ITEM: 9

SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ACCEPT TWO CALFED BAY-DELTA PROGRAM, PROPOSITION 204 FUNDED CONTRACTS, TO SUPPORT TOXICITY STUDIES IN THE SACRAMENTO RIVER WATERSHED AND THE DELTA

DISCUSSION: California voters approved the "Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Supply Act"--Proposition 204 (Act) at the November 6, 1996 General Election. The Act includes provisions for the Resources Agency to fund early implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. The Resources Agency has designated the CALFED Bay-Delta Program or its successor entities (CALFED) as its administrator of the contracts issued to the state agencies using Proposition 204 Category III funds.

CALFED is a consortium of state and federal agencies described in Water Code Section 78501 including those additional federal agencies participating in the Programmatic EIS/EIR for the CALFED Program, or its successor entity. The State Board is one of the CALFED agencies.

CALFED has asked that the Central Valley Regional Board manage two contracts for toxicity programs which complement the Regional Board's ongoing activities. The proposed contracts are part of the CALFED's 1998 selection of designated actions for ecosystem restoration projects. The Ecosystem Roundtable, CALFED Management Team, and CALFED Policy Group have approved funding the toxicity programs. In July 1998, the Secretary for Resources also approved this designated action. The total amount of the two contracts is $900,000.

One of the contracts will fund a $400,000 program to determine the cause and significance of fathead minnow toxicity in the Sacramento River. The other contract will fund a $500,000 program to determine the cause and significance of algal toxicity in the Sacramento River and Delta Watersheds.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to accept two CALFED Bay-Delta program, proposition 204 funded contracts, to support toxicity work in the Sacramento and Delta watersheds?

FISCAL IMPACT: The Central Valley RWQCB and the Budgets Office will work to ensure that there is adequate reimbursement authority. The total amount of the contracts is $900,000 to be spend over 3 fiscal years. The allocation will be $100,000 for the first year and $400,000 for the second and third years.

RWQCB IMPACT: Yes, the Central Valley RWQCB will be managing the contracts and doing some of the work.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to accept two CALFED bay-delta program, proposition 204 funded contracts, to support toxicity studies in the Sacramento and delta watersheds.

DRAFT September 8, 1998

WHEREAS:

1. The "Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Supply Act"--Proposition 204 (Act) includes provisions for the Resources Agency to fund early implementation of ecosystem restoration projects.

2. The Resources Agency has designated the CALFED Bay-Delta Program or its successor entities (CALFED) as its administrator of the contracts issued to the state agencies using Proposition 204 Category III funds.

3. The State Board is one of the CALFED agencies.

4. The Central Valley Regional Board contracts are part of the CALFED's 1998 selection of designated actions for ecosystem restoration projects.

5. One of the contracts will fund a $400,000 program to determine the cause and significance of fathead minnow toxicity in the Sacramento River.

6. The other contract will fund a $500,000 program to determine the cause and significance of algal toxicity study in the Sacramento River and Delta Watersheds.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB authorizes the Executive Director, or his designee, execute the CALFED Proposition 204 funded contracts.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on September 17, 1998.

_____________________________________

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board