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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03131990 - WC.1 WC;1 TO- BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM• Water Committee Contra Supervisor Sunne McPeak Cxh7la DATE- Supervisor Tom Torlakson . County March 13 , 1990 SUBJECT: Water-related Issues SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION R.ECOV94ENDATIONS 1. Direct the Fish and wildlife Committee to circulate the draft wetlands Report with a 3U-day comment period, then revise and re-submit to the water Committee within 60 days. The resubmittal shall include results of a mitigation bank investigation, and identification of priority wetlands. 2. when tests of dredge sediment samples from the J.F. Baldwin Ship Channel project become available, direct the Fish and wildlife Committee to review_, and recommend an integrated action plan for possible Marsh restoration to the water Committee. 3 . a) Authorize proceeds from the Shell -Oil spill mitigation settlement to be used for water and wildlife/habitat projects, and not deposited in the general fund. b) Authorize the Fish and wildlife Committee to follow the disposition of the Shell Oil settlement, and report through the water Committee to the Board. 4. Allow reports to the Board regarding water reclamation/dual use systems to occur through the water Committee at appropriate stages of project development in lieu of a six-month report by the Director of the Community Development Department. 5. Direct the Fish and wildlife Committee to officially participate in activities to provide additional funding for the Sheriff ' s Marine Patrol. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): Supervisor Sunne McPeak Supervisor Tom Torlakson ACTION OF BOARD ON March 13, 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X & OTHER X AMENDED Recomendation 3 b) to also include follow-up report on the disposition of the Shell Oil settlement to Supervisor Fanden. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT — III ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: _ NOES'. AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: _ OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. cc: C munity Development (Orig. Dept.) ATTESTED Fish and Wildlife Committee County Counsel PHIL BATCIIFLOR CLLRK OF THE BOARD OF General Services SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR County Administrator M382,'1-53 BY — � - .DEPUTY 6. a) Direct the Community Development Department and County Counsel to revise the draft Water Conservation Landscape Ordinance to require that developer-installed landscaping of front yards in subdivisions be included as common area, and therefore are subject to water conservation landscape restrictions_ b) Direct the Community Development Department to distribute current landscape guidelines and the adopted landscape ordinance (when adopted) to General Services for distribution to all County Departments. FINANCIAL IMPACTS None. REASONS FOR RECOMUMIDATION%BACKGROUND 1. On October 24, 1989, the Board directed the -Fish and Wildlife Committee to prepare a workable definition of wetlands, an inventory of priority wetland areas for preservation and enhancement, and financial methods to accomplish these goals. The Water Committee recommended that a definition and inventory would be the necessary first steps in preservation of selected wetland areas, with potential for incorporation, in some form, in the new draft General Plan. The Fish and wildlife Committee presented a draft wetlands report to the Water Committee during their March 5, 1990 meeting. wetlands definition is somewhat controversial in that each agency ( federal, state, local) has varying definitions and restrictions. The Water Committee recommends distribution of this draft document with a 30-day comment period, subsequent revision of the draft, and resubmission to the Water Committee in 60 days. The revised draft shall include mitigation bank investigations and identification of priority wetlands as described in the draft wetlands report- 2. Phase III of the J.F. Baldwin Ship Channel Project calls for the deepening of the Pinole Shoal Channel and widening of the Suisun Bay Channel by dredging approximately 9 million cubic yards of sediment. Currently, the third phase of this project is undergoing environmental review. Some potential exists for sediments dredged as part, of this project to be used to create marshland habitat. Preliminary tests of the composition of these sediments and .relatively low contaminant levels. have indicated to the Army Corps of Engineers that marsh restoration may be an appropriate use of sediments. The Water Committee recommends that the Fish and Wildlife Committee review test results when available, and evaluate potential for inclusion into an integrated action plan for wetland restoration and preservation. 3 . a. The Shell Oil spill of approximately 400, 000 gallons of crude oil on April 22-23 , 1988 spread -from San Pablo Bay along the Carquinez Strait to Suisun Bay, and beyond. Oil covered over eleven miles of shoreline, destroyed at least 100 acres of wetland in Shell Marsh, and heavily damaged Peyton Marsh. The Water Committee recommends that funds obtained as a - result of this spill should be used for water and wildlife habitat enhancement projects, and should not be deposited into the General Fund. b. Funds will be dispersed among Cities , County' s and other agencies affected by the Shell Oil spill. The Water Committee recommends that the Fish and Wildlife Committee monitor disposition activities. 2. 4 . On March 14, 1989 the Board directed the Director of Community Development to report every six months on implementation of policy relative to .-use of dual water systems in new developments. Some industrial uses within the County are utilizing reclaimed water to a limited extent. Legislation has been proposed for landscaping test projects using reclaimed water. Water conservation methods using reclaimed water (as in developments) is a long-term goal, as State health standards and regional basin plans must be revised prior to widespread use. Master Plans will become necessary, -and reclaimed water treatment plants constructed. The Water Committee is currently involved in the review. of the San Diego water Reclamation Model ordinance and -determining applicability to our County. Therefore it would seem more appropriate for water _reclamation reports to the Board to take place through the Water Committee, at appropriate stages in project development. The Community Development Department would continue to consider reclaimed water use for development, but would target large water users_ such as industry and golf courses at this time. 5. The Fish and wildlife Committee was authorized by the Board in October 1987 to make recommendations on expenditures from the Game Protection Fund. This fund receives monies from the state, comprised of one-half of the tines collected -in the County through tickets issued by the Sheriff ' s Marine Patrol. Due to Marine Patrol funding and manpower cutbacks, Game Protection funding is expected to fall by 85 percent. Therefore, the Water Committee recommends that the Fish and- Wildlife ndWildlife Committee officially participate in efforts to obtain Marine Patrol funding. 6 . a. In response to public comments and agency concern, the Water Committee recommends that the Community Development Department and County Counsel revise the proposed County Water Conservation Landscape Ordinance to include and restrict developers that install front yard landscape as part of subdivision development. Developers installing front yard landscape would be required to adhere to reduced tura restrictions and use of water conserving landscape methods, as outlined in the ordinance. b. To avoid the possibility that all departments may not' be aware of Water Conservation landscape guidelines, and the water conservation landscape ordinance if and when approved, the Water Committee recommends submittal to General Services for distribution to all County departments. j143%watt.brd 3.