1. Statewide Mercury Policy Control Program for Mercury in Reservoirs December 17, 2012 1

2. Why a Statewide Mercury Policy? Protect the health of humans and wildlife who eat fish from California’s waters Set standards for safe amounts of mercury Reduce mercury/methylmercury in water and fish Efficiency, consistency 2

3. Mercury- impaired waters 3

4. What Could a Policy include? Numeric Mercury fish tissue objectives fish tissue objectives implementation plan Mercury control programs Reservoirs Future control programs Rivers, creeks, streams, bays, estuaries, and lagoons 4

5. Reservoir Fish Mercury Levels 5

6. Potential Ways to Reduce Mercury Levels in Fish Mercury sources Reservoir chemistry Fisheries management 6

7. 7 Sources of Mercury

8. 8 Sources: Mine Waste

9. 9 Sources: Air Emissions

10. 10 Sources: Urban Areas

11. Water Changes Due to Dams 11 BeforeAfter

12. 12 Reservoir Chemistry

13. Reservoir Chemistry and Water Management 13 O2O2O2O2

14. Fisheries Management Species Size limits Catch/release Signage 14

15. Statewide Policy and Reservoir Project Schedule 15 CEQA Scoping MeetingsMarch 2012 Policy and Staff Report PreparationMarch 2012- Spring 2013 Scientific Peer ReviewSpring 2013 Circulate Staff Report for Public CommentSummer 2013 Board WorkshopFall 2013 Board Adoption HearingWinter 2013-14 +

16. For more information: Project web page: www.waterboards.ca.gov/ water_issues/programs/mercury Sign up for email notices for both projects at: www.waterboards.ca.gov/resources/ email_subscriptions /swrcb_subscribe.shtml#quality y y Email: MercuryProject@waterboards.ca.gov 16