ITEM 9: APPROVAL OF A SMALL COMMUNITIES GRANT (SCG) FOR THE CHESTER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT, WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM REHABILITATION AND WILDLIFE HABITAT PROJECT, PROJECT NO. SCG-611

DISCUSSION: In accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's (SWRCB) Implementation Policy for the Small Communities Grant Program (Policy), adopted on January 23, 1997, and amended on April 30 and May 14, 1997, projects on the adopted priority list need SWRCB approval to receive a SCG for construction. Construction grants can be approved by the SWRCB after the Division of Clean Water Programs (Division) has approved the facilities plan and the final plans and specifications. The Division issued Final Plans and Specifications Approval on May 1, 1998.

The estimated total project cost per household is $1,073. Therefore, the proposed project is not a high cost project, as defined by the Policy.

The District is located in Plumas County on the northeast shore of Lake Almanor. The District serves a population of 2,285 and the 1996 median household income is $27,503. Based on the Policy's funding formula, the District qualifies for a SCG for 67.80 percent of the eligible costs.

The District's sewer collection system experiences an enormous amount of infiltration and inflow (I/I). This has caused sewage backups into residences, sewer manhole overflows, and the violation of the District's Waste Discharge Requirements by discharging to Lake Almanor during the recreational season. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board issued Cease and Desist Order No. 89-069 on April 28, 1989, due to the violations. The project is included in Priority Class B on the SCG Statewide Priority List adopted on May 14, 1997, by the SWRCB.

The purpose of the proposed project is to:

• eliminate sewage backups into residences;
• eliminate sewer manhole overflows; and
• eliminate discharges to Lake Almanor.

The project consists of:

• replacement of approximately 4,000 linear feet of sewer line along Feather River Drive;
• rehabilitation and increase in capacity of the sewage pumping station;
• replacement of approximately 1,200 linear feet of sewage force main leading to the wastewater treatment facility;
• modification of the headworks inlet at the wastewater treatment facility; and
• construction of two wildlife habitat ponds (leaky wetlands) to increase the wastewater disposal capacity.

The estimated total project cost is $1.3 million. This estimate includes construction, contingencies, engineering, and administration. The estimated eligible SCG amount is $887,540. The District has already received a Planning Grant of $70,820 and a Design Grant of $51,509. The District is funding the local share costs through their reserves.

The District prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration/Initial Study (MND/IS) for the proposed project which was distributed to the public and circulated through the State Clearinghouse (SCH #92102046) for review from October 19, 1992, through November 18, 1992. This Mitigated Negative Declaration is tiered upon the original Environmental Impact Report prepared in 1976 for the rehabilitation and expansion of Chester's Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Mitigated Negative Declaration is considered a stand-alone document which adequately addresses all of the environmental aspects of the project. During the review period, the District received comments from two public agencies concerning wildlife pond management requirements and encroachment permit requirements.

The District considered the comments, approved the project, and adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration on October 8, 1992. The District filed a Notice of Determination with the Plumas County Clerk on October 8, 1992. The Division will file a Notice of Determination with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research upon funding approval.

The District requests the SWRCB approve a construction grant of $765,211 for this project.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB approve a construction grant for the proposed project?

RWQCB IMPACT: None

FISCAL IMPACT: Availability of SCG funds for this project depends on other SCG proposals being considered and to be approved by the SWRCB in June 1998.

Current SCG fund balance as of May 1998: $12.1 million

Project approvals under consideration by the SWRCB in June 1998:

Chester Public Utility District SCG-611 $765,211

Clearlake Oaks County Water District SCG-614 $2,719,584

City of Portola SCG-644 $2,742,895

City of Weed SCG-664 $2,743,318

New SCG fund balance, if all the

June 1998 proposals are approved by the SWRCB: $3,128,992

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB adopt a resolution approving a construction grant for the proposed project.

DRAFT May 22, 1998

WHEREAS:

1. The Implementation Policy for the Small Communities Grant Program was adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on January 23, 1997, and amended on April 30 and May 14, 1997;

2. The State Water Resources Control Board, on May 14, 1997, adopted the Small Communities Grant Program Priority List which included the Chester Public Utility District, Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation and Wildlife Habitat Project in Priority Class B;

3. The Division of Clean Water Programs approved the Facilities Plan, which includes the project report, environmental documents, and draft revenue program, on November 24, 1997, for the Chester Public Utility District, Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation and Wildlife Habitat Project;

4. The Division of Clean Water Programs issued Final Plans and Specifications Approval on May 1, 1998; and

5. The Chester Public Utility District adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the proposed project (State Clearinghouse No. 92102046) which has been reviewed and considered, and it has been determined the proposed project will not result in significant negative environmental impacts.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board approves a Small Communities Grant of $765,211 to the Chester Public Utility District for construction of the Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation and Wildlife Habitat Project.

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 June 18, 1998.

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board