STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD MEETING
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 20, 1997
ITEM: 6
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF A $571,367 GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON CALIFORNIA-BAJA CALIFORNIA BORDER WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
DISCUSSION: EPA is requesting applications for grants for federal fiscal year 1996/97 to continue a New River Water Quality Monitoring Program and to carry out activities for the New River and Tijuana River pollution abatement projects. $571,367 is available for FFY 1996/97.
The New River is often cited as the most polluted river in the United States. At the request of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and due to deteriorating water quality and public health conditions, Governor Wilson issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency on September 23, 1993. The governments of the United States and Mexico have signed a Treaty which identifies New River pollution conceptual abatement plans. The United States Congress has authorized 47.5 million dollars to begin implementing Mexican border water pollution projects. EPA has tentatively allocated 27.5 million dollars for New River pollution abatement projects.
SWRCB and CRBRWQCB staff have been asked by EPA and International Boundary and Water Commission to continue a major technical support and project facilitation role. The objective of this assistance is to ensure that technical solutions to Mexicali and Tijuana pollution sources are cost-effective and sufficient to protect New River water quality and also to facilitate implementation of these projects with the Border Environment Cooperation Commission and State and local agencies. In addition, EPA has asked CRBRWQCB to continue a major sampling program to document existing New River problems and to develop a baseline to be used to demonstrate water quality improvements in the future.
POLICY ISSUE: Should $571,367 be accepted from EPA to carry out activities for New River and Tijuana River pollution abatement?
FISCAL IMPACT: Acceptance of this grant will increase the SWRCB's federal funds by $571,367 and 4.6 PYs. We currently have budget authority for this grant of $440,000 and 4.0 PYs. We will need additional expenditure authority of $131,367 and 0.6 Pys to spend the entire grant amount. Such authority may be obtained through the budget process.
REGIONAL BOARD IMPACT: The Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board will be performing the majority of the activities to be funded from this money.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director to accept a $571,367 grant from EPA for New River and Tijuana River pollution abatement projects.
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
RESOLUTION NO. 97-
ACCEPTANCE OF A $571,367 GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) TO CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES
FOR NEW RIVER AND TIJUANA RIVER POLLUTION ABATEMENT
WHEREAS:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The State Water Board hereby authorizes the Executive Director to accept a $571,367 grant from the EPA to fund State and Regional Water Board staff costs associated with New River and Tijuana River pollution abatement projects.
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on February 20, 1997.
_______________________________________
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant to the Board