July 12-13 , 2000 Meeting Minutes

Mr. Sandel, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m. on July 12, 2000.

1. PUBLIC FORUM

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   No one addressed the Board during the public forum..
   
   
   
2. MINUTES

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   Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 10-11, 2000 in Adelanto and June 14, 2000 in Bishop.
   
   

   Motion: Moved by Judge Newsom, seconded by Mr. Clarke and unanimously carried. to adopt the May 10-11 and June 14, 2000 minutes.

   
   
3. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR

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Motion: Moved by Dr. Cooley, seconded by Mr. Clarke and unanimously carried. to adopt the remainder of the Consent Calendar.

PLANS AND POLICIES

6. Public Hearing - Consideration of Approval of Various Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region, and a Functional Equivalent Environmental Document

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   Mr. Sandel opened the public hearing.
   
   Judith Unsicker, Environmental Specialist IV, gave the staff presentation, outlining the five topics addressed in the proposed Basin Plan amendments. Also noted was a late revision. Public comment letters regarding the proposed amendments were discussed.
   
   Tom Dodson, representing IMCC, provided data regarding surface water/brine on Searles Lake. He stated that the technical data supports the Basin Plan amendments as requested by IMCC and concluded by asking the Board to reject the staff recommendation.
   
   Larry Trowsdale, IMCC, asked the Board to distinguish between use and beneficial use on Searles Lake.
   
   Michael Fry, Wildlife Toxicologist, U.C. Davis, cited data relative to other brine lakes where salt, by itself, is sufficient to kill birds. He went on to discuss two ways that ducks die from oil.
   
   There being no further testimony, Mr. Sandel closed the public hearing.
   
   Board members discussed the options available and requested a tour of Searles Lake.
   
   Mr. Singer suggested a workshop focusing on the technical data specifically related to Searles Lake in determining the appropriateness of de-designating or designating beneficial uses. The Board could then provide feedback as to interpretation of the information, followed by appropriate documentation prepared by Board staff as to beneficial uses.
   
   

   Motion: Moved by Dr. Nebeker, seconded by Judge Newsom to adopt the staff recommendation as amended with late revisions, adding the word possibly to page 17 of the proposed amendments under "Wastewater Recycling", Antelope Valley Ground Water Basin is possibly overdrafted. Motion carried 4-1

7. Public Hearing - Consideration of Approval of Water Quality Control Plan Amendments to Remove the Municipal and Domestic Supply Use from Nine Surface Water Bodies, and a Functional Equivalent Environmental Document

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   Mr. Sandel opened the public hearing.
   
   Judith Unsicker, Environmental Specialist IV, gave the staff presentation and commented on a late revision.
   
   There being no further testimony, Mr. Sandel closed the public hearing.
   
   

   Motion: Moved by Mr. Clarke, seconded by Judge Newsom and unanimously carried. to adopt the staff recommendation as amended.

The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.

Regular Meeting, Continued
8:30 a.m. July 13, 2000

Mr. Sandel, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. on July 13, 2000. Board members present: Jack L. Clarke, Eric Sandel, P.E., William A. Newsom, Judge, ret., Eugene B. Nebeker, Ph.D., Richard A. Dodge, Ph.D. (participated via teleconference) Board members absent: Beatrice Cooley, Ph.D.

Mr. Baggett, Member of the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) and liaison to the Lahontan Region Regional Board, gave an update regarding State Board activities.

OTHER BUSINESS

9. Presentation on the Comprehensive Research and Monitoring Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin

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   Lauri Kemper, Chief, Lake Tahoe Watershed, summarized the Draft Research and Monitoring Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin and discussed the State of California's role in conducting research, monitoring and data synthesis at Lake Tahoe. Included in the presentation were funding and budgets issues.
   
   Allen Hebert, Tahoe Research Group, discussed the Lake Clarity Model and how the information gained would be used toward meeting mandated clarity thresholds.
   
   Kevin Hill, Senior Planner, TRPA, thanked staff members Lauri Kemper and Robert Erlich for their participation in the group. He went on to discuss TRPA's role in funding efforts.
   
   
   
14. Status Report on Time Schedule Order (Board Order No. 6-00-04) for California Department of Transportation, District 3 to Submit a Plan and Time Schedule to Retrofit Roads, Treat and Retain Stormwater Runoff and Stabilize Eroding Slopes in the Lake Tahoe Basin, Placer and El Dorado Counties

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    Dick Melim, Deputy District Director, Caltrans, District 3, related programmatic information as it pertains to water quality, referenced in the Lake Tahoe Basin Environmental Improvement Program Master Plan, with the goal of obtaining acceptance of the Plan by the Board.
    
    Robert Erlich, Environmental Specialist III, provided a status report outlining the purpose and requirements of the Time Schedule Order (TSO). He discussed the Plan submitted and whether it was designed to meet the TSO. Board staff intends to work with Caltrans so as to present an approved Master Plan to the Regional Board at the October meeting in South Lake Tahoe.
    
    

10. Executive Officer's Report

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    Mr. Singer informed the Board that Items 12 and 13 would not be heard because the notice of public hearing was not published by the newspaper in a timely manner
    
    
    • Meeting/media event scheduled for August 2 in the Tahoe Basin may be changed
      
    • Increased positions budgeted for the 00/01 fiscal year
    • Relationship between stayed liabilities and supplemental environmental projects
    • Settlement agreements, other than an ACL, used to impose civil liability
    • Treatment plant at Leviathan Mine is operating. A formal agreement from U.S. EPA requiring the State to operate the plant is near completion.
    • Truckee-Tahoe Sanitation Agency expansion
    
    

11. Reports by Chairman and Board Members

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    Judge Newsom, who resigned after the July Board meeting, commended the Board on their excellence and the high quality of staff.
    
    

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.