SUBJECT

Three-year contract with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) for health risk assessment services.

DISCUSSION

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has responsibility to oversee the cleanup of sites where groundwater contamination is a primary concern. Usually these sites can be remediated without the need of a health risk assessment; however, there are sites where conditions do require responsible parties to conduct such an assessment.

The Governor's reorganization plan for the creation of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) identified OEHHA as the entity to provide health risk assessment assistance to the various boards and departments within the Agency. Occasionally the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) require assistance in the review of health risk assessments. The SWRCB and RWQCBs typically do not employ staff to perform this specialized work.

POLICY ISSUE

Should the SWRCB contract with the OEHHA to review health risk assessments for RWQCBs.

FISCAL IMPACT

The total fiscal impact is $507,600 over three fiscal years from the following funding sources: Cleanup and Abatement Account $312,500; Environmental Protection Trust Fund $60,000; Department of Defense $97,000; Redevelopment Agency $15,000; Underground Storage Tank Fund $15,000; General Fund $8,100.

RWQCB IMPACT

All RWQCBs will be participating in the contract.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That the SWRCB authorize the executive director to enter into a $507,600 contract with OEHHA.

WHEREAS:

1.  The Governor’s reorganization plan for the creation of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) identified the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as the entity to provide health risk assessment assistance to the various boards and departments within the Agency.

2.  The Regional Water Quality Control Boards occasionally require the review of health risk assessments prepared by parties responsible for site cleanup.

3.  The State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards typically do not employ staff to perform this specialized work.
 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board authorize the Executive Director or his designee to enter into an agreement, not to exceed $507,600, and any amendments thereto, with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to provide health risk assessment assistance to the Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
 

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 August 19, 1999.

______________________________
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant to the Board