The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2010-11

WHAT THE CARD IS SHOWING

Each target card provides a direct comparison of actual outputs for FY 2010-11 to the target estimates established at the outset of the fiscal year. While budgetary and personnel information is not directly aligned with the activities being assessed, it does provide a basis for understanding the relative priority of key programs within each region and across the State. For the actual outputs presented, the Water Boards are continuing to evolve its data bases for improved accuracy. Some of the measurements reported may be different than the measurements tracked by the regions and programs. In addition, there are several targets for which outputs cannot be readily displayed without modification to the databases. This includes the number of permits revised, which should include the number of permits reviewed, revised and/or rescinded.

For the actual outputs presented, the Water Boards are continuing to evolve its data bases for improved accuracy. Some of the measurements reported may be different than the measurements tracked by the regions and programs. Notably, the data portrayed include entries completed through July 27, 2011 and do not reflect data input after that period. In addition, there are several targets for which outputs cannot be readily displayed without modification to the databases. This includes the number of permits revised, which should include the number of permits reviewed, revised and/or rescinded.

WHY THIS CARD IS IMPORTANT

Beginning with FY 2009-10, performance targets were established for certain output measures. Targets are goals that establish measurable levels of performance to be achieved within a specified time period. This card demonstrates how the resources of the region are being deployed to protect water quality. In establishing the targets, the Regional Water Boards considered the unique differences and needs within their respective watersheds, their work priorities given available resources, external factors such as furloughs, and prior year outputs.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Target arrows: = Less than 80% of target met
  = Target met between 80% and 90%
  = Target met at 90% or above.
• All other programs include: Timber Harvest, Non point Source, 401 Certification, Tanks, Pretreatment, Recycling and miscellaneous programs (for budget information).
• Other Programs (budget): miscellaneous programs not included in the above.
• Permits issued: Does not include rescissions or permit revisions that may have been included in the targets.
• Target Definitions FY 2010-2011

REGIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

NPDES Program

Considering furloughs (15% reduction in staff time) and resource reduction (5%) during FY 2010-2011, the original targets for Los Angeles Region's NPDES permits should have been adjusted from 6 to 5 for majors and from 19 to 15 for minors. Following these adjustments, the Los Angeles Region achieved its targets of 100% (5/5) for major NPDES permits and 87% (13/15) for minor NPDES permits.

Under the NPDES program, the Los Angeles Region adopted an additional 15 permits and other related actions that included Water Recycling Requirements, Time Schedule Orders, pretreatment amendments, special studies, and permit amendments which were considered as supplemental accomplishments to the proposed targets.

Stormwater Municipal

Significant staff resources have been directed toward reissuing a NPDES permit for municipal stormwater and urban runoff discharges within Los Angeles County and the 85 jurisdictions therein.

Waste Discharge Requirements (Groundwater Permitting)

The target numbers for the category of "facilities inspected" for the Waste Discharge to Land, Municipal Waste and for Industrial Waste, were erroneously placed. The correct target number for Municipal Waste Discharge to Land should have been 15, and for Industrial Waste Discharge should have been 5. The total inspection target should have been 20. Based on the existing CIWQS data, R4 conducted inspections at 44 regulated facilities which is 220% (44/20).

During fiscal year 2010-2011, there were several priorities for R4, including the establishment of the Prohibition for septic tank discharge in the Malibu area and its associated memorandum of understanding (MOU) to implement the Prohibition, and initiation of several septic MOU negotiations to delegate the authority of issuing permits to local agencies for all residential dischargers, staff was redirected to complete these priority tasks.

Land Disposal Program

The Land Disposal Unit lacked one full time staff for the fiscal year, but accomplished 104% of target facility inspections. The Unit also amended WDRs for ten active class III landfills for the disposal and reused of contaminated soils. The WDR amendments have been logged into CIWQS, but are not reflected in the Table. R4 staff are checking CIWQS to make sure these 10 amendments are entered into CIWQS. If that is included, the "Permits issued, Revised and Renewed" number would be 14, instead of 4, for Region 4. That would be 280% of the target.

Site Cleanup Programs

R4 has 15 additional closed cases to be uploaded to Geotracker. Therefore, total closed cases are 33 which is 55% target. Due to economic down time, many sites have delayed active remediation and resulted in lower % target.

Plan and Access

Resources were redirected from TMDL development to TMDL implementation to accelerate water quality improvements.

Significant progress was made on multi-year planning efforts that began in FY 10-11, including a re-evaluation of recreational beneficial uses in certain water bodies and development of Salt and Nutrient Management Plans per the State's Recycled Water Policy.

( Page last updated:  9/19/11 )