Problem Statement:
Water quality within the Gulf of the Farallones NMS is generally good due to the rural nature of the coastline with no major industrial discharges and exposure of the coastline to the strong currents of the open ocean. Nevertheless, there are several potential threats to water quality in the Sanctuary that should be considered in revising the Management Plan. The rural estuarine habitats and adjacent coastal waters of Bolinas Lagoon, Tomales Bay, Estero Americano, and Estero de San Antonio are vulnerable to land-based nonpoint source pollution from livestock grazing, agricultural activities, past mining activities and poorly maintained septic systems. In addition, the discharge of the San Francisco Bay Estuary may periodically have an impact on the Sanctuary depending on coastal currents and is a source of pollution from 8 million people living in the Bay area, agricultural waste products from the Central Valley and residual sediments and metals from the California gold rush era. Other potential threats to water quality include diversion of fresh water, floating debris (e.g., plastics), accidental spills and residual materials from historical ocean dumping.