The proposed pilot project involves evaluating the status and trends of water, sediments, and aquatic life in the region's harbors, including San Diego Bay. In 2003, under § 13225 of the CA Water Code, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board issued a requirement to the District, Cities of San Diego and Oceanside (Cities), and the County of Orange (County) to coordinate and develop a Regional Harbor Monitoring Program (RHMP) to assess conditions and trends in the quality of water, sediments, and aquatic life in San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Oceanside Harbor, and Dana Point Harbor. following receipt of the RWQCB's 2003 directive, the District, Cities, and County began the development of the RHMP framework. A technical report outlining the monitoring objectives, approach, and sample design was completed and submitted to the RWQCB in February 20041. The monitoring program described in the technical report consists of a core monitoring program supplemented by focused studies.
