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Executive Officer's Report 2002

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Staff Development Watershed Regulatory Outreach No report available Administrative UST Remediation Enforcement StormWater Surface Regional Program Groundwater Division

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GROUNDWATER DIVISION



ENFORCEMENT & GROUNDWATER PERMITTING

Mandatory Minimum Penalties

City of Los Angeles Public Works Department
Joyce Wang

A Mandatory Minimum Penalty (MMP) was issued to the City of Los Angeles Public Works Department for $51,000, for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent limit in the 1st Quarter of 2000. The wastewater flowed through the storm drain system into Ballona Creek, a navigable water of the United States.

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
Joyce Wang

A Mandatory Minimum Penalty was issued to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works for $24,000, for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent limits in October2000, December 2000, February 2001 and March 2001. The wastes flow through the storm drain system into the San Gabriel River, a navigable water of the United States.

MCA Inc
Lala Kabadaian

A Mandatory Minimum Penalty was issued to MCA Inc for $258,000, for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent from January 2000 through March 2002. The wastes flow to the Los Angeles River, a navigable water of the United States.

County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
Lala Kabadaian

A Mandatory Minimum Penalty was issued to the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation for $21,000 for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent limits during the 2nd Quarter 2000, 3rd Quarter 2000, 2nd Quarter 2001 and 3rd Quarter 2001. The wastes flow through the San Martinez Chiquita Canyon to the Santa Clara River, a navigable water of the United States.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Russ Colby

A Mandatory Minimum Penalty was issued to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for $3,000, for exceeding their NPDES permit effluent from January 2000 through March 2002. The wastes flow to the Los Angeles River, a navigable water of the United States.

Results from September 26, 2002 Regional Board Meeting
Enforcement Staff

On September 26, 2002, in accordance with California Water Code section 13323, a full Board considered and adopted, pursuant to Water Code section 13323, the Hearing Panel’s recommendations and directed the Executive Officer to issue an Order on Complaint No. R4-2002-0018 for Alpine Paper Recycling, directing payment of a total assessment of $6,980. The Board also considered and adopted a Resolution approving an update of the Regional Board maintained Supplemental Environmental Project List and revision of Resolution No. 02-007.

NPDES Facility Inspections
Jesus Plasencia and Jose Morales

Enforcement Unit NPDES inspectors conducted five level B (routine non-sampling) and one level A (samples taken) inspection of facilities with NPDES Permits. Inspection of these facilities is a required part of the NPDES program.

Notices Of Violation – NPDES DMRs
Enforcement Staff

The Executive Officer issued Notices of Violation and Requirements to Submit information to 3 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.

Self Monitoring Reports
Enforcement Staff

In September 2002, staff reviewed 154 Self-Monitoring Reports submitted by NPDES permit holders.

Waste Discharge Requirement Program (Non Chapter 15)

State of California Department of Parks and Recreation
Toni Callaway

The State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation (Discharger) owns and operates the Malibu Pier State Park including Malibu Pier (Pier). The Malibu Pier State Park is located at 23000 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, 90265. The Discharger plans to discharge treated domestic and commercial wastewater from Malibu Pier to land. Currently, Malibu Pier is in renovation. The wastewater treatment system including, a disinfection chamber and leach fields, is located at the parking lot adjacent to the Pier.

Tentative Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) for the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation were presented to the Board at the September 26, 2002 board meeting. The Regional Board adopted Order No. R4-2002-0153.

Halaco Engineering Company
Gary Schultz

Halaco Engineering Co. facility (Halaco), located at 6200 Perkins Road, Oxnard, currently discharges solid and liquid wastes to a waste management unit under waste discharge requirements contained in Order No. 80-58, adopted by this Regional Board on October 27, 1980. At the February 19 and 28, 2002 Board meetings, the Board considered adoption of a tentative Cease and Desist Order which was deemed adopted and effective on March 7, 2002. Cease and Desist Order R4-2002-0064 (CDO) required Halaco to cease and desist from operations or activities that would violate Order No. 80-58 by complying with time schedule provisions.

Halaco has not met the deadline date of Provision i) of Cease and Desist Order No. R4-2002-0064 (CDO) because of an administrative delay associated with the land surveying activities. Subsequently, Halaco has requested that: (1) the deadline date of May 30, 2002, for the placement of boundary monuments as set in CDO Provision i) be amended to correspond to prerequisite approvals from Ventura County, and (2) that the CDO Exhibit "B" be amended to allow for the Executive Officer to approve alternative analytical methods.

Board staff presented the amendment of the cease and desist order (CDO) at the August 29, 2002 Board meeting. However, the Board directed State Water Resources Control Board - Office of Chief Counsel staff to obtain legal opinions on how Halaco's Chapter 11 bankruptcy impacts Board actions, including the tentative Amendment. This item was continued to the September 26, 2002, Board meeting. When the hearing resumed on September 26, 2002, the Board considered further comments pertaining to the case and adopted Order No. R4-2002-0159.

Halaco Engineering Company
Gary Schultz

Halaco Engineering Co. (Halaco) has operated, since 1965, a metals recycling plant, including a foundry, and waste management facility at 6200 Perkins Road, Oxnard, California. The site is 43 acres in size. This Regional Board adopted Cease and Desist Order R4-2002-0064 (CDO) on March 7, 2002, which requires Halaco to cease and desist from operations or activities that would violate the current effective waste discharge requirements of Order No. 80-58.

The Regional Board Executive Officer, during a Halaco site visit on July 2, 2002, observed the following: an area at the southwest corner of the waste management unit (WMU) where waste material appeared to be in contact with water; a small stream that appeared to connect the Oxnard Industrial Drain (OID) with the "wetland" area to the east and that appeared to be within 25 feet of the WMU berm; and areas along the toe of the berm that appeared to be moist but not in contact with water. Subsequently, on July 5, 2002, the Executive Officer sent a California Water Code section 13267 letter to Halaco requiring them to investigate and sample to evaluate the concerns.

Follow-up sampling results and explanations provided by Halaco indicated that the waste discharge requirements of Order No. 80-58 were violated. Subsequently, the Executive Officer issued a Notice of Violation letter dated October 15, 2002, to Halaco requiring corrective actions to address the concerns of the 13267 letter. In addition, the letter required Halaco to take actions to assess and correct any violations due to WMU berms extending beyond the property line.

General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for Los Angeles County
Hoan Tang

Los Angeles County owns and operates Topanga Beach Lifeguard Station located at 18720 Pacific Coast Highway. The Lifeguard Station occupies a two-story building on the beach located east of the Topanga Creek Outlet into the Pacific Ocean. Topanga Beach Lifeguard Station, (Latitude: 34o02’21.1", Longitude: 118o34’15.5") is estimated to discharge a maximum of approximately 1,500 gallons per day into the septic tank system. The wastewater is composed of water rinsed off from sand and seawater and typical residential wastewater.

Board staff reviewed a Waste Discharge Requirements application for Los Angeles County, and determined that the proposed discharge meets the conditions specified in Order No. 01-031, "General Waste Discharge Requirements for Small Commercial and Multifamily Residential Subsurface Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems." The case was enrolled under Order No. 01-031 on September 19, 2002.

General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for Hoffmann-Wolynec Limited, LLC
David Koo

Hoffmann-Wolynec Limited, LLC, owns and operates the Malibu Media Center which is a commercial building occupying approximately 0.57 acre in the City of Malibu. Domestic wastewater from the facility is discharged to a septic disposal system consisting of a 1,200-gallon septic tank and approximately 550 square feet of leach lines under waste discharge requirements contained in Order No. 91-022.

Board staff reviewed the existing requirements contained in Order No. 91-022, and inspection of the subject facility on June 11, 2002, Board staff has determined that the existing discharge meets the conditions specified in Order No. 01-031, "General Waste Discharge Requirements for Small Commercial and Multifamily Residential Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems." The case was enrolled under Order No. 01-031 on September 19, 2002. Order No. 91-022 adopted on January 28, 1991, is scheduled to be rescinded at a Board Meeting to be held on October 24, 2002.

General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for Western Pacific Housing, Inc.
Orlando Gonzales

Western Pacific Housing, Inc. is the landowner and future operator of the River Park Project in Oxnard, California. The project is located immediately north of the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101) between the Santa Clara River and Vineyard Avenue (State Route 232) in Oxnard. The project consists of the construction of a new mixed-used community containing open space, residential, commercial, and public facilities within a 701-acre Specific Plan area. The project involves mass excavation, refill and compaction, mass grading, and pits slope stabilization. As a part of the grading and pit slope stabilization of the River Park Project, two areas (D and H) of the known uncompacted fill will be excavated down to native material (approximately 70 feet depth), refilled, and properly compacted. During the excavation, the discharger will pump approximately 50.4 million gallons per day (MGD) during the first two weeks, 36.0 MGD for the following three weeks, and 14.4 MGD of groundwater for the last eight weeks from the excavation areas to the Small and Large Woolsey pits located within the River Park project area (Latitude 34015’10.8 and Longitude 119010’4.8). In addition, approximately 8.64 MGD will be transferred from the Brigham pit to the Small Woolsey-Vickers pit to assist in lowering the water levels in the Brigham pit, which in turn will lower water levels in the adjacent Area D. The pumping rate and duration will be regulated in consideration of both the needed water level reduction in the Brigham pit and the water level management criteria in the Small Woolsey-Vickers pit. The project is anticipated to take four to five months.

Board staff reviewed a Waste Discharge Requirements application for Western Pacific Housing, Inc., and determined that the proposed discharge meets the conditions specified in Order No. 93-010, "General Waste Discharge Requirements for Specified Discharges to Groundwater in Santa Clara River and Los Angeles River Basins". The case was enrolled under Order No. 93-010 on September 20, 2002.

WDR Facility Inspections
Non-Chapter 15 Unit staff

Non-Chapter 15 Unit staff conducted 5 site inspections related to WDR Permits. Inspection of these facilities is a required part of the WDR program.

Self Monitoring Reports (Non-Chapter 15 Unit staff)

In August 2002, staff reviewed a total of 28 Self Monitoring Reports submitted by WDR permit holders.

Landfills Unit

Rescission of Big Horn Goldmine Waste Discharge Requirements
Dana Cole

On June 12, 1995, the Board adopted the Order No. 95-085, Waste Discharge Requirements for Siskon Gold Corporation to develop the Big Horn Gold Mine. While Siskon Gold Corporation intended to begin mining operations, they failed to procure the necessary funds to do so. Consequently, no mining or industrial activity ever occurred and none is planned for the site at this time.

During the August 29, 2002 meeting, after considering all information, the Regional Board adopted Resolution No. R4-02-0141 on consent, rescinding Board Order No. 95-084.

General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Enrique Casas

The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power proposed to dispose of approximately 2,800 cubic yards of non-hazardous contaminated soils at the Class III Puente Hills Landfill in Whittier, California. The wastes consisted of petroleum hydrocarbon soil cuttings excavated during construction of groundwater injection wells associated with Phase 4A the Dominguez Gap Barrier Project in Wilmington, California. The proposed project consists of the construction of 17 groundwater injection and 12 groundwater observation wells.

Board staff reviewed a Report of Waste Discharge from the City of Los Angeles and determined that the proposed discharge meets the conditions specified in Order No. 91-93, "General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharge of Non-Hazardous Contaminated Soils and other Wastes in Los Angeles River and Santa Clara River Basins". The case was enrolled under Order No. 91-93 on August 14, 2002.

STORM WATER SECTION

MS4 Inland /San Gabriel Unit

Industrial – 01/02 Annual Reports Update
Yi Lu

Discharges of storm water associated with industrial activities are subject to self-monitoring requirements, among others, as set forth in the State’s General Permit. These self-monitoring requirements include collection and an analysis of runoff from two storms each year, as well as visual observations. Permittees must report the results of their self-monitoring by July 1st of each year. As of September 30, 2002, 2,583 of the Region’s 2,832 permittees submitted their annual reports. Considering that about 199 permittees are not required to submit the 2001/02 annual reports (submitted NOTs, enrolled into the program after April 2002, etc.), our compliance rate is about 98%.

Approximately 366 facilities had not submitted their annual reports by July 1, 2002, and were issued appropriate enforcement actions. On August 19, 2002, staff sent out additional enforcement notices to 151 permittees whose annual reports remain delinquent.

Most of the permittees who received the above two enforcement letters were able to submit the annual reports, and/or to provide explanations why the annual reports were delinquent (e.g., duplicate permits, pending NOT applications, etc.). However, as of September 30, 2002, approximately 50 permittees still had not submitted the annual report and are now facing enforcement actions. Starting in late September, Regional Board staff will be conducting inspections to these permittees’ facilities.

Ventura Annual Report Submitted
Ejigu Solomon

On October 1, 2002, the Annual Report for 2002-2003 was submitted by Ventura County Flood Control District (County). The report consists of a monitoring report section that reportedly addresses Regional Board staffs’ concerns relayed to the County in a letter dated August 20, 2002. Regional Board staff will review the Annual Report and reply directly to the County.

Follow-up Meeting with Ventura County Flood Control Staff
Ejigu Solomon

On September 30, Ventura storm water program staff met with Ventura County Flood Control staff and their consultants to discuss follow-up issues of their annual monitoring report. Sampling schedules, quality assurance/quality control corrective measures, and standards of toxicity sampling were discussed.

Construction and Industrial – Inspection Update
Yi Lu

For fiscal year 2002-03 workplan, staff proposed a total of 1,000 construction and industrial compliance inspections. During the first quarter of the fiscal year (July through September), a total of 168 compliance inspections were conducted, as listed in the table below.

In addition, staff conducted 130 inspections at facilities that submitted notices of termination, and 137 other types of inspections (complaint, enforcement follow-up, etc.).

Compliance Inspections (2002-03)

 

July

August

September

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

YTD

%

Target

Inland/San Gabriel

                 

Construction

8

14

6

     

28

28

100

Industrial

0

10

40

     

50

12.5

400

Sub Total

8

24

46

0

0

0

78

15.6

500

                   

Ventura/N. Los Angeles

                 

Construction

20

3

3

     

26

7.4

350

Industrial

8

39

17

     

64

42.6

150

Sub Total

28

42

20

0

0

0

90

18

500

                   

Total

36

66

66

0

0

0

168

16.8

1000



REMEDIATION SECTION

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM

Charnock Sub-basin MTBE Investigation
Weixing Tong

Introduction: The Charnock Sub-Basin Investigation Area is located in the Central Groundwater Basin of the Los Angeles Coastal Plain. During March 1996, MTBE concentrations up to 610 m g/L was detected in the City of Santa Monica (CSM) wells, consequently in June 1996, the CSM shut down its five production wells.

The Southern California Water Company (SCWC) has a wellfield adjacent to the CSM wellfield and shut down its two production wells in October 1996, to avoid drawing in MTBE pollution. No MTBE was ever detected in the SCWC production wells. During April 1997, the Regional Board and USEPA (jointly the "Agencies") signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deal with the MTBE pollution problem affecting both the CSM and SCWC wellfields (collectively "Charnock Wellfields"). Pursuant to the MOU, the Agencies identified 48 potential responsible party sites (PRP sites) within one and one quarter mile radius of the wellfields (Charnock Sub-Basin Investigation Area). Based upon record search, 32 potential source sites were required to perform a preliminary investigation to determine the potential of soil and groundwater contamination. At present, there are 27 active sites in the Charnock Sub-Basin Investigation Area. Of the 27 active sites, additional site assessment work is required at 13 sites. Groundwater monitoring is being performed at all 27 sites. Remedial action workplans for the soil and/or groundwater have been approved for a total of 9 sites. On April 8, 2002, Agencies sent out a letter specifying criteria for reduction of groundwater monitoring program for those sites where no further cleanup is warranted and data is sufficient. The decision of reducing groundwater monitoring will be made on a site by site basis. In May through July 2002, three PRP sites (Sites #16, #20, and #37) were granted a reduction of groundwater monitoring and another PRP site (Site #29) was granted for closure, respectively. Currently, evaluation of site-specific information is ongoing to other sites where the reduction of monitoring is warranted.

Site Specific Cleanup: Site specific cleanup technologies include air stripper, granular activated carbon adsorption, advanced oxidation process, and soil vapor extraction. The following are the current status of site-specific cleanup activities:

PRP Site No. 4 (ARCO): Implement soil vapor extraction. To date approximately 54,670 pounds of total petroleum hydrocarbons have been removed from beneath the site.

PRP Site No. 6 (Conoco): Voluntary onsite soil excavation has been completed, total of 402 large diameter borings advanced to the approximately depth of 45 feet. Voluntary offsite vapor extraction system, consisting of 10 SVE wells, for soil cleanup has been installed and is in operation.

PRP Site No. 7 (Unocal): Implement soil vapor extraction. To date approximately 20,030 pounds of total petroleum hydrocarbons have been removed from beneath the site. A remedial action plan has been approved to clean up the contaminated groundwater beneath the site. A two-month groundwater remediation test has been completed at the site. The Agencies have issued a directive letter requiring more aggressive remediation for the contaminated groundwater. Unocal has submitted an addendum to groundwater remediation workplan proposing installation of a groundwater pump-and-treat system. The workplan has been approved and the groundwater treatment system is under construction. A general NPDES permit has been issued by the Regional Board to Unocal for discharging treated groundwater to the storm drain.

PRP Site No. 8 (Mobil): Implement soil vapor extraction and groundwater pump and treat system. To date approximately 305 pounds of MTBE, 85 pounds of benzene, and 14,020 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons have been removed by soil vapor extraction. Since November 1999, approximately 23.5 million gallons of groundwater have been pumped, treated and discharged under an NPDES permit. Approximately 780 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons have been removed from groundwater underneath the site.

PRP Site No. 10 (Chevron): Implement soil vapor extraction and groundwater extraction system. A vapor and groundwater extraction system (VEGE) has been installed and operated at the site. To date approximately 4,502 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons have been removed by soil vapor extraction.

PRP Site No. 11 (Shell): Implement soil vapor extraction and onsite and offsite groundwater pump and treat system. A groundwater pump and treat is used to recover polluted groundwater and is then treated using an air stripper to remove MTBE followed by advanced oxidation process to remove TBA. To date approximately 157 million gallons of groundwater have been treated and discharged under an NPDES permit. Since the inception of the remediation system, 9,900 pounds of total petroleum hydrocarbons, 492 pounds of benzene and 1,728 pounds of MTBE have been removed from the site. The system influent concentrations for MTBE have decreased from 19,000 m g/L in November 1999, to 340 m g/L in August 2002. The soil vapor extraction system has been operated since September 2000. To date approximately 97.9 pounds of MTBE, 30 pounds of benzene, and 3,568 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons have been removed by soil vapor extraction.

PRP Site No. 12 (Winall Oil): Implement soil vapor extraction. A soil vapor extraction system has been operating since May 2000, and has removed as of January 2002, 14,309 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons, 96 pounds of benzene, and 1,869 pounds of MTBE. The system has been shut down for additional rebound testing.

PRP Site No. 15 (Powergas): Implement soil vapor extraction. A soil vapor extraction system has been operating since June 2002, and has removed (as of August 8, 2002) 8,705 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons, 51.4 pounds of benzene, and 816.5 pounds of MTBE.

PRP Site No. 23 (Chevron-Thrifty-Best): Chevron-Thrifty-Best have completed 14-offsite groundwater monitoring well clusters between the site and the Charnock Wellfield. Chevron-Thrifty-Best also completed installation of three additional step-out groundwater monitoring well clusters along the Sawtelle Boulevard. Chevron-Thrifty-Best completed tank removal and excavation of contaminated soil onsite and Installation of a duel-phase vapor/groundwater extraction system to cleanup onsite and offsite vadose zone and shallow groundwater contamination, including free product removal. The system is connected to 69 vapor extraction wells. The cleanup system has been in operation since May 2002. As of August 28, 2002, the cumulative amounts of MTBE, benzene and hydrocarbon removed since startup are 556.1 pounds, 545.2 pounds and 40,622 pounds, respectively.

Charnock Sub-basin Regional Approach: On the Charnock Sub-basin regional issues, the Regional Board and Shell have entered into a Stipulated Agreement containing a specified Scope of Work (SOW) 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 have been installed into the Upper Silverado Aquifer and Shallow Unnamed Aquifer to aid in determining plume source(s) and characteristics, and to perform periodic groundwater monitoring. This work requires development of a basin-wide flow model, development a GIS database, evaluate alternative drinking water sources within the Charnock Sub-Basin, evaluate methods of treating polluted groundwater, 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. Per the agreement, Shell’s consultant has completed the fieldwork as specified in the scope of work. On November 19, 2001, the final reports for regional investigation results and recommendations for selection of remedy were submitted. Regional Board and USEPA staffs have evaluated the reports and also solicited comments from impacted parties and other Charnock PRPs. On March 18, 2002, with Regional Board’s concurrence, USEPA issued a draft scope of work for the second phase of Charnock Initial Regional Response Activities (CIRRA2) to all PRPs. The draft CIRRA2 SOW outlines requirements mainly for rapid remediation of the Venice and Sepulveda area, and implementation of a full-scale remediation test in an area of high levels of MTBE. On July 12, 2002, the City of Santa Monica entered a draft settlement with two Charnock PRPs, Chevron/Texaco and ExxonMobil. The settlement stipulated the two responsible parties to fund construction of a wellhead treatment facility for the MTBE-impacted Charnock wellfields. Currently, this draft settlement is pending on the court approval.

Arcadia Wellfield Restoration from MTBE Contamination
Jay Huang

The Arcadia wellfield was impacted by the release of gasoline containing MTBE from the adjacent Mobil service station 18-LDM. The City shut down Arcadia Well No. 5 on August 27, 1996. The highest concentration of MTBE detected in this well was 86.5 m g/L. Arcadia Well No. 4 was shut down by the City on October 17, 1996. The highest concentration of MTBE detected in this well was 19.6 m g/L. On January 7, 1998, Regional Board issued a Cleanup and Abatement Order 98-001 to Mobil Oil Corporation. Three aquifers were impacted by MTBE contamination in the vicinity of Arcadia Wellfield. 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 21 gallons per minute (GPM) of groundwater are being pumped from 18 groundwater extraction wells of the shallow and lower aquifers and treated at the Mobil facility. As of August 28, 2002, the treatment system has pumped 33.5 million gallons of groundwater and removed an estimated amount of 83.3 pounds of TPH and 215.9 pounds of MTBE. The current average MTBE concentrations in the shallow aquifer and lower aquifer influent are 15 m g/L and 31 ug/L, respectively, in August 2002. The impacted soil in the vadose zone has been treated with a vapor extraction system (VES). The cumulative VOC mass removed is 13,145 pounds since May 1999. The VES has been shutdown since December 2001 due to low influent concentrations.

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 Wells Nos.4 and 5 is being pumped at 340 GPM and connected to City of Santa Monica's treatment and distribution system. To date (August 31, 2002), PARS has pumped approximately 333.71 million gallons of groundwater and removed 0.51 pounds of MTBE. The average daily influent concentration of MTBE was less than 0.5 m g/L.

On May 15, 2002, CDHS issued a domestic water supply permit amendment to the City of Santa Monica (CSM) allowing CSM to pump and treat the groundwater from Arcadia wells #4 and #5 for domestic use. CSM has resumed its distribution of treated groundwater water extracted from the Arcadia Wellfield to the residents of CSM since May 23, 2002. Up to this point, the Arcadia Wellfield restoration project is considered to be complete. The restoration of drinking water aquifer and resumption of groundwater production at the Arcadia Wellfield takes approximately six years.

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 underground storage tanks for the time of September 3, 2002 through October 1, 2002, and determined that no further corrective actions are required:

Glassers Auto Body, Culver City (R-07046)

Mckesson Water Products Facility, Culver City (900160316)

REMEDIATION

Oxygenates Found in Deeper Aquifers at ARCO Carson Refinery
Paul Cho

The Arco Carson Refinery (ARCO) recently detected fuel oxygenates (tertiary-butyl alcohol [TBA] and di-isopropyl ether [DIPE]) in deeper drinking water aquifers. The assessment was conducted in response to methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) detections in the shallow water-bearing zone currently monitored by the facility under Cleanup and Abatement Order No. 90-121. Although MTBE was delineated in the shallow water-bearing zone, additional deeper wells were installed to determine the lateral and vertical extent of impacts in the Gage and Lynwood aquifers. As an additional measure, the facility expanded the analytical program for its existing site-wide monitoring to include all fuel oxygenate compounds. Results indicate the presence of oxygenates in the shallow water-bearing zone and deeper aquifers including the Lynwood and Silverado. TBA and DIPE were present at higher concentrations in the deeper aquifers than in the shallow water-bearing zone.

Facilities located adjacent to ARCO, including the Tosco Carson Refinery, Shell Los Angeles Refinery and the Kinder Morgan Carson Terminal, were immediately notified and directed to monitor all fuel oxygenates from the existing shallow and deeper (i.e., Lynwood and Silverado aquifers) groundwater monitoring and production wells. This sampling is currently scheduled to be completed in October 2002. Subsequently, additional assessment and corrective action will be required under the cleanup and abatement orders already issued to these facilities. Testing of all fuel oxygenates and other chemicals of concern will be required for all other active refineries to ensure that any groundwater pollution released from the oil refineries is adequately assessed, characterized, and remediated. The State Department of Health Services was informed, and technical reports were provided to them under their Drinking Water Program which regulates public drinking water systems.

No Further Action Sites
Jenny Au

During the First Quarter of this fiscal year (July 1, 2002 to September 30, 2002), No Further Action letters for the following 23 sites were issued:

Site Name

City

SLIC No

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Permanent Exclusive Easement

Los Angeles

0747B6

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North - Copies & Paper Supply

Los Angeles

0747B3

Signal Hill Terminal Abandoned Oil Service Pipeline

Signal Hill

0805B

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North - CJ Fashions Inc.

Los Angeles

0747B2

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North - K & K apparel

Los Angeles

0747B1

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Rail Row

Los Angeles

0747B4

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Permanent Exclusive Easement

Los Angeles

0747B5

Monrovia Nursery

Azusa

0503

San Fernando Electronics Technology

San Fernando

0564

Halliburton Energy

Santa Fe Springs

0604

Granary Square Dry Cleaner

Valencia

0958

Truflex Rubber Products

Los Angeles

0975

Equillon Bulk Fuel Distribution Terminal

Los Angeles

1002

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Santa Fe Liquors

Los Angeles

0747A7

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Trinity Sports

Los Angeles

0747A8

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Trim Connector

Los Angeles

0747A6

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – American Brass & Aluminum

Los Angeles

0747A2

Water Garden Phase I & II Development

Santa Monica

0130F2

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Pronto Money Co.

Los Angeles

0747C2

Department of Defense – Los Angeles Air Force Base Bldg. 241

El Segundo

0038B

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Permanent Exclusive Easement

Los Angeles

0747B9

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North – Permanent Exclusive Easement

Los Angeles

0747B7

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority North - LA City DWP

Los Angeles

0747B8


WELL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM (WIP)

Status Report of the San Fernando Valley Chromium VI Investigation
Dixon Oriola

The second draft of the Chromium VI Investigation Report was submitted to USEPA for review on August 31, 2002. During the September 18, 2002 quarterly meeting with USEPA staff, they indicated that they still had a few issues deserving further comment. The subject report consists of 1,088 pages and will be available on CD-ROM when finalized. USEPA promised to quickly send their comments back to the Regional Board by mid October.

Close-out of USEPA San Fernando Valley Cooperative Agreement
Dixon Oriola

Due to Federal budget restrictions, USEPA has decided to end the San Gabriel Valley Cooperative Agreement with the Regional Board’s Well Investigation Program. The associated grants were also being terminated effective June 30, 2002. USEPA and Regional Board staffs met on September 18, 2002 to discuss grants close-out issues and follow-up information sharing on remaining important projects such as the San Fernando Valley Chromium VI Investigation.

San Fernando Valley Inter-agency Management Meeting
Mohammad Zaidi

Regional Board staff attended the quarterly Inter-agency Managers Committee Meeting held on September 19, 2002. These meetings are hosted by of the USEPA and address environmental regulatory issues covering the San Fernando Valley Area. Participants include the California Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Cities of Glendale, Burbank, San Fernando and Los Angeles, the Upper Los Angeles River Area (ULARA) Watermaster, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the Regional Board.

At this meeting, Regional Board staff presented a status report on Excello Plating, the focus on an inter-agency priority inspection. Excello Plating is a source of Chromium VI soil and groundwater pollution and is adjacent to an important groundwater extraction well (GS-3) that serves the newly constructed Glendale Treatment Plant, a Superfund regional remedy. Regional Board staff also discussed a planned Demolition and Surface Soil Removal Action at Dynamic Plating being conducted by USEPA’s Emergency Response Superfund Division. Other issues discussed included follow-up investigative work at the identified 105 Chromium VI sites in the San Fernando Valley, Cleanup and Abatement Orders issued by the Regional Board and what procedures and schedule USEPA intends to follow when considering Chromium VI and the Superfund Program in the future. The cities present expressed their collective concern about what could happen if elevated Chromium VI concentration caused the shut down of water treatment plants.

ULARA Watermaster, Mr. Melvin Blevins commended Regional Board staff for their efforts in producing a 1,088 pages long report on Chromium Inspections in the San Fernando Valley, and said that he was anxiously waiting for completion of USEPA's final review and release of the report. Mr. Blevins stressed an urgent consideration and support by the USEPA of the known and potential Chromium VI and other emergent chemical contamination problem in the San Fernando Valley and other areas of southern California.

Salary Savings SWRCB Contract
Dixon Oriola

The SWRCB’s Salary Savings Contract for $300,000 has been awarded to the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA), to fund 3 staff members for 1½ years to assist the Regional Board’s Well Investigation Program. Their primary task for the WQA temporary staff will be to assist with completing source identification assessments in high priority areas such as the South El Monte and Puente Valley Operable Units.

Water Replenishment District
Dixon Oriola

Regional Board staff are assisting the Water Replenishment District with Chromium VI source identification activities in the South Gate, Bell, Bell Gardens and Commerce. The results of 152 chemical use questionnaires sent out in June 2002 are being compiled and evaluated. In 2000, well 3 former municipal wells were shut down due to Chromium VI contamination as high as 408 micrograms per liter.

Recent Developments in the South El Monte Operable Unit
Carlos Ortez

The quarterly South El Monte Operable Unit (SEMOU) Work Group meeting was held at the Southern California Water Company (SCWC) at 630 E. Foothill Boulevard, San Dimas. Mr. William C. Gedney from SCWC hosted the meeting.

Seven drinking water supply wells have been shut down due to increasing levels of contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and in a few cases perchlorate. The cumulative water supply lost is 8,500 gallon per minute (gpm). More water supply wells to the central and eastern portion of the SEMOU are threatened by migrating contamination. Regional Board and USEPA staff are working with all parties to address the problem. The meeting was well attended by various interested parties.

The initial discussions centered on the drinking water well permitting issues and the installation of wellhead treatment plants in the SEMOU. The groundwater treatment technologies in use include; Air Stripping, Granular Activated Carbon beds, and Ion Exchange. Some other discussions include the requirements from DHS and USEPA as it pertains to discharges from recently installed remediation wells that need to be developed. Regarding the most recent emergent chemical groundwater survey, USEPA staff informed the group that 32 potentially responsible parties (PRPs) have completed their sampling responsibilities. Not much perchlorate has been reported above the action level concentrations.

Recent Developments in the Puente Valley Operable Unit
Angelica Castaneda

On September 26, 2002, Regional Board staff attended a meeting on the Puente Valley Operable Unit (PVOU) hosted by the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority. Representatives of the USEPA, the Puente Valley Steering Committee (PVSC), City of Industry, Department of Health Services, San Gabriel Valley Water Company, Suburban Water Systems, Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, and the San Gabriel Valley Water Quality Authority attended the meeting. The issues discussed included the status of the regional groundwater cleanup remedy lead by USEPA, the on-going on emergent chemical (EC) investigation being coordinated by Regional Board and USEPA staffs, and the growing concern of increased treating and delivery costs due to EC remediation.

One important issue raised was the lack of funding available to the Regional Board staff to initiate an EC source identification project. To date, only about half of the responsible parties have submitted their required emergent chemical survey reports. Enforcement action may have to be taken against the other half that have not complied.


SURFACE WATER DIVISION

General NPDES Permits

A list of General NPDES Permit Authorization/Revision and Termination for September 2002 can be found on "Attachment B".

REGIONAL PROGRAMS

STANDARDS AND TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDLs)

Sewage Spill – Santa Paula Wastewater Treatment Plant

At approximately 1030 on October 17, 2002, Regional Board staff received notification from the plant manager of the Santa Paula Wastewater Treatment Facility (Facility) that a sewage overflow from the Facility has occurred and discharged to surface waters. It is estimated that the total sewage overflow to the Santa Clara River (passing through storm drain and lined channel) was 60,000 gallons. Board staff conducted a follow-up inspection at 1430 on the same day.

Cause of the spill was a power outage experienced in the early morning. The backup generator in the Facility was tripped immediately after the power outage. However, due to unidentified causes, the transformer within the power distribution system failed approximately one hour later. As a result, the automatic computer system that controls the Facility operations was down and failed to store its function even after the city power was back on.

Since the alarm system was using the same power source, the message of the failure of the computer system was never sent to the operator.

The overflow was discovered by a Facility worker at approximately 0600. The backup crew was notified immediately to begin cleanup activities. At approximately 0630, the operators were able to restore the Facility operation without any assistance of computer system. The cleanup was finished by 0800.

The incident is currently under review by the Enforcement Unit.

Sewage Spill – Tapia Water Reclamation Facility

On October 13, 2002, at approximately 0900, a concentrated sewage sludge spill occurred from an 8-inch force main break that runs from Tapia's facility to the Rancho Las Virgenes Composting Facility, located approximately 3.5 miles away. The line was shut down by crews from Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (Las Virgenes) by 0915. The spill entered Las Virgenes Creek (approximately 1000 to 2000 gallons) before its confluence with Malibu Creek. Crews dammed up the creek with sandbags at an accessible spot in Malibu Creek State Park to prevent discharge to Malibu Creek. Large vacuum trucks were brought on site to remove the sewage from the creek. To complement the trucks, a portable pump was brought onsite to divert the affected creek water into a nearby sewer. The effort continued for several hours, until there was no evidence of leaked materials. Pipe repair began on October 15, 2002.

Samples were taken by both Las Virgenes and a Heal the Bay Stream Team who coincidentally were performing their regularly scheduled stream sampling. Results will be forwarded to the Enforcement Unit for their review.

McGrath/Mandalay Coastal Area Pathogen TMDL
Lisa Carlson

Board Staff have received comments from the McGrath Lake Watershed Action Committee on the modeling report and revised the report for distribution. The sampling and modeling form the basis for the Source Assessment and the Linkage Analysis, which is complete. Board Staff expect to schedule a meeting with stakeholders and the public to discuss the Source Assessment and Linkage Analysis next month. Staff will use the model to calculate the total maximum daily load for McGrath Beach and set forth the Implementation Plan. Contact Lisa Carlson at 213-576-6785 for further information.

Dominguez Channel Pathogen TMDL
Lisa Carlson

Staff has received and is reviewing the sampling results for pathogens in the Dominguez Channel. Board and MEC staff walked the Dominguez Channel on July 15, 2002. Data shows several tributary storm drains with extremely high levels of coliforms. TMDL staff is working with the Stormwater Unit to further investigate these sources.

Contact Lisa Carlson at 213-576-6785 for further information.

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)
Tracy Vergets

The last SWAMP roundtable meeting, in which the State Board, Regional Boards, and California Department of Fish and Game participate in, was held in Sacramento on September 23-24, 2002. This meeting was combined with a workshop on bacteriology issues, field sample collection and field measurement methodologies. The field reconnaissance for the Santa Monica Bay Watershed Management Area necessary for the upcoming sampling funded in FY2001/02 was completed on August 21, 2002. Staff documented water quality and field observations at seventy sites. Final decisions regarding sites (i.e., which are sampleable and which are not) will be made shortly and the sampling design completed. Sampling for this watershed is scheduled to commence in March of 2003. For more information, please contact Tracy Vergets at (213) 576-6661.

Santa Clara River Chloride TMDL
Elizabeth Erickson

A public workshop was held on July 1 in Santa Clarita to discuss the pending release of the chloride TMDL and gather stakeholder comments. The TMDL describes the chloride impairment at the Blue Cut Gauging station near the Los Angeles/Ventura County line, identifies the source of 80 % of the chloride as point sources, includes a numeric target which is close to the water quality objective based on a statistical evaluation of the historic data, and contains an implementation plan with sufficient time to complete additional hydrological studies, pollution prevention plans, re-evaluate the TMDL limits and design and construct a more costly desalting system. Comments were received from growers, city planners, landowners and waste discharge operators and incorporated in the document. The TMDL was released for public comment in July. The TMDL is being presented to the Regional Board at the October Board meeting.

Santa Clara River Nutrients and Effects TMDL
Elizabeth Erickson

A source analysis, hydrological study and linkage analysis were completed for nutrients and their effects in the Santa Clara River. The data available in the watershed, the available technical analyses and stakeholder collaboration contributed to this effort. The steering committee of the stakeholder group reviewed the model and is preparing comments to improve the model.

A review for all stakeholders was scheduled held in Santa Paula on October 15.

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. The group as a whole has begun review of an internal working draft of a watershed management plan. Information about the management committee and its subcommittees can be found at http://www.calleguas.com/ccbrochure/cc.htm.

The Executive Steering Committee last met on June 19 jointly with the Management Plan subcommittees which are now involved with reviewing an internal draft of the Management Plan. A public draft is tentatively scheduled to be available in April 2003.

The Water Quality/Water Resources Subcommittee is closely involved with the Board’s TMDLs in the watershed. A public review draft of the Calleguas Creek Nutrient TMDL report can be found at http://www.calleguas.com/ccbrochure/cc.htm. The subcommittee is also working on identification of surface and groundwater quality/quantity issues, determination of the feasibility of a regional salinity management project, and evaluation of candidate cooperative local programs for managing the use and re-use of water. The group last met on September 17 to discuss a Regional Management Plan to address surface water impairments as well as get an update on the South Las Posas Recharge Study and the Regional Salinity Management Project.

The Flood Protection/Sedimentation Subcommittee last met on October 14. The Subcommittee is responsible for developing a hydrologic computer model to simulate various conditions in the Watershed, developing a runoff management strategy to establish standards to reduce runoff amounts, establishing uniform hydrologic criteria and methodology, identifying deficiencies in existing and potential for future flood and sediment control facilities, developing a plan for flood water conservation/re-use, and addressing beach nourishment issues

The Public Outreach/Education Subcommittee last met on August 20 and will be involved with organization of a proposed public workshop tentatively scheduled for October/November.

A Land Use Subcommittee includes representatives from local planning agencies. This subcommittee is last met on September 10. The collection and utilization of land use data (GIS-based) continues to be a major task of the group.

The Habitat/Recreation Subcommittee last met on September 10. The group has completed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) habitat mapping of the Watershed, and developed a Watershed Evaluation Study identifying conflict and opportunity areas for habitat restoration and conservation. The subcommittee is also developing a habitat management strategy and restoration guidelines, a focused trails plan and a model for feasibility evaluation of proposed wetland restoration projects. A previous work product, funded by the California Coastal Conservancy, is the Watershed Wetlands Restoration Plan. Prioritization of sites identified in the Restoration Plan will be the next step and a consultant has been selected to conduct this work. Both the Watershed Evaluation Study and Wetlands Restoration Plan are available at http://www.calleguas.com/ccbrochure/cc.htm. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for November 12.

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 that 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.lasgrwc.org.

The Watershed Council has published a document entitled, "Beneficial Uses of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers." Copies may be obtained by contacting the Watershed Council’s offices at 213-367-4111. The Watershed Council is also producing a document entitled, "Water Supply and Management in the Los Angeles Area" which is currently being circulated as a draft for public comment.

Information about the Arroyo Seco, a major tributary to the Los Angeles River, may be found at the Arroyo Seco Foundation’s website http://www.arroyoseco.org/.

The Friends of the LA River is a nonprofit organization formed in 1986 in support of Los Angeles River restoration activities. More information about the organization may be found at http://www.folar.org/.

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.

In 1999, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the Department of Public Works (in cooperation with the County Departments of Parks and Recreation and Regional Planning) to prepare a San Gabriel River Master Plan. The National Park Service through its Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program will assist in the development effort. All river stakeholders have been invited to participate. The Master Plan will be a consensus-based document that will recognize and address River issues and concerns of the stakeholders. It will include areas within existing rights of way from Morris Dam in the San Gabriel Mountains to the River's outlet in Seal Beach. The Master Plan will identify project opportunities for enhancements for recreation, open space, and habitat areas; restoration; preservation of the River's natural resources; maintaining flood protection and existing water rights. The Master Plan effort will be coordinated with the activities of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountain Conservancy. A consultant has been chosen to prepare the document which is expected to be ready for approval in 2003. Information on the Master Plan effort may be found at http://ladpw.org/pln/sgrmp/.

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy has produced a Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan which may be obtained at http://www.rmc.ca.gov/. The Conservancy is an independent State agency within the Resources Agency of the State of California established by state law in 1999. Its jurisdiction includes the San Gabriel River and its tributaries, the Lower Los Angeles River and its tributaries, and the San Gabriel Mountains, Puente Hills, and San Jose Hills. It was established to preserve urban open space and habitats in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife and habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. Approaches for implementation of the Open Space Plan are now under discussion.

The Friends of the San Gabriel River is an active stakeholder in the watershed and their website is at http://www.sangabrielriver.org/.

Ventura River Watershed

A "State of the Watershed" report for the Ventura River Watershed has recently been finalized by Regional Board staff. The report describes the watershed 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 are also available.

An Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study in ongoing in the watershed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Ventura County Flood Control District are the major partners in this effort which will evaluate, among other options, the feasibility of restoring the ecosystem through removal of Matilija Dam. More information may obtained on the website http://www.matilijadam.org/.

The Matilija Coalition is a local group committed to removal of Matilija Dam and subsequent ecosystem restoration. More information about the group may be found at http://www.matilija-coalition.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, habitat/species, monitoring/water quality, education, and Rindge Dam.

The Watershed Council last met on October 8 and included a report on subcommittee activities and project/grant updates. Also included was a presentation on Malibu’s newly adopted Local Coastal Program. Minutes from previous meetings, agendas for future meetings, and information about the watershed may be found on the Council’s website at http://www.malibuwatershed.org/.

A Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study is underway. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and California Department of Parks and Recreation are the major partners in this effort which will evaluate, among other options, the feasibility of restoring the ecosystem through removal of Rindge Dam. A public scoping meeting for the effort was held on May 29 and the technical advisory group last met on August 23.

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 has been to prioritize potential watershed protection actions previously identified, and participate in a coordinated resource management planning (CRMP) process. A finalized management plan was released on May 16. The Committee will continue work on implementation of actions identified in the Management Plan and last met on September 19. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for October 19 and will include a presentation on the State of the Watershed. Their website address is http://www.TopangaOnline.com/twc/.

The group’s Technical and Landowners Advisory Committee provides oversight for watershed restoration studies that will help develop design parameters for possible restoration of the Topanga Lagoon and select stretches of the creek. A finalized restoration feasibility study was released on May 28. A consultant has been selected to do engineering design work for the highest priority restoration activities identified in the study. The Committee last met on September 23 to finalize details of the work.

Dominguez Watershed

The Dominguez Watershed Advisory Council was formed in February 2001 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 approved by the State Water Resources Control Board for the LA County Department of Public Works to work on a watershed plan and a consultant has been selected. Many members of the group are interested in participating in Regional Board TMDL work in the watershed. Monitoring will be a major early activity. Subcommittees have been formed to address detailed technical issues. Meetings are generally held on the first Wednesday of each month. The group’s website is at http://ladpw.org/wmd/watershed/dc/.

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 a 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.

The Third Annual Wetlands Recovery Project Symposium will be held in Ventura on October 16-18 and will once again focus on providing information and technical tools to facilitate wetlands recovery in Southern California. The WRP Symposium provides a forum for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals working on wetlands and watershed projects in Southern California to share their successes and challenges, get information from experts on critical issues, and learn how the Wetlands Recovery Project can help you with your efforts. It is also an opportunity to learn how your local efforts with restoration projects, watershed planning groups, and the County Task Forces fit into the larger regional context of WRP. This year, Symposium sessions include Implementing Community Restoration Projects, Wetland and Watershed Education, Local Funding Innovations, an Introduction to HGM, and others.

Minutes from previous meetings and other information about the group and the upcoming Symposium may be found on their website at http://www.coastalconservancy.ca.gov/scwrp/index.html.

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 at the end of December 2001. The consolidated statewide document is the basis for many funding decisions including allocating money for monitoring, TMDL development, and grant monies disbursement. Hardcopies 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 updated document may also be obtained electronically (in MSWord97) by contacting Shirley Birosik, Watershed Coordinator, at 213-576-6679 or sbirosik@rb4.swrcb.ca.gov. It can also be downloaded off the Regional Board’s website at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/html/programs/regional_programs.html.

Funding

Information on a wide variety of funding sources is available on the Regional Board webpage at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/html/fundings.html under "Grant Funding Sources" as both a Word97 document and Adobe Acrobat file.

Proposition 13 Funding: The review and ranking process for Phase II funding has been completed. The list of projects recommended for funding is on the State Board’s website at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/.

Clean Water Act Section 319(h) and 205(j) Funding: 319(h) grants are for management of non-point source pollution while 205(j) grants are for planning and assessment purposes. The review and ranking process for this year’s funding has been completed. The list of projects recommended for funding is on the State Board’s website at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/.

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

LA County MS4 Program - Malibu Local Coastal Plan
Xavier Swamikannu

Regional Board staff assisted Board Vice Chair Susan Cloke with her presentation supporting the adoption of the Malibu Local Coastal Plan (Malibu LCP) before the Coastal Commission at its hearing in Los Angeles on September 12. Regional Board staff worked with Coastal Commission staff to make sure that the water quality elements of the Malibu LCP were consistent with the Regional Board’s water quality mandates and that the water quality impacts of beach front home development are considered during plan review. The Coastal Commission adopted the Malibu LCP on September 13, 2002.

Industrial – Sun Valley Outreach Project
Yi Lu

During the month of September, a special task force of storm water staff conducted an outreach project in the Sun Valley area. The project focused on several major streets in the area, along which a large number of industrial facilities (e.g., auto dismantlers, metal recyclers) are located. The objectives of the project are three-fold: 1) to identify potential non-filers; 2) to evaluate effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) implemented at the facilities; and 3) to communicate Regional Board staff requirements to these facilities. Regional Board staff anticipates completion of this Project by the end of October 2002.

Public Association Coordination – Southern California Association of POTWs
Xavier Swamikannu

Regional Board staff attended a meeting of the Southern California Association of POTWs (SCAP) on September 5, in Riverside. Staff responded to questions to help SCAP better understand storm water pollution issues and identified opportunities where SCAP can be of assistance to MS4 permittees, in particular the feasibility of dry weather treatment.

Industrial/ Construction Storm Water Presentation
Carlos Urrunaga

On September 24 and 25, 2002, Regional Board staff made presentations on storm water pollution prevention at workshops conducted by the Los Angeles Airport Authority at Van Nuys Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport, respectively. The workshops were organized by the City of Los Angeles’ World Airports environmental management staff for the purpose of educating airport tenant facility operators.

Staff discussed the upcoming changes to the state construction storm water permit and explained compliance expectations under the airports’ industrial storm water permit.

Long Beach MS4 Permit – Public Outreach
Lilia Martinez

On August 27, 2002, Regional Board staff presented to the Long Beach MS4 program for Greater Long Beach Area Community Awareness and Emergency Response Association (CAERA). The presentation was requested by a staff member of the California Lands Commission, and provided attendees with an overview of the permit requirements.

Public Outreach Participation
Michael Yang

Regional Board staff assisted in distributing outreach materials and answering questions from visitors at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works booth at the Los Angeles County Fair on September 23, 2002.

Industrial – Outreach
Yi Lu

On September 25, 2002, Regional Board staff made a presentation at the meeting of California Waste Association, Orange County Chapter. Staff presented a brief summary of the USEPA Contract Inspection Project and answered questions from the audience. There was approximately 40 audiences attended the meeting.

On September 26, 2002, staff gave a presentation at a training session of the California Metal Casting Association (CMCA). CMCA is one of the monitoring groups formed under the General Permit. Staff presented a summary of the USEPA Contract Inspection Project, and answered questions from the audience. The meeting was well attended.

Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Landscape Architects
Ejigu Solomon

On October 3, 2002, Regional Board staff made a presentation at the annual meeting of the association of landscape architects of Southern California. The operations of this association are crucial in curtailing irrigation runoff that results in dry weather flow and impacting of receiving waters with nutrients, pesticides and other stressors. Regional Board staff discussed water quality issues in general, and specific BMPs for landscape irrigation in particular.

Underground Storage Tank Case Review Workshop At City of Los Angeles Fire Department and Staff Participation in CUPA Meeting
Weixing Tong

On September 18, 2002, staff from UST section, held a UST case review workshop at City of Los Angeles Fire Department. The workshop presented an overview of UST case review procedures that are currently used at the Los Angeles Regional Board. Each staff member presented a case review example to demonstrate various review components. The audiences are all tank inspectors and supervisors who are handing UST cases at City Fire Department. The workshop was well received by the City Fire Department staff. On October 2, 2002, Board staff participated in regular CUPA meeting held in Ventura.

Professional Environmental Marketing Association (PEMA)
David Bacharowski

On September 12, 2002 Regional Board staff made a presentation to the Professional Environmental Marketing Association (PEMA). PEMA is a national organization with chapters in most major cities. The organization membership is made up of consultants from a variety of environmental and architect/engineering disciplines including: air quality, analytical labs, geo-technical, civil, hydrology, EIR development, environmental engineering, hazmat, groundwater, industrial compliance, site assessment and remediation, solid waste management, and wastewater treatment. The presentation provided on overview of the Regional Boards twelve General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR’s) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) Permits. A detailed presentation was provided for the newest General WDR for Groundwater Remediation at Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fuel and/or Volatile Organic Compound Impacted Sites.

Watershed Presentation – Oneonta Montessori Elementary School, Alhambra
Blythe Ponek-Bacharowski

On October 9, 2002, Regional Board staff made a watershed presentation to 125 elementary school children at the Oneonta Montessori School in Alhambra. Regional Board staff demonstrated how pollution in the watersheds are carried to waterbodies, and what can be done to prevent pollution. The children also were taught what wetlands are and their role in pollution control and maintaining bio-diversity.

CTR and SIP Presentation – Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA)
Blythe Ponek-Bacharowski

On October 10, 2002, Regional Board staff made a presentation to Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) on the California Toxics Rule (CTR) and the State Implementation Plan (SIP), and how they impact both direct and indirect dischargers. VICA is a private, non-profit, non-partisan business association with more than one thousand individual and corporate members from the greater Los Angeles region. VICA works to encourage the economic vitality and growth of the region and to define, advocate, and promote the agenda of the area’s business community.

Historical Civil Engineering Landmark Dedication by the American Society of Civil Engineers – Whittier Narrows Water Reclamation Plant
Blythe Ponek-Bacharowski

Regional Board staff attended a plaque dedication by the American Society of Civil Engineers for the Whittier Narrows Water Reclamation Plant which was the first reclamation plant built by the County Sanitation Districts in 1962. Since its start-up, the plant has produced approximately 180 billion gallons of reclaimed water, enough to fill the Rose Bowl over 1000 times. Today, virtually all of the water produced by the plant is beneficially reused.

Section 401 Water Quality Certification Programs 

NONPOINT SOURCE

Proposition 13

The following proposals in Region 4 were selected for funding under Prop 13, 31 (h), 205(j). The list(s) were adopted at the October 17, 2002 State Water Resources Control Board meeting.

Contract Name

Contract Total ($)

Malibu Creek Watershed Wide Monitoring Plan

$509,543.00

Use of Improved Technologies and BMP's for Control of Nursery Runoff

$2,678,765.00

Effects of Marine/Estuarine Hydrodynamics on Pollutant Transport

$1,300.00

Malibu Lagoon Water Quality and Habitat Enhancement

$825,000.00

Water Quality Assessment, Source ID and Management Action evaluation SG River

$800,000.00

Assessing and Reducing Sources of Plastics/Trash in Urban and Coastal Waters

$484,182.00

Little Dalton Canyon Env. Discovery Center and Equestrian Facility

$621,500.00

McGrath Lake Watershed Phase I

$96,500.00

Three Springs Water Quality Improvements

$199,700.00

Montana Basin Dry-Wet Weather Runoff BMP

$962,000.00

City of LA Augustus B. Hawkins Wetlands Habitat

$100,000.00

Los Angeles River Street- End Bio-filtration

$353,800.00

Project Connect: Restoring the Creek-Community Connection in SG Valley

$625,500.00

Methodology for Prioritizing Structural BMPs Projects

$219,235.00

Upper Santa Clara River Watershed Arundo Donax & Tamarisk Eradication Prog

$1,500,000.00

Malibu Creek Watershed Urban Runoff Reduction Project

$122,214.00

Env Justice Watershed Awareness: Conservation and Pollution Prevention

$790,000.00

SG Watershed NPS Pollution Reduction Program

$205,275.00

Hamilton Bowl Trash Reduction Project

$783,000.00

El Rio Sewer System Project

$2,500,000.00

Saticoy Recycle and Groundwater Recharge Facility

$2,000,000.00

319 Grants

Contract Name

Contract Total ($)

Community-Based Watershed Pollution Prevention Partnership

$250,000

Los Angeles River Street-End Bio-filtration

$223,394

Santa Clara River Stream Team Nutrient BMP Project

$78,900

205(j) Grant

Contract Name

Contract Total ($)

Ventura River Watershed Planning

$25,000

Section 401 Water Quality Certification Program

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

8/9/2002

County Sanitation District No. 26 of Los Angeles County

Soledad Canyon Trunk Sewer, Section Four Rehabilitation

Standard WQC Amendment

8/15/2002

West Pointe Homes

West Pointe Homes

Conditional WQC

8/16/2002

Ventura County Public Works Agency

Balcom Canyon Road Storm Damage Repair

Conditional WQC Amendment

8/16/2002

Pomona College/ Padova Padua Hills

Padua Hills (Formerly Claremont Hills), Tentative Tract 50568, Modified Project - Amendment #1

Conditional WQC Amendment

8/19/2002

California Department of Transportation

State Route 150 Bridge Wing-Wall Repair Project

Conditional WQC

8/19/2002

SL Agoura Hills, LLC and J.H. Snyder Co.

Mixed Use Development Project, Agoura Hills

Conditional WQC

8/19/2002

Senson Ridge, L.L.C.

Cagney Ranch

Conditional WQC

8/19/2002

Trexon Investments, LLC

Koenigstein Road - Private Driveway

Conditional WQC

8/20/2002

Ventura County Flood Control District

Hueneme Drain Outlet Pipe Repair

Conditional WQC

8/20/2002

Hummingbird's Nest Ranch

Hummingbird's Nest Ranch

Conditional WQC

9/6/2002

Ventura County Flood Control District

Warring Debris Basin Sediment Removal, Intake Structure Replacement, and Dam Improvements

Conditional WQC

9/11/2002

Haseley Canyon Land Company

Haseley Canyon Project VTTM 52584

Conditional WQC

9/11/2002

LA County Public Works

Clearing Vegetation From Earth- Bottom Flood Control Channel Amendment #1

Conditional WQC

9/11/2002

Tahiti Harbor Ltd.

Tahiti Marina Finger Repair/Replacement Project

Standard WQC

9/12/2002

CalTrans

LA-5 High Occupancy -Vehicular Lanes, Route 118-14, at Weldon Creek

Conditional WQC

9/13/2002

Browning Ferris Industries

Sunshine Canyon Landfill Closure 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 Jason Lambert at (213) 576-5733. 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.

Personnel Report

As of October 24, 2002 our staff total is 162: 142 technical staff (including 4 part-time staff), 9 permanent analytical staff and 11 permanent clerical staff.

The following separated from Region 4:

Lilia Martinez, Environmental Scientist, separated from State service effective 09/30/02.



Attachment "A"

Enforcement Unit NPDES Facility Inspections

"A" type compliance - Comprehensive inspection, no samples were taken

"B" type compliance - A routine nonsampling inspection

Enforcement Unit NPDES Facility Inspections (October 2002)

Discharger

Facility Name

CI No.

Order No

Program Class

Address

City

NPDES_No

Inspection Date

Spieker Properties

Santa Monica Gateway

7235

97-045

MIN (B)

11175 Santa Monica Blvd

Los Angeles

CAG994001

10/1/02

Shell Oil Products Co.

Tank Leak-Shell Oil Gasoline S

7086

97-046

MIN (B)

8873 Sunset Blvd

West (Br. P.O. Name for West Hollywood)

CAG834001

10/2/02

Voit Management Co., LP

Plaza Six, Warner Center

6926

97-045

MIN (B)

21700 Oxnard St.

Woodland Hills

CAG994001

10/3/02

The Boeing Company

Rocketdyne Div. - Santa Susana

6027

98-051

MAJ (A)

Santa Susana Field

Simi Hills

CA0001309

10/3/02



Attachment "B"

General Permitting Unit

General NPDES Permit Authorization/Revision and Termination – September 2002

 

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

East Pasadena Water Company, Well Nos. 8 and 10, located at the Mountain View Avenue, Pasadena

 

9/5/02

 

2

Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Marina Del Rey 24-Inch Feedline, along Abbot-Kinney and Washington Boulevard, Marina Del Rey

 

 

9/6/02

3

Arden Realty, Inc. Wilshire-San Vicente Plaza, 8383 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills

9/11/02

 

 

4

City of Beverly Hills, Beverly Canon Parking & Retail Project, Beverly Drive and Brighton Way, Beverly Hills

 

 

9/13/02

5

Walnut Valley Water District, Thatcher Well, Corner of Lemon Avenue and Lycoming Street, Diamond Bar

 

 

9/17/02

6

Southern California Edison, Desalination Plant Seawater Source Wells Development & Aquifer Test Test Project, Pebbly Beach, Santa Catalina Island

9/5/02

 

 

7

Walnut Valley Water District, Valley Grand and Fairway Wells, Near San Jose Creek, Pomona and City of Industry

 

 

9/23/02

8

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Imaging Building Dewatering Project, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles

 

 

9/23/02

9

Department of Water and Power, City of Los Angeles, Hollywood Reservoir, Los Angeles

 

 

9/25/02

10

The Painted Turtle Gang Camp Foundation, The Painted Turtle Camp, 1700 Elizabeth Lake Rd, Lake Hughes

9/24/02

 

 

11

City of Lakewood, Production Well No.14 Pump Test Project, 4335 Woodruff Avenue, Lakewood

 

 

9/25/02

 

 

 

 

 

B

NPDES CAG994002 (Order No. 97-043) Dewatering (treatment required)

 

 

 

1

Arden Realty Limited Partnership, Comstock Building, 10351 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles

9/23/02

 

 

2

City of San Buenaventura, Ventura Water Reclamation Facility, Construction of New Influent Headworks, Ventura

9/25/02

 

 

3

Playa Capital Company (Playa Phase 1 Commercial Land Company), Playa Vista Development (Phase 1), Los Angeles

 

9/24/02

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.

NPDES CAG674001 (Order No. 97-047) Hydrostatic Test Water

 

 

 

1

Department of Water and Power, Hollywood Water Quality Improvement Project, Los Angeles

 

 

9/10/02

2

Shell Oil Products US (Shell Van Nuys Terminal), 1800 Haskell Avenue, Van Nuys

9/23/02

 

 

3

Central Basin Municipal Water District, Rio Hondo Pump Station, 4300 San Gabriel River Parkway, Pico Rivera

9/24/02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.

NPDES CAG994003 (Order No. 98-055) Nonprocess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.

NPDES CAG834001 (Order No.2002-0125) – Cleanup of Petroleum Fuel Pollution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F.

NPDES CAG914001(Order No. 2002-0107) – Cleanup of Volatile Organic Compounds Contaminated Groundwater

 

 

 

1.

City Monterey Park, Well No. 20, Near Klingerman and Muscatel Street, Rosemead

 

 

9/12/02

2.

Eric Realty, Inc., 16055 Heron Avenue, La Mirada

9/5/02

 

 

3

Chromalloy Los Angeles, 2100 West 139th Street, Gardena

9/24/02

 

 

 



Attachment "C"

Monthly Summary of Regional Board Enforcement Actions

September 2002

 

 

Notice of

NOVs

NTCs

CAOs

TSOs

CDOs

Administrative

Civil

Liability

 

Program Total

  

13267

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

Penalty

Complaints

 

 

 

 

Letters

Compliance

 

 

 

 

 

Migden Mandatory

Storm-water related

All others

Total ACLs

 

Enforcement

3

 

3

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

5

11

NPDES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stormwater

 

3

18

29

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

52

Underground Tanks

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

Site Cleanup I, II & III

2

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

WDRs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landfills

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Other (401, NPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

25

4

21

29

2

 

 

5

 

 

5

86

YTD Total

675

406

454

305

15

2

16

24

9

1

38

1895

 

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

 
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