February 15, 2002
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
BOARD MEETING SESSION--DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
MARCH 21, 2002
ITEM 5
SUBJECT
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE, EXECUTE, AND AMEND A CONTRACT WITH THE LAKE ELSINORE AND SAN JACINTO WATERSHED AUTHORITY (LESJWA) TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE
LAKE ELSINORE FISH REMOVAL PROJECT, THE CANYON LAKE IMPROVEMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR), THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM, AND THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION FOR EACH FROM THE LAKE ELSINORE AND
SAN JACINTO WATERSHED PROGRAM (LESJWP) ESTABLISHED IN THE COSTA-MACHADO WATER ACT OF 2000 (2000 BOND ACT)
DISCUSSION
The 2000 Bond Act contains the LESJWP (Water Code sections 79104.100 through 79104.114) which includes $15 million for the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to allocate to LESJWA for certain types of projects in the San Jacinto River Watershed.
LESJWA has requested that the SWRCB approve funding for $1.051 million from LESJWP for the Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project, the Canyon Lake Improvements EIR, continuing their Public Relations Program, and the Project Management and Administration. These projects are described in the Attachment and are consistent with the goals and objectives of the LESJWP.
POLICY ISSUE
Should the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director or designee to negotiate, execute, and amend a contract with LESJWA for the $550,000 Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project; the $190,000 Canyon Lake Improvements EIR; the $136,000 Public Relations Program; and the $175,000 Project Management and Administration for each, for a total of $1,051,000 from LESJWP?
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project, the Canyon Lake Improvements EIR, the Public Relations Program, and the Project Management and Administration is $1,051,000. LESJWA is requesting that $1,051,000 of these costs be financed with funds from LESJWP. The following table is a summary of the funding made available for LESJWP:
Legislated subaccount / $15,000,000State Bond Costs @ 3% / (450,000)
State Admin Costs @ 3% / (450,000)
Total subaccount funds available for disbursement / 14,100,000
Fiscal Year 2000-01 Budget Allocation / 8,000,000
Funds previously committed / ($1,950,000)
Current balance FY 2000-01 Allocation / 6,050,000
Requested Funding / ($1,051,000)
Remaining FY 2000-01 allocation if this request is approved / 4,999,000
Balance of subaccount funds available for disbursement / $11,099,000
RWQCB IMPACT
Yes, Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
That the SWRCB authorizes the Executive Director or designee to negotiate, execute, and amend a contract with LESJWA for the $550,000 Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project; the $190,000 Canyon Lake Improvements EIR; the $136,000 Public Relations Program; and the $175,000 Project Management and Administration for each, for a total of $1,051,000 from LESJWP.
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DRAFT February 15, 2002
STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE, EXECUTE, AND AMEND A CONTRACT WITH THE LAKE ELSINORE AND
SAN JACINTO WATERSHED AUTHORITY (LESJWA) TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE LAKE ELSINORE FISH REMOVAL PROJECT, THE CANYON
LAKE IMPROVEMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR),
THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM, AND THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
AND ADMINISTRATION FOR EACH FROM THE LAKE ELSINORE AND
SAN JACINTO WATERSHED PROGRAM (LESJWP) ESTABLISHED IN
THE COSTA-MACHADO WATER ACT OF 2000 (2000 BOND ACT)
WHEREAS:
1. The 2000 Bond Act authorized $15 million for the LESJWP for projects to rehabilitate and improve Lake Elsinore and the San Jacinto Watershed.
2. LESJWA has requested LESJWP funding for the $550,000 Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project; the $190,000 Canyon Lake Improvements EIR; the $136,000 Public Relations Program; and the $175,000 Project Management and Administration, for a total of $1,051,000.
3. These projects are described in the Attachment and are consistent with the LESJWP goals of preserving agricultural land, protecting wildlife habitat, protecting and enhancing recreational resources, and improving lake water quality.
4. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has made independent California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) findings and concurs with the Categorical Exemption filed for the Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project by the lead agency with the Riverside County Clerk on December 6, 2001, under Article 19, section 15304, Class 4 of the CEQA.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The SWRCB authorizes the Executive Director or designee to negotiate, execute, and amend a contract with LESJWA for the $550,000 Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project; the $190,000 Canyon Lake Improvements EIR; the $136,000 Public Relations Program; and the $175,000 Project Management and Administration for each, for a total of $1,051,000 from LESJWP.
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Clerk 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 March 21, 2002.
______
Maureen Marché
Clerk to the Board
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DRAFT February 15, 2002
ATTACHMENT
Fish Removal and Canyon Lake Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Project Description
Fish Removal and Disposal
The objective of the fish-harvesting project is to control nuisance species, such as carp and shad, that are viewed as contributing to the turbidity and excessive algae and nutrient levels in Lake Elsinore. The majority of the carp are wild carp; although, there are a number of common, mirror, and leather carp as well. It is estimated that “rough” bottom feeding fish such as carp constitute, on a basis of weight (biomass), 85 percent of the total fish population of the Lake. Another estimate places the carp population at 300 to
400 pounds per surface acre or approximately 1,000,000 total pounds within the entire Lake. The average length of carp in the Lake is estimated to be 15 to 22 inches.
In addition to the carp, it is estimated that threadfin shad represent approximately
75 percent or more of the Lake’s fish population. In 1998, an estimated 30 million shad were removed from the Lake due to a die-off that resulted from poor water quality. The average length of shad in the Lake is estimated to be 2 to 6 inches.
In order to obtain a more accurate estimate of the carp and shad population, a fish population survey will be conducted prior to fish removal. The results will determine the effectiveness of the fish removal process and help determine the need for additional removal events. The purchase of additional netting equipment is necessary to increase the efficiency of the fish removal and for loading the fish into containers for disposal. The fish will be disposed of with consideration for the highest and best use of the resource, and, as a last resort, landfilling may also be an option.
Canyon Lake Improvements EIR
The Canyon Lake Improvements include two projects: Aeration/Oxygenation of
Canyon Lake and desilting portions of Canyon Lake. The environmental impacts of these two projects will be evaluated in the Canyon Lake Improvements EIR.
Public Relations Program
Public information efforts will continue to play a crucial role as Lake Elsinore and
San Jacinto Watershed Authority (LESJWA) embarks on implementing projects that will improve water quality throughout the watershed. In order to inform the public of the efforts of LESJWA, an aggressive direct mail campaign and cable program will be introduced. Updates will be included on the LESJWA website and additional information kits and brochures will be created. These efforts will take place from June 2002 until May 2003. This effort furthers the public relations efforts authorized by Resolution
No. 2001-089, passed by the SWRCB on July 19, 2001.
Program Management and Administration
This aspect of the contract will provide all technical and administrative services needed for completion of the Fish Removal and Disposal, the Canyon Lake Improvements EIR, and the Public Relations Program, which shall include staff and project management resources for monitoring, supervising, and reviewing all work performed by subcontractors.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Review and Findings
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) staff has reviewed the Categorical Exemption for the Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project and concurs with the finding made by the lead agency.
Funding Requirements
Funding requested is $550,000 for the Lake Elsinore Fish Removal Project; $190,000 for the Canyon Lake Improvements EIR; $136,000 for the Public Relations Program; and $175,000 for the Project Management and Administration, for a total of $1,051,000.
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