| ITEM: | 1
|
| SUBJECT: | CONSIDERATION OF
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO APPROVE THE
1999-2002 CALIFORNIA OCEAN PLAN TRIENNIAL REVIEW WORKPLAN: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
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| DISCUSSION: | In August 1998,
the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) issued a report titled
"The
California Ocean Plan Triennial Review Staff Report: Issues for Review."
This
report invited public comments on the appropriateness of various issues
for review. The SWRCB conducted three public hearings (in Sacramento on
September 1, 1998, in Irvine on September 9, 1998, and in Monterey on October
9, 1998) to solicit comments on which sections of the California Ocean
Plan (Ocean Plan) should be assessed for possible revision.
Thirty-five issues were presented by the public at the hearing and in the written comments. In response, staff has prepared the May 27, 1999 report titled "1999-2002 California Ocean Plan Triennial Review Workplan" (Workplan) to address these issues and comments. For each issue, the Workplan (1) provides a background description, (2) identifies commenters, (3) summarizes comments, and (4) describes level of effort necessary to examine each issue. Finally, the Workplan recommends a course of action and priority list to assess individual issues during this triennial review. Twenty-three issues, grouped into five issue groups, are recommended for higher priority consideration, five issues for medium or lower priority, and seven issues are determined to be inappropriate for further consideration. Each of these issues is more fully described in the Workplan. The twenty-three higher priority issues approved for review will be addressed utilizing existing staff resources over the next three-year period following SWRCB approval of the Workplan. In addition to this baseline level of effort, staff recommends that appropriate resolution of five of the higher priority issues may require augmented budget resources and assistance of other agencies, such as municipal discharge authorities and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Region 9. Not all twenty-three higher priority issues
will result in amendments to the Ocean Plan since some are of an ongoing
nature. As issues are resolved, the Ocean Plan will be amended annually
(if necessary) using a process analogous to the process used to amend Regional
Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans).
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| POLICY
ISSUE: |
Should the SWRCB adopt a proposed resolution authorizing the Executive Director, or his designee, to approve the 1999-2002 California Ocean Plan Triennial Review Workplan: Staff Recommendations ? |
| FISCAL
IMPACT: |
Staff work associated with the proposed Workplan "Baseline Effort" (see Table on Page B-6 of the Workplan) can be accommodated within existing resources in the Division of Water Quality. The Workplan identifies $400,000 per year in existing baseline funding for contract services in FY 1999-2000 through FY 2001-2002. In addition to the "Baseline Effort," staff proposes augmented funding for selected higher priority issues beginning in FY 2000-01. This augmentation may be pursued through the budget process. |
| RWQCB
IMPACT: |
None. |
| STAFF
RECOMMEN- DATION: |
That the SWRCB:
1. Approves the Workplan and authorizes the Executive Director to transmit the Workplan to the USEPA, Region 9, in compliance with Section 303(c) (1) of the Federal Clean Water Act. 2. Directs the staff to review each of the higher priority issues by June 30, 2002 and to make recommendations to the SWRCB for any necessary changes to the Ocean Plan. 3. Authorizes the Executive Director, or his designee, to negotiate and execute contracts developed in accordance with the approved Workplan and to make changes in the Workplan as appropriate, only after the SWRCB and USEPA are informed of such required Workplan changes. 4. Affirms that the Ocean Plan, as
it currently exists, remains effective until such time as it is changed
by formal action of the SWRCB.
|
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
RESOLUTION NO.__
PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
TO APPROVE THE 1999-2002 CALIFORNIA OCEAN
PLAN
TRIENNIAL REVIEW WORKPLAN: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
WHEREAS:
1. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted the California Ocean Plan (Ocean Plan) on July 6, 1972 and revised the Ocean Plan in 1978, 1983, 1988, 1990, and 1997.
2. The SWRCB is responsible for reviewing Ocean Plan water quality standards and for modifying and adopting standards in accordance with Section 303(c)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act and Section 13170.2(b) of the California Water Code.
3. The SWRCB conducted three public hearings (in Sacramento on September 1, 1998, in Irvine on September 9, 1998, and in Monterey on October 9, 1998) to solicit comments regarding the review and revision of water quality standards contained in the Ocean Plan and has reviewed and considered carefully all comments and testimony received.
4. The SWRCB has set a priority for each issue and selected a list of issues that will be reviewed within the next three years.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The SWRCB:
1. Approves the 1999-2002 California Ocean Plan Triennial Review Workplan: Staff Recommendations (Workplan) and authorizes the Executive Director to transmit the Workplan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Region 9, in compliance with Section 303(c) (1) of the Federal Clean Water Act.
2. Directs the staff to review each of the higher priority issues by June 30, 2002 and to make recommendations to the SWRCB for any necessary changes to the Ocean Plan.
3. Authorizes the Executive Director, or his designee, to negotiate and execute contracts developed in accordance with the approved Workplan and to make changes in the Workplan as appropriate, only after the SWRCB and USEPA are informed of such required Workplan changes.
4. Affirms that the Ocean Plan, as it currently exists, remains effective until such time as it is changed by formal action of the SWRCB.
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant to the Board