General Waste Discharge Requirements and Waiver of Waste Dicharge Requirements for Discharges of Waste Associated with Cannabis Cultivation Activities
Summary
SCH Number
2017108404
Public Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Document Title
General Waste Discharge Requirements and Waiver of Waste Dicharge Requirements for Discharges of Waste Associated with Cannabis Cultivation Activities
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/20/2017
Document Description
On. Oct. 17 ,2017, the SWRCB adopted the General Waste Discharge Requirements and Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Waste Associated with Cannabis Cultivation Activities (General Order).
The General Order addresses waste discharges associated with legal cannabis cultivation activities and implements the Cannabis Cultivation Policy - Principles and Guidelines for Cannabis Cultivation (Cannabis Policy), which also adopted by the State Water Board on October 17, 2017. The General Order provides authorization to discharge waste generated by cannabis cultivation and associated activities. cultivation activities may occur indoor or outdoor. Requirements to protect water quality are provided in the Cannabis Policy and General Order. Compliance with the Cannabis Policy and General Order is required for a cannabis cultivator to obtain a cannabis cultivation license for a cultivator to participate in the legal cannabis marketplace (medical or recreational).
Contact Information
Name
Timothy O'Brien
Agency Name
State Water Resources Control Board
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Regions
Statewide
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:15301,15308,13149, Class 1,8
Reasons for Exemption
The adoption of the General Order is categorically exempt from the CEQA pursuant to CA Code of Regulations, title 14, section 1503. Water Code section 13149 required the State Water Board to adopt principles and guidelines addressing water diversion and water quality issues associated with cannabis cultivation. The principles and guidelines contain substantive criteria for enrollment, water quality protection, and protective measures addressing biological and cultural resources. Water Code section 13149 (b)(1) provides that these actions of the State Water Board are deemed to be within CA Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15308 (regulatory actions for environmental protection) if stream flow standards are not relaxed. The principles and guidelines described in the Cannabis Policy and as implemented in the General Order do not relax stream flows standards and are therefore exempt from further CEQA evaluation. Adoption of this General Order is a ministerial action under CEQA because it is a requirement of the Cannabis Policy. The General Order contains no substantive requirements that are not already required by the Policy, so there is no possibility that the General Order itself will have any signfiicnat effects on the environment.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.