STATE WATER
RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
BOARD MEETING --
SAN FRANCISCO BAY REGIONAL BOARD
June 17, 1999
ITEM 11:
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT
FUNDS FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO CONTINUE THE COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENT FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY PROJECT.
DISCUSSION: The
proposed resolution authorizes the Executive Director to accept funds from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the San Francisco Estuary
Project (SFEP). Approval will ensure that the San Francisco Bay Regional
Water Quality Control Board can continue its role in implementing the Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).
In 1987, the United States
Congress created the National Estuary Program (NEP) through Section 320
of the Amended Clean Water Act to help reverse the decline of the nation's
estuaries. The NEP's purpose is to protect and improve water quality and
natural resources of designated estuaries around the country by addressing
the environmental problems specific to each. In December 1987, California's
Governor nominated the San Francisco Bay-Delta as an "estuary of national
significance" to be included in the NEP. Currently, there are 27 other
programs in the NEP, including Santa Monica Bay and Morro Bay Estuary Programs.
The purpose of the CCMP
is to develop, adopt, and oversee the implementation of a coordinated and
comprehensive strategy to protect the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary.
The actions contained in the CCMP provide the foundation for a comprehensive
approach in restoring the ecological health of the Estuary, while maintaining
the economic diversity of the region. The CCMP's nine program areas with
145 actions recognize the Estuary's environmental values and the need to
manage habitats within the sub-watersheds from an ecosystem perspective.
The CCMP was unanimously adopted by the Management Committee in June 1993
and approved later that year by the Governor and U.S. EPA Administrator.
Formal CCMP implementation is now underway. The Management Committee delegated
the role of lead agency for the Estuary Project to the San Francisco Bay
Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Association of Bay Area Governments
continues to provide administrative and management support for the Estuary
Project.
The State Board has applied
for a grant of $100,000 in federal funds from U.S. EPA to continue the
cooperative agreement for the SFEP in FY 1999-2000. The attached workplan
has been reviewed and approved by the Executive Council.
POLICY ISSUE:
Should the State Board authorize the Executive Director, or his designee,
to accept federal funds to continue the Cooperative Agreement to implement
the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan in accordance with the
workplan approved by the SFEP Executive Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The
proposed State share of the Cooperative Agreement is an in-kind match of
$100,000 from the General Fund’s support of the Regional Wetlands Management
Plan. The in-kind match involves implementing the plan to preserve, restore,
and expand Bay wetlands.
REGIONAL BOARD IMPACT:
Yes. San Francisco Bay Region.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
That the State Board authorize the Executive Director, or his designee
to accept federal funds to continue the Cooperative Agreement to implement
the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan in accordance with the
workplan approved by the SFEP Executive Council.
DRAFT May 24, 1999
STATE WATER RESOURCES
CONTROL BOARD
RESOLUTION 99-__
AUTHORIZATION TO
ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO CONTINUE
THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE
SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY
PROJECT.
WHEREAS:
1. The Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) for the San Francisco
Estuary was unanimously
adopted by the Management Committee in June 1993 and
approved later that
year by the Governor and U.S. EPA Administrator.
2. The State Board
has applied to U.S. EPA for a grant of $100,000 for FY 1999-2000 to
continue implementation
of the CCMP.
3. The Executive Council
of the San Francisco Estuary Project (SFEP) approved the workplan as
of April 15, 1999
and it will subsequently be submitted to the U.S. EPA as part of a grant
application.
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED:
1. The State Board
authorize the Executive Director, or his designee, to accept a grant from
the
U.S. EPA up to $100,000
to continue the Cooperative Agreement for FY 1999-2000 for the
implementation of
the CCMP for the San Francisco Estuary, in accordance with the workplan
approved by the SFEP's
Executive Council.
2. That the State Board
authorize the Executive Director, or his designee, to negotiate and
execute contracts
and agreements to implement the CCMP in accordance with the workplan
approved by the SFEP's
Executive Council.
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 June 17, 1999
______________________________
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant
to the Board