Who controls water runoff in a coastal area?

• A. City Public Works Department
• B. Water Resources Control Board
• C. Department of Fish and Wildlife
• D. Coastal Commission

Answer: (B)

Water runoff in California is regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards. They oversee water quality and discharges to state waters, issuing permits and enforcing rules for stormwater and other runoff to prevent pollution. This makes them the authority that directly controls how runoff is managed and what pollutants can enter waterways.

The Coastal Commission handles coastal development and land-use planning in the coastal zone, which can influence runoff indirectly but does not regulate discharges. A City Public Works Department manages local drainage systems and infrastructure, but it operates under the state/regional permits and rules rather than being the primary controlling authority. The Department of Fish and Wildlife focuses on wildlife and habitats, not runoff control.