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***
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The
energy challenge facing California is real.
Every Californian needs to take immediate action
to reduce energy consumption
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For
a list of simple ways to reduce demand and cut
your energy costs, see the tips at: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/news/echallenge.html
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GROUNDWATER DIVISION |
ENFORCEMENT AND STORMWATER
Enforcement
Administrative Civil
Liability Issued to Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
Sam Unger
On August 30, 2000, the Executive Officer issued a complaint for Administrative Civil Liability, in the amount of $2,254,200, to Chevron U.S.A. for the discharge of 4,500,000 gallons of jet fuel to an aquifer underlying the Chevron El Segundo refinery in violation of section 13350 of the California Water Code. On October 19, 2000, the Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer and staff met with representatives of Chevron U.S.A. at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo and inspected the site of the release. Chevron also stated that they will provide Board staff with revised estimates of the number of days that the release occurred and of the number of gallons of jet fuel that were released.
Malibu Bay Club
Morton Price
On August 15, 2000, the Executive Officer issued Administrative Civil Liability No. 00-116, in the amount of $46,530 to the Malibu Bay Club. Inc. for discharges of primary treated sewage to the ground surface at the Malibu Bay Club condominium complex, located at 41000 Pacific Coast Highway, in Ventura County. On October 16, 2000, the Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer and staff met with representatives of the Malibu Bay Club, Incorporated to discuss Administrative Civil Liability No. 00-116. The Executive Officer also issued a continuance to the Malibu Bay Club, Incorporated after its request for a delay in the public hearing originally scheduled for October 12, 2000. The public hearing has been postponed until December 7, 2000.
Alameda Corridor Transportation
Authority
Sam Unger
On August 30, 2000, the Executive Officer issued a complaint for administrative civil liability, in the amount of $182,538, to the Alameda Corridor Transportation Project (ACTA) for discharges of wastewater that violated effluent limitations prescribed in Regional Board Order Nos. 97-043, 97-045 (NPDES Permit Nos. CAG994001 and CAG994002) to Compton Creek from November 1999 to January 2000. In addition, the Complaint included an un-permitted discharge of oily wastewater from ACTA construction activities to a storm drain discharging to the Los Angeles River. The discharges added additional pollutants loading to an impaired water body that is a tributary of the Los Angeles River. ACTA paid the $182,538 penalty in full on October 11, 2000.
D.R. Horton Los Angeles
Holding Company, inc.
Thizar Tintut-Williams
On October 2, 2000, the Executive Officer issued a complaint for administrative civil liability in the amount of $101,913, to D. R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company, Inc. (D.R. Horton) for failing to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination system (NPDES) permit for groundwater dewatering discharge and knowingly and repeatedly discharging non-stormwater waste, including sediment, into the storm drains tributary to Arroyo Simi. On October 18, 2000, The Regional Board Executive Officer and staff met with representatives from D.R. Horton of California, Inc. The Executive Officer also issued a continuance in the matter of Administrative Civil Liability after a request from D.R. Horton to delay the public hearing.
Administrative Civil
Liability Issued to the Santa Catalina Island Company,
Two Harbors Waste Treatment Plant
Morton Price
On September 28, 2000, the Executive Officer issued Administrative Civil Liability No. 00-102, in the amount of $197,200 for illegal disposal of sewage sludge by the Santa Catalina Island Company at its Two Harbors Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Two Harbors, Santa Catalina Island, California. On October 18, 2000, the Executive Officer issued a continuance in the matter of Administrative Civil Liability No. 00-102 after a request from the Santa Catalina Island Company to delay the public hearing. A public hearing has been scheduled for December 7, 2000 to hear the matter concerning Complaint No. 00-102.
Regional Board Hearing
Panel
Hugh Marley
On August 31,2000, the Regional Board adopted the use of Regional Board Hearing Panels to conduct evidentiary hearings for enforcement action pursuant to Water Code Sections 13323 and 13302. On November 16, 2000, the Board will conduct their first Panel Hearing. The Hearing Panel will consider evidence and comments from Regional Board staff and dischargers for the following: ACL No. 00-117, in the amount of $2,254,200, issued to Chevron U.S.A. on August 30, 2000; ACL No. 00-116, in the amount of $46,530 issued to the Malibu Bay Club. Inc. on August 15, 2000; ACL No. 00-102, in the amount of $197,200 issued to the Santa Catalina Island Company on September 28, 2000; and ACL No 00-115, in the amount of $24,000 issued to PDS Engineering Construction, on September 29, 2000. The Panel will provide a recommendation to adopt, rescind or modify the ACLs to the Regional Board at a subsequent full Board hearing. The full Board may then adopt, modify, or reject the Panel’s recommendation.
Storm Water Program
SUSMPs (Standard Urban
Storm Water Mitigation Plans)
Xavier Swamikannu
On October 5th, the State Board conducted a hearing in Sacramento on its draft Order, which responds to a petition submitted by 33 municipalities objecting to the Regional Board’s SUSMP requirement that was issued by the Executive Officer earlier this year. Regional Board staff submitted written comments on September 28th, and also provided oral comments and responded to questions from State Board members at the October 5th hearing. In its final Order (Order No. WQ 2000-11), issued on October 12th, the State Board upheld the action of the Regional Board, which imposed numerical design standards for storm water treatment for eight categories of new development and redevelopment. Gas stations were given a temporary moratorium from complying with the numerical design standard. The State Board also limited the application of the rule to CEQA discretionary projects and eliminated projects in Environmentally Sensitive Areas as a separate category at this time. The State Board recommended that these issues be addressed when the municipal storm water permit for Los Angeles County is reissued in 2001.
Ventura
County Municipal (MS4) Storm Water Permit
Matt Yeager
On October 17th, staff hosted a meeting with representatives from Ventura County, Los Angeles County, City of Long Beach, U.S. Geological Survey, and Heal the Bay. The meeting was held to discuss peak flow control requirements for in-stream erosion control and habitat protection set forth in the renewed Ventura County MS4 Permit. The renewed permit specifically requires dischargers to control erosion and protect habitat from increased peak flows from new development, and similar requirements will be incorporated into other future Region 4 MS4 permits. Eric Strecker of Geosyntec Consultants presented a technical overview of the problem and examples of on-site and in-stream mitigation techniques. Attendees explained their difficulties in developing technical guidance, choosing appropriate control techniques and determining reasonable enforceable standards. Modeling studies at the watershed and individual development scales were proposed to quantify erosion potentials in various streams. Staff and participants agreed that more data is needed to understand this problem, and follow-up meetings are scheduled.
Trash
in Ballona Creek and the Los Angeles River
Parvaneh Khayat
Following the "Notice to Meet and Confer" meetings with 40 cities discharging trash to the Ballona and the Los Angeles River, staff completed a rating system to evaluate the effectiveness of trash abatement in these cities. Staffs' preliminary findings indicate that 12 out of 40 municipal trash collection programs are inadequate; 8 out of 40 need minimal improvements (installation of catch-basin inserts in identified priority catch basins and that:
The range of trash that is caught and removed by municipalities prior to the "first-flush" is anywhere from 2 tons to over 200 tons. There is also an estimated range of trash between 8 tons and over 1600 tons that is discharged from the outfalls by the municipalities. In order to answer the question of how much trash escapes and ends up on the coastline, a monitoring plan must be put in place. In general, this trash consists of fast-food restaurant paper products, plastic bags, paper/styrofoam cups, variety of food wrappings, and green wastes.
Notice
of Termination Backlog
Carlos Urrunaga
The NOT backlog (i.e. applications pending greater than 30 days), for both industrial facilities and construction sites, has been reduced to 109 as of October 24, 2000. This represents a reduction from a backlog of over 400 at the beginning of the fiscal year. In order to approve or deny NOT applications, staff has inspected about 70% of the industrial facilities applying for NOTs, and about 98% of the construction sites applying for NOTs.
Industrial
Storm Water Annual Report Status
Dan Radulescu
As of October 23rd, staff received 2,465 1999/00 annual reports out of a total of 2,586 permittees on June 30, 2000. Over the past month, this represents an improvement in the permittees’ compliance rate, to 94% compliance (or 154 delinquent reports) from an 89% (or 276 delinquent reports). On October 10th, staff sent Notices of Violation to the 154 permittees who remain in violation.
Pathogen
Characterization
Mohammed Zaidi
The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) has granted UC Davis $2 million to undertake a characterization study of pathogens in runoff in selected locations throughout the State. In the Los Angeles Region, UC Davis will be selecting 5 sites to characterize, comparing conventional forms of pathogen monitoring (e.g. coliform counts) with other pathogen indicators (e.g. viral DNA strands), and has asked for local input on selection of sites. Staff held a meeting on September 29th with CalTrans, UC Davis, Cal State Sacramento, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project, Southern California Coastal Water Research Program (SCCCWRP), and City of Los Angeles Storm Water Division to clarify the scope of the study, review sampling procedures, and discuss the selection of 5 locations in the Los Angeles Region. Following the September 29th meeting, participants have recommended the following 8 locations (5 of which will be selected by CalTrans):
Los Angeles County (listed in decreasing priority):
- I-10 draining into Pico-Kenter drain
- Lincoln Blvd. (Hwy 1) bridge over Ballona Creek
- Storm drain No. 2 located immediately northwest of PCH at Malibu Creek. Storm drain outlet is at SE corner of parking lot.
- Santa Monica Blvd. between Heiotrope Drive and Edgemont Street.
- Storm drain outlet south of PCH at Temescal Canyon or South of PCH at bike path bridge over Santa Monica Canyon
- Intersection of Hwy 110 and Hwy 101 in Los Angeles
Ventura County (listed in decreasing priority)
- Kiddies Beach
- Intersection of Hwy 23 and Santa Clara River, sample near the southern bank of the River
Storm
Water Technology Certification
Xavier Swamikannu
Xavier Swamikannu participated in a meeting in Anaheim on October 18 with representatives from the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project, UCLA, EPA – NSF International, and a storm water treatment device manufacturer to test storm water treatment systems for EPA-NSF and Cal/EPA certification in the Los Angeles area. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss interest among the parties in developing a basic monitoring protocol for Southern California for testing storm water treatment systems, for general application in the future. Follow-up discussions are planned to reach an agreement.
Staffing Update
Wendy Phillips
E. Solomon and Yi Lu have been promoted to Unit Chiefs (Environmental Specialist IV and Senior Engineering Geologist, respectively). Solomon and Yi bring great strength to the storm water regulatory efforts, especially given their in-depth inspection experience of many different industrial facilities and their oversight of complex cleanups in the San Gabriel Valley. They will be joining Xavier Swamikannu (Environmental Specialist IV) as supervisors of the three new Units in the Storm Water Section. In addition, Kristie Chung, who just graduated from UCLA, has been hired as a Water Resources Control Engineer; she was formerly an intern who worked on Industrial Annual Reports and covered the Storm Water hotline.
REMEDIATION
Health
Effects of Chromium VI Contamination of Drinking Water
Regional Board Staff
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife, and the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee held a joint information hearing on the health effects of chromium VI contaminated drinking water on Tuesday, October 24, 2000. Selected federal and state agencies, local officials, water purveyors, the San Fernando Valley Watermaster, interested parties from the public and experts from the local universities discussed various viewpoints relating to the presence of chromium VI in drinking water. Regional Board staff presented the on-going identification of potential chromium sites, and the assessment and cleanup efforts being conducted at several chromium sites within the Region.
Hearing
Before the State Assembly’s Select Committee on the
San Gabriel Valley Groundwater Contamination
Regional Board Staff
On October 26, 2000, Assembly member Thomas Calderon held the fourth in a series of hearings to discuss the rate of progress and the current plans for cleanup of the groundwater in the San Gabriel Valley. Local water purveyors along the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, federal and state agencies, responsible parties, and the interested public were present. Regional Board staff focused on the many enforcement actions, assessments and cleanups being overseen by staff in San Gabriel Valley.
Special
Regional Board Workshop to Consider Chromium Groundwater
Contamination
Regional Board Staff
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has scheduled a special workshop on November 13, 2000 to provide a forum for the discussion of chromium contamination in this Region’s groundwater. The Regional Board is requesting those representatives of federal, state, and local agencies participate to share their views on this important matter. The workshop will convene at 9:30 a.m. at the Hilton Hotel (formerly the Red Lion), 1000 W. Glenoaks, in Glendale. Notice of the meeting has been sent to our general mailing list for Board meetings, to individuals known to be interested in the chromium issue, and to selected technical speakers who will address the Board on this topic.
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM
Charnock
Sub-basin MTBE Investigation Area
Dr. Weixing Tong
At present there are 26 active sites in the Charnock Sub-Basin. Of the 26 active sites, site assessment has been completed at 15 sites, whereas there are 11 sites where additional site assessment work is required. Groundwater monitoring is being performed at all the sites. A total of six sites have approved remediation workplans for the cleanup of the soil and groundwater. Soil and groundwater remediation has begun at two of the sites, on-site soil remediation is underway at two sites, limited offsite remediation has been initiated at one site, and a pilot plan for dual phase extraction has been approved at an additional site. Conoco has completed the Tier 1 site assessment and submitted a detailed technical report. The report is under the Agencies’ review.
On July 5, 2000, the Regional Board Staff mailed final copy of the Stipulated Agreement along with a specified Scope of Work to perform regional investigation and analysis of alternatives for both Interim Water Replacement and Interim Regional Response Actions. This item was approved by the Board members at August 31, 2000 Board meeting. As part of this investigation, a number of groundwater monitoring wells will be installed in the Upper Silverado Aquifer to determine the plume source and characteristics and perform periodic groundwater monitoring. This work will require development of a basin-wide flow model, develop a GIS database, evaluate alternate drinking water sources within the Charnock Sub-Basin, evaluate methods of treating polluted groundwater and restoring the Charnock Sub-Basin Investigation Area to its full beneficial use, and provide a community relations plan. The work specified in the SOW is a necessary step to restore the drinking water supply at the Charnock Wellfields. The Agencies have received submittal of Charnock Initial Regional Response Activities (CIRRA) – Task 12.1 Regional Investigation Letter Work Plan, dated August 2, 2000, Task 1.1– Work Plan and Project Schedule, dated on August 17, 2000, Task 6.1 – General Initial Regional Response Activities, dated on September 6, 2000, Task 13 – Recommendations for Additional Hydrogeologic Investigations in the Sepulveda-Palms Sub-region, dated on September 12, 2000, Task 2 – Monthly Progress Report (August 2000), dated on September 15, 2000, from Shell. On September 7, 2000, the Agencies approved Shell’ workplan for installation of four groundwater monitoring wells in area 1. Shell started the field on September 18, 2000. The fieldwork is ongoing at this time.
The Agencies have directed Shell site (PRP site No.11) to restart the soil vapor extraction system and increase the pumping rate of groundwater treatment system to 140 gallons per minute (gpm). Shell has met these requirements on time. Shell also submitted a work plan to evaluate full utilization of groundwater treatment plant capacity (300 gpm).
Arcadia
Wellfield MTBE Investigation
Jay Huang
The shallow aquifer and lower aquifer in the vicinity of the former Mobil Station 18-LDM have been treated with a pump and treat system since October 1997. Currently approximately 36 gallons per minute (GPM) of groundwater are being pumped from 17 groundwater extraction wells of the shallow and lower aquifers and treated at the Mobil facility. As of September 27, 2000 the treatment system has pumped 15.2 million gallons of groundwater and removed an estimated amount of 71 pounds of TPH and 194 pounds of MTBE. The average MTBE concentration in the combined influent has been decreased from over 2,000 g/L in 1998 to 230 g/L in September 2000. The impacted soil in the vadose zone has been treated with a vapor extraction system (VES). The cumulative VOC mass removed is 9,596 pounds since May 1999. The VES has been expanded and connected to two wells in the lower aquifer. A Production Aquifer Remediation System (PARS) using activated carbon filtering to clean up the production aquifer has been in operation since May 17, 2000. PARS is composed of four carbon vessels each containing 24,000 pounds of Calgons’ F600 carbon. Currently groundwater from Arcadia Well No.5 are being pumped at 300 GPM and discharged to a storm drain. As of September 29, 2000, the PARS has pumped approximately 58 million gallons of groundwater and removed 0.39 pounds of MTBE. The average daily influent concentrations of MTBE ranged from 0.3 g/L (May 17) to 0.2 g/L (September 30). PARS is currently undergoing further demonstration testing. Spike testing will commence upon approval by the State Department of Health Services (SDHS). After the PARS has been tested and approved for operation by the DHS, the treated water from Arcadia Well No. 5 will be routed to Santa Monica treatment plant for distribution to the public.
Completion of Corrective Action at Leaking Underground Fuel Storage Tank Sites
Regional Board staff have reviewed corrective actions taken for soil and/or groundwater contamination problems from leaking UST’s for the time of September 25, 2000, through October 20, 2000 and determined that no further corrective actions are required:
Mendoza Service Incorporated, Los Angeles (900120307)Former ARCO Day Fuel Storage Facility, Los Angeles (900450643)
Tosco Marketing Company-76 Service Station No. 5732, Northridge (913240698)
Marathon Rent-A-Car, Culver City (R-07055)
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SURFACE WATER DIVISION |
WATERSHED REGULATORY
No items to report for this section.
REGIONAL
PROGRAMS
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Basin Plan Amendments
Los Angeles River Nutrient/Coliform
TMDL
Rod Collins
Nutrient and coliform Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are being developed for the Los Angeles River system. In support of the TMDLs, a second sampling event will be conducted. The first sampling event was held in September 2000, and was a great success. Water quality data and associated field information will be collected as well as data from storm drains and seepage into the river. The City of Los Angeles and the City of Burbank will conduct the river sampling. Volunteers organized by the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council. An estuary sampling event sponsored by the Regional Board will be held in conjunction with the river sampling event. We are seeking Regional Board staff volunteers for the estuary sampling event. For information on participating, contact Rod Collins at (213) 576-6808.
Malibu Nutrient/Coliform
TMDL
Rod Collins
The Malibu Creek nutrient TMDL is being developed concurrently with the pathogen TMDL for the same watershed. A workshop presenting the Technical Approach for the Malibu TMDL will be held during the Malibu Creek Watershed Executive and Advisory Council meeting scheduled for November 28, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. The locations of the meeting will be announced. Please contact Rod Collins at (213) 576-6808 for details.
Triennial Review Public
Workshops
Renee DeShazo
Regional Board staff hosted one public workshop on October 17, and two public workshops on October 18, 2000, to solicit input on priorities to be included in the upcoming Triennial Review. During the Triennial Review, staff comprehensively reviews the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (Basin Plan). The Basin Plan is the cornerstone of all of the Regional Board’s regulatory activities; it designates beneficial uses for all surface and ground waters, sets narrative and numeric objectives to protect beneficial uses, and describes implementation programs (such as the NPDES permitting program). The purpose of the Triennial Review is to identify revisions that should be made to the plan over the next several years. These changes then are incorporated individually through future Basin Plan amendments based on their relative priority and available resources.
Public workshops were held at the Oxnard Public Library on the evening of October 17, 2000, the Regional Board office on the afternoon of October 18, 2000, and the Los Angeles River Center on the evening of October 18, 2000. During the workshops, comments were received from a variety of organizations and individuals, including: federal, county, and city government agencies; consulting firms; and environmental organizations. Staff is preparing a final draft list of priorities based on comments received at the public workshops and internal input. The draft list will be sent out to interested parties and there will be a 30-day written comment period in advance of the Regional Board meeting at which the final list will be presented for approval by the Board. For more information on the workshops and the Triennial Review, please contact Renee DeShazo at (213) 576-6783.
L.A. River Trash TMDL
Myriam Zech
Staff met with representatives of the Permittees and Co-permittees and other interested parties on Thursday, October 5, 2000, to discuss tentative changes in the Draft TMDL Baseline Monitoring Program and the Implementation Plan. The changes in the draft baseline monitoring plan reflect suggestions made by the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles River and Ballona Creek Watershed Co-Permittees. On October 10, 2000, a letter was e-mailed to stakeholders requesting cost information. The information being requested included costs associated with street sweeping, and projected cost for installing and maintaining various structural Best Management Practice (BMP) devices, including catch basin inserts and full capture systems. On Thursday, October 11, 2000, staff attended the Executive Advisory Committee meeting in Long Beach to discuss the request for cost information. A brief overview of the proposed changes in the TMDL monitoring and implementation plan also was presented. For more information concerning the Los Angeles River Trash TMDL, please contact Myriam Zech at (213) 576-6685.
Nonpoint Source Program
Raymond Jay
The Nonpoint Source Unit is planning the First Semi-Annual Nonpoint Workshop. This workshop is tentatively scheduled for the month of December at the Regional Board office, and will provide stakeholders throughout the region with a general overview of the Nonpoint Source Program. Various stakeholders have expressed interest in the workshop and learning about various funding opportunities. We are planning to include training on the newly released Proposition 13, as well as 319(h) and other grant options. A workshop agenda will be posted on our web page shortly. Propositions 13 information is available on our web page. Additional questions can be directed to Raymond Jay at (213) 576-6689.
Section 401 Water Quality Certification Program
The following Section 401 Water Quality Certifications (WQC) have been issued since our last report on October 12, 2000:
|
DATE ISSUED |
APPLICANT |
PROJECT |
CERTIFICATION ACTION |
|
October 17, 2000 |
Ventura County Flood Control |
Calleguas Creek Sediment Removal
|
Conditional WQC |
|
October 17, 2000 |
CalTrans District 7 |
Route 30 San Antonio Channel Box Culvert |
Standard WQC |
|
October 17, 2000 |
City of Thousand Oaks |
Los Robles Golf Course Renovation Project |
Conditional WQC |
|
October 18, 2000 |
Marbella Villas, LLC |
Marbella Villas – Tract 47283 (project modification) |
No Additional Action |
|
October 19, 2000 |
City of San Buenaventura and the 31st District Agricultural Association |
Surfers Point Cobble Nourishment (project modification) |
No Additional Action |
Project
descriptions for applications currently being reviewed
for certification can be viewed from our Web Site located
at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/html/meetings/401pn.html.
If you wish to be informed of the status and/or final
certification action on any project currently being
reviewed or if you wish to receive a copy of any of
the certification actions described above, please contact
Anthony Klecha at (213) 576-6785 or Alex Puglisi at
(213) 576-6786. Petitions must be filed within 30 days
of any formal action. We
encourage public input during the certification process.
WATERSHED/COASTAL WATERS
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
Shirley Birosik
Calleguas Creek Watershed
The Water Quality/Water Resources Subcommittee last met on September 13. Data generated by the Surface Water and Groundwater Elements of the Calleguas Creek Characterization Study Monitoring Program are being evaluated and a report is in progress, which should be finalized within the next one to two months. Another component of the program, funded by Clean Water Act 205(j) monies, is evaluating nonpoint source contributions and has developed preliminary loadings for nitrogen and phosphorus. The Subcommittee is currently in the process of drafting a Water Resources/Water Quality Chapter in the Calleguas Creek Watershed Management Plan.
The Flood Protection/Sedimentation Subcommittee last met on September 11 and the Subcommittee’s Technical Group last met on October 16. They are currently involved with discussions on conducting a hydrologic study of the watershed. The Subcommittee is next scheduled to meet on November 13.
The Public Education/Outreach Subcommittee met on October 13. It has completed the first edition of a newsletter to cover watershed issues and events. Additionally, the group has produced a color brochure on the management plan process in the watershed.
A Land Use Subcommittee has recently been formed and will include representatives from local planning agencies. It has met on June 14 and October 3.
The Habitat/Recreation Subcommittee met on October 3 and continues work on a wetlands study which includes a habitat mapping component. A general inventory of wetlands in the watershed is complete and potential sites for restoration have been identified. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for December 5. A Biology Advisory Group has been formed to aid this Subcommittee in review of technical materials.
The Steering Committee for the Watershed Management Plan met on March 30. A draft Table of Contents for the Calleguas Creek Watershed Management Plan being developed has been prepared.
The full Management Committee also last met on March 30; its next meeting will be on a date to be determined. Information about the management committee and its subcommittees can be found at http://www.calleguas.com/cc.htm
Los Angeles River Watershed
The Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council meets on the third Wednesday of each month. The Council’s Internet address is http://www.lasgriverswatershed.org. On August 10, 1999, members of the Watershed Council assisted the California Coastal Conservancy in conducting a tour of potential restoration sites in the lower watershed as part of a meeting of the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project. These sites may be viewed at http://www.coastalconservancy.ca.gov/scwrp/index.html.
The Friends of the LA River has a Los Angeles River e-mail discussion forum. To subscribe, e-mail to la-river-discuss-subscribe@makelist.com. To view archives of past Los Angeles River discussions on the Internet, go to http://www.egroups.com/list/la-river-discuss
San Gabriel River Watershed
A "State of the Watershed" report is available for the San Gabriel River Watershed, which was prepared by Regional Board staff. The report describes the watershed, with its many diversion structures and recharge areas, and summarizes available water quality data in a manner easily understood by the layperson. The complete set of data evaluated for the report (as well as the report itself) is available electronically by contacting Shirley Birosik at sbirosik@rb4.swrcb.ca.gov. Hardcopies of the report are also available.
The Friends of the San Gabriel River is becoming an active stakeholder in the watershed and submitted comments on the aforementioned watershed report.
Santa Monica Bay Watershed
The Modeling and Monitoring Subcommittee of the Malibu Creek Watershed Advisory Council has drafted a watershed-wide monitoring program for the Malibu Creek Watershed. The group last met on May 6, 1999; a draft monitoring program has been distributed to stakeholders for comment. A major task will be finding partners to participate in this voluntary program to assess and help correct the water quality concerns in this area. No further meetings are currently scheduled for this group.
The Malibu Lagoon Task Force last met on October 17. The Task Force is concerned with lagoon water level management and all aspects of the UCLA study of the lagoon. The UCLA study covers a hydrologic evaluation, appropriateness of various biological and water quality objectives, water level management, eutrophication issues, pathogens, and the historical condition of the lagoon. The study was funded by a California Coastal Conservancy grant with assistance by local agencies. A facilitator is leading the group toward refining the future goals of the Task Force which include developing a priority list of restoration options.
A watershed committee has been meeting in the Topanga Creek Watershed. A major near-term goal of this watershed committee is to prioritize potential actions previously identified in a draft Topanga Creek Watershed Management Study and start a coordinated resource management planning (CRMP) process. A longer-term goal is preparation of a watershed management plan that will help address a number of issues including flood control in the canyon. The committee last met on September 14. The group’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met on June 15 to aid in finalization of the QA/QC Plan for the Topanga Creek Water Quality Study (funded through 205(j) monies) and review data collected thus far. The TAC is scheduled to meet next on November 30. A June 10 seminar on grading and drainage best management practices was rescheduled to September 16. An "envisioning" conference was held on September 30. The Committee’s website address is http://www.TopangaOnline.com/twc/
Other Santa Monica Bay Watershed activities are covered under the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project item.
Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project
The Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project is a partnership of public agencies working cooperatively to acquire, restore, and enhance coastal wetlands and watersheds between Point Conception and the International border with Mexico. Using a non-regulatory approach and an ecosystem perspective, the Wetlands Project works to identify wetland acquisition and restoration priorities, prepare plans for these priority sites, pool funds to undertake these projects, implement priority plans, and oversee post-project maintenance and monitoring.
The goal of the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project is to accelerate the pace, the extent, and the effectiveness of coastal wetland restoration in Southern California through developing and implementing a regional prioritization plan for the acquisition, restoration, and enhancement of Southern California's coastal wetlands and watersheds. Ultimately, the Wetlands Project's efforts will result in a long-term increase in the quantity and quality of the region's wetlands.
The Wetlands Recovery Project is headed by Board of Governors comprised of top officials from each of the participating agencies. The Southern California Wetlands Managers Group and the Public Advisory Committee serve as advisory committees to the Board. The Wetlands Managers Group is responsible for drafting the regional restoration plan and advising the Governing Board on regional acquisition, restoration, and enhancement priorities. The Wetlands Project has also established a panel of scientists to advise on regional goals, specific objectives, project criteria, and priorities. Governing Board meetings are public and are noticed at least 10 days prior to each meeting. If you sign up on the Wetlands Project email list, you will receive email notification of all board meetings. Minutes from previous meetings and other information about the group may be found on their website at http://www.coastalconservancy.ca.gov/scwrp/index.html
Each spring the Wetlands Recovery Project accepts proposals for acquisition, restoration, and enhancement projects for coastal wetlands and watersheds in Southern California. The Wetlands Recovery Project Managers Group recommended a list of priority projects for fiscal year 2000-2001 to the Governing Board at the Board’s June 9 meeting. A key consideration is whether projects will actually be able to use funds for on the ground work in the upcoming fiscal year. Other potential projects are entered into a database for re-consideration in the future. The Wetlands Recovery Project does not have adequate funds for all of the projects on the priority list, so it has adopted a policy of "first-ready, first-funded." A project is more than a wetland or watershed that needs help. It must be a specific action. To be considered a priority project, acquisitions must have willing sellers and restoration work must have a local agency or non-profit that can carry out the work with the assistance of the Coastal Conservancy. The Wetlands Recovery Project helps to identify and fund worthy projects, but does not carry out the work. Limited funds are available for planning. Projects closer to the coast or clearly benefiting coastal resources will receive preference. A list of the current priority projects is provided on the website as well.
A 2-day symposium was held on October 19-20 in San Diego to gather input on the Project’s five-year regional plan for wetlands restoration. A Board of Governors meeting was also held and included a presentation on a proposed plan of work for the Project’s Science Advisory Panel.
Watershed Management Initiative Chapter
Each Regional Board updates on an annual basis a "chapter" on how that Board is implementing watershed management in the Region. The consolidated statewide chapter is the basis for many funding decisions including allocating money for monitoring, TMDL development, and grant monies disbursement. Each Region’s Chapter is updated on an annual basis; the last update occurred in January 2000 and includes information on Regional Board implementation of the state’s upgraded nonpoint source management program. Copies of this Region's current Chapter (as well as Appendices) and/or its Executive Summary may be obtained by contacting the Regional Board office, Regional Programs Section secretary. The document may also be sent out electronically (in MSWord97) and is also available on the Regional Board’s webpage (under Regional Programs) at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4. The next update of this document is scheduled for the end of November of this year.
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OUTREACH ACTIVITIES |
Thimmakka
Xavier Swamikannu
Xavier Swamikannu made a presentation on the subject of development and sustainable growth to members of Thimmakka in Oakland on October 6. Thimmakka is a South-Asian American environmental group based in Oakland and Los Angeles, which promotes environmental awareness in the Asian-American community.
Wastewater Technology
Conference
Xavier Swamikannu
Xavier Swamikannu presented recent developments in Region 4’s storm water program at the Wastewater Technology Conference in Los Angeles on October 12th. The City of Los Angeles and the American Public Works Association co-sponsored the Conference. Participants included local agency staff, state and federal government staff, engineering professionals and environmental consultants.
UCLA Extension Conference
The Executive Officer spoke to the UCLA Extension’s conference on growth on October 23 on recent developments regarding the adoption of a trash TMDL for the LA River and with the decision by the State Board on the Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan.
LA River Tour
On October 26th, the Regional Board participated in a tour of the LA River organized by the LA County Department of Public Works.
Issues
Forum—Industrial Storm Water Program
Wendy Phillips
About 65 consultants, laboratory managers, permittees, and representatives from environmental groups attended staffs’ Issues Forum on October 20th. The forum advised consultants about compliance expectations under the General Permit for storm water discharges from industrial facilities. Participants in the forum also provided helpful feedback, including the need for a certification program for consultants, additional information to include on state-issued storm water certificates (such as SIC codes in addition to WDID numbers), among other useful comments and ideas.
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES |
Personnel Report
Dolores Renick
As of October 23 our staff total is 145: 126 technical staff (including 3 part-time staff and 1 on a leave of absence): 5 permanent administrative staff and 14 permanent clerical staff.
Staff is currently taking steps to fill 5 Unit Chief positions, 22 technical staff positions, 1 administrative position and 1 clerical position.
The following appointments
have been made:
Kristie Chung,
Water Resource Control Engineer in the Storm Water Section,
appointed 10/16/00.
Paula Rasmussen,
Environmental Program Manager I of the Enforcement and
Groundwater Permitting Section, appointed 10/23/00.
The following promotions
were made:
Augustine Anijielo,
from Water Resource Control Engineer – Range D to Senior
Water Resource Control Engineer, effective 10/23/00.
M. David Hung, from
Water Resource Control Engineer – Range D to Senior
Water Resource Control Engineer, effective 10/23/00.
Ejigu Solomon, from
Associate Engineering Geologist to Environmental Specialist
IV (Supervisory), effective Nov. 1, 2000.
Xavier Swamikannu,
from Sanitary Engineering Associate to Environmental
Specialist IV (Supervisory), effective Nov. 1, 2000.
Yi Lu, from
Associate Engineering Geologist to Senior Engineering
Geologist, effective Nov. 1, 2000.
The following separated from
Region 4:
Felix Young,
Environmental Specialist I, separated from State Service
effective 10/20/00.
PETITIONS
STATUS REPORT
A table listing the
petitions of Regional Board actions pending before the
State Board has been included with this report.