HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11051985 - WC.1 J '
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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: WATER COMMITTEE
DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 1984
SUBJECT: WATER LEGISLATION AND STRIPED BASS DECLINE
Specific Requests or Recommendations & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1 . Direct the Community Development Department to monitor the following bills as possible
legislative vehicles for the County's Water Policy efforts:
AB 459, AB 1.657, AB 2133, AB 2228, ACA 16, SB 805, SCA 17
2. Authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board
raising concern about the decline of striped bass and recommending that the striped bass
situation be adequately addressed during the upcoming hearings for the revision of Decision
1.485.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONJBACKGROUND
The Community Development Department provided a list of water legislation bills that were not
approved or vetoed during the last legislative session. These bills are now "two-year"
bills subject for consideration when the Legislature reconvenes in January. It may be
appropriate during the legislative year for the County, or the Committee for Water Policy
Consensus , to request amendments to these bills to implement some of the County' s water
policies. Of particular interest are the following bills:
1 . AB 459 - Authorizes the Department of Water Resources to contract with the Central
Valley Project for purchase of water for water quality purposes.
2. AB 1657 - Includes as additional facilities of the State Water Project, the facilities
for water conservation , water reclamation , waste water reduction , conjunctive use of
surface and ground water, and the purchase of already developed water.
Continued on attachment: X yes Signature:
Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee
Approve Other:
Signature(s): 'fir✓�" G'" `�S� c
Action of Board on: November 5, 1985 Approved as Recommended x Other_
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
x Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes:--- - - Aoes: ------ -- ----------BOARD-OF-SOPERVTSORS-DN-DATE--SHOWN;-
Absent: Abstain: /� I
wc.bo.legis .bass.tll Attested
Orig. Div,: Community Development (EC) PHIL BATCHELUR7, CLERK,
cc: County Administrator OF THE BOARD AND COUNTY
Cressey Nakagawa (via EC) ADMINISTRATOR
By &UV,4.o .
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3. AB 21.33 - Requires the Department of Health Services to adopt and regulate drinking
water contaminants.
4. AB 2228 - Requires the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt standards for San
Francisco Bay.
5. ACA 16 and SCA 17 - Constitutional amendments to strengthen area of origin and Delta
protections.
6. SB 805 - $50 million General Obligation Bond for fish and wildlife habitat purposes.
The Water Committee heard a report from Pete Chadwick, of the State Department of Fish and
Game, on the status of the fisheries in the Bay/Delta Estuary, with particular emphasis on
the recent decline of striped bass. Mr. Chadwick noted that there is a clear major decline
in striped bass populations since the 1977 drought. Mr. Chadwick stated it is unknown what
the cause of this decline is , but various individuals and agencies have different hypo-
theses. He stated it is very likely that a combination of various conditions in the Delta
are causing the decline. Mr. Chadwick noted that in order for the State Water Resources
Control Board to set water quality standards to succeed Decision 1485 Standards, there must
be strong documentation to justify such standards. For fishery concerns , he stated there
is a question as to whether "strong" documentation will be available in time for the
hearings. It is appropriate for the Board of Supervisors to submit a letter to Water
Resources Control Board to show that there is concern about the decline in the striped bass
and that the striped bass decline must be addressed during the revision of Decision 1485.
The letter should also state that the revision to Decision 1485 and the "Delta Plan"
should include water quality standards for toxics, which are currently not addressed.