STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD MEETING

MAY 18, 2000

ITEM: 10

SUBJECT:

CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AND AMEND AS NECESSARY A STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY TO IMPLEMENT A STATEWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

DISCUSSION:

The Legislature mandated (SB 1189/AB 592) the creation of a pilot project and a report on the feasibility of a statewide geographic information system (GIS) which would display potential hydrocarbon release sites and drinking water source sites. As reported to the Legislature, the pilot was successful and a database was developed to store statewide information to be accessible through the GIS.

To comply with the Governor’s Executive Order (D-5-99), expansion of the pilot study statewide will allow permit data entry and the display of information to identify vulnerability of public drinking water sources to MTBE from nearby sites with MTBE releases. This data will be maintained in a database (GEIMS – Geographic Environmental Information Management System), updated, accessed, and displayed via the Internet using a GIS (GeoTracker).

Implementation of a statewide system will dramatically improve access and analysis of environmental data by site regulators and environmental consultants and thereby minimize the threat of contamination of sources for drinking water. This system will replace the existing Leaking Underground Storage Tank Information System (LUSTIS) which was originally designed to provide quarterly progress reports to USEPA.

POLICY ISSUE:

Should the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director or his designee to execute and amend as necessary a standard agreement with the Department of Energy/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to implement a statewide environmental database and GIS.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Expenditure authority in the amount of $667,000 has been authorized through a redirection of funds from the UST Cleanup Fund.

RWQCB IMPACT:

None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

That the SWRCB adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director or his designee to execute and amend as necessary a standard agreement in an amount up to $667,000 with the Department of Energy/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to implement a statewide environmental database and geographic information system.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

DRAFT 5/8/2000

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 2000-___

AUTHORIZE EXECUTION AND AMENDMENT OF STANDARD AGREEMENT

WITH THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/LAWRENCE LIVERMORE

NATIONAL LABORATORY TO IMPLEMENT A STATEWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

WHEREAS:

1. The Legislature mandated (SB 1189/AB 592) the creation of a pilot project and a report on the feasibility of a statewide geographic information system (GIS) which would display potential hydrocarbon release sites and drinking water source sites. As reported to the Legislature, the pilot was successful and a database was developed to store statewide information to be Internet accessible through the GIS.

2. In compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D-5-99), expansion of the pilot study statewide will allow permit data entry and the display of information to identify vulnerability of public drinking water sources to MTBE from nearby sites with MTBE releases. This data will be maintained in a database (GEIMS – Geographic Environmental Information Management System), updated, accessed, and displayed via the Internet using a GIS (GeoTracker).

3. Implementation of a statewide system will dramatically improve access and analysis of environmental data by site regulators and environmental consultants and thereby minimize the threat of contamination of sources for drinking water. This system will replace the existing Leaking Underground Storage Tank Information System (LUSTIS) which was originally designed to provide quarterly progress reports to USEPA.

4. Expenditure authority comes from a redirection of funds from the UST Cleanup Fund.

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 $667,000 in total, and any amendments thereto, with the U. S. Department of Energy/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to implement a statewide environmental database and GIS.

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 May 18, 2000.

___________________________________

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board