouraged. Written comments are requested no later than 5pm Sept. 10 to Douglas F. Smith at DFSmith@waterboards.ca.gov. For more information on this project, Smith at (530) 542.5453.