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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10161984 - W.1 wl Jam' Contra Costa TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County FROM: WATER COMMITTEE ' "5` DATE: October 16, 1984 SUBJECT: Water Committee Report Specific Requests or Recommendations & Background & Justification RECOMMENDATION 1. Direct County Administrator to include questions concerning prosecution of fish end game violations and water quality violations in the interview process for the new District Attorney. 2. Authorize the Public Works Department to send a letter to Assemblyman Campbell ex- pressing appreciation for sponsoring AB 2807 concerning water hyacinths which was vetoed by the Governor, and expressing an offer to cooperate with Assemblyman Campbell in future water hyacinth efforts. 3. Authorize the Public Works Department to send a letter to the State Department of Boating and Waterways requesting a clarification of the Department's policy concerning a prohibition of spraying of water hyacinth herbicides in the Rock Slough area. BACKGROUND Fish and Wildlife Study Committee Report The Fish and Wildlife Study Committee has met with the Sheriff' s Department to discuss the Board's referral concerning illegal gill-netting in the Delta. As part of this discussion, it became clear that both enforcement and prosecution are necessary to prevent violations of fish and game regulations. The District Attorney plays a key role in prosecuting such violations. Given that the County is searching for a new District Attorney, the Fish and Wildlife Study Committee felt it would be appropriate that during the interview process, questions concerning prosecution of fish and wildlife violations be included. This would alert the prospective District Attorney to the fact that prosecution of fish and game violations is a high priority in Contra Costa County. The Water Committee further recom- mended that questions concerning prosecution of water quality violations also be included in the interview process. The Fish and Wildlife Study Committee is studying the San Luis Drain issue in order to be prepared for future referrals by the Board. The Committee is also discussing other topics in which to become involved. Continued on attachment: X yes Signature: AM 4 2 � Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee Approve Other: Signature(s): Action of Board on: October 16, 1984 Approved as Recommended X Other X Requested the Public Works Director to communicate to the Governor the need to have a solution to the water hyacinth problem, and that in seeking the solution consideration be given to all methods of erradication and not ,just limited to herbicide spraying. Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN XX Unanimous (Absent I ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN. Absent: Abstain: DBO:cl--wc.bo.rpt.tlO Attested Orig. Div.: Public Works-EC PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK cc: County Administrator OF THE BOARD AND COUNTY Fish & Wildlife Study Committee(via EC) ADMINISTRATOR Personnel Director 0015 BY ,�'DEPUTY CLERK Water Hyacinths Staff reported that Assembly 'Bill 2807- sponsored ,by'-Assemblyman Campbell was vetoed by the Governor. AB 2807 'would' have appropriated$ 80;000 to Contra Costa County over two fiscal years to demonstrate mechanical-_'harvesting of water hyacinths .in -the Rock Slough area. Assemblyman Campbell has sent A ' letter'to the. Governor expressing dismay that AB 2807 was vetoed. It is appropriate for the -Board -to work together with Assembly Campbell to search for solutions to the water hyacinth problem in Rock Slough. A letter thanking Assemblyman Campbell for sponsoring AB 2807 and offering to cooperate in future efforts is appropriate. The Contra Costa Water District has expressed concern about the interpretation of the "gentleman's agreement" concerning the prohibition of spraying of herbicides for water hyacinths within a one-mile radius of the mouth of Rock Slough. The Water District has expressed a need :to formalize this agreement to make sure that all agencies understand exactly where the limits of spraying are located. The Water Committee agrees that the one-mile radius of spraying prohibition should include waterways tributary to Rock Slough in addition to Old River at the mouth of Rock Slough. 1983-84 Water Legislation Staff reviewed legislative bills concerning water issues that were considered during the 1983-84 legislative session. The major legislative effort was the consideration of the Governor's proposed Water Program, spearheaded by Senate Bill 1369. Although the Governor's Water Program has failed, it is anticipated that new legislation will be introduced during the next session for another water transfer program. Supervisor McPeak, as chair of the Committee for Water Policy Consensus, has received the attached letter from the Governor's Office explaining the Governor's position on his authority to implement a state water program without legislative approval .