EAR Account Funds/Ventura County

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

BOARD MEETING SESSION-DIVISION OF CLEAN WATER PROGRAMS

April 25, 2002

ITEM 8

SUBJECT

APPROVING THE USE OF UP TO $100,000 OF THE EMERGENCY, ABANDONED, RECALCITRANT (EAR) ACCOUNT FUNDS FOR VENTURA COUNTY, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION (COUNTY), TO CLEAN UP PETROLEUM CONTAMINATION FROM THE FORMER LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS (USTS) AT THE CARMONA AUTO SERVICE SITE LOCATED AT 703 COOPER ROAD, OXNARD, VENTURA COUNTY

DISCUSSION

Petroleum from the former UST system at the Carmona Auto Service site located at 703 Cooper Road, Oxnard, Ventura County, has polluted the groundwater beneath and in the vicinity of the site and within the Oxnard Plain. The Carmona Auto Service site is adjacent to residential homes, and two Oxnard municipal water wells are located within approximately 1,600 feet of the site.

The responsible parties (RP), Mr. and Mrs. Carmona, are unable to take corrective actions ordered by the County due to financial constraints. Significant amounts of petroleum contamination remain in the soil and the groundwater at the site and pose a continuing threat to human health and the environment.

Adoption of the proposed resolution is required in order to provide the County up to $100,000 to clean up the petroleum contamination at the site.

POLICY ISSUE

Should the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopt a resolution authorizing expenditure of up to $100,000 of EAR funds for the clean up of petroleum contamination caused by the former leaking USTs located at 703 Cooper Street in Oxnard.

FISCAL IMPACT

The EAR Account would be reduced by $100,000 during Fiscal Year (FY) 2001-2002.

RWQCB IMPACT

Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That the SWRCB adopt a resolution approving expenditure of EAR Account funds in the amount of $100,000.

DRAFT 3/12/02

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 2002 -

703 COOPER ROAD, OXNARD, VENTURA COUNTY

WHEREAS:

The Manager of the Leaking Underground Fuel Tank Program, Ventura County, Environmental Health Division (County), submitted a written request to the Manager of the USTs Cleanup Fund for funding in an amount not to exceed $100,000 from the EAR Account for prompt clean up of petroleum contamination caused by the former leaking UST system at the Carmona Auto Service site located at 703 Cooper Street in Oxnard, Ventura County;
The petroleum has polluted the groundwater beneath and in the vicinity of the site and poses a potential threat to adjacent residential homes and two Oxnard municipal water wells which are located within approximately 1,600 feet of the site;

3.Prompt action by the County to initiate clean up of the petroleum contamination is necessary to protect human health and the environment;

4.Funds are available from the EAR Account which was established pursuant to Section 25299.50 of the Health and Safety Code (UST Cleanup Fund Program);

The County issued corrective action order letters dated from September 11, 1986, through August 31, 2000, and the responsible parties (RPs) for the site, Mr. and Mrs. Carmona, are financially unable to take corrective actions as ordered; and
Section 25299.51 of the Health and Safety Code authorizes the SWRCB to provide funds to Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Local Oversight Programs and Local UST Implementing Agencies for cleanup of UST sites.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

That the SWRCB pursuant to section 25299.51 of the Health and Safety Code, authorizes an amount not to exceed $100,000 from the EAR Account for the Ventura County, Environmental Health Division, to perform prompt corrective action at the Carmona Auto Service site located at 703 Cooper Street in Oxnard.

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 April 25, 2002.

______

Maureen Marchè

Clerk to the Board