Cal/EPA
Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
81 Higuera Street, Ste. 200
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-5427

August 29, 1997

RANGELAND HEALTH STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR CALIFORNIA AND NORTHWESTERN NEVADA, DElS

Thank you for the opportunity to review the draft EIS titles Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines for California and Northwestern Nevada. We are pleased to see the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) propose four alternatives for select (BLM) holdings in California and Northwestern Nevada and support the BLM's proactive proposal. We encourage the BLM to implement proposed management practices for the protection and enhancement of water quality. The Central Coast Regional Board has jurisdiction over portions of the Caliente and Hollister Resource Areas. We have the following comments and questions:

I) All proposed alternatives for the Caliente and Hollister Resource Areas must comply with the Federal Clean Water Act, the Porter.Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and the Central Coast Water Quality Control Plan. The Central Coast Water Quality Control Plan contains numeric and narrative objectives for the protection and enhancement of water quality.

2) All grazing activities shall be managed to achieve compliance with State water quality standards.

3) Implementation of targeted best management practices (BMP's) does not ensure compliance with State water quality standards. Although implementation of BMP's is an important tool in rangeland management, it may not preclude the need for implementation of additional BMP's and/or mitigation measures.

Sincerely,

Roger Briggs
Executive Officer

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