Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Extend the termination date of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Central Coast Regional Areas of Special Biological Significance Dischargers Monitoring Program to December 31, 2016, at no additional cost beyond the adopted program budget; and
b. Authorize the Acting Director of the Resource Management Agency to execute the Memorandum of Agreement Amendment, Central Coast Regional Areas of Special Biological Significance Dischargers Monitoring Program with the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors Adopt a Resolution:
a. Extend the termination date of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Central Coast Regional Areas of Special Biological Significance Dischargers Monitoring Program to December 31, 2016, at no additional cost beyond the adopted program budget; and
b. Authorize the Acting Director of the Resource Management Agency to execute the Memorandum of Agreement Amendment, Central Coast Regional Areas of Special Biological Significance Dischargers Monitoring Program with the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey is a designated Discharger of stormwater into the Carmel Bay Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS), and water quality monitoring must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the General Exception granted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Monterey County is a participating member of the Central Coast ASBS Regional Monitoring Program. Due to insufficient rainfall since 2013, the water quality monitoring mandated under the General Exception has not been completed. To complete the Central Coast ASBS Regional Monitoring Program, the termination date of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) must be extended 18 months to December 31, 2016. There is no additional cost beyond the adopted program budget.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey is a designated Discharger of stormwater into Carmel Bay ASBS. Under the Exception to the California Ocean Plan for Areas of Special Biological Significance Waste Discharge Prohibition for Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges, with Special Protections (General Exception), adopted by SWRCB on March 20, 2012, Dischargers are required to monitor water quality in stormwater discharges, in ASBS receiving water, and at reference sites in the ocean.
On June 18, 2013, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted to participate in the Central Coast Areas of Special Biological Significance Dischargers Monitoring Program (Regional Monitoring Program). The Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency administers the program which is designed to meet the County’s mandated water quality monitoring requirements under the General Exception. A two-year monitoring program was written into the General Exception to monitor three storms in each of the two years. The six monitored storm events would become the standard that discharges will be measured against to determine whether stormwater discharges are altering natural ocean water quality.
The scope of work defined in the Regional Monitoring Program will not be able to be completed by the June 30, 2015 expiration date of the MOA; therefore, an amendment is being circulated among all participating members to extend the termination date of the agreement to December 31, 2016. There will be no additional costs to the participants beyond the adopted program budget.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Central Coast Regional ASBS Dischargers Monitoring Program was developed through discussions between the ten parties identified as Dischargers in Central Coast ASBS. The MOA Scope of Work was negotiated between the Central Coast Dischargers and staff from the State and Central Coast Regional Water Boards. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the MOA Amendment Central Coast Regional ASBS Dischargers Monitoring Program as to form.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund. In FY 2014-15 the Board authorized recurring funds to support the ASBS water quality monitoring in the RMA - Environmental Services Budget Unit 8444. There are sufficient funds in the FY 2015-16 Recommended Budget to fund this activity.
Prepared by: Tom Moss, Environmental Services Manager, (831) 755-5847
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Acting Director, Resource Management Agency
Attachments: Resolution; Memorandum of Agreement Amendment, Central Coast Regional Areas of Special Biological Significance Dischargers Monitoring Program (Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)