TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute an agreement and amendments thereto with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) regarding the City of Long Beach's participation in, and $25,145.32 contribution towards, the development of a coordinated implementation plan to reduce the amount of metals pollutants in Reach 1 of the Los Angeles River and its associated tributaries. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 1972, the Federal Clean Water Act (Act) was signed into law with the purpose of improving water quality in rivers, streams and lakes primarily through regulation of point source discharges. Although great efforts through the implementation of this Act by the state's regional water quality boards have been made in restoring our state's water quality, there remains impaired water bodies that need attention. Several segments, or reaches, of the Los Angeles River have been identified by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, (Regional Board) as having exceeded water quality thresholds for a variety of metals. For these impaired bodies of water, the Act requires that Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits be developed to restore the impaired water bodies to their full beneficial uses. In September 2007, the Regional Board adopted a TMDL, which limits the amount of heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc and cadmium that can be carried by runoff into the Los Angeles River.
Coordinated Implementation Plan
The TMDL's adopted by the Regional Board require that Los Angeles River watershed cities and agencies develop a coordinated implementation plan to reduce the amount of metals pollutants in the Los Angeles River and its tributaries. Because the Los Angeles River watershed is so extensive, the Regional Board has divided the Los Angeles River into six different jurisdictional groups, or reaches, for purposes of implementing the required TMDL's. Long Beach falls within Reach 1 and Reach 2. This request for authorization relates only to Reach 1. Reach 2 is the subject of a separate request for authorization.
For Reach 1, the affected cities, including the City of Long Beach, have joined together and established a Technical Committee to assist with the preparation of the required Coordinated Implementation Plan for the Los Angeles River TMDL. Since many of the cities within this Reach belong to the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, it was recommended by the Technical Committee that the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) be the lead agency to provide administrative services to facilitate the successful development ,of both the draft and final Coordinated Implementation Plan. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), has been developed that consists of the GCCOG providing administrative services and participating cities sharing in funding of the costs of the Coordinated Implementation Plan including those administered by the GCCOG. The total cost for the Coordinated Implementation Plan is $200,000. The City of Long Beach's contribution of $25,145.32 is based on approximately 1.85 square miles (12.94% of the watershed) draining to Reach 1.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Burton on August 26, 2009 and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on September 1, 2009.
SUSTAINABILITY
Several segments of the Los Angeles River are identified on the Act's 303 (d) list as impaired water bodies due to various metals. A TMDL for metals has been established setting a maximum limit for a specific metal than can be discharged into a water body without exceeding water quality standards and impairing beneficial uses. Participation in this MOA and implementation of the subsequent Coordinated Implementation Plan will help to isolate and abate these pollutants, which will lead to improved water quality.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is requested on September 22, 2009, to secure the City's participation in the Technical Committee and development of the Coordinated Implementation Plan to reduce the amount of metals pollutants in Reach 1 of the Los Angeles River and its associated tributaries.
FISCAL IMPACT
The GCCOG's estimated budget for the Coordinated Implementation Plan is $200,000.
According to the cost allocation formula, the City of Long Beach has an allocation of $12,572.66 per $100,000 of cost. Therefore the City's share will be $25,145.32.
Sufficient funds are budgeted in the General Fund (GP) in the Department of Public Works (PW).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |