ITEM 4: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT A FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR (FFY) 1998 CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 104(B)(3) GRANT TO SUPPORT THE SACRAMENTO RIVER TOXIC POLLUTANT CONTROL PROGRAM AND TO NEGOTIATE, APPROVE, AND/OR AMEND THE GRANT AND WORKPLAN

DISCUSSION: The Sacramento River Toxic Pollutant Control Program (SRTPCP) was first funded by Congress in FFY 1995. The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (District) has received funding for the SRTPCP out of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) annual budget. For the FFY 1995, FFY 1996, and FFY 1997 appropriations, USEPA has provided grants to the District to carry out the SRTPCP. In the past, the District has contracted out all work that is associated with federal funding of the SRTPCP. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) has received funds from the District under contract and is responsible for major portions of the program.

To expedite the implementation of the work plan for the FFY 1998 appropriations, the District, USEPA, and Regional Board agreed that a direct grant from the USEPA to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) would be the most administratively expedient method to fund the Regional Board out of the FFY 1998 appropriation.

A single workplan for the FFY 1998 SRTPCP appropriation will be submitted to USEPA by the District and will include tasks to be conducted by the Regional Board. Once the District, USEPA, and the Regional Board agree on the tasks and responsibilities, USEPA would approve the workplan. The total amount of funding to support Regional Board activities will not exceed $519,000. The required non-federal match will be provided by the District.

The types of tasks to be funded with the FFY 1998 appropriation include development of water quality management strategies in the Sacramento River Watershed, including the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) and support for stakeholder activities.

The Regional Board's Executive Officer has indicated that the Regional Board wishes to accept this grant and is willing to apply the staff resources necessary to perform the workplan tasks. The proposed grant is consistent with the goals of the Regional Board's Watershed Management Initiative plans and will further the development of watershed management strategies for the Central Valley.

The proposed grant would be for a two-year period with the prospect of future federal grants for the SRTPCP. If required, a Section 28 request would be prepared by the SWRCB's Division of Water Quality to obtain any additional federal expenditure authority required to accept this grant.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director or his designee to apply for and accept an FFY 1998 Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3) grant not to exceed $519,000 to support the SRTPCP and to negotiate, approve, and/or amend the grant and workplan?

FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed grant amount of $519,000 may require the submission of a Section 28 request to obtain additional federal expenditure authority.

RWQCB IMPACT: The Regional Board would be required to commit additional staff resources to the SRTPCP beyond those committed in past years. This commitment may be met in part by a USEPA Region 9 employee being contracted to work at the Regional Board for the duration of the project.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director, or his designee, to apply for and accept an FFY 1998 Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3) grant not to exceed $519,000 to support the SRTPCP and to negotiate, approve, and/or amend the grant and workplan.

December 28, 1998-- DRAFT

WHEREAS:

1. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Region 9, has indicated that it proposes to grant to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) the sum of $519,000 in FFY 1998 Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3) moneys to support the Sacramento River Toxic Pollutant Control Program (SRTPCP).

2. The proposed grant would fund development of watershed management strategies by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, (Regional Board), which has indicated that it wishes to perform such activities.

3. The development of watershed management strategies, including Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) determinations, is consistent with the goals of the Regional Board's Watershed Management Initiative plans.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB authorizes the Executive Director or his designee to apply for and accept a FFY 1998 Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3) grant not to exceed $519,000 to support the Sacramento River Toxic Pollutant Control Program and to negotiate, approve, and/or amend the grant and workplan.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the SWRCB, 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 January 21, 1998.

______________________________

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board