TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute an agreement and amendments between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) and the City of Long Beach regarding the administration and cost sharing to undertake scientific studies to develop site-specific objectives (SSO) applicable in Reach 2 of the Los Angeles River and Tributaries Metals Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). (Districts 7,9)
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 remain 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 TMDL limits be developed to restore the impaired water bodies to their full beneficial uses. In September 2007, the Regional Board adopted a Metals 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 Metals TMDL adopted by the Regional Board requires 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 Metals TMDL. Long Beach falls within Reach 1 and Reach 2. This request for authorization relates only to Reach 2, whose north boundary is at North Figueroa Street in the City of Los Angeles, and whose south boundary is located at Del Amo Boulevard in Long Beach, as shown on the map attached as Exhibit A.
For Reach 2, the affected cities, including the City of Long Beach, have joined together to participate in the administration and cost sharing to undertake scientific studies to develop SSOs applicable to Reach 2 of the Los Angeles River and Tributaries Metals TMDL. Since many of the cities within Reach 2 belong to the GCCOG, it was recommended by the Technical Committee that the GCCOG be the lead agency to provide administrative services to facilitate the administration and cost sharing for the scientific studies and development of the SSOs. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been developed that consists of the GCCOG providing administrative services and participating cities sharing in funding of these costs. The total cost for administration and cost sharing from FY10 through FY13 is $1,566,267. The City of Long Beach's share is of $57,784, detailed in the attached Exhibit B.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Burton on December 13, 2010 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 29, 2010.
SUSTAINABILITY
Several segments of the Los Angeles River are identified on the Act's 303(d) list as impaired water bodies due to high levels of various metals. A Metals TMDL 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 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 January 18, 2011, to fund the City's participation in the administration and cost sharing to undertake scientific studies to develop SSOs applicable to Reach 2 of the Los Angeles River and Tributaries Metals TMDL.
FISCAL IMPACT
The GCCOG's estimated budget for the administration and cost sharing to undertake scientific studies to develop SSOs applicable to Reach 2 of the Los Angeles River and Tributaries Metals TMDL is $1,566,267. According to the cost allocation formula, the City of Long Beach has an allocation of $33,948 in FY 2011, $21,136 in FY 2012 and $2,700 in FY 2013. Therefore, the City's share will be $57,784. As this is an unbudgeted expense, these funds will need to be absorbed 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
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER