ITEM: 7

SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION OF TIME AND INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR THE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES AND THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD FOR STAFF SERVICES TO ASSIST IN THE COMPLETION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1995 BAY-DELTA WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLAN AND A DRAFT WATER RIGHT DECISION.

DISCUSSION: The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted a Water Quality Control Plan (WQCP) for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (95-1 WR) in May 1995. The Division of Water Rights has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to disclose the effects of alternative methods for implementing the flow and water quality objectives required by the 1995 WQCP, and the SWRCB intends to commence a water right proceeding in July 1998 to implement the plan.

The SWRCB staff seeks to extend an existing interagency agreement with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for staff services. The staff member will continue to assist the SWRCB in the completion of the final EIR for implementation of the 1995 WQCP. The staff member will also assist the SWRCB at the water right hearings and provide technical analysis needed for preparation of the draft Decision to implement the 1995 WQCP. The staff member is assigned to the Division of Water Rights and is supervised by SWRCB staff. The existing interagency agreement, which expires on June 30, 1998, would be extended to June 30, 1999 and the amount under the contract would be increased from $310,000 to $360,000.

The SWRCB received funding from the Renewable Resources Investment Fund for fiscal years 1996-97 and 1997-98 for the purpose of contracting for services to assist in the SWRCB action to implement the 1995 WQCP. Funding from this source will expire on June 30, 1998. The SWRCB anticipates using $115,000 of available funds for the proposed extension of the existing interagency agreement for staff services in FY 1998-99.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director to extend the existing interagency agreement with the DWR for staff services?

FISCAL IMPACT: Available funds will be identified for this agreement.

RWQCB IMPACT: None.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the proposed resolution.

April 7, 1998 DRAFT

WHEREAS:

1. The State Water Resources Control Board adopted a Water Quality Control Plan (WQCP) for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (95-1 WR) in May 1995. The Division of Water Rights has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to disclose the effects of alternative methods for implementing the flow and water quality objectives required by the 1995 WQCP, and the SWRCB will commence a water right proceeding to implement the plan.
   
2. The SWRCB and the DWR currently have an interagency agreement (SWRCB No. 6-029-300-1) for staff services. The staff member provided will continue to assist the SWRCB in completing the EIR for the 1995 WQCP and will assist the SWRCB at the water right hearings and in the preparation of the draft Decision to implement the 1995 WQCP.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the SWRCB authorizes the Executive Director to extend the existing interagency agreement with the DWR for staff services through June 30, 1999, increase the maximum amount under the contract to $360,000 and encumber funds in the amount of $115,000 for the 1998-99 fiscal year under the agreement.

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