ITEM: 5

SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A GRANT AMENDMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGARDING STATE OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES AT THE LABORATORY FOR ENERGY-RELATED HEALTH RESEARCH

DISCUSSION: The State provides oversight for DOE’s environmental restoration and waste management activities at the Laboratory for Energy-Related Health Research (LEHR) facility. Regional Water Board oversight has been funded by a grant between the State Water Board and DOE since 1 January 1995. The grant expires on 31 December 1999.

DOE completed a final Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for soil remediation for three operable units at the LEHR facility in April 1998. DOE submitted a work plan for soil characterization in the three operable units (the southwest trenches, the Ra/Sr treatment systems and the domestic septic tanks) on 6 April 1998. DOE began characterizing the southwest trenches area, removed contaminated soils and collected confirmation samples in the summer of 1998. The remedial project managers will agree on final cleanup of soils in the southwest trenches area during the summer of 1999. DOE submitted an addendum to the work plan for the Ra/Sr treatment systems in the spring of 1999. DOE is conducting soil investigation in the radium treatment system and drywell/trench area during the summer of 1999. Additional work in the Ra/Sr treatment system area and the septic systems is scheduled for the year 2000.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the State Water Board authorize the Executive Director or his designee to execute a grant amendment with DOE. Approval of the grant amendment demonstrates a continued commitment by the State Water Resources Control Board to cooperate with DOE to ensure coordinated State oversight of LEHR’s environmental restoration and waste management activities.

FISCAL IMPACT: The additional resources from DOE will ensure adequate oversight of LEHR’s environmental compliance and cleanup efforts. The grant amendment will provide approximately $202,000 for State oversight from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2002.

REGIONAL WATER BOARD IMPACT: Central Valley Regional Board

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the State Water Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director or his designee to execute the proposed Grant Amendment.

WHEREAS:

1.  The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has established an Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Plan to bring its facilities into compliance with the letter and spirit of the state and federal environmental laws, regulations and requirements.

2.  Communication and coordination with State agencies is critical to DOE’s success in this endeavor.

3.  DOE and the State of California signed a grant agreement that authorizes funding for State oversight at DOE’s Laboratory for Energy-Related Health Research (LEHR) facility.

4.  Since 1 January 1995 the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) in compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant has provided water quality oversight of DOE environmental restoration and compliance activities.

5.  DOE will provide financial resources of $202,000 to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and RWQCB to fund oversight work from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2002.

6.  A grant amendment between the SWRCB and DOE has been drafted which provides funds to the SWRCB and RWQCB and represents a commitment by the RWQCB to conduct oversight of DOE environmental restoration and compliance activities at LEHR’s Site 300 on a timely, constructive and fiscally sound basis.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board authorizes the Executive Director or his designee to execute a grant amendment in the amount of $202,000 with the Department of Energy regarding State oversight of the LEHR facility.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on August 19, 1999.

________________
Maureen Marche'
Administrative Assistant to the Board