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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 & GROUNDWATER PERMITTING
Administrative
Civil Liabilities
County Sanitation
Districts of Los Angeles County
Sam Unger
On May 18, 2001, an ACL (Order 01-171) in the amount of $89,690 was issued to the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, for the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant, located at 24501 South Figueroa Street in Carson, for violating Order No. 97-090 (NPDES Permit No. CA0053813) and California Water Code Section 13376. The Plant discharged 30,000 gallons of raw sewage and 60,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater disposal between May 1999 and March 2000 into the Pacific Ocean at Whites Point, a water of the State.
Mandatory Minimum Penalties
Dept. of Water
and Power , City of LA
Rafael Maestu
A Mandatory Minimum Penalty was issued to the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Harbor Water Reclamation Project) for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent limit for Arsenic by 360% on December 12, 2000. The wastes flow to Los Angeles Harbor, a water of the State.
Spieker Properties L.P.
Russ Colby
A Mandatory Minimum Penalty was issued to Spieker Properties L.P. for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent limit for Total Suspended Solids by 80% in December 2000. The wastes flow to Ballona Creek, a water of the State.
Ventura Regional Sanitation District, Fillmore
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Rafael Maestu
A Mandatory Minimum Penalty was issued to Ventura Regional Sanitation District, Fillmore Wastewater Treatment Plant for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent limit for coliform 30 times during the months of November 2000 and December 2000. The wastes flow to Santa Clara River, a water of the State.
Enforcement Hearing Panel Convened
On June 15th, three members of the Board, Chairman David Nahai, Susan Cloke, and Brad Mindlin, participated in a hearing panel to hear evidence and to make conclusions of law and findings of fact regarding several matters. Hearing were held involving the issuance of Administrative Civil Liabilities (ACLs) which represent the imposition of penalties for violations of permits or the Water Code. Case heard were: Order 00-171, County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, Penalty of $89,690; Order 01-048, Eppink of California, Penalty of $2,980; and Order 01-038, Whitcomb Plating, Penalty of $2,980. These matters will be heard by the full Board at an upcoming meeting for a final resolution.
Notices Of Violation – NPDES Discharge Monitoring
Reports
Enforcement Staff
The Executive Officer issued Notices of Violation and Requirements to Submit information to 14 facilities for failing to comply with provisions of Waste Discharge Requirements included as part of their NPDES Permits. Enforcement staff identified these violations as part of the NPDES discharger monitoring report review process.
NPDES Facility Inspections
Jesus Plasencia and Jose Morales
Enforcement Unit NPDES inspectors conducted level A1 – Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken and B1 - A routine non-sampling inspection of 8 facilities with NPDES Permits. Inspection of these facilities between May 17, 2001 and June 28, 2001 is a required part of the NPDES program. See Attachment "A"
Self Monitoring Reports
Enforcement Staff
In May 2001, staff reviewed a total of 152 Self-Monitoring Reports submitted by NPDES permit holders.
Monthly Enforcement Summary
A summary listing the Monthly Enforcement actions has been included with this report as "Attachment B".
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENT PROGRAM (NON-CHAPTER
15)
Oxnard
Forebay Septic Prohibition
Wendy Phillips and Rick Vergets
In August 1999, the Regional Board amended the Basin Plan to immediately prohibit installation of additional septic systems in the Oxnard Forebay, and to prohibit - as of January 2008 - discharges from existing septic systems. This amendment is now effective, as the State Board approved the Regional Board's action in January 2001, and the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the action last month.
General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for
Forecast Homes in the Acton Area
David Koo
At the March 29, 2001 Board meeting, the Regional Board staff presented an information item to update the Board regarding the Executive Officer’s intention to enroll dischargers in the General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for private subsurface sewage discharges from single residential housing developments in the Acton Area.
Forecast Homes submitted applications for Waste Discharge Requirements to discharge domestic wastewaters from seven residential house developments in the Acton area. Board staff reviewed the information provided by Forecast Homes, and determined that the proposed discharge meets the conditions specified in Order No. 91-94, "General Waste Discharge Requirements for Private Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems in Areas Where Ground Water Is Used or May Be Used for Domestic Purposes". Forecast Home’s applications were enrolled under Order No. 91-94 on May 25, 2001.
WDR Facility Inspections
Non-Chapter 15 Unit staff
When the Non-Chapter 15 Unit staff conducted level B1 inspections of 17 facilities with WDR Permits. Inspection of these facilities is a required part of the WDR program.
Self Monitoring Reports
Non-Chapter 15 Unit staff
In
May 2001, staff reviewed a total of 47 Self-Monitoring
Reports submitted by WDR permit holders.
STORM WATER PROGRAM
Construction
and Industrial – Inspection Summary
Wendy Phillips and Sumaira Noreen
Staff targeted full compliance inspections, including SWPPP reviews, of 443 facilities during the wet season in fiscal year 2000/01. By the end of May, staff completed 522 (118%) of the targeted inspections, as shown below.
|
|
Compliance Inspections |
|||||||
|
Jul 1st through Dec 31st |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
YTD Total (% Target) |
Target for 2000/01 |
|
|
Construction |
52 |
18 |
41 |
66 |
43 |
58 |
278 (118%) |
235 |
|
Industrial |
25 |
70 |
28 |
77 |
33 |
11 |
244 (117%) |
208 |
|
Total |
77 |
88 |
69 |
143 |
76 |
69 |
522 (118%) |
443 |
In addition to the 522 compliance inspections at the end of May, staff completed 428 other types of inspections, including inspections for NOT (Notice of Termination) applications, follow-up inspections, enforcement and complaint inspections.
Industrial – Notices of Termination (NOTs) Processing
Yi Lu
With the return of dry weather, staff is continuing to process the backlog of NOT applications. The backlog totaled 71 applications at the end of May, compared to 123 the month of April. (Also, during this time period, 33 new applications were received). During May, staff reviewed and processed 85 applications.
Industrial - Group Monitoring
Wendy Phillips
Staff participated in a group-monitoring workshop, led by State Board, on May 30th. Most of the forty plus group leaders were represented at this workshop. State Board will hold 11 separate meetings with other interested parties.
As described in previous reports, the State's General Permit for Storm Water Runoff from Industrial Activities provides for "group" monitoring by members of an industrial sector, provided that such members have similar industrial activities and similar site characteristics.
As the State and Regional Boards did not want to preclude better and more cost-effective monitoring when adopting this General Permit in 1997, the permit allows for a reduction of 80% in terms of sampling frequency for group members (2 storm water sampling events every five years for group members, versus 2 sampling events every year for non-group members).
At the workshop, group leaders' comments included (but were not limited to): concern over the QA/QC of the water quality data being collected; a recommendation that regulators focus on non-filers; a recommendation that the agency set qualification standards for group leaders; a recommendation that the language in Notices of Violations be more circumspect; frustration over the agency's lack of prompt review of group data for the last 10 years; and a recommendation for a higher level of communication between group leaders and regulators regarding expectations. Should group monitoring be retained in the next permit cycle, some Regional Boards have suggested that: (a) the requirement for group members to have similar operations with similar site conditions be strengthened, (b) the current monitoring reduction of 80% be reevaluated, and (c) group members in violation of the permit (including administrative violation) not be allowed to participate in groups.
Construction- Second NPDES Compliance Workshop
for Construction Sites
Ejigu Solomon
Storm Water staff, in cooperation with the Ventura Countywide Storm Water Quality Management Program, are planning to host construction site permit compliance training, tentatively scheduled on July 26, 2001, for city inspectors, developers and others. This training will be a follow-up to the first one completed in April.
A second day of training, tentatively scheduled for July 25, 2001, may be added to accommodate additional attendees. For any questions regarding this training, please call Pete Whitney at the County of Ventura (805-654-2032), or Ejigu Solomon at the Los Angeles Regional Board (213-576-6727).
Construction-Modifications to Water Quality Order
99-08 DWQ, General Permit for Storm Water Discharges
Associated with Construction Activity
Ejigu Solomon
At the Sacramento Superior court’s direction, following a lawsuit filed by environmental groups, the SWRCB has modified the provisions of the General Permit. The modification requires permittees to implement specific sampling and analytical procedures in determining whether BMPs implemented on a construction site are: 1) preventing further impairment by sediment in storm waters discharged directly into waters listed as impaired for sediment or silt, and (2) preventing other pollutants, that are known or should be known by permittees to occur on construction sites and that are not visually detectable in storm water discharges, from causing or contributing to exceedances of water quality objectives. Permittees have until August 1, 2001 to develop a sampling and analysis procedure and to amend their SWPPPs.
For any questions concerning this issue, please call Kathleen Groody at the State Board’s Storm Water Section (916-341-5530). Ms. Groody will also address this topic at the Storm Water workshop (as stated above) scheduled for late July.
Municipal – Upper Santa Clara River Municipal
Storm Water Permit
Carlos Urrunaga
The City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles have withdrawn their application for a separate municipal storm water permit for the upper Santa Clara River watershed. The County has amended its Report of Waste Discharge for the municipal storm water permit to include information for the upper Santa Clara River watershed. Board staff will consolidate storm water requirements for this watershed in the countywide storm water permit.
County of Los Angeles Draft Storm Water
Permit and Workshop
Xavier Swamikannu
Staff released the first draft of the proposed municipal storm water permit for Los Angeles County on April 13, 2001. Municipal permittees, a municipal coalition, the environmental community, and the building industry association have submitted written comments on the first draft. Staff are reviewing these comments carefully and will make changes to the draft where appropriate. The second permit draft is scheduled for release towards the end of June. The Regional Board has scheduled a workshop on July 26 to receive public comment on the permit draft. Adoption of the permit is scheduled for the Board meeting on October 25th.
The
proposed renewal schedule, workshop agenda, and
all related documents, including drafts and comments,
will be posted on our web page. This information
can be accessed by the scrolling menu on the Regional
Board home page, as well as through the Municipal
button on the Storm Water page at: www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/html/programs/stormwater/stormwater.html
REMEDIATION SECTION
WELL
INVESTIGATION PROGRAM
Status Report
of the San Fernando Valley Chromium VI Investigation
Dixon Oriola
Compliance with the Notices of Violation (NOVs) sent out on March 9, 2001, is 70%. Of the remaining eight (certified mail) non-respondents, only two were returned undelivered since the firms were out of business or had relocated. Enforcement action will continue against non-respondents and against companies where significant Chromium VI contamination has been documented. These enforcement notices targeted companies that did not respond to past chemical use questionnaires for the Chromium VI investigation. Site inspections continue.
Status of Heavy Metal Remediation on the Former
Lockheed Martin Plant B-1 Site
Alex Carlos
Supplementary soil characterization to delineate the extent of heavy metal contamination in the vicinity of a former drywell at the former Lockheed Martin B-1 Plant in Burbank has been completed. Cadmium and total chromium were detected at maximum concentrations of 480 mg/kg and 540 mg/kg, respectively at 30 feet below ground surface. Hexavalent chromium was not detected in any of the soil samples. Additional soil excavation will be performed to remove impacted soils. During site redevelopment activities a dry well was discovered. On April 2, 2001, this dry well was decommissioned. The analysis of the post-excavation soil samples detected elevated concentrations of cadmium (1,100 mg/kg) and total chromium (600 mg/kg). Elevated concentrations of total chromium (24,000 mg/kg), hexavalent chromium (2,100 mg/kg) and cadmium (640 mg/kg) was detected in a sample of the material recovered from a stand pipe found inside the dry well.
Oil Refinery Updates
Paul Cho
On March 16, 2001, the Regional Board issued a letter that is required pursuant to, Water Code Section 13267 letter that all oil refineries submit reports including the following information: free product and dissolved plume maps and description of current remediation measures, current groundwater monitoring program, most recent groundwater quality data, status of soil remediation and source elimination program, time schedule for site cleanup activities, and human health risk assessment performed and related documents. These reports have been submitted and are currently under review by staff. After completion of their review, existing Cleanup and Abatement Orders may be modified to be consistent and more focused on expedited cleanup. In addition, Regional Board staff met with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and U.S. EPA staff on June 25, 2001, to discuss the Regional Boards’ lead role in environmental protection at oil refineries.
Site Investigation and Remediation at W. W. Henry
Site
Eric Wu
The groundwater and soil at W. W. Henry site, former manufacturer of floor tile and roofing adhesives at 5920 Alamo Avenue, Maywood, are contaminated with toluene and chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including perchloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), 1,1,dichloroethene (1,1-DCE), and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA). The Toluene free product plume was detected in 1998, and investigation and cleanup were required at that time.
On April 11, 2001, a cleanup and abatement order (CAO) was issued to W. W. Henry to immediately start the free product removal and soil vapor extraction. Approximately 25 gallons of free product was initially removed during May 1, 2, and 7, 2001. Dual phase extraction (free product and vapor removal) by a mobile unit was conducted from May 18 through May 31, 2001. To date, approximately 860 gallons or 5,077 pounds of toluene free product have been removed. Work plans to: (1) investigate off-site free product plume, soil and groundwater contamination; (2) perform air quality screening; and (3) install a semi-permanent soil vapor extraction system were approved on May 16, 29, and June 7, 2001, respectively.
The Regional Board staff coordinated with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regarding the preliminary ambient air quality screening conducted on May 23, 2001. According to the LACFD letter dated May 31, 2001, it appears that significant levels of organic vapors were not detected in the neighborhood during the ambient screening event.
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, there are 12 sites where additional site assessment work is required. Groundwater monitoring is being performed at all the sites. Remedial action workplans for the soil and/or groundwater have been approved for a total of ten sites.
On the Charnock regional issues, Regional Board and Shell have entered into a Stipulated Agreement containing a specified Scope of Work to perform regional investigation and analysis of alternatives for both Interim Water Replacement and Interim Regional Response Actions. The Regional Board members at the August 31, 2000 meeting approved the Stipulated Agreement. 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. Currently, fieldwork is ongoing, and twenty-one (21) regional wells have been completed to date. Shell submitted preliminary basin-wide groundwater flow model in January 2001 and the model is currently under review by the Agencies. All 26 sites in the Charnock Sub-Basin have been required to submit the site-specific water quality data for construction of GIS database. As of May 30, 2001, 22 sites have submitted the data and 4 sites are either under preparation or will be directed to meet the requirement. Regional Board and USEPA (Agencies) have also established an inquiry hotline in response to the community concerns regarding the drilling and sampling activities required by the agencies. So far several dozen phone calls have been received by the hotline for inquiries. Regional Board and USEPA staff respond to all calls in a timely manner.
On December 11, 2000, the Regional Board issued a Cleanup and Abatement Order CAO-00-160 to Chevron U.S.A. Incorporated, Thrifty Oil Co, and Best California Gas Ltd. (Chevron/Thrifty/Best) for PRP Site No. 23 (former Chevron/Thrifty No. 247). The Order requires Chevron/Thrifty/Best to perform supplemental hydrogeologic investigations onsite and offsite between the site and the Charnock Wellfield, and to complete onsite and offsite soil and groundwater cleanup on a timely basis per the schedule set forth in the Order. On January 8, 2001, Chevron/Thrifty/Best initiated the field excavation activities in the fuel dispenser area of the former station. Contaminated soil from an area of 60 feet by 40 feet square and 20 feet deep has been excavated and disposed offsite. Three underground storage tanks were removed during March 2001. Chevron/Thrifty/Best has completed the remedial soil excavation and submitted a tank removal report on May 9, 2001. Chevron-Thrifty-Best is currently installing 14 offsite groundwater monitoring well clusters between the site and the Charnock Wellfield and conducting onsite and offsite soil and groundwater remediation on a timely basis per the schedule set forth in the order.
Arcadia Wellfield MTBE Investigation
Jay Huang
Three aquifers were impacted by MTBE contamination. Two groundwater aquifers, the shallow aquifer and the production aquifer are located north of the Brentwood fault; the lower aquifer is located south of the fault. 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 12 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 May 15, 2001, the treatment system has pumped 20.22 million gallons of groundwater and removed an estimated amount of 78.8 pounds of TPH and 207.6 pounds of MTBE. The average MTBE concentration in the shallow aquifer influent has been decreased from over 2,000 m g/L in 1998 to 120 m g/L in May 2001. The impacted soil in the vadose zone has been treated with a vapor extraction system (VES). The cumulative VOC mass removed is 12,600 pounds since May 1999.
A Production Aquifer Remediation System (PARS) using activated carbon filtering to clean up the production aquifer has been in operation since May 17, 2000. Currently groundwater from Arcadia Well No.5 are being pumped at 300 GPM and discharged to a storm drain. To date (May 15, 2001), PARS has pumped approximately 119 million gallons of groundwater and removed 0.47 pounds of MTBE. The average daily influent concentration of MTBE was down to 0.11 to 0.12 m g/L.
A spiking demonstration test designed to evaluate system reliability and effectiveness has been completed. Mobil is completing the demonstration project report summarizing the result of spiking demonstration test to the State Department of Health Service (SDHS). After the PARS has been permitted to operate by the SDHS, and after a public hearing tentatively scheduled during summer of 2001, the treated water from Arcadia Well No. 5 will be routed to the City of Santa Monica treatment plant for distribution to the public.
Assembly Bill 2886 (Kuehl)
BACKGROUND ON PROPOSED EMERGENCY REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF LABORATORY ANALYTICAL DATA FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) REPORTS
Existing law requires that reports be submitted in order to comply with certain regulations, directives or orders issued by the SWRCB, a RWRCB, or a local agency under programs administered by the SWRCB. Assembly Bill 2886 (enacted as Chapter 727, Statutes of 2000 on September 27, 2000) calls for the SWRCB to adopt emergency regulations concerning electronic submission of reports. Specifically, these emergency regulations will require the electronic submission of laboratory data containing soil or water analysis generated for reports required under the UST program. The electronic submission will be in addition to the normal hard copy reports currently required. The format specified in the law and chosen for these regulations is the Electronic Deliverable Format (EDF) developed for the Army Corps of Engineers. The destination of the electronic reporting will be the SWRCB GeoTracker database. GeoTracker was set up in response to 1997 laws to better identify and manage the threat to groundwater caused by MTBE releases to the environment. The intent of these regulations is to bring accurate and timely data about MTBE into GeoTracker, so that regulators can prioritize and manage threats to drinking water supplies more effectively and efficiently. The proposed emergency regulations are the beginning of a three-step process: 1) emergency EDF regulations for UST reports, 2) final EDF regulations for UST reports and 3) SWRCB report to the governor and legislature and potential regulations for other SWRCB programs.
- The emergency regulations are on the UST program webpage located at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/ust/index.html. After adoption, the regulations will be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for a 10-day review (the first five days will allow a short period for more public comment). OAL approved the regulation on June 1, 2001, and they will become effective on July 1, 2001. However, after acceptance and filing with the Secretary of State (done by OAL after the 10-day review process) the formal regulation process will begin.
- Following the approval of the emergency regulations, AB 2886 allows the SWRCB up to a year to issue final regulations for EDF electronic reporting of UST reports. This second step will include the full suite of regulatory documentation and roundtable meetings, as well as public meetings. A workgroup of interested parties will be established and consulted before the initial draft of the formal regulations will be completed. There will be at least one 45-day public comment period and response to comments before SWRCB submits the final draft of the regulations to OAL. This process will allow greater participation by regulators, affected businesses, and consultants in crafting the final regulations.
- For the last step of the process, SWRCB will report to the governor and legislature on the feasibility and appropriateness of extending electronic report submission project to all state board programs. This evaluation report is due January 1, 2003. Depending on the SWRCB’s experience with the UST electronic reporting regulations, regulations requiring electronic submission for other SWRCB programs will be proposed.
Additional details and information on AB 2886 (i.e., notice of emergency findings, text of regulations, Electronic Deliverable Format (EDF) Guidelines and Restrictions, EDF Data Dictionary, frequently asked questions, EDF/Geotracker presentations by Mr. Michael Gjerdy and Mrs. Anne Happel, EDF Training Schedule, background on electronic submission of data, etc.) can be obtained by visiting the State Water Res9ources Control Board website at, http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/cwphome/ust/docs/ab2886/list.html.
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 May 7, 2001, through June 8, 2001, and determined that no further corrective actions are required:
Former Shell Oil
Company Service Station, La Puente (917440070)
Safeway/Vons Distribution Center, Commerce (I-03234)
Port of Long Beach-Pier G, Long Beach (908020098)
Iona E. Ritchie Trust, Fillmore (930150125)
Morrow Meadows Corporation, City of Industry (R-23054)
Former Fedco, Incorporated, Santa Fe Springs (906700343)
ARCO Service Station No. 5210, Baldwin Park (I-12080)
Valley Center Car Wash, Alhambra (R-09647)
Former Mobil Oil Company Service Station, Long
Beach (908050652)
GM Auto, Los Angeles (900040398)
Maguire Partners, Los Angeles (900130052)
UST Program
Working Group Meeting
Dr. Yue Rong
The twelfth UST Working Group meeting was held at Regional Board office on May 23, 2001. The attendees represented major oil companies, environmental consultants, environmental law firm, realtor/banker, environmental laboratory, special interest group, and Regional Board staff.
The focus of this meeting centered on the environmental perspective from industry and legal professionals. Region Board staff also updated Regional Board current program and activities for implementing the State Board’s Final Draft MTBE Guidelines. Mr. Jim White representing the California Petroleum Association gave a presentation entitled "California USTs: Problems and Solutions." Mr. Michael Francis of Demetriou, Del Guercio, Springer & Francis presented "Environmental Claims Coverage." Both presentations were very informative. Regional Board staff David Bacharowski updated the group on UST section activities related to the recent issuance of Board’s directives to high priority sites (1000 feet to a production well) as part of implementing the SWRCB Final Draft MTBE Guidelines. The presentations were well interacted with questions and discussions from the attendees.
The
next meeting is tentatively scheduled during September
2001. The potential topics of interest identified
by the Working Group members included (1) data
review of gasoline oxygenates including MTBE and
(2) fate and transport and toxicity of these oxygenates.
Agenda for next meeting will be available on a
late date.
WATERSHED REGULATORY
90-Day Bypass
of Secondary Treatment at the Joint Water Pollution
Control Plant
Jau Ren Chen
On April 1, 2001, the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County’s (Districts) Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) began its 90-day bypass of secondary treatment. This bypass, approved by the Regional Board on April 13, 2000, is needed to carry out the repairs on the corrosion-damaged facilities in a cost-effective and timely manner to prevent a potential catastrophic failure of the secondary treatment in the future. During the bypass period, JWPCP discharges only enhanced primary treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean at White Point, off the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Districts had implemented the Implementation Plan for the bypass and the enhanced monitoring and reporting program.
From May 1, to May 31, 2001, the enhanced primary treatment at JWPCP was working properly. The average dosages of ferric chloride and anionic polymer applied in the JWPCP enhanced primary treatment process were 31.0 mg/L and 0.22 mg/L, respectively. These numbers and other operational parameters related to sludge handling were within the targets specified in the Implementation Plan.
As anticipated, the final effluent has on some days exceeded the 7-day and 30-day average concentration and mass emission interim limits for BOD, and the 30-day average concentration limit for suspended solids. The actual effluent BOD concentrations range from 100 mg/L to 221 mg/L with an average of 185 mg/L (30-day average limit: 120 mg/L; projected: 180 to 195 mg/L). The actual effluent suspended solids concentrations range from 82 mg/L to 114 mg/L with an average of 96 mg/L (30-day average limit: 90 mg/L; projected: 100 to 118 mg/L). However, the average percent removal of suspended solids is 82.8% that exceeds the permit requirement of 75%.
The Districts reported no exceedance of any bacteriological limits (total coliform, fecal coliform and enterococcus) at any shore or inshore stations during this period. The results of offshore water column sampling also indicated typical spring season oceanographic conditions in offshore waters around the JWPCP outfalls.
The Districts continuously experienced exceedance of acute toxicity limits in their weekly samples. The results range from 2.7 TUc to 3.9 TUc. The Districts surmises the exceedances were caused by elevated levels of suspended solids in the effluent. The Districts had conducted a test using filtered wastewater to demonstrate the compliance with the 30-day average acute toxicity limit of 1.5 TUc. Regional Board staff directed the Districts to conduct more acute toxicity tests on filtered wastewater samples.
The District's contractor has been provided with incentives to complete the work ahead of schedule, and most of the major repairs have been completed as of June 8.
In anticipation of completion, portions of the secondary system were refilled beginning on June 6. Normal levels of secondary effluent flow are expected by mid to late June.
Petition Status, Malibu Mesa WWTP - SWRCB OCC
FILE A-1342
Keith L. Elliott
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (County) operates the 0.2 million gallons per day (mgd) Malibu Mesa Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WWRF) providing tertiary treatment (filtered and UV disinfected) to domestic wastewater generated by Pepperdine University (Pepperdine) and the Malibu Country Estates residential community. When irrigated areas of Pepperdine are saturated and the existing Pepperdine storage reservoirs are in imminent danger of overtopping, the recycled water is discharged (emergency discharge) by the County either to Marie Canyon or to an unnamed canyon adjacent to the Malibu Mesa WWRF. This emergency discharge is regulated under NPDES permit No. CA0059099 (Regional Board Order No. 00-166, adopted by this Regional Board on November 9, 2000). The permit is issued jointly to the Los Angeles County and Pepperdine University. The permit contains conditions to be satisfied before the emergency discharge occurs.
The County filed a petition to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) for review of the permit with respect to one of the conditions for emergency discharge. The County contends that Section I.3.b. of the permit, "The National Weather Service forecasts a wet weather event that could cause overtopping of the reservoirs…." amounts to an abuse of discretion.
On May 31, 2001, Regional Board submitted a response arguing that the existing language is clear and unambiguous and would allow discharge only in emergency conditions. Regional Board staff noted that rain events help mitigate the impacts of emergency discharges to Marie Canyon and encouraged Pepperdine to build additional storage capacity. In addition, The Administrative Record was sent to the State Board on May 11, 2001, for the State Board’s consideration.
Regional Board Requests for Information
Keith L. Elliott
The Policy for Implementation of Toxics Standards for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (Policy or SIP). provides that in accordance with Section 13267 of the California Water Code (CWC), dischargers must submit data to the Regional Board to (1) determine if water quality-based effluent limitations for priority pollutants are required; and (2) calculate effluent limitations, if required. The policy further provides that the time schedule for providing the data shall be as short as practicable but not to exceed three years from the effective date of the Policy, which was May 22, 2000.
13267 letters are being sent to major and minor NPDES dischargers to water bodies subject to the SIP. The letters require dischargers to sample effluent and receiving waters over approximately two years to develop sufficient information to allow staff to perform reasonable potential analysis (RPA) in developing permit renewals. The letters have gone out to major publicly owned treatment works. Other major and minor permittees will receive the 13267 letters after staff develop a fact sheet and question and answer document for our web page.
Monitoring Program for Hyperion Treatment and
Joint Water Pollution Control Plants
L.B. Nye
On May 3, 2001, Regional Board staff hosted a meeting of Santa Monica Bay stakeholders to continue the development of the monitoring programs for the City of Los Angeles' Hyperion Treatment Plant (Hyperion), and the County Sanitation Districts' Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (Joint Plant) - the two largest dischargers in the region. During previous meetings it had been decided that the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project's (SCCWRP) model Monitoring Program for Publicly Owned Treatment Works guidelines and Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project's (SMBRP) assessment of monitoring needs for Santa Monica Bay were appropriate guidance documents and that it was appropriate to develop both monitoring programs in concert.
At this workshop, representatives of the District presented a thorough and detailed comparison of the two proposed programs, indicating the rationale on which the design decisions were based. This framework will be used to develop the language for the NPDES permits for both dischargers. While some details remain to be ironed out, the workgroup considered the development of the monitoring programs to be substantially complete.
EPA Region 9 Nutrient Criteria Development Technical
Advisory Group and the State Nutrient Criteria
Development
L.B. Nye
EPA has recently published, or will soon publish, nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) criteria and 'technical criteria guidance manuals' for lakes and reservoirs; rivers and streams; and estuaries and coastal waters. The criteria are specific for broad, multi-state ecoregions so States and Regions may need to refine the criteria for their particular circumstances.
On June 7, 2001, EPA Region 9, in conjunction with the State Water Resource Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, representatives of other States in EPA Region 9 and other stakeholders, held a workgroup meeting in Sacramento on June 7, 2001. The goal of the group is to develop appropriate and consistent nutrient criteria for surface waters in Region 9.
On June 8, 2001, members of the State Board and Regional Boards met to compare priorities and to discuss workplans for the development of nutrient criteria within the State of California.
Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA)
Update – NPDES No. CA0064351, Order No. 99-143,
CI-8084
Thizar Tintut-Williams
On May 31, 2001, ACTA submitted revised final reports for Currents and Tracer Study, Chelex-100 Validation Study, and the Chelate Stability Study incorporating comments provided to the Oversight Committee. The Offset Work Plan was approved on May 14, 2001, with the condition that ACTA incorporates the submitted comments during its implementation. The revised Offset Work Plan incorporating the comments is due to the Regional Board on June 18, 2001.
Monitoring Costs Under General Permit
Mark Pumford
As a follow-up to comments made be Dr. Jason Wen of the Southern California Water Company (SCWC), at a recent board meeting, staff met with Dr. Wen to discuss the problems of the general permits. SCWC has 17 permits with the Los Angeles Regional Board – most of which are general permits designed to handle a variety of discharges from groundwater to surface water. The general permits contain effluent limitations for many pollutants and have a corresponding monitoring program for these potential pollutants. For a water purveyor, these monitoring requirements can be burdensome. As a result of discussions with SCWC, staff will investigate general permits, by category, for water purveyor operations and maintenance; reductions in monitoring frequency when appropriate; and, use of municipal storm water oversight (exempted discharges) when available. SCWC will assist regional board staff with public outreach and meetings to further these efforts.
General Permitting
General Permitting
Activity
Augustine Anijielo
The General Permit enrolments, revisions and recessions for the month of May 2001. The dischargers are listed by general permit type, then facility name. See Attachment "C"
Sewage Spill/Risk Assessment Meeting
Mark Pumford
On April 27, 201, staff attended a meeting in Sacramento to address the issues of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) ad other releases from publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) that may have an impact on downstream agricultural users. The meeting was attended by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Department of Health Services, USDA, UC Davis, and the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner. The attendee discussed current Office of Emergency Services notification procedures, and possible modification to the procedures to address impacts of SSOs on agricultural users of surface water or shellfish growing areas. The group will develop a contact list for agencies that should be notified in the event of a release. Staff is also considering providing watershed maps to the agencies with the POTWs identified and developing permit requirements that direct the discharger to notify downstream agricultural users in the event of a release.
REGIONAL PROGRAMS
Standards and Total Maximum
Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Ballona Creek
and Los Angeles River Trash TMDLs
Jonathan Bishop
On January 25, 2001, the Regional Board adopted a trash TMDL for the Los Angeles River. This TMDL was used as a template for the March 9, 2001 Draft Ballona Creek Trash TMDL. Since then, staff have developed clarifying language related to alternatives to full-capture controls and the compliance monitoring strategies described in the subject TMDLs. The language allows for alternative approaches to facilitate the implementation of new and innovative solutions. Copies of the proposed language for the Los Angeles River Trash TMDL were public noticed on June 18th and for the Ballona Creek Trash TMDL on June 22nd. A public hearing is scheduled during the September 13, 2001Regional Board meeting. For more information contact Jonathan Bishop (213) 576-6622.
Pesticide TMDL Workgroup Roundtable
Tracy Patterson
The State Board, Regional Boards, Department of Pesticide Regulation, and the EPA participated in the monthly roundtable in Sacramento on May 7, 2001, to help coordinate the pesticide TMDL development and implementation strategies. The top three topics of the roundtable were implementation strategies including which organizations should play a role in TMDL implementation, education and outreach strategies, and an update on the regulations being developed for the Proposition 13 set aside for pesticide-related projects. For more information, please contact Tony Risk at (213) 576-6756.
Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)
Roundtable
Tracy Patterson
The State Board, Regional Boards, and California Department of Fish and Game participated in the monthly roundtable in Sacramento on May 8, 2001, to help coordinate the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Two topics of the roundtable included establishing the top five priorities that the regions felt were the most important on a large regional or statewide level, and an update from each region on the Workplan for 2001/2002. Another outcome of this meeting was the establishment of a bioassessment subcommittee that will address the need for a strategy to identify potential reference sites. For more information, please contact Tracy Patterson at (213) 576-6661.
Santa Clara River Estuary Workgroup
Tracy Patterson
The Regional Board, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the City of San Buenaventura, held a third workgroup meeting in Ventura on May 14, 2001. The goal of the group is to assess the information that exists in relation to the Santa Clara River Estuary, identify data gaps, and design and implement studies that will provide the missing information. The workgroup is an outgrowth from discussions that occurred during the NPDES permit renewal in October 2000. The focus of this meeting was to prioritize the workgroup’s compilation of necessary, but lacking, data and studies and to find ways to fund this research. Potential funding could come in the form of 205j, 319h, and Proposition 13 grants. Regional Board staff encouraged the City and the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for these funds. The group is considering expanding to include other agencies and interested stakeholders. The next meeting will be held in Ventura, date and time to be announced. For more information, please contact Tracy Patterson at (213) 576-6661.
Bioassessment subcommittee Meeting of the Swamp
Tracy Patterson
As in the previous article, a subcommittee of the SWAMP program was established to address bioassessment and the need to identify potential reference sites. The subcommittee met in South Lake Tahoe on May 30, 2001. The participants included representatives from the State Board, Regional Boards, California Department of Fish and Game, University of California at Davis, and University of California Santa Barbara Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab. The primary focus of the group during this meeting was to address how to approach the identification of reference sites. The group came up with a draft plan that will be presented at the next SWAMP roundtable to be held on June 21, 2001, in Sacramento. Other topics under discussion included the level of quantitative physical habitat measurements to assist with interpretation of bioassessment data, a list of chemical parameters that should be tested for at all reference sites, the index periods that are currently in use in California, the potential refinement of ecoregions in California, and the various methods that are currently being followed procedurally in the state for bioassessment. The group created and ranked a list of priority action items for which there is to be to followup. For more information, please contact Tracy Patterson at (213) 576-6661.
Santa Clara River Watershed - Newhall Ranch Project
Rick Vergets
TMDL Staff are commenting on a draft supplement to the Newhall Ranch project in western LA County straddling the Santa Clara River. The project consists of 21,615 dwelling units on 11,963 acres. The draft supplement is required by a Kern County Superior Court ruling that found the earlier EIR that was certified as "Final" was in fact not final. The Kern County Superior Court required that additional work be done to demonstrate that adequate water supplies would be available, that more information be learned about traffic impacts, and that impacts to biological resources in Los Angeles and Ventura counties be further studied. The public comment period closes on June 19, 2001. For more information, please contact Rick Vergets at 213-576-6688.
McGrath Lake Watershed Council – Stakeholder Meeting
Sam Unger and Julie Clark
Regional Board Staff attended the McGrath Lake Watershed Council Stakeholder Meeting on May 25, 2001. The meeting included a tour of McGrath Lake’s nonpoint sources, including Baillard Landfill and the Coultas and Coastal Berry farms. During the meeting, stakeholders discussed available data characterizing McGrath Lake’s water and sediment quality. Options for funding contaminated sediment remedial actions and additional water quality studies were discussed. In addition, Regional Board staff provided an overview of the TMDL process and recommendations to the Committee for participation in the development of the TMDL. For more information, please contact Sam Unger at (213) 576-6782.
Dominguez Channel Watershed Advisory Council Meetings
Melinda Becker
Regional Board staff continue to actively participate in the newly formed Dominguez Channel Watershed Advisory Council (DCWAC) meetings. Staff attended meetings of the DCWAC on May 8th and June 6th both of which were held at the Port of Long Beach. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the draft procedures and protocols, the draft outline of the Dominguez Channel Watershed Master Plan, and to hear reports from the various subcommittees.
On June 11, 2001, staff attended the first DCWAC TMDL subcommittee meeting held at the City of Torrance City Hall. Staff presented a status report and answered questions regarding the Dominguez Channel coliform TMDL, which is scheduled to be completed in April 2002. The subcommittee decided to invite Dr. Stephen Weisberg, from the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, to the next subcommittee meeting to discuss alternative strategies for performing hydrological modeling to support TMDLs in this watershed. For more information, contact Tony Rizk at (213) 576-6756.
Calleguas Creek Watershed Management Plan Steering
Committee
Melinda Becker
Staff attended the Calleguas Creek Watershed Management Plan Steering Committee meeting on June 5, 2001, at the Calleguas Municipal Water District. Draft outlines for four Management Plan chapters were reviewed. They were chapters addressing water quality, land use, habitat and trails, and flood protection and sedimentation controls. The steering committee recognized that some recommended actions, such as preservation of riparian habitat, could be included in several chapters, as such actions would benefit habitat, water quality, flood and erosion control, and potentially, recreation. It was suggested that the proposed actions be presented in a matrix format to identify actions that have multiple benefits.
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
Calleguas Creek Watershed
The Calleguas Creek Watershed Management Plan Committee was convened in 1996 to initiate development of a comprehensive watershed management plan. A large group of stakeholders, including federal, state, and local agencies, landowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations are represented. An Executive Steering Committee, consisting of a much smaller group of stakeholders, guides the day-to-day activities of the watershed group. Subcommittees have changed through time but currently target Water Resources/Water Quality, Flood Protection and Sediment Management, Habitat/Open Space/Recreation, Land Use, and Public Outreach/Education. Subcommittees generally meet monthly or bimonthly. Information about the management committee and its subcommittees can be found at http://www.calleguas.com/cc.htm
The Executive Steering Committee last met on June 5 as part of a workshop to work on the structure of the watershed plan document.
The Water Quality/Water Resources Subcommittee last met on May 15 and had discussions on the Board’s triennial review as well as the status of the nutrient TMDL. Clean Water Act 205(j) monies have funded an evaluation of nonpoint source contributions with the goal of developing nutrient loadings. A public review draft of the Calleguas Creek Nutrient TMDLs report can be found at http://www.calleguas.com/
The Flood Protection/Sedimentation Subcommittee last met on April 9; the Technical Work Group last met on June 11. They are currently involved with modeling the watershed’s hydrology as well as erosion and sedimentation.
A Land Use Subcommittee includes representatives from local planning agencies. This subcommittee last met on June 12.
The Habitat/Recreation Subcommittee met on May 1 and continues work on the habitat mapping component of a wetlands study. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for July 3.
Los Angeles River Watershed
The Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council meets on the third Wednesday of each month. The Watershed Council is a consortium of government agencies, community and environmental groups, business and academia who organized both to resolve and prevent problems in the watershed in a cooperative, collaborative manner.
Formation of the Watershed Council grew out of a conference held in 1995 to discuss how to initiate and/or implement watershed management objectives in the greater Los Angeles Area. Stakeholders in attendance agreed to continue meeting and begin a multi-purpose cooperative watershed management process that is open to the public. The Council’s website is at http://www.lasgriverswatershed.org.
The May 16 meeting of the Watershed Council included updates on the Los Angeles River nutrient TMDL by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) and Tetra-Tech, as well as, the results of the Phase I Proposition 13 proposals in the watershed. Those watershed management plan proposals funded (for $200,000 each) in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed include: Arroyo Seco, Compton Creek, Upper San Gabriel River (including Walnut and San Jose Creeks), Rio Hondo, and Coyote Creek ( with the Santa Ana Regional Board as sponsor). Implementation projects funded in the watersheds include: the 8th Street Low-Flow Diversion and Treatment project proposed by City of LA, Dept. of Public Works; Upper LA River Watershed Urban Runoff Pollution Removal proposed by City of LA, Stormwater Program; and Infiltration of Urban Runoff Demonstration Program sponsored by the Watershed Council.
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 in 2000. 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.
There are ongoing meetings being held for planning of a San Gabriel River Education Center which may be built in the Whittier Narrows area. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 3:00 PM at the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District offices.
The Friends of the San Gabriel River is an active stakeholder in the watershed and their website is at http://www.sangabrielriver.org/.
Santa Monica Bay Watershed Management Area
– Malibu Creek Watershed
The Malibu Creek Watershed Executive and Advisory Council have met on a bimonthly basis for many years and is concerned with a variety of human health and habitat issues. Current active committees/task forces under the Council include those focusing on lagoon water level management, exotic species, steelhead trout recovery, human health, education/outreach, flow reduction, and volunteer monitoring.
Lagoon water level management is addressed by the Malibu Lagoon Task Force . The group has recently finalized a priority list of wetlands restoration options as well as general Best Management Practices for the watershed and now is pursuing implementation. The group last met on June 19.
The Malibu Creek Watershed Executive and Advisory Council last met on June 19 and included a report on subcommittee activities.
Santa Monica Bay Watershed Management Area
– Topanga Creek Watershed
A watershed committee has been meeting in the Topanga Creek Watershed since 1998. This group was formed as a follow-up to the Topanga Canyon Floodplain Management Citizens’ Advisory Committee which produced a draft Topanga Creek Watershed Management Plan in 1996. A major goal of the watershed committee is to prioritize potential watershed protection actions previously identified, participate in a coordinated resource management planning (CRMP) process, and finalize the draft watershed management plan. The committee met on May 24 and focused on a septic and graywater forum. Their meeting on June 16 focused on the results of the 205(j) grant funded creek monitoring program. Their website address is http://www.TopangaOnline.com/twc/.
The group’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) provides oversight for watershed monitoring and studies that will help develop design parameters for possible restoration of the Topanga Lagoon. The TAC last met on June 18.
Dominguez Channel Watershed
A Dominguez Channel Watershed Advisory Council was formed in February of this year and meets on a monthly basis to conduct a variety of tasks including development of a Watershed Management Master Plan aimed at protecting and improving the environment and beneficial uses of the watershed. Proposition 13 funding ($200,000) was recently approved by the State Water Resources Control Board for the LA County Department of Public Works to work on a watershed plan. The complete list of issues to be addressed are still being developed. Many members of the group will also likely participate in Regional Board TMDL work in the watershed. Subcommittees are being formed to concentrate on developing an outline for the watershed plan and deal with detailed technical issues. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
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 Wetlands 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. The last Board of Governors meeting was held on May 18 and included adoption of this year’s priorities for funding. Additionally, Proposition 13 funding for a regional wetlands plan was recently approved by the State Board.
Watershed Management Initiative Chapter
Each Regional Board updates a "chapter" on an annual basis which describes how that Board is implementing watershed management. The last update occurred in December 2000. The consolidated statewide document is the basis for many funding decisions including allocating money for monitoring, TMDL development, and grant monies disbursement. Copies of this Region's current Chapter (as well as Appendices) may be obtained by contacting the Regional Board office, Regional Programs Section secretary at 213-576-6619. The document may also be sent out electronically (in MSWord97) and is available on the Regional Board’s webpage (under Regional Programs) at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4.
Funding
Information on a wide variety of funding sources is available on the Regional Board webpage along the left side under "Grant Funding Sources" as both a Word97 document and Adobe Acrobat file.
Proposition 13 Funding: State Board adopted the draft phase I Proposition 13 funding list on May 17. Project applicants will be receiving letters from State Board shortly on the funding status of their projects. The funding list may also be obtained via E-mail from Shirley Birosik at sbirosik@rb4.swrcb.ca.gov.
A
workshop for the next phase of Proposition 13
funding will be conducted jointly by the State
Board and the Regional Board on July 11 at the
Metropolitan Water District’s offices. The Request
for Proposals (RFPs) for Phase II funding will
be out in June with a tentative October 1 deadline.
The State Board’s website is http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/.
205(j) and 319(h) Funding: RFPs for the
two grant programs are available on the State
Board’s website with a due date of June 15, 2001
NONPOINT SOURCE
Proposition
13
Nancy Ngugi
On May 17, 2001, the SWRCB approved the project priority list recommended for funding with Proposition 13 State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2000-01 grants. The Los Angeles Region received a total of 3.8 million for eleven projects: two Non-Point Source, two Coastal Non-Point Source and seven Watershed Protection projects. The grants provide needed funds to help resolve water pollution issues at the local level. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for state fiscal year 2001-02 grant will be released next month. A public workshop tentatively scheduled for July 11, 2001 is postponed, and will be held either in August or early September 2001. Please refer to the following address for update on future workshops: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/cgi-bin/calendar/calendar.cgi
Section 401 Water Quality Certification Program
Anthony Klecha
The following Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) actions have been issued since the preparation of the last Executive Officers Report:
|
DATE OF ISSUANCE |
APPLICANT |
PROJECT |
ACTION |
|
May 25, 2001 |
California State University, Channel Islands Site Authority |
California State University, Channel Islands Campus Master Plan |
Conditional WQC |
|
May 30, 2001 |
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works |
Forbes Spreading Grounds-Inlet Structure and Air-Inflatable Rubber Dam |
Standard WQC |
|
June 13, 2001 |
City of Thousand Oaks |
Hill Canyon Treatment Plant Phase II Flood Control Improvements |
Conditional WQC |
|
June 15, 2001 |
Co-Applicants: Essex Property Trust, Inc. & Simi Starlight Ranch, LLC |
Parker Ranch |
Conditional WQC |
|
June 20, 2001 |
Nova Development Company |
Tract 52882 – Carson Mesa East Development |
Standard WQC |
|
June 20, 2001 |
Vulcan Materials Company |
Fish Creek Restoration Project |
Conditional WQC |
Certification actions recently issued and project descriptions for applications currently being reviewed can be viewed from our Web Site located at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/html/meetings/401wqc.html. For additional information regarding our Section 401 Program, please contact Anthony Klecha at (213) 576-6785, Jeremy Addison at (213) 576-6761, or Valerie Carrillo at (213) 576-6759. Any petitions for the appeal of a Section 401 WQC action must be filed within 30 days of the date of its issuance. We encourage public input during the certification process.
|
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES |
Oil Seeps In
the Los Angeles River
Blythe Ponek-Bacharowski
Regional Board staff became a member of a multi-agency strategy team addressing the remediation of hydrocarbons seeping into the Los Angels River bed at two locations near downtown Los Angeles. On June 5, 2001, Regional Board staff attended a meeting with representatives of U.S. EPA, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Army Corps of Engineers, the MTA, and the City of Los Angeles to discuss responsibilities, appropriate responses, and schedules. The meeting included inspection of the seeps. Regional Board staff expect to have active roles in the investigation and remediation efforts.
Executive Officer Meets with Legislative Staff
On June 6, 2001, the Executive Officer was the guest speaker at a meeting of San Fernando Valley legislative staff. The EO provided an overview of the programs at the Regional Board as well as a detailed briefing on the trash TMDL, the progress in improving our enforcement program in response to past critical reports by environmental organizations, and on the progress in establishing our storm water program.
Executive Officer Attends Southern California
Coastal Water Research Project Meeting
The Executive Officer serves as a Commissioner on the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) and this year was elected as Vice Chair. The SCCWRP governing commission meets quarterly and the Executive Officer attended the June 8th meeting. At the meeting, among various actions taken, the Commission heard a presentation by the Executive Director, Steven Weisberg, on the status of the SCCWRP program and the vision for the organization over the next five years.
Presentation to California State Lands Customer
Service Meeting
Blythe Ponek-Bacharowski
On May 17, 2001, Regional Board staff managers for the Aboveground Tank and Underground Storage Tank Programs presented an overview of the Regional Board to the California State Lands Commission Customer Service Meeting and approximately 100 of their stakeholders, which includes the U.S. Coast Guard, operators of Marina Fueling Facilities, and other interested parties in the Port of Los Angeles.
International
Containment and Remediation Technology Conference
G. Jeffrey Hu
Staff attended the 2001 International Containment & Remediation Technology Conference June 10 through 13, 2001 in Orlando, Florida. They made a platform presentation on in situ application of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) solution and the bioventing process for subsurface cleanup, respectively. During this conference, they will shared and gained the state-of-the-art remediation technologies being developed and applied around the world to cleanup and restore subsurface soil and groundwater contamination.
Executive Officer Speaks at Urban Storm Water
Conference
On June 14th, the Executive Officer gave a presentation on storm water pollution and the many efforts underway at Region 4 to deal with the problem, including Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plans and the Trash TMDL. The Conference, entitled the Urban Storm Water Conference, was sponsored by the Urban Water Institute.
Presentation - County and City Public Works Engineers
Wendy Phillips
On June 7th, staff participated in an interagency presentation and panel discussion for a meeting of County and City engineers on the efforts to renew the municipal storm water permit for the County of Los Angeles. Over 50 public works engineers participated in this meeting. Much of their concern centered on BMPs needed to ensure compliance on the part of industry with state and local storm water regulations.
Municipal - Presentation on Requirements for New
Development
Xavier Swamikannu
A presentation of Requirements for New Development was presented by Staff to Building and Safety, and Planning Department staff in the City of Burbank on June 21. The presentation covered statewide construction storm water permit and Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) requirements.
Public Outreach
On May 30, 2001, Regional Board staff participated in a panel discussion on the implementation of AB 2886 at the Sheraton Industry Hills. The informational seminar was sponsored by Del Mar Analytical to and included presentations on the electronic submission of laboratory data for UST reports.
St. Nicholas Orthodox School
Magdy Baiady
On June 6, 2001, St. Nicholas Orthodox School invited Regional Board staff to present water quality issues before fourth graders as part of their earth study event at the end of the school year. Regional Board staff, showed a 12-minutes video on the history of water resources in Southern California and then presented a discussion with questions and answers on water quality issues. Fourth graders were given calendars and clean water posters at the conclusion of the presentation.
California State Science Fair
David Rasmussen
Regional Board staff served as judges at the California State Science Fair held at the California Museum of Science and Industry, Los Angeles on May 22, 2001. Staff judged contenders from the winners of previous California County Science Fairs held throughout the State.
Orange County Bar Association
Dixon Oriola
The Executive Officer presented the Regional Board’s Chromium VI Investigation to the Orange County Bar Association on April 5, 2001. These local Orange County attorneys specialize in environmental law and wanted to contemporary water quality issues, the Chromium VI investigation and applicable remediation technologies.
Southern California Coalition for Pollution
Prevention
Dixon Oriola
The Chairman of the Los Angeles Regional Board participated in a seminar put together by the Southern California Coalition for Pollution Prevention to discuss Chromium VI standards, environmental justice and water quality issues in an urban environment. This seminar was held in La Jolla on May 11, 2001.
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Dixon Oriola
An update of the Regional Board’s Chromium VI investigation was given to the Los Angeles County Bar Association on May 21, 2001, by the Executive Officer. This group was comprised of local Orange County attorneys who specialize in environmental law.
Meeting with California Legislative Aides
Dixon Oriola
A brief meeting was held with the Executive Officer and aides to some Southern California Legislative members on June 6, 2001. This meeting provided them with an update on the Regional Board’s Chromium VI investigation and other water quality issues.
On-going Meetings
Raymond Jay
Staff participated in numerous meetings and workshops including the Beach Water Quality Task Force, Interagency Coordinating Committee, LA/SG Watershed Council, Alternatives to San Gabriel Reservoir Sluicing and the Septic System Task Force. Staff also met with the McGrath Lake Trustees to discuss NPS and TMDL issues. In addition, staff received training on wetland delineation and use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Master
Plan Presentation and Tour
Ginachi Amah
On April 26, 2001, Regional Board staff attended the Los Angeles Airport Master Plan presentation and tour which was held jointly by the Governor’s Office of Planning Research and the Los Angeles Works Airports to provide an overview of the proposed airport expansion to interested parties. The purpose of airport expansion is to accommodate projected future demands and involves acquisition of 275 acres of land and the construction of roads and other facilities. Water quality issues are expected to be addressed through NPDES and SUSMP requirements. Staff is assessing the potential impacts on water quality including aerial deposition. For more information please contact Ginachi Amah at (213) 576-6685.
|
STAFF DEVELOPMENT |
Presentation at
EPA National Storm Water Meeting
Xavier Swamikannu
Staff participated in the USEPA National Storm Water Meeting held in Orlando, Florida, from May 1 - 3, 2001. Staff presented a case study on storm water Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) from Southern California. Staff also chaired sessions on Public Education and Outreach and Receiving Water Monitoring Impacts. The panel of presenters included Melinda Barrett from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and Ken Schiff from the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project.
Pollution Prevention Techniques for Metal Finishing
Facilities
Gensen Kai
On May 23 and 24, 2001, Regional Board staff attended training on inspecting and writing permits for metal finishing facilities. The class was developed by California State University and was presented by Tetra Tech, Incorporated. The class was held at the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, and included a field trip to an industrial facility. The class is especially important to pretreatment staff at the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board because of the number of industrial facilities (including metal finishing facilities) that are indirectly permitted. These facilities are subject to staff inspection during Pretreatment Compliance Inspections, conducted by staff every year at publicly owned treatment works with pretreatment programs.
Training – Environmental Negotiation
On May 29 through June 1, 2001, staff attended the Enforcement Symposium Cross Media Training conducted by Cal EPA and held in San Diego.
|
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES |
Personnel Report
As of June 28, 2001 our staff total is 169: 146 technical staff (including 2 part-time staff and 1 on a leave of absence), 7 permanent administrative staff and 16 permanent clerical staff.
Staff is currently taking steps to fill 1 Unit Chief position, 5 technical positions and 1 administrative position.
The
following appointments have been made:
Toni Callaway,
Associate Engineering Geologist, Non-Chapter 15
Unit, appointed 05/21/01.
Lala Kabadaian, Environmental Specialist
I, Enforcement Unit, appointed 06/14/01.
The following promotions
were made:
Megan Fisher,
from Environmental Specialist II to Environmental
Specialist III effective 03/16/01.
Curt Charmley, from Engineering Geologist
to Associate Engineering Geologist effective 04/01/01.
Jeremy Addison, from Environmental Specialist
I to Environmental Specialist II effective 04/16/01.
The following separated
from Region 4:
Ed Schumacher,
Associate Governmental Program Specialist, transferred
to California Department of Transportation effective
06/28/01.
ATTACHMENT "A"
Enforcement Unit NPDES Facility Inspections (5/17/01 to 6/28/01)
|
Facility |
Date of Inspection |
Type of Inspection |
||
|
County Sanitation Dist. LA County |
JWPCP |
5/16/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
LA City DPW |
Castaic Power Plant |
5/17/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
LA City DPW |
Haynes Generating Station |
5/22/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
LA City Bureau of Sanitation |
Hyperion WWTP |
5/22/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Braille Institute of America |
Braille Institute of America |
5/25/01 |
"B" type compliance - A routine nonsampling inspection |
|
|
Rehabilit. Centre of Beverly Hills |
Rehabilit. Centre of Beverly Hills |
6/4/01 |
"B" type compliance - A routine nonsampling inspection |
|
|
St. Vincent Medical Center |
Institute Plaza |
6/4/01 |
"B" type compliance - A routine nonsampling inspection |
|
|
City of Beverly Hills, Public Works |
Test Well No. 6, Burton Way Medium |
6/5/01 |
"B" type compliance - A routine nonsampling inspection |
|
|
Cenco Refining Co. |
Santa Fe Springs Refinery |
6/7/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
County Sanitation Dist. LA County |
San Jose Creek WRP |
6/11/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
County Sanitation Dist. LA County |
Pomona WWRP |
6/12/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Reliant Energy |
Mandalay Generating Station |
6/13/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Long Beach Generation LLC |
Long Beach Generation Station |
6/18/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
LA City Bureau of Sanitation |
L.A.-Glendale WWRP, NPDES |
6/18/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Los Angeles County San Dist |
Whittier Narrows WWRP, NPDES |
6/19/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Ojai Valley San Dist |
Ojai Valley WWTP, NPDES |
6/19/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Tosco Corp. |
L.A.Refinery, Carson Plant |
6/20/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
AES Alamitos, L.L.C. |
Alamitos Generating Station |
6/20/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
San Buenaventura City Of |
Ventura WWRP, NPDES |
6/25/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
LA City Bureau of Sanitation |
Tillman WWRP, NPDES |
6/25/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Los Angeles County San Dist |
Los Coyotes WWRP, NPDES |
6/26/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Oxnard Wastewater Div. Plant |
Oxnard WWTP, NPDES |
6/27/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
El Segundo Power, L.L.C. |
El Segundo Generating Station |
6/27/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
|
Southern California Edison |
Dominguez Hills Fuel Oil Facility |
6/28/01 |
"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection in which samples are taken |
|
ATTACHMENT "B"
Monthly Summary of Regional Board May 2001
|
|
13267 Letters |
Notice of Non Compliance |
NOVs |
NTCs |
CAOs |
TSOs |
CDOs |
Administrative Civil Liability Penalty Complaints |
Program Total |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Migden Mandatory |
Storm-water related |
All others |
Total ACLs |
|
|
Enforcement |
14 |
- |
11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
7 |
1 |
12 |
37 |
|
NPDES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Stormwater |
- |
- |
36 |
18 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
54 |
|
Underground Tanks |
24 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
25 |
|
Site Cleanup I & II |
2 |
9 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
13 |
|
WDRs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
WIP |
98 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
100 |
|
Landfills |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Other (401, NPS) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
TOTAL |
138 |
9 |
52 |
18 |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
7 |
1 |
12 |
229 |
|
YTD Total |
541 |
82 |
232 |
69 |
7 |
- |
1 |
14 |
16 |
6 |
36 |
968 |
|
13267 Letter – Requirement to Submit Information |
|
Level 1 enforcement - Notice of Non Compliance |
|
NOV - Notice of Violation |
|
NTC - Notice to Comply |
|
CAO - Clean up and Abatement Order |
|
TSO - Time Schedule Order |
|
CDO - Cease and Desist Order |
|
ACL – Administrative Civil Liability |
|
NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System |
|
WIP – Well Investigation Program |
|
NPS – Nonpoint Source |
|
WDR – Waste Discharge Requirement |
|
|
| Level 2 only, does not include 57 level 1 Enforcement letters |
ATTACHMENT “C”
General NPDES Permit Authorization/Revision and Termination – May 2001
|
|
General Permit type and Facility name & Location |
Date of Coverage |
Date of Revision |
Date of Termination |
|
A. |
NPDES CAG994001 (Order No. 97-045) Dewatering (no treatment) |
|
|
|
|
1 |
City of Lakewood Department of Water Resource, Production Well No. 14 Pump Test, 4335 Woodruff Avenue, Lakewood |
05/03/01 |
|
|
|
2 |
Hy-Mx Building Corporation, Oakhurst Condominiums Construction Project, 411 N. Oakhurst Street, Beverly Hills |
|
|
05/10/01 |
|
3 |
City of Pasadena, Groundwater Well 58, 3000 E. Alameda Street, Pasadena |
05/22/01 |
|
|
|
4 |
City of Thousand Oaks, Unit "W" and Unit "F" Wastewater Interceptor, Adjacent to Arroyo Conejo, Thousand Oaks |
|
|
05/30/01 |
|
5 |
City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Le Sage Avenue Drain, 5900 Manton Avenue, Woodland Hills |
|
|
05/30/01 |
|
|
||||
|
B. |
NPDES CAG994002 (Order No. 97-043) Dewatering (treatment required) |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Southern California Water Company, Century Site, Paramount |
|
|
05/04/01 |
|
2 |
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Burbank Trunkline Project, Los Angeles |
05/03/01 |
|
|
|
3 |
City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Sepulveda Trunk Line Project, Rinaldi Street and Haskell Avenue, Sylmar |
05/10/01 |
|
|
|
4 |
Southern California Water Company, Juan Site, Hawaiian Gardens |
|
|
05/11/01 |
|
|
||||
|
C. |
NPDES CAG674001 (Order No. 97-047) Hydrostatic Test Water |
|
|
|
|
1 |
City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power, Burbank Trunk Line, Los Angeles |
05/04/01 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
D. |
NPDES CAG994003 (Order No. 98-055) Nonprocess Wastewater (no treatment) |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Lansco Die Casting, Inc., 711 South Stimson Avenue, City of Industry |
|
|
05/22/01 |
|
2 |
Coast Packing Company, 3257 East Vernon Avenue, Vernon |
|
05/15/01 |
|
|
|
||||
|
E. |
NPDES CAG834001 (Order No. 97-046) – Cleanup of Petroleum Fuel Pollution |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Atlantic Richfield Company, Former Arco Station No. 1860, 3817 W. Third Street, Los Angeles |
5/10/01 |
|
|
|
2 |
CalClean Inc, Arco Gas Station No. 1033, 22661 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu |
5/16/01 |
|
|
|
2 |
World Oil Marketing Company, Station No. 27, 5234 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles |
|
05/22/01 |
|
|
3 |
ExxonMobil Refining and Supply, Mobile SS#11-FX5, 3800 S. Sepulveda, |
|
|
05/22/01 |
|
|
||||
|
F. |
NPDES CAG914001(Order No. 97-044) – Cleanup of Volatile Organic Compounds Contaminated Groundwater |
|
|
|
|
1 |
San Gabriel Valley Water Company, Plant No. 8, Water Treatment Facility, 2701 Loma Avenue, El Monte |
05/03/01 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
G. |
NPDES CA0063304 (Order No. 00- 042) – Cleanup of Petroleum Fuel Pollution from Exxon Mobil Stations |
|
|
|
|
|
ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company - Addition of Outfalls |
|
05/11/01 |
|