The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2013-14

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

A low percentage of military cases were closed during Fiscal Year 13-14. Notable exceptions include Regions 2 and 8, which both show closure rates exceeding 10% for the Fiscal Year. 62% of all new cases are located in Region 8, and 63% of inactive cases remain located in Region 5.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

Measuring the number of active cases, new cases and the number of cases closed is important because it shows the level of activity of the program and the level of resources necessary to handle the workload. It also shows the number of pending cases that need to be cleaned up. Note that the cases represented by the data do not include all cases managed by the water boards. The cases counted only include cases with direct impacts to ground or surface waters. Closing of a cleanup case is the ultimate goal of a cleanup strategy. Closure signifies that the pollution has been cleaned up to a degree that there is no longer a threat to human health or the surrounding environment. Cases that do not meet unrestricted use at the time of closure should have deed restrictions and are expected to achieve cleanup standards in a reasonable time.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data source: GEOTRACKER. Period July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.
• Unit of Measure: Number of cases.
• Data Definitions: Active Cases: The number of cases overseen by Regional Boards that had an Open status as of June 30, 2014. Inactive Cases: Cases that have a status of inactive at 06/30/2014. New Cases-Releases: The number of cases that had a status of Open - case begin date occur any time between 07/01/2013 and 06/30/2014. Cases Closed: The number of cases that had a status of completed - case closed occurs any time between 07/01/2013 and 06/30/2014.
• References:
  Information on the Water Boards' Department of Defense program
  Public Reports and Data

GLOSSARY

Military Sites - Department of Defense Program

Decades of defense activities have degraded water quality on and around federally-owned facilities. Working with other agencies, the Regional Boards are involved with remedial investigation and cleanup actions. Agreements with the Department of Defense provide for accelerated cleanups at military bases and other Defense sites scheduled for closure and reuse. Site investigation and cleanup procedures are consistent with State laws and regulations as well as applicable provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) which guides the federal Superfund program.

Number of cleanup cases with human health exposure controlled

Means a count of all open Water Board-lead cases and Shared-lead cases where human health exposure has been evaluated as of the end of the Fiscal Year.

Active Remediation

Active remediation comprises the phase(s) of work where the actual construction or implementation of activities to accomplish cleanup at a site occurs.

Case Closure

A site qualifies to receive a "No Further Action" (closure) letter once the owner or operator meets all appropriate corrective action requirements. After this occurs, the county agency or regional board will inform the responsible party in writing that no further work is required.

Number of cleanup cases groundwater contaminant migration under control

Means a count of all open Water Board-lead cases and Shared-lead cases where groundwater contaminant migration has been evaluated as of the end of the Fiscal Year.

( Page last updated:  10/13/14 )