ITEM 4: REQUEST FROM THE CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD, CENTRAL COAST REGION, FOR $227,637 FROM THE STATE WATER POLLUTION CLEANUP AND ABATEMENT ACCOUNT FUND TO CONTINUE FUNDING THE ELKHORN SLOUGH AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION OUTREACH PROJECT

DISCUSSION: On May 30, 1998 Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region, (Regional Board) adopted Resolution No. 98-05 (Attachment 1) and resolved that:

1. Continued funding of Elkhorn Slough Watershed Public Outreach Project is an important element in the Regional Board's overall effort to control nonpoint source pollution. The State Water Resources Control Board's Cleanup and Abatement Account provides the critical flexibility needed to effectively manage this diverse and dynamic project.

2. Funding from the Cleanup and Abatement Account should be extended by the State Water Resources Control Board over the next three years, at $75,879, for a total of $227,637.

The Elkhorn Slough Watershed Public Outreach Project (Project) has been funded by the State Cleanup and Abatement Account (Account) over the past two years and was approved by State Water Resources Control Board Resolution Nos. 93-30 and 94-94. The combined resolutions allocated $110,000 from the Account over a two year period to help establish the project.

The Regional Board has provided a brief description of the work done to date and the work to be accomplished over the next three years. An estimate of the funds needed for a three year continuation of the project is also provided (See attachment one of Resolution No. 98-05).

POLICY ISSUE: Should the State Water Resources Control Board approve $227,637 from the Account to fund the request made by the Regional Board.

FISCAL IMPACT: As of April 30, 1998 the Account had an ending cash balance of $10,948,254, and there is $10,795,041 committed to cleanup and abatement activities. Although the uncommitted balance is less than the Regional Board's request, most funds will be disbursed over extended periods and we are confident the Account will maintain a positive cash balance at all times. An additional commitment of $227,637 over the next three years should not jeopardize the security of the Account.

RWQCB IMPACT: Yes, Central Coast Region

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the State Water Board adopt the proposed resolution and approve $227,637 from the Cleanup and Abatement Account as requested by the Regional Board to continue funding the Elkhorn Slough Watershed Public Outreach Project

[Attachments not available electronically but can be obtained by calling Alan Garbutt at (916) 227-4440.]

DRAFT June 29, 1998

WHEREAS:

1. The Elkhorn Slough (Slough) is an ecological critical estuarine complex on the central California Coast, which borders the Monterey Marine National Sanctuary and over 1400 acres of which are in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System; and

2. The watershed of the Slough is over 44,900 acres, containing an area of intense agricultural production, yielding 20% of the nation's strawberry crop, with much of the growing area being on steep slopes; and

3. Erosion and agricultural runoff from the irrigated farmland containing pesticides and fertilizers are filling wetlands, and have been building up in the food chain within the Slough for decades; and

4. During 1994 the Regional Board requested funding from the Account to help support non-point source pollution control efforts in the Slough; and

5. The State Water Resources Control Board approved the Regional Board's request and allocated $110,000 to establish the Project over two years; and

6. Since 1996 $59,800 from the Account has been expended to fund the efforts of the Elkhorn Slough Watershed Coordinator to work with the Elkhorn Slough Watershed Project Team (Team) to provide a new socio-economic outreach approach for extension work in the region; and

7. Farmers use of technical and cost-sharing programs has increased dramatically and many growers have made use of Team services; and

8. Regional Board has requested $227,637 from the Account to fund the Project over the next three years; and

9. Although the Account has an uncommitted balance of only $153,200 it has been determined that an additional commitment of $227,637 over the next three years will not jeopardize the security of the Account.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board approves the Regional Board's request of $227,637 over the next three years at $75,879 per year, from the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account to continue funding for the Elkhorn Slough Agricultural Education Project.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on July 23, 1998.

_____________________________________

Maureen Marchè

Administrative Assistant to the Board