One major problem in assessing the relative importance of 
these factors is a fundamental lack of understanding of the 
complex relationships between pollutant discharges, Delta out¬ 
flow, and the health of the biological community of San Fran¬ 
cisco Bay. This lack of understanding, rather than shortcomings 
in the law or its implementation, is now the major impediment to 
the RWQCB in carrying out its mandate to protect the quality of 
the waters of San Francisco Bay. 
The solution to this problem is a sustained program of 
research on the physical, chemical, and biological processes 
that affect the Bay. 
159 
