ITEM 9 :REQUEST FROM THE NORTH COAST REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD (NCRWQCB) FOR $250,000 FROM THE STATE WATER POLLUTION CLEANUP AND ABATEMENT ACCOUNT TO FUND WATER SUPPLY HOOKUPS IN THE MC MINN AREA OF SANTA ROSA, SONOMA COUNTY

DISCUSSION: On July 23, 1998 NCRWQCB adopted Resolution No. 98-81 (Attachment 1) requesting $250,000 from the Cleanup and Abatement Account (Account) funds for the purpose of providing alternative, potable water to residents on domestic wells affected and seriously threatened to be affected by water pollution with volatile organic compounds.

Multiple groundwater contaminant plumes exist in the McMinn Avenue site from petroleum and solvent releases in approximately 400 acres of southwest Santa Rosa with mixed residential, commercial and industrial uses.

The extensive groundwater contamination has affected dozens of drinking water wells and currently, public health risk exists from exposure of contaminated drinking water and other domestic well uses, and potentially from soil gas in this shallow groundwater environment. Municipal water is supplied to the area by the City of Santa Rosa. The area is generally a lower income area and many of the residents do not have the economic resources to hookup to municipal water. The County of Sonoma has recognized the need to connect residents to the municipal water supplies and has set aside $200,000 in grant funding for owner occupied homes in the County. There is no grant program for areas within the City, but a low interest loan program does exist within the City limits.

Some residents may not be able to afford even a low interest loan, and others may not be eligible for the County grant program (non-owner occupied). The NCRWQCB staff has pursued other options for connecting people to the municipal water supplies. They have requested assistance from the Department of Toxic Substances Control , but received no response. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has indicated that it may provide funds if the site is listed on the National Priorities list as a federal Superfund site, but such action would be complicated and would not occur quickly.

In Resolution No. 98-81 the NCRWQCB finds that "Abatement of the threat of public health includes providing a potable source of drinking water". NCRWQCB staff have estimated that at least $250,000 could be required for connection to the municipal water system with the effort targeting those wells most at risk. The bulk of the funds would be spent on contract costs, and some limited personal services for oversight of the effort. There is no intention by the NCRWQCB to use funds for large-scale apartment or mobile home park hookups. When the parties responsible for the contamination are identified, the NCRWQCB will attempt to recover Account funds and other costs from these parties.

The Discussion of Resolution No. 98-81 is enclosed (Attachment No. 2) and additional background information about the McMinn Avenue Site is provide in FACT SHEET NUMBER 8 (Attachment No. 3)

POLICY ISSUE: Should the State Water Resources Control Board approve $250,000 from the Account to fund the request made by the NCRWQCB.

FISCAL IMPACT: As of June 30, 1998 the Account had an estimated cash balance of $10,659,153, and there is $9,967,314 committed to cleanup and abatement activities. The uncommitted balance is $691,840. It should also be noted that the uncommitted balance is less than the $1,000,000 minimum reserve the State Board has attempted to maintain to cover the cost of a major, unforeseen cleanup. An additional commitment of $250,000 over the next year should not jeopardize the security of the Account.

RWQCB IMPACT: Yes, North Coast Region.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the State Water Board adopt the proposed resolution and approve $250,000 from the Cleanup and Abatement Account as requested in the NCRWQCB Resolution No. 98-81.

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

DRAFT August 21, 1998

WHEREAS:

1. Discharges of vinyl chloride, benzene and other volatile organic compounds have affected domestic wells in the southwest area of Santa Rosa known as McMinn Avenue Site; and

2. The level of contaminants present in the groundwater greatly exceed water quality objectives, and threaten public health and the environment; and

3. The responsible party(ies) for a contamination plume originating at or near the intersection of Sebastopol Road and West Avenue has not yet been identified; and

4. The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB) will continue to take all feasible efforts to identify the responsible party(ies) for the source of contamination; and

5. Water supply lines are present in the area of contamination and the area is served by municipal water from the City of Santa Rosa; and

6. The McMinn Avenue Site is generally a low income area and some residents may not be able to afford hookup to the municipal water system even though the City of Santa Rosa and County of Sonoma have programs to help defray the cost of hookup; and

7. The NCRWQCB approved Resolution No. 98-81 in which they requested $250,000 from Account funds for the purpose of providing alternative, potable water to residents on domestic wells affected and seriously threatened to be affected by water pollution with volatile organic compounds; and

8. The NCRWQCB will attempt to recover from the responsible party(ies) Account funds and other costs related to the contamination; and

9. Although the Account has an uncommitted balance of only $691,840, it has been determined that an additional commitment of $250,000 to the NCRWQCB through December 1999 will not jeopardize the security of the Account.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board approves the NCRWQCB's request of $250,000 from the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account funds for the purpose of providing hookup of low income residents in the McMinn Avenue Site, to the municipal water supply system of the City of Santa Rosa, if the resident is unable to afford hookup costs and is unable to use the financial aids provided by other sources. Large-scale apartments and mobile home parks are not eligible for Account funds.

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 September 17, 1998.

____________________________________

Maureen Marche

Administrative Assistant to the Board