MAY 14, 1997 MEETING AGENDA ITEM 7

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD MEETING

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

May 14, 1997

ITEM 7: ACCEPTANCE OF A $610,097 GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME (DEPARTMENT) ON BEHALF OF THE CANTARA TRUSTEE COUNCIL (COUNCIL) FOR INCREASED REGULATORY PRESENCE AND FOCUSED WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM IN THE UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER WATERSHED

DISCUSSION: The Cantara Trustee Council requested proposals for projects to restore or enhance the Upper Sacramento River. The Council was formed as a result of a settlement with Southern Pacific Railroad over the 1991 Cantara Spill which destroyed all aquatic life downstream of the Cantara Loop crossing in the Upper Sacramento River. The main charge of the Council is to decide how to best spend $14 million in settlement funds to assist the River's recovery or to improve similar habitat in nearby rivers and streams. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Department holds the funds on behalf of the Council.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board presented a proposal which the Council unanimously approved to fund a staff person and provide laboratory expenses for a period of 4.25 years beginning FY 1996/97 The purpose of the grant is to investigate water quality and increase regulatory presence in the Upper Sacramento River.

Since the Cantara Spill the Department has been monitoring the recovery of aquatic and terrestrial life. Recovery of some species has not occurred or is occurring at a slower rate than would normally be expected. There has never been a water quality monitoring program to investigate the effects of point and nonpoint discharges to the Upper Sacramento River. This project will monitor effects of various discharges in the watershed, investigate existing and proposed discharges and take regulatory action to mitigate impacts where they are determined to have a significant impact to water quality.

POLICY ISSUE: Should a $610,097 grant over a period of five years be accepted from the Department on behalf of the Cantara Trustee Council for identification and control of pollution sources in the Upper Sacramento River.

FISCAL IMPACT: Acceptance of this grant will increase the SWRCB's funds by $610,097 to be disbursed over a 4.25 year period to fund 1.0 PY over that period.

REGIONAL BOARD IMPAC T: The Central Valley Regional Water quality Control Board will perform all work activities to be funded from the money.

STAFF The SWRCB authorize the Executive Director to accept a $610,097 grant RECOMMEN from the Department on behalf of the Cantara Trustee Council for DATION: identification and control of pollution sources in the Upper Sacramento River.

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 97-

ACCEPTANCE OF A $610,017 GRANT OVER A PERIOD OF 4.25 YEARS FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME ON BEHALF OF THE CANTARA TRUSTEE COUNCIL FOR IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION SOURCES IN THE UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER WATERSHED

WHEREAS:

1. Monitoring and improvement of water quality in the Upper Sacramento River is a high priority of the State Water Board;

2. The Cantara Trustee Council has allocated 14 million dodllars for Resource Protection, Restoration, Rehabilitation, Enhancement, Acquisition and Research of the Upper Sacramento River and similar ecosystems;

3. The Department of Fish and Game provides administrative services to the Cantara Trustee Council;

4. $610,017 is available from the Cantara Trustee Council for Regional Board activities in the Upper Sacramento River Watershed for monitoring and improvement of water quality within the watershed; and

5. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board will conduct a program to identify and control pollution sources in the Upper Sacramento River.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Board hereby authorizes the Executive Director to accept a $610,017 grant from the California Department of Fish and Game on behalf of the Cantara Trustee Council to fund State and Regional Water Board staff, laboratory and equipment costs associated with identification and control of pollution sources in the Upper Sacramento River.

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 meting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on May 14, 1997.

_________________________

Maureen Marché

Administative Assistant to the Board