WHEREAS:

1. Morro Bay has been designated a "State Estuary" by the California Legislature, which requires that a management plan for the Estuary be prepared; and

2. Section 320 of the federal Clean Water Act establishes the National Estuary Program (NEP), for the purpose of funding development of resource conservation and management plans in selected estuaries of national interest; and

3. In 1995, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region (CCRWQCB) prepared a nomination of Morro Bay to the NEP, which State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) supported and authorized by Resolution No. 95-13, and which was approved by the Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA); and

4. The Morro Bay NEP was established in 1995 as a cooperative venture between the CCRWQCB, U.S. EPA, and other State and local agencies and interest groups, and has received NEP funding, partly through SWRCB, since that time; and

5. The Morro Bay NEP expects to receive NEP funds for two more years (federal fiscal years 1997-98 and 1998-99); and

6. Through federal Assistance Agreement No. CE999410-01, by which the CCRWQCB receives funds for the Morro Bay NEP, SWRCB has to date accepted $194,751 in NEP funds; and

7. U.S. EPA has indicated that future funds for the Morro Bay NEP will be granted through amendments to Assistance Agreement No. CE999410-01, which will thereby exceed $200,000 in the aggregate, acceptance of which sums by the Executive Director requires specific authorization by this Board; and

8. SWRCB continues to support the Morro Bay NEP effort, and wishes to see the project achieve its aims.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB authorizes the Executive Director to apply for and accept grants of federal funds under the NEP, which may individually or collectively exceed $200,000, for support of the Morro Bay NEP project during federal fiscal years 1997-98 and 1998-99.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant 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 July 17, 1997.

/s/___________________________

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board