A proposed policy to prevent pollution of protected coastal marine areas by storm water runoff will be the subject of three hearings scheduled next month by state water officials, including a meeting Aug. 15 in Monterey.

The Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board will hold public scoping meetings for its proposed "areas of special biological significance," special protections to address storm water and nonpoint source discharges, pollutants whose source can't be immediately identified.

The special protections would include three basic requirements: cessation of nonstorm drain runoff, maintenance of natural water quality within areas of special biological significance -- including during rainstorms -- by limiting wastes in storm water runoff, and monitoring water quality and marine life in the protected areas.

Runoff sources that concern the Division of Water Quality include urban and suburban storm drains, waste generated by transportation, agricultural and industrial land uses, and commercial activities such as piers, boat launch ramps, mooring fields, refueling facilities, shipyards and other marine-related activities within the protected areas.

Upstream discharges into streams that feed into protected areas would be regulated by regional water boards.

In October 2004 the Water Resources Control Board issued cease-and-desist orders against the cities of Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel, as well as Pebble Beach Co., Hopkins Marine Station, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the state Department of Transportation and Department of Parks and Recreation. These entities are required to cease discharge into areas of special biological significance, which include Carmel Bay and the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge and Hopkins Marine Refuge, or apply to the water board for an exception.