WHEREAS:

1. The State Water Resources Control Board, on February 16, 1995, adopted the "Policy for Implementing the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for Construction of Wastewater Treatment Facilities", and amended it on January 18, 1996;

2. The State Water Resources Control Board, on September 19, 1996, adopted the FFY 1997 SRF Loan Program Priority List which included the Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities Improvement Project, City of Auburn in Priority Class C;

3. The Division of Clean Water Programs (Division) has approved the project report, environmental documents, draft revenue program, and water conservation plan for the City of Auburn's project;

1. The City of Auburn certified an EIR (State Clearinghouse No. 94112054) which has been reviewed and considered, and it has been determined that:
2. As stated in the EIR, the project may result in significant and unavoidable impacts with respect to: (i) short-term construction noise which even with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures will result in noise levels at nearby residential areas exceeding the Placer County maximum allowable noise level (60 Ldn) for this land use designation; (ii) aesthetics which even with the implementation of proposed mitigation measures will be significantly impacted by construction dust.

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) hereby adopts the following statement of overriding considerations to address the unavoidable significant impacts that may potentially occur from approval of the project:

Implementation of the wastewater treatment facilities improvement project would result in the following benefits: (1) social considerations regarding the accommodation of growth and the beneficial response to nuisances associated with the existing facilities, (2) economic considerations regarding the cost effectiveness of the selected alternative, and (3) environmental considerations regarding reduction in water pollution.

In balancing the project benefits against the potential significant impacts regarding short-term noise and aesthetics impacts, the SWRCB finds that the public benefits of the project outweigh the unavoidable impacts and, therefore, determines that the impacts are acceptable.

1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the proposed project which avoid or reduce to less than significant levels the other potentially significant environmental effects identified in the EIR with respect to: (i) water quality impacts which will be mitigated by testing excavated soils and transporting contaminated soils to a suitable disposal site, using a water quality protection plan, and providing dilution, source control, or advanced treatment facilities to meet water quality criteria; (ii) groundwater impacts which will be mitigated by monitoring leakage from storage ponds and rectifying deficiencies; (iii) public health impacts which will be mitigated by notifying public health authorities and nearby residents of any spill, leaks, or effluent discharges, and providing proper handling and containment of chemicals used at the facilities.

(c) With respect to other potentially significant environmental impacts identified in the environmental document, appropriate changes or alterations are not within the responsibility and jurisdiction of the SWRCB. Such other changes or alterations have been adopted or should be adopted by other agencies.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The State Water Resources Control Board:

1. Approves a zero percent interest SRF loan of $9.85 million to the City of Auburn for construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities Improvement Project project, with a repayment period of twenty (20) years, and the first repayment due one (1) year after completion of construction; and

2. Will withdraw this preliminary SRF loan commitment if bids are not opened for Phase I by November 3, 1997, or biddable plans and specifications for Phase II are not submitted to the Division of Clean Water Programs by June 22, 1998, and approved by August 17, 1998, unless the Division approves a ninety (90) day extension for good cause.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that 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 September 18, 1997.

/s/________________________________

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board