California's Trash Policy Becomes Law

The California Water Board issued new water quality standards for preventing trash in California’s waters.  The standards are part of the state’s new Trash Control Policy, designed to address the plastic pollution and other trash that wreaks havoc on our marine environment. In effect, this new law requires all stormwater permits (including those held by municipalities) to be revised in the next 18 months to include trash provisions and for permittees to reach compliance with the zero trash goal within 10 years.  It also authorizes Regional Water Boards to issue the equivalent of non-point source permits (Waste Discharge Requirements) to areas that produce significant amounts of trash (for example, at popular campgrounds, picnic areas, beach recreational areas and marinas.)