Background

Orange County is under separate NPDES municipal stormwater permits from the San Diego and Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Boards. While Section 7 of the DAMP, New Development/Significant Redevelopment, lays the foundation for the countywide program overseeing all new development and significant redevelopment, the actual program document may vary somewhat depending upon the location of the project. Questions or comments on this section of the DAMP should be directed to Grant Sharp of the County of Orange Watershed and Coastal Resources Division.

Map of Regional Board Boundaries

Requirements for New Development and Significant Redevelopment in the Santa Ana Region of Orange County (area north of El Toro Rd.)

For the area of Orange County within the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board jurisdiction of Orange County (area north of El Toro Rd.), the Model WQMP (DAMP Exhibit 7.II) explains the requirements placed upon all new development and significant redevelopment projects. The Model WQMP underwent a lengthy public review process and was approved for implementation by the Executive Officer of the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board on September 30, 2003.

Requirements for New Development and Significant Redevelopment in the San Diego Region of Orange County (area south of El Toro Rd.)

For the area of Orange County within the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board jurisdiction of Orange County (area south of El Toro Rd.), each municipality was required by the permit to develop a Local WQMP, based on the Model WQMP, to oversee new development and significant redevelopment within their local jurisdiction. These Local WQMPs were finalized for implementation on August 13, 2003. The Local WQMP may vary slightly from city to city so before planning a project, please determine who has municipal jurisdiction and refer to the appropriate Local WQMP.

For a project in the unincorporated County, south of El Toro Rd., the document which explains the requirements placed upon all new development and significant redevelopment projects is the County of Orange Local WQMP (Exhibit A-7.VI of the County’s Local Implementation Plan). For the Local WQMP in other municipalities of south Orange County, please refer to the individual city web site.

Guidance for Preparing a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP)

A template for preparing a WQMP has been developed by the County and each of the cities of Orange County. These templates can be accessed from each city web site. The WQMP template to be used for all new development and significant redevelopment projects in the unincorporated County, regardless of the location, can be accessed at http://www.ocplanning.net/documents.asp#npdes. Click on WQMP Template.

Using the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Maps

If a new development or redevelopment project in Orange County involves the addition of 2,500 square feet or more of impervious surface and is located within, directly adjacent to (within 200 feet), or discharging directly to receiving waters within environmentally sensitive areas, then it qualifies as a priority project and is subject to additional requirements (For a complete list of priority projects, see Table 7.II-1 of the Model WQMP and Table A-7.VI-1 of the County of Orange Local WQMP).

To assist developers in determining whether or not a project meets these criteria, the watershed maps below identify each environmentally sensitive area (ESA) within Orange County.

Within the San Diego Region, the following constitutes an ESA for the purposes of the New Development/Significant Redevelopment Program:

• Waterbodies listed in Table A-7.VI-3 of the County of Orange Local WQMP
• Areas designated as preserves or equivalent under the Natural Community Conservation Planning Program
• Areas designated as Critical Aquatic Resources (CAR)

Within the Santa Ana Region, the following constitutes an ESA for the purposes of the New Development/Significant Redevelopment Program:

• Waterbodies listed in Table 7.II-3 of the Model WQMP

In order to determine whether a project might be directly adjacent to (within 200 feet), or discharging directly to receiving waters within an ESA, the first step is to identify the watershed. For help in locating the watershed, please refer to the Watersheds page. Once the watershed has been identified, select the appropriate map below to locate environmentally sensitive areas.