TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute an agreement and amendments thereto with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) regarding the administration and cost sharing of a coordinated monitoring plan for the Los Angeles River's Metals Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), with a contribution amount of $31,166, plus a 20 percent contingency, if needed and if available, over four years. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Several segments of the Los Angeles River (LAR) and its tributaries were identified on the 1998 and 2002 Clean Water Act (CWA) 303(d) list of impaired water bodies due to various metals. A TMDL establishes a maximum limit for a specific pollutant that can be discharged into a water body without exceeding water quality standards and impairing beneficial uses. As a result of a 1999 consent decree between three environmental organizations (Heal the Bay, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Santa Monica Baykeeper) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) was required to abide by a 13-year schedule to develop over 90 TMDLs. The consent decree required that the LAR Metals TMDL be completed by March 22, 2004, however, that deadline was extended to December 2005. The EPA approved the LAR Metals TMDL as an amendment to the regional Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (Basin Plan) on December 22,2005 and the TMDL became effective January 11,2006.
This amendment also requires that watershed cities and agencies (Jurisdictional Group) prepare, fund, and implement a Coordinated Monitoring Program (CMP).
Coordinated Monitorinq Plan The CMP was developed by an 11-member Technical Committee (TC) that included representatives from the Jurisdictional Group. All cities and agencies have responded in the affirmative to participate in this CMP. The following agencies are currently members of the TC: Cities of Los Angeles, Hidden Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Irwindale, Downey, Signal Hill, Long Beach, County of Los Angeles, and Caltrans. A similar Steering Committee, comprised of City Managers, was also convened to oversee the special studies and funding details.
The CMP's goals are to monitor water quality at key locations along the LAR, in addition to future targeted monitoring if necessary. The estimated first year CMP costs (Exhibit A of the attachment) for the Jurisdictional Group are approximately $590,000, which includes the purchase and installation of auto-sampling devices, approximately $205,000 in monetary costs and $10,000 in administrative costs. The costs for the remaining three years total approximately $598,232, for a total four-year cost of $1,188,232. Long Beach's percentage share of the total watershed area is 2.6 percent; therefore, its share of the total cost is $31,165.43. There are a total of 16 monitoring locations, 13 in the main channel and 3 in tributaries. The sampling frequency, as required in the Metals TMDL, is monthly. The pollutants of concern to be monitored include cadmium, copper, lead, selenium, and zinc. The City of Los Angeles will be responsible for the monitoring services and The County of Los Angeles will be responsible for the installation of the automated sampling equipment.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Burton on October 23, 2008 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 24, 2008.
SUSTAINABILITY
Several segments of the Los Angeles River are identified on the CWA 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 that can be discharged into a water body without exceeding water quality standards and impairing beneficial uses. Participation in this CMP 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 November 11, 2008, to ensure that the funding agreement is fully executed in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated budget for this agreement is shown in Exhibit A of the attachment. The City of Long Beach allocation is $2,622.84 per $100,000 of costs, resulting in an estimated cost of $31 ,165.43 over four years. A 20 percent contingency totaling $6,233 is requested if needed and if available. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the General Fund (GP100) 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 |