HomeMy Public PortalAbout10) 7G Letter of Intent NPDES_Page_1DATE: June 4, 2013
AGENDA
ITEM 7. G.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
TO: The Honorable City Council
MEMORANDUM
FROM: Jose E. Pulido, City Mana
By: Mark H. Persico, AIC ommunity Development Director
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF LETTER OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENHANCED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM (EWMP) AND COORDINATED INTEGRATED MONITORING
PROGRAM (CIMP) WITH THE UPPER LOS ANGELES RIVER
WATERSHED GROUP IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $14,000
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council is requested to approve a Letter of Intent to participate in the
development of an Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP) and
Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (GIMP) with Upper Los Angeles River
Watershed Group in an amount not to exceed $14,000.
BACKGROUND:
1. On December 17, 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) to address
contamination of the nation's rivers and waterways.
2. On November 16, 1990, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
published regulations requiring National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) runoff, which
fundamentally changed the way storm water runoff is regulated at the state and
federal levels.
3. On December 13, 2001, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, (RWQCB) Los
Angeles Region issued a countywide NPDES permit to Los Angeles County and
79 participating cities, including Temple City.
4. On September 6, 2005, the RWQCB adopted new standards regarding Total
City Council
June 4, 2013
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Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for heavy metals for the Los Angeles River and
tributaries. Temple City is part of the Los Angeles River watershed known as
"Reach 2" covering approximately 110 square miles within the Rio Hondo and
Arroyo Seco sub -watersheds.
5. On April 1, 2008, the City Council approved execution of a memorandum of
agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) for
participation in the development of a coordinated regional monitoring plan in order
to meet the metals TMDL. The studies completed to date by the GCCOG have
proven very helpful in determining appropriate pollutant levels for metals within the
watershed. These studies have shown that the watershed is not as contaminated
as originally believed when the TMDLs were established. These studies will reduce
the overall clean-up requirements.
6. On August 4, 2009, the City Council approved execution of a memorandum of
agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) for
participation in the development of a coordinated San Gabriel Valley -wide
monitoring plan in order to meet the metals TMDL. The studies conducted by the
SGVCOG have been completed and have yielded limited data.
ANALYSIS:
Water quality in rivers and waterways has improved tremendously since the signing of
the CWA in 1972; however, there are still impaired water bodies that require attention.
Restoring water quality is critical to maintaining a healthy environment and ensuring the
sustainability of water bodies. The Los Angeles River and its tributaries are deemed to
be impaired water bodies by the RWQCB because they exceed the Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) for five metals: copper, lead, zinc, cadmium and selenium. The best
approach to improving water quality is through a regional approach. This allows for cost
sharing among participating agencies and it is best approach to addressing regional
water quality improvements.
Temple City has previously participated in two regional studies conducted by the
Gateway Cities Council of Government (COG) and by the San Gabriel Valley COG. As
the water quality requirements evolve the City must keep pace with the changes. The
newly formed Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Group is being led by the City of Los
Angeles and involves 15 public agencies: Alhambra, Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale,
Hidden Hills, La Canada Flintridge, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Gabriel,
San Marino, South Pasadena, City of Los Angeles, unincorporated Los Angeles County
and the County Flood Control District. If Temple City does not participate in the
development of regional monitoring programs, we will be required to prepare and submit
our own plans.
City Council
June 4, 2013
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A standard Letter of Intent has been prepared by the City of Los Angeles (Attachment
"A"). All participating entities have been asked to return the signed letter before June 27,
2013. Under the proposed cost sharing agreement, Temple City's share is $12,713.92
plus a 10% contingency for a total of $13,985.31. Monies for participation in this
program have been budgeted as part of the Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget.
CONCLUSION:
It is staffs recommendation to participate in the Enhanced Watershed Management
Program and the Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program as it is the most cost
effective method of meeting the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
requirements relative to metal TMDLs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City Council as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14 City Budget approved an
appropriation for the NPDES program under account No. 21-960-71-4277.
ATTACHMENT:
A. Letter of Intent
CITY OF TEMPLE CITY ATTACHMENT A
CALIFORNIA
June 5, 2013
Samuel Unger, Executive Officer
Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
320 West Fourth Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, California 90013
Attention: Renee Purdy
LETTER OF INTENT PLEDGING COMMITMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
ENHANCED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND COORDINATED
INTEGRATED MONITORING PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UPPER
LOS ANGELES RIVER WATERSHED GROUP
Dear Mr. Unger;
The City of Temple City, with this letter, pledges to collaborate with the Upper Los Angeles River
Watershed Group (Group) in the development of an Enhanced Watershed Management Program
(EWMP) and Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (CIMP) in accordance with the new MS4
Permit by Order No. R4-2012-0175 for submission to your Board. The Upper Los Angeles
Watershed Group includes only the following agencies: The City of Los Angeles, the city of
Alhambra, the city of Burbank, the city of Calabassas, the city of Glendale, the city of Hidden Hills,
the city of La Canada Flintridge, the city of Monterey Park, the city of Pasadena, the city of
Rosemead, the city of San Gabriel, the city of South Pasadena, the city of San Marino, the city of
Temple City, the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
The City of Temple City further pledges to cost share the development cost of both the Enhanced
Watershed Management Program (EWMP) and Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (CIMP).
A cost sharing formula has been agreed by all participating members of the Group as to the equitable
distribution of costs. The City has approved funding available for this project as part of the fiscal year
2013-14 budget.
Letter of Intent for Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Group
June 5, 2013
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Should you have any questions, please contact Mark Persico, Community Development Director at
(626) 285-2171 or moersico@temulecitv.us.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Sternquist
Mayor City of Temple City