ITEM 4 : CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT THE UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) FEDERAL GRANTS

DISCUSSION: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has notified the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) that grants up to $1,425,000 will be made available to California to fund specific UST program activities over the next three (3) years beginning in Federal Fiscal Year 1999.

The major activities include:

1. Plan and present the annual UST Conference for attendance by public agencies, UST owners/operators, and industry;

2. Oversee compliance monitoring and enforcement activities at the local agency level.

3. Provide various underground storage tank training courses such as Health and Safety, UST Installation, UST Removal, Leak Detection, Corrosion Protection, and Enforcement.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the State Water Board authorize the Executive Director, or his designee, to accept the UST grants and any amendments thereto which provide for carryover or uncommitted funds?

FISCAL IMPACT: An amount not to exceed $1,425,000 in Federal UST grant funds will be available over the next three (3) years. There is a 25 percent state match requirement which the State Water Board will meet through the Unified Program Account in FY 98/99 and beyond.

RWQCB IMPACT: None.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the State Water Board adopt the proposed resolution authorizing the Executive Director, or his designee, to accept the UST grants and any amendments thereto which provide for carryover of uncommitted funds.

DRAFT March 23, 1998

WHEREAS:

1. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 9, is offering the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) up to $1,425,000 over the next three (3) federal fiscal years beginning in Federal Fiscal Year 1999 to fund activities in the UST program;

2. The UST Grant will augment the State UST program; and

3. The State Water Board will enter into annual State/EPA agreements on the UST program to receive the federal funds.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Board authorizes the Executive Director, or his designee, to accept the UST grants and any amendment thereto for carryover or uncommitted funds.

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 April 16, 1998.

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board