HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem N February 14, 2000
STAFF REPORT
To: Mayor Yost and Members of the City Council
Attention: Keith R. Till, City Manager
From: Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services
Subject: APPROVAL OF COMMLNT LE'T'TER TO
REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL
BOARD - WASTE DISCHARGE
REQUIREMENTS, PLATFORM ESTHER
SUMMARY OF REQUEST
Authorize Mayor to sign comment letter with any amendments determined appropriate. Receive
and File Staff Report. Instruct staff to forward to Environmental Quality Control Board for
information purposes.
DISCUSSION
The City has received a copy of "Tentative Waste Discharge Requirements for Platform Esther",
Order No. 00-06, NPDES Permit No. CA0106828, from the Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Santa Ana Region ("RWQCB"). The RWQCB is scheduled to consider this matter at their
February 25, 2000 meeting in Loma Linda.
Staff has reviewed the RWQCB staff report and is in general agreement with the conditions
recommended by RWQCB staff. It is the recommendation of staff that the City request that copies
of public reports prepared pursuant to Section D.5 of the proposed Order be provided to the Mary
Wilson Library for public availability and that a copy be provided to the Department of
Development Services for the information of the City.
Overview of Proposed NPDES Order:
Platform Esther is an oil and gas drilling/production platform located approximately 1.5 mile off-
shore of the City. In March 1995, the RWQCB adopted waste discharge permit requirements, and
AGENDA ITEM / /
C:\My Documens\Piatform Ether\RWQCB Order CC Stsf Report.doc\LW\02-10-00
Platform Esther- Waste Discharge Permits
C mment Letter re: ;:c:ional Water Quality Control Board Consideration
City Council Staff Report
February 14, 2000
those discharge permit conditions expire March, 2000. Nuevo Energy Company, the owner of
the platform has submitted an application for renewal of the waste discharge permit, which would
be effective until March, 2005.
Overview of current and potential wastestreains from Platform Esther:
Sanitary Wastewater:
Approximately 1,000 gallon: per day (GPD) of treated sanitary wastewater are discharged, after
passing through a secondary treatment plant with extended aeration, located on the platform. The
proposed order contains a chlorine residual limit for the receiving ocean waters. Since the platform
structures create an artificial reef that supports shellfish, the proposed order also contains receiving
water total and fecal coliform limits as specified in the California Ocean Plan and the Santa Ana
Region Basin Plan.
Produced Water:
All produced water from the extraction of crude oil and natural gas is treated to remove oil and
solids and is normally reinjected into the oil-bearing formation. Occasionally the injection system
fails to operate properly or must be taken offline for repairs. During these periods, up to 420,000
gpd of treated oil-free wastewater may be discharged to the ocean.
Deck Drainage and Stormwater:
Deck drainage and/or stormwater runoff, which may be contaminated by oil and drilling wastes, is
captured by grated troughs located on the periphery of each deck. These flows are combined with
the produced water for treatment and disposal.
Drilling Mud, Drill Cuttings, and Cement Slurry:
The discharge of drilling cuttings and fluids within 3 miles of the shoreline is no longer permitted
by Federal regulation. Accordingly, all semisolid and solid waste generated at the platform will be
transported ashore for disposal at approved sites. Nuevo Energy Company has agreed to barge
cement slurry ashore and the proposed order prohibits such discharges into the ocean.
Other reviewing Agencies:
As indicated within the subject documentation from the RWQCB, this application has been
provided to the following agencies for review and provision of additional comments to the RWQCB
as part of the permit issuance process:
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 2
Platfor i Esther- waste Discharge Permits
Comment Letter re.• Regional Water .n.aliry Control Board Consideration
City Council Staff Report
February 14, 2000
o Environmental Protection Agency, Permits Issuance Section
o National Marine Fisheries Service
o State Water Resources Control Board, Chief Counsel
o State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality
o State Department of Water Resources
o State Department of Health Services
o State Lands Commission, Mineral Resources Management Division
o State Department of Fish and Game, Marine Resources Division
o California Coastal Commission
o Orange County public Facilities and Resources, Coastal Planning
o Orange County Health Care Agency
o U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
o U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
o City of Seal Beach
Comment Letter from City:
Again, staff has prepared a comment letter for City Council approval that indicates concurrence
with the Order and NPDES Permit regarding Platform Esther. The comment letter also requests
that copies of public reports prepared pursuant to Section D.5 of the proposed Order be provided to
the Mary Wilson Library for public availability and that a copy be provided to the Department of
Development Services for the information of the City (See Attachment 1).
A copy of the RWQCB Staff Report is provided as Attachment 2 for the information of the City
Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize Mayor to sign comment letter with any amendments determined appropriate. Receive
and File Staff Report. Instruct staff to forward to the Environmental Quality Control Board for
information purposes.
NOTED AND APPROVED
- Whitten s-rg, Director Keith R. Till
Development Services Department. City Manager
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 3
Platform Esthe. - Was9,Discharge Permits
Comment Letter re:Regional Wa -Quality Control 3oard Consideration
City Council Staff Report
Febn.ary 14, 2000
Attachments: (3)
Attachment 1: Draft City of Seal Peach Comment Letter re: "Order No. 00-06, NPDES
Permit No. CA010SL 28-Platform Esiwr"
Attachment 2: "Order No. 00-015, NPDES Permit No. CA0105828 - Platform Esther"
RWQCB Staff Report, dated February 25, 2000
Attachment 3: List of Acronyms
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 4
Platform Esther- Waste Discharge Pe—nits
Comment Letter re:Regional Water Quality Control Board Conside »'on
City Council Staff Report
February 14, 2000
ATTACHMENT 1
DRAFT CITY OF SEAL BEACH COMMENT
LETTER RE: "ORDER NO. 00-06, NPDES PERMIT
NO. CA0106828 - PLATFORM ESTHER"
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 5
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February 14, 2000
Gerard J. Thibeault, Executive Officer
California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region
3737 Main Street, Suite 500
Riverside, CA 92501-3339
Dear Mr. Thibeault:
SUBJECT: ORDER NO. 00-06, NPDES PERMIT NO. CA0106828 —
PLATFORM ESTHER, approximately 1.5 miles off-shore
of Seal Beach
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach has reviewed the Regional Water Quality
Control Board staff report on the above referenced order and permit and would support
the recommendations of the Board staff regarding this project. In reviewing the report,
it is the opinion of the City that all reasonable and appropriate measures have been
imposed by the various reviewing and permitting agencies to ensure the continued
operation of Platform Esther is conducted in a manner to be most protective of ocean
resources and of the on-shore environment of the City of Seal Beach.
The City concurs with the recommendations of your staff as set forth in the subject
order. If any of the reviewing agencies have additional technical or monitoring
standards to propose, the City of Seal Beach would support those additional
requirements also. We would, however, request a modification to the language of
Condition D.5 to also require that copies of public reports prepared pursuant to Section
D.5 of the proposed Order be provided to the Mary Wilson Library for public availability
and that a copy be provided to the Department of Development Services for the
information of the City.
Again, with the requested modification to Condition D.5, the City of Seal Beach
supports the approval of Order No. 00-06, NPDES No. CA 0106828 as recommended
by Staff, and as may further be revised by your staff upon receipt of any additional
requirements or conditions from the other reviewing agencies.
C:\My Documents\Platform Esther\RWQCB Order.CC Comment Letter.doc\LW\02-11-00
City of Seal Beach Comment Letter re:
RWQCB Order No. (X)-06, NPDES No. CA 0106828 (Platform Esther)
February 14, 2000
If you have any questions regarding this letter and the information provided, Mr. Lee
Whittenberg, Director of Development Services, will be in attendance at the time this
matter is considered by the Board, and will be most willing to provide additional
information or respond to questions from the Board. If you desire to contact Mr.
Whittenberg prior to the Board meeting, he can be reached at (562) 431-2527,
extension 313.
Sincerely,
-7Q-e
Paul Yost, Mayor
City of Seal Beach
Distribution:
Seal Beach City Council
Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Seal Beach Director of Development Services
RWQCB Order.CC Comment Letter 2
Platform Esther- Waste Discharge Permits
Comment Letter re:Regional Water Quality Control Board Consideration
City Council Staff Report
February 14, 2000
74:1A
February 14, 2000 --
Gerard J. Thibeault, Executive Officer
California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region
3737 Main Street, Suite 500
Riverside, CA 92501-3339 ��
Dear Mr. Thibeault: 0RA
SUBJECT: ORDER NO. 00-06, NPDES PERMIT NO. CA0106828 -
PLATFORM ESTHER, approximately 1.5 miles off-shore of Seal
Beach
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach has reviewed the Regional Water Quality Control
Board staff report on the above referenced order and permit and would support the
recommendations of the Board staff regarding this project. In reviewing the report, it is the
opinion of the City that all reasonable and appropriate measures have been imposed by the
various reviewing and permitting agencies to ensure the continued operation of Platform Esther
is conducted in a manner to be most protective of ocean resources and of the on-shore
environment of the City of Seal Beach.
The City concurs with the recommendations of your staff as set forth in the subject order. If
any of the reviewing agencies have additional technical or monitoring standards to propose, the
City of Seal Beach would support those additional requirements also. We would, however,
request a modification to the language of Condition D.5 to also require that copies of public
reports prepared pursuant to Section D.5 of the proposed Order be provided to the Mary Wilson
Library for public availability and that a copy be provided to the Department of Development
Services for the information of the City.
Again, with the requested modification to Condition D.5, the City of Seal Beach supports the
approval of Order No. 00-06, NPDES No. CA 0106828 as recommended by Staff, and as may
further be revised by your staff upon receipt of any additional requirements or conditions from
the other reviewing agencies.
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 6
Platform Esther- Waste Discharge Permits
Comment Letter re:Regional Water Quality Control Board Consideratio
City Council Staff Repc.
February 14, 2000
If you have any questions regarding this letter and the information provided, Mr. Lee
Whittenberg, Director of Development Services, will be in attendance at tre time this matter is
considered by the Board, and will be most willing to provide additional in;3rmation or respond
to questions from the Board.
Sincerely, D ��
ltA
Paul Yost, Mayor
City of Seal Beach
Distribution:
Seal Beach City Council 7.144
51(3
Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Seal Beach Director of Development Services
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 7
Platform Esther- Waste Discharge Permits
Comment Letter re:Regional Water Quality Control Board Consideration
City Council Staff Report
February 14, 2000
ATTACHMENT 2
"ORDER NO. 00-06, NPDES PERMIT NO. CA0106828
- PLATFORM ESTHER" RWQCB STAFF REPORT,
DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2000
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 8
l..a111U1 111a i%L IUllal TV aIi.1 ILA/1111 U1 1)U41 U
Santa Ana Region 0 ;
Winstc .Hickox Internet Address: httpi/www.swrcb.ca.gov Gray Davis
Secr taryfor 3737 Main Street,Suite 500,Riverside,California 92501-3339 Governor
£►rvi. notenrai Phone(909)782-4130• FAX(909)781-6288
Prc.'ction
January 12, 2000
Environmental Protection Agency, Permits Issuance Section—Terry Oda
NOAA,National Marine Fisheries Service
SWRCB,Office of the Chief Counsel —Ted Cobb
SWRCB, Division of Water Quality—John Youngerman
State Department of Water Resources,Glendale
State Department of Health Services, Santa Ana
State Lands Commission,Mineral Resources Management Division, Long Beach
State Department of Fish and Game,Marine Resources Division,Long Beach
California Coastal Commission, South Coast District
OC Public Facilities and Resources,Coastal Planning—Jim Swanek
OC Health Care Agency—Monica Mazur
U.S.Army District,Corps of Engineers,Los Angeles
U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service,Carlsbad
City of Seal Beach—City Manager
TENTATIVE WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR NUEVO ENERGY
COMPANY, PLATFORM ESTHER, ORDER NO. 00-06, NPDES NO. CA0106828,
ORANGE COUNTY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Enclosed is a copy of tentative Order No. 00-06, NPDES No. CA0106828. This order updates
the waste discharge requirements for the Nuevo Energy Company, Platform Esther, offshore of
Seal Beach. These waste discharge requirements are scheduled for consideration by the
Regional Board on February 25, 2000. Although comments will be accepted by the Board up to
the close of the hearing on February 25, 2000, receipt of your comments by February 4, 2000
would be appreciated so that they may be used in the formulation of the final draft permit which
will be sent to the Board for their review prior to the meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact Gary Stewart at (909) 782-4379 or Glenn Robertson at
(909)782-3259.
Sincerely,
Joanne E. Schneider
Environmental Program Manager
Enclosures(3): Tentative Order No.00-06,Monitoring and Reporting Program No.00-06,Staff Report
GSR/Platform Esther All Letter.doc
California Environmental Protection Agency
0 Recycled Paper
4P IIP
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Santa Ana Region
February 25, 2000
ITEM:
SUBJECT: Waste Discharge Requirements for Nuevo Energy Company for Platform "Esther",
Orange County-Order No. 00-06,NPDES Permit No. CA0106828
DISCUSSION:
Pl.:orm "Esther" is an oil and gas drilling/production platform located in the Pacific Ocean
approximately 1.5 miles offshore of the City of Seal Beach (see attached map). On March 3,
1995, the Regional Board adopted waste discharge requirements, Order No. 95-10, NPDES No.
CA0106828 for discharges to the Pacific Ocean from Platform "Esther" by the Union Oil Company
of California (Unocal). Unocal's offshore platforms, including nearby Platform Eva (Order No.
96-77), were sold to Nuevo Energy Company in 1995 and operations were contracted to Torch
Operating Company (Torch), which conducts permit compliance duties. Order No. 95-10 was
subsequently transferred to Nuevo Energy Company. These waste discharge requirements will
expire on March 1, 2000. Nuevo Energy Company submitted a Report of Waste Discharge on
December 10, 1999 for renewal of the waste discharge requirements.
Current and potential wastestreams are described below:
Sanitary Wastewater
Approximately 1,000 gallons per day (GPD) of treated sanitary wastewater are discharged through
a pipe at Discharge Serial No. 001. All sanitary wastewater generated on the platform passes
through a secondary treatment plant with extended aeration. Dry,soluble chlorine tablets are used
to disinfect the effluent A chlorine residual limit for the receiving water is included in the
proposed order.
The platform structure creates an artificial reef that supports shellfish, and therefore any discharges
to the area must be regulated so as to protect shellfish harvesting activities. The proposed order
contains receiving water total and fecal coliform limits for the sanitary waste discharge. These
limits are based on shellfish harvesting standards specified in the California Ocean Plan and in the
Santa Ana Region Basin Plan.
Produced Water
All produced water from the extraction of crude oil and natural gas is treated to remove oil and
solids and is normally reinjected into the oil-bearing formation. However, occasionally the
injection system fails to operate properly (upset) and/or must be taken offline for repairs. During
these periods, the up to 420,000 gpd of treated oil-free wastewater may be discharged to the Pacific
Ocean at Discharge Serial No. 002.
le '‘.1044\
Order No. 00-06, NPDES Net CA 0106828 Page 2 of 4
Nuevo Energy Company, Platform Esther, Orange County
Staff Report
Deck Drainage and Stormwater
Deck drainage and/or stormwater runoff, which may be contaminated by oil and drilling wastes, is
captured by grated troughs located on the periphery of each deck. These flows are combined with
the produced water for treatment and disposal.
Drilling Mud Drill C uttintt& and Cement Slurry
The discharge of drilling cuttings and fluids within three miles of the U.S. shoreline is no longer
permitted by Federal regulation (Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category, 40 CFR Part 435).
According;y, all semisolid and solid waste generated at the platform will be transported ashore for
disposal at approved sites.
•
Although the disposal of cement slurry used for stabilizing borehole casing is not specifically
prohibited in the EPA guidelines, bioassay analyses of various cement slurry mixes in other
previous cases have indicated toxicity levels for mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia). Physical
smothering by disposed solids is more of a concern for benthic lifeforms. Since Nuevo has agreed
to barge cement slurry ashore,the proposed order prohibits such discharges to the ocean.
The requirements contained in the proposed order are intended to protect the beneficial uses of the
Pacific Ocean offshore zone listed in the Santa Ana Region Water Quality Control Plan. The
beneficial uses include: navigation; water contact recreation; non-contact water recreation; marine
habitat; wildlife habitat; ocean commercial and sportfishing; industrial process water; spawning,
reproduction, and development; and use by rare, threatened, or endangered species. The proposed
waste discharge requirements should be adequate to protect these beneficial uses.
RECOMMENDATION:
•
Adopt Order No. 00-06 as presented
110
Order No. 00-06, NPDES No. C S 010r28 Page 3 of 4
Nuevo Energy Company, Platform Est. 'r, Orange County
Staff Report
Comments were solicited from the following:
Torch Oreratini Company, Brea-Bryce Tenold
US Environmental Protection Agency,Permits Issuance Section—Terry Oda
NOAA,Nation:.] Marine Fisheries Service
SWRCB,Office e of the Chief Counsel—Ted Cobb
SWRCB,Division of Water quality—John Youngerman
State Department of Water R-cources,Glendale
State Department of Health Services,Santa Ana
State Department of Fish and Game,Marine Resources Division,Long Beach
State Lands Commission,Mineral Resources Management Division, Long Beach
California Coastal Commission, South Coast District
OC Public Facilities and Resources,Coastal Planning—Jim Swanek
OC Health Care Agency—Monica Mazur
U.S. Army District,Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Carlsbad
City of Seal Beach— City Manager
Order No. 00-06 Staff Report Page 4 of 4
Nut•o Energy Company
P1ai 'orm Esther, Orange County
PLATFORM ETHER LOCATION
LONG BEACH gore I wiesirninoulmI
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SEAL BEACH cp
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PLATFORM ESTHER
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Eureka Scale: 1' - 6.600'
• •
California Regional Water Quay")Control Board • i
Santa Ana Region
Order No. 00-06
NPDES No. CA 0106828 -
Waste Discharge Requirements
•
for
Nuevo Enact Company zt>pp '
Platform Esther
Pacific Ocean,0.ange County 4ei
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board,Santa Bad), finds
that:
1. Nuevo Energy Company .• •' and gas drilling/production
platform "Esther",located in the Pacific I- •'r .5 miles offshore of the City
of Seal Beach in Orange County. The -•• ii. - of •• platform are Latitude N33'43'
18.09",and Longitude w118'07 28.T!'. from•. of wastes this platform was
regulated by Order No. 95-10,NPDES 4 . ... .'•. which was issued to the previous
owner/operator of the platform, Union Oil • r of California, and was subsequently ,
--transferred to the discharger. • ...1-044.5- 0 will expire on Mare 1, 2000. The
disc rger submitted a Report of ' • -.: • for renewal of the waste discharge .
- requirements on December 10, 1999. -
t The discharger proposes • sue •• • • •: • :• • of approximately 1,000 gallons per day
of disinfected secondary . !• ., wastewater to the Pacific Ocean from a pipe at •
Discharge Serial No. -
3. Produced formatice4g, deck drainage, and stomnwater are normally collected, treated, I
and injected '••• . :. . . ._. • • formation. In the event of
upset to the injection system,
up to 10,000 . • :... . ..... .• ly 420,000 gallons) per day of these treated wastes may
be ••• • .• .A• `• . .: • Ocean from a second pipe at Discharge Serial 002.
4. Allsoli' .
. .. . • . ..1i ..wastes (drilling muds and cuttings, cement shay, etc.) from the
• •
ashore for approved disposal. •On March 4, 1993, the U. S.
En 'Ai,.-. .. • Agency (EPA) promulgated new effluent
.�...• •
for .. guidelines and
...
Offshore Subcategory of the Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source
..-• •• • ••-•....... 40 CFR 435. The new guidelines prohibit the discharge of drilling
'k 'ds :.-• •• •••• •.. to the waters of the United States within the territorial seas of the state of
Califo • .• defined as waters within three miles of the shore.
5. A revised Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan)became effective January 24, 1995. The
Basin Plan contains water quality objectives and beneficial uses of the waters in the Santa
Ana Region. •
OdaNo.00-0b,NNilt.J NO.L. ;0h.b •y;� �•
Nuevo Energy Company,Platform-.4tha .-
6. The beneficial uses of the Offshore Zone of the Pacific Ocean include:
a. Navigation,
b. Water contact recreation,
c. Non-contact water recreation,
d. Marine habitat,
e. Ocean commercial and sportfishing
f. Industrial process water,
g. Spawning,reproduction,and development,
h. Rare,threatened,or endangered species,and
i. Wildlife habitat.
7. The platform structure creates an environment that stpports shellfish. Therefore, the
discharges of wastes to this area of the Pacific Ocean n gist be regul.A;ed so as to protect
shellfish harvesting activities.
8. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) adopted the California Ocean Plan
on July 6, 1972 and amended the plan in 1978, 1983, 1988, 1990.,and 1997.
9. The requirements contained in this order are necessary to implement the Basin Plan, the
Ocean Plan, and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Clean Water Act.
10. The Board has considered antidegradation pursuant to 40 CFR 131.12 and State Board
Resolution No. 68-16,and finds that these discharges are consistent with those provisions.
11. In accordance with Water Code Section 13389, the issuance of waste discharge
requirements for this discharge is exempt from those provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act contained in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 21100),
Division 13 of the Public Resources Code.
12. Effluent limitations and new source performance standards established pursuant to Section
301, 302, 303(d), 304, 306, 307 and 501 of the Clean Water Act and amendments thereto •
are applicable to the discharge.
13. The Board has notified the discharger and other interested agencies and persons of its intent
to prescribe waste discharge requirements for the discharge and has provided them with an
opportunity for a public hearing and an opportunity to submit their written views and
recommendations.
14. The Board, in a public meeting, heard and considered all comments pertaining to the
discharge.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the discharger, in order to meet the provisions contained in
Divisions 7 of the California Water Code and regulations adopted thereunder, and the provisions of
the Clean Water Act and the regulations and guidelines adopted thereunder, shall comply with the
following:
410
/ Order No.00-06,NPDES No.CJS 106821 P'ge 3 of 8
Nuevo Energy Company,Platform Esther
A. Discharge Specifications
1. Sanitary wastewater at Discharge Serial No. 001 shall, as a 30-day average, have at
least 75% of total suspended solids removed before discharge to the ocean (a
maximum 30-day average TSS concentration of 25%). The TSS effluent limit shall
not be lower than 60 mg/1.
2. The discharge of produced water, stormwater runoff, and/or deck drainage at
Discharge Serial No. 002 shall not exceed a 30-day average oil and grease
concentration of 25 mg/1 nor an instantaneous maximum concentration of 75 mg/l.
3. There shall be no discharge of free oil as a result of any discharge of waste.
4. The discharge of wastes shall not cause or threaten to cause pollution or nuisance as
defined in the California Water Code.
5. The discharge of wastes shall not contain any constituent in concentrations which
will render the ocean waters unsuitable for the beneficial uses stated above.
6. The discharge of any substance in concentrations toxic to animal or plant life is
prohibited.
7. The discharge of drilling mud, cuttings, and cement slurry within three miles of the
shore is prohibited. Any discharges of these wastes beyond three miles of the shore
will require the necessary permits and approvals from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
8. There shall be no discharge of any material that is floatable or will become floatable
upon discharge.
B. Receiving Water Limitations
1. The sanitary waste discharge at Discharge Serial No. 001 shall not cause the median
most probable number(MPN)of total coliform organisms over any 30-day period to
exceed 70 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples chap exceed an
MPN of 230 per 100 ml,outside the Zone of Initial Dilution' (ZID).
2. The discharge at Discharge Serial No. 001 shall not cause the Total Chlorine
Residue concentration in the receiving water outside the ZID' to exceed a 6-month
median of 214/1 nor an instantaneous maximum of 60
3. The discharge of wastes shall not cause any visible oil, grease, scum, floating, or
suspended material or foam in the receiving water, nor cause the receiving water to
have an objectionable odor.
I Measured 20 feet downcurrent of the discharge point.
Order No.00-06,NPDES No.CA r..'8 Page 4 of 8
11110 Nuevo Energy Compcy,Platt• -
4. The discharge of wastes shall not cause aesthetically undesirable discoloration of the
ocean surface.
5. The discharge of wastes shall not cause the transmittance of natural light to be
significantly'reduced.
6. The discharge of wastes shall not cause the rate of deposition of inert solids and the
characteristics of inert solids in ocean sediments to be changed such that t-enthic
communities are degraded
7. The discharge of wastes shall not cause those substances listed in Chapter IV, Table
B of the Ocean Plan to concentrate at levels in marine sediments which would
degrade biota in sediments,or other marine life.
8. The discharge of wastes shall not increase the concentration of organic materials in
marine sediments to levels which would degrade marine life.
9. The discharge of wastes shall not contain pollutants that will bioaccumulate in
aquatic resources to levels which are harmful to human health.
10. The discharge of wastes shall not cause the dissolved oxygen concentration of the
ocean at any time to be depressed more than 10 percent from that which occurs
naturally.
11. The discharge of wastes shall not cause the pH of the ocean beyond the 7ID to be
changed at any time by more than the 0.2 units from that which occurs naturally.
12. The discharge of wastes shall not contain nutrient Materials, radioactive materials,
or levels of any effluent chemistry which would degrade marine communities,
including vertebrate,invertebrate,and plant species.
13. The discharge of wastes shall not alter the natural taste, odor or color of fish,
shellfish, or other marine resources used for human consumption.
14. The discharger shall take all reasonable steps to minimize any adverse impact to
receiving waters resulting from noncompliance with any effluent limitations
specified in this order, including such accelerated or additional monitoring as
necessary to determine the nature and impact of the noncomplying discharge.
C. Compliance Determination
1. Compliance with the requirements shall be based on the following:
2 As defined in the Ocean Plan.
Order No.00-06,NPDES No.C0106823 le Page S of 8
Nuevo Energy Company,Platform Esther
a. Periodic inspections by Board staff,
b. Evaluation of the monitoring reports submitted in accordance with the
attached monitoring and reporting program, and
c. Any other relevant information.
2. Compliance determinations shall be based on the analytical results of all scrapies
collected during the time interval associated with the effluent limitation. Where
only one sample is analyzed in a specified time interval (e.g., 30-day average or 30-
day median), that sample shall serve to characterize the discharge for the entire
intervaL
D. Required Reports and Notices
1. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Board shall be signed and
certified in accordance with 40 CFR 12222.
2. The discharger shall furnish, within a reasonable time,any information the Board or
EPA may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and
reissuing,or terminating this order. The discharger shall also furnish to the Board,
upon request,copies of records required to be kept by this order.
3. The discharger shall file with the Board a report of waste discharge at least 120 days
before making any material change or proposed change in the character, location, or
volume of the discharge.
4. The discharger shall give advance notice to the Board as soon as possible of any
planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility.
5. Except for data determined to be confidential under Section 308 of the Clean Water
Act, all reports prepared in accordance with terms of this order shall be available for
public inspection at the offices of the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the
Regional Administrator of EPA. As required by the CleanWater Act, effluent data
shall not be considered confidential. Knowingly making any false statements on
any such report may result in the imposition of criminal penalties as provided for in
Section 309 of the Act and Section 13387 of the California Water Code.
6. The results of any analysis of samples taken more frequently than required shall be
reported to the Board.
7. The discharger shall immediately report any noncompliance that may endanger
health or the environment. Any information shall be provided to the Executive
Officer (909-782-4130) and the Office of Emergency Services (1-800-852-7550), if
Onix No.00-06,NPDES No. •• 8 Page 6 of 8
Nuevo Ena-gy Company,Ptatf• ti.
appropriate, as soon as the discharger becomes aware of the circumstances. Such
incidents shall be reported within twenty-four hours to the Executive Officer of the
Board. A written report shall be submitted within five days and shall contain:
a) a description of the noncompliance and its cause;
b) the period of noncompliance, including exact times and dates and, if the
noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to
continue;and
c) steps taken and planned to terminate the incident of discharge or reduce,
eliminAte and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
The Executive Officer, or designee, may waive the above required written report on
a case-by-case basis.
E. Provisions
1. This order shall serve as a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit pursuant to Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act, or amendments thereto, which shall become effective 10 days after the date of
adoption provided the Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency has no objection. If the Regional Administrator objects to its issuance,this
order shall not serve as an NPDES permit until such objection is withdrawn.
2. This order expires on February 1, 2005 and the discharger must file an application
in accordance with Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 9 of the California Code of
Regulations not later than 180 days in advance of such expiration date as application
for issuance of new waste discharge requirements. •
3. The discharger shall comply with Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 00-06.
The Executive Officer of the Board may revise this monitoring and reporting
program at any time and may include a reduction or an increase in the number of
parameters to be monitored,the frequency of monitoring or reporting,or the number
and size of samples to be collected.
4. The requirements prescribed herein do not authorize the commission of any act
causing injury to the property of another, nor protect the discharger from his
liabilities under federal, state, or local laws, nor guarantee the discharger a capacity
right in the receiving waters.
5. The provisions of this order are severable, and if any provision of this order, or the
application of any provisions of this order to any circumstance, is held invalid, the
application of such provision to other circumstances,and the remainder of this order
shall not be affected thereby.
.1"
No.00-06,NPISEc 4o. 06d2S � Page 7 of E
Nuevo Energy Company,Platfc-m Esther
6. " tis order does not convey any property rights of any sort, nor any exclusive
privilege.
7. In the event of any change in control of the waste discharge facility presently
controlled by the discharger, the discharger shall notify the succeeding owner or
operator of the existence of this order by letter, a copy of which shall be forwarded
to the Board.
8. This order is not transferable to any person except after notice to and approval by
the Executive Officer. The Executive Officer may require modification, or
revocation and reissuance, of this order to change the name of the discharger and
incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary under the Clean Water
Act.
9. The discharger shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established
under section 307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic pollutants within the time
• provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions,even if this
order has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement
10. In an enforcement action, it shall not be a defense for a discharger that it would have
been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain
compliance with the conditions of this order.
11. The Board, EPA,and other authorized representatives shall be allowed:
a. Entry upon premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or
conducted, or where records are kept under the conditions of this order,
b. Access to copy any records that are kept under the conditions of this order;
c. To inspect any facility, equipment (including for monitoring and control),
practices,or operations regulated or required under this order;and
d. To photograph, sample, and monitor for the purpose of assuring compliance
with this order,or as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act.
12. The discharger shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge
that has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the
environment.
13. The discharger shall, at all times, properly operate and maintain all facilities and
systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or
used by the discharger to achieve compliance with this order. Proper operation and
maintenance includes effective performance, adequate funding, adequate staffing
Order No.C0 )6,NPDES No. • .•• .'8 Page E of 8Nti...•
Nuevo Eneri , Company, ' • • n-.
nd training, and adequate laboratory and process controls, including appropriate
ciality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of backup or
auxiliary facilities or similar systems which are installed by a discharger only when
the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of the permit.
14. Order No. 95-10 is hereby rescinded.
F. Permit Reopening,Revision,Revocation,and Reissuance:
1. This order may be reopened to address any changes in State or federal plans,
policies or regulations which would affect the. quality requirements for the
discharges. •
2. This order may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. No
permit condition will be stayed by the filing of a request by the discharger for
modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination of this order, or by a
notification of anticipated noncompliance or planned changes.
3. This order may be reopened to include effluent limitations for pollutants determined
to be present in significant amounts in the discharge through any monitoring
program.
I, Gerard J. Thibeault, Executive Officer, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and
correct copy of an order adopted by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa
Ana Region, on February 25,2000.
Gerard J. Thibeault
Executive Officer
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- Monitoring and Roglioli Program No. 00-06
Nuevo Faergy Company
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- Mariann"Estbee
Pacific OCesn,Orange Candy
A. Goaetid Mailliasiegtoldellats _
1. An ma2Pling. wimple preservadon, and . 1 • a.- . .4. •• in accordance
• with the moat recent cation ef 40 CFR • . - g , 0. '• - Establishing Test
Prowas kr the An.,:ysis of Pollutant? • • ••• . .. ••••• • EPA, unless otherwise
notedla aCklition, the Eseaiive • 1. •- • • EPA, at their &action, may
specify test methods which we more see .• -.• ••• specified in 40 CFR 136.
2. Chemical, bacteriological, and hi. - toi.. -- •• be conducted ra a laboratory
.
* certified for such analyses by " : .., • ;.11;• -••of Health Services or EPA or at
. laboratories approved by the :0. , ••- • .7 of the Regional Board.
3: -- The dinzharger shall ••,•1140; -- of all monitoring information are
- - • naairgained and accessible • a ! l .of at least five years from the '
date of the ,.-
r:•• - ... ,-
samepl ,report,or .•• ••-. ;• • Vr" •- . • of retentioe shall be extended during the
.1.!•.- -•-:• " • • ,
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....,-. course of any .• -- - ••
- ••• •.. • -. •
... ••••••• this discharge or by the request of the
. . .
EXeCtItiVe Officer . •- ••••• 7-•• ••• of monitoring information shall include:
•.... .
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a. The • - . -• - . • • and time of sampling,measuretnans,and analyses
• .. .- .
- b. •. '41`,. :.... st .. • a)who performed the sampling.measurements,and analyses;
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c. ,....,L ,,,-.4 • .- techniques or methods used;
/
• . - ... of such anslyseg and
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,,,,, ,N, • ... .. statement by a catified lab technician (or repreametative of the
. •-• that each piece&equiment utilized to perform the test was in proper
414,4, working order and calibrated to within the necessary pari to achieve
• the meastrements required by the bests performed. ,
•
4. Dii• -. samples shall be collected downstream of the last addition of waste to the
tradmesit or discharge worts where a representative sample may be obtained prior
to mixing with the receiving waters.
5. All monitoring instruments and devices used by the discharger to fulfill the
prescribed monitoring program shall be properly maintained and calibrated as •
necessary to ensure their continued accuracy.
M&RP No.00-06 1 - ® Page 2 of 3
Nuevo Energy Company-p . kE hey
6. Whenever the discharger m 'nitors any pollutant more frequently than is required by
this monitoring and repot :ng program, the results of the monitoring shall be
inci Med in the Jculation and reporting of the data submitted in the discharge
monitoring report for that monitoring period.
7. The discharger shall .etain records of all monitoring information, including all
sampling and analytical results, all original strip charts from continuous monitoring
devices, all data used to complete the application for this order, and copies of all
reports required by this order. The sampling and analytical records shall include the
exact location, date, and time of sampling; the analyst's name, and the analytical
techniques used. Such records shall be retained for a period of at least five years
from the date of the sample, report, or application. This period of retention Shall be
extended ''ring the course of any unresolved litigation regarding this discharge or
by the r vest of the Board.
B. Sanitary Waste Monitoring
1. Influent Monitoring
On the same day as the effluent monitoring, the influent must be sampled for total
suspended solids.
2. Effluent Monitoring
a. Each working day, the discharger shall determine and record in a permanent
log the dates and estimated flow of treated sanitary waste discharged to the
ocean.
b. During the first 10 working days of each month, a representative sample of
the waste at Discharge Serial No. 001 shall be collected and analyzed for
total suspended solids and residual chlorine.
3. Receiving Water Monitoring
a. A daily inspection of the receiving water in the vicinity of the discharge
shall be made, and recorded in a bound, permanent log, for visible oil,
floating solids,discoloration,and foam.
b. During the first 10 working days of each month, representative samples of
the receiving water shall be collected at points 100 feet upcurrent and 20 feet
downcurrent of the sanitary waste discharge point at a depth of 10 feet. The
downcurrent sample shall be analyzed for total coliform organisms, fecal
coliform concentration, total chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen', and pH'.
The upcurrent sample shall be analyzed for dissolved oxygenand pH'. The
direction of the prevailing ocean current at the time of sampling shall be
Field measurements for dissolved oxygen and pH are acceptabk.
Pate M&RP No.00-06 • ® Page 3 of 3
Nuevo Energy Company-Platform"Esther'
recorded in the perma. ent log. If more than one sample is collected, it must
be collecte .,n different days.
C. Produced Water,Stormwater Runoff, Deck Drainage Monitoring
1. Effluent Monitoring
a. Each working day, the volume of the waste discharged at Discharge Serial
No. 002 shall be determined and recorded in a bound,permanent log.
b. On 'he first working day of each month when a discharge occurs, a
repr.,entative sample of wastewater from Discharge Serial No. 002 shall be
collected and analyzed for oil and grease.
2. Receiving Water Monitoring
a. A daily inspection of the receiving water in the vicinity of the discharge
shall be made, and recorded in a bound, permanent log, for visible oil,
floating solids,discoloration,and foam.
D. Reporting
1. Monitoring reports shall be submitted by the 30th day of each month and shall
include copies of the flow/visual observation logs for the previous month as well as
copies of all chemical and bacteriological analyses performed during the previous
month.
2. For every item where the requirements are not met, the discharger chat submit a
statement of actions undertaken or proposed which will bring the discharge into full
compliance with requirements at the earliest time. A timetable for correction shall
be submitted.
All reports shall be signed by a responsible officer or duly authorized representative of the
discharger and chall be submitted wider penalty of perjury.
Ordered by
Gerard J. Thibeault
Executive Officer
February 25, 1999
Platform Esther- Waste Discharge Permits
Comment Lr -re:Regional Water Quality Control Board Consideration
City Council Staff Report
February 14, 2000
ATTACHMENT 3
LIST OF ACRONYMS
GPD gallons per day
NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region
* * * *
RWQCB Order.CC Staff Report 9