HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06191990 - WC.1 WC. 1
TO: - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 6
FROM: Water CommitteeContra
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Supervisor Sunne McPeak T C./VJLC�
Supervisor Tom Torlakson .• County
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DATE: June 13, 1990
SUBJECT: Water Legislation
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION S►&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
1a. Direct the Community Development Department to schedule a Water
Committee/Fish and Wildlife Committee joint session with other
interested parties in order to review the draft wetlands report.
b. Direct the Community Development Department to prepare a briefing paper
prior to the joint wetlands meeting on the significance of various
agency wetland definitions; and direct County Counsel to prepare an
assessment of case law as it applies to wetlands issues as part of this
briefing report.
2. Endorse the State Water Conservation Coalition Water Reclamation Policy.
3 . Accept report from staff regarding potential water quality deterioration
and circulation at Sandmound and Rock Sloughs.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
None.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
_RECOMMENDATION OFC NTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMM pp7�jO\\N OF BOARD COMMITTEE
_APPROVE _OTHER ��'�j��,��SIGNATURES(S): 511I3:e�=�� MrcP�e7ak Supervisor Tom Torlakson
ACTION OF BOARD ON An 19 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
. / I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
V UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) 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.
ATTESTED JUN 19 1990
CC: Community Development (Orig. Dept.) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Fish and Wildlife Committee (via CDD) SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
County Counsel
Health Services Dept. - Environmental Health
BY DEPUTI'f
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REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONjBACRGROUND
la. on October 24, 1989, the Board requested the County Fish and Wildlife
Committee to provide a wetlands definition; an inventory of wetland
areas for preservation, and financial methods to accomplish these goals.
Since that time, the Fish and Wildlife Committee has reported regularly
on the status of this project and has submitted a preliminary draft
report to the Water Committee. A joint meeting was determined to be
necessary in order to review in detail the revised draft wetlands report
submitted to the Water Committee during their June 11, 1990 meeting.
The issue of a County definition of wetlands and a program outlining
County authority in wetlands areas is a controversial and precedent-
setting concept. Many comments have been received to date, and many
have been incorporated into the revised report. Some details in this
report need to be refined prior to submittal to the Board..
1b. A briefing detailing various agency wetland definitions with supporting
rationale for each definition is recommended by the Water Committee in
order to clarify issues associated with a County wetland definition. At
this time, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and the Department of Fish and Game and other agencies have
different methods by which to delineate wetland areas, with the Corps
maintaining primary jurisdiction in this matter- The County Fish and
Wildlife Committee has selected the broader definition used by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service for use by the County at this time.
As part of the briefing report, the Water Committee also recommends that
County Counsel prepare an assessment of case law as it relates to
wetlands issues to provide additional direction regarding the County's
role in wetlands determination. The assessment should include the
authority of the County to define wetlands and to enact more restrictive
or encompassing regulations than currently exist through other agencies.
2 . The Board adopted a water reclamation policy on January 23 , 1989,
specifying that the potential for reclaimed water use should be
considered for landscape irrigation, dual use systems, and on-site
reservoirs in new developments. The Board has referred this issue to
the Water Committee to consider an ordinance or resolution to carry out
this policy. The Water Committee recommends endorsement of the State
Water Coalition Policy as much of the information contained therein is
consistent with, and would further define County reclamation policy as
it relates to an ordinance or resolution.
On May 15, 1990, the Board requested the Contra Costa Water District to
take the lead in preparation of a water reclamation ordinance for the
County using the State Water Conservation Coalition Water Reclamation
Guidelines and other documents as references.
3 . The issue of potential water quality deterioration and possible
circulation problems at Sandmound and Rock Sloughs has arisen as a
result of a complaint by a resident of that area. As far as the Central
Valley Regional Board, the County Health Services Department and Contra
Costa Water District are concerned, this person has absolutely no basis
for complaint. This matter is discussed further in the June 7, 1990
memorandum to the Water Committee. The Water Committee recommends that
no further action be taken on this issue.
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