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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 1982-10-19 '. MINUTES ------- ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL BOARD TUESDAY OCTOBER 19, 1982 REGULAR MEEl'ING 7:30 P.M. . The regular monthly meeting of the Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board was called to order by Chairman Potter at 7:40 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Knapp. ROLL CALL Present: Knapp, Kolb, Potter, Willson. Absent: Cruchley. Also attending was Richard Brown, an Engineering Geologist, of Seal Beach. MINUTES Moved by Kolb, seconded by Willson, that the minutes of the September 21, 1982 meeting be approved as printed. Carried. DISCUSSION - OLD BUSINESS Hazardous Waste: A letter, dated October 6, 1982, was sent to the agencies taking part in the June 15, 1982 open hearing. Also presented to the Board was the final draft of a memo to the Seal Beach City Council summarizing and reporting on the status of the project. Approval was given to release it as presented. The Board discussed possible future action on the project. An invitation from the County Sanitaion Districts of Los Angeles County to visit the Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant had been received some time ago. The Board indicated interest if a suitable time could be arranged. The Secretary will explore the possibilities. Beach Problems: The Chairman reported on' discussions he had with Chief Life Guard Dorsey. It has been impossible to carry out the sampling procedures they had in mind. The Board indicated interest in following the sampling and "monitoring procedures, but undoubtedly this cannot be done until next spring. The Chairman volunteered to review the data already on file. DISCUSSION - NEW BUSINESS . Earthquake Preparedness: Ground liquefaction problems, in case of an earthquake, was considered by the Board at the last meeting. Out of this discussion it was decided to give attention to promoting earthquake preparedness programs for the City. Kolb reviewed the background information he had gathered. Brown gave the Board an interesting presentation on the various faults in the Seal Beach area. He displayed many maps to illustrate problems that might be involved with earthquake risks. It would appear that Seal Beach has a fault which is an earthquake producer. Kolb also presented maps and information on the faults. The EIR on the Hellman property was referred to on a number of occassions and it was suggested that the data in the EIR be reviewed by qualified personnel. Kolb suggested that the Board acquaint residents of the effects that might befall Seal Beach in case of a major earthquake. The Board agreed and further attention w1+1 be given to the possibility of earthquake preparedness programs. Review of Projects: The Chairman reviewed the various projects considered by the Board from 1979 to date. He suggested the more important items be identified for Board action. Out of the discussion that followed these were chosen: I.Shor~line Environment a) flancl &osion - the Chairman suggested a workshop might be considered inviting agencies sharing a common interest. b) Water Quality - this is a matter of continuing concern and will be monitored. -2- :8 II. Potable Water: The Board asked at the April 20, 1982 meeting that tests for organic material contaminants be made at the next test period, which will be in 1983. III. Hazardous Waste: This project will be closely followed., particularly as to input to appropriate elected. officials. IV. ~ Beach Airport: The Board will continue to monitor tra.:t;fic progress at this location. V. Trash: As time permits this subject will be explored. VI. Power Plant Emission: This item was included since Leisure World is experiencing problems at the present time. Discussions are being held with officials of the Haynes Steam Plant. There were no written or oral communications to be considered. The Chairman thanked Richard Brown for his participation and valuable information supplied the Board on earthquake preparedness discussions. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. -- . . . October 19, 1982 MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Environmental Quality Control Board The Seal Beach Environmental Quality Board has been concerned for'several years about the San Gabriel River as a conveyor of undetected hazardous material. The beach has been contaminated a number of times from this source which continues to pose a potential threat to the health and economy of the community. In August 1980 the San Jose Water Reclamation Plant experienced operational diffi- culties which caused sewage to spill into the river, forcing closure for swimming and recreation. This extended all the way to Seal Beach. On July 10, 1981 a Santa Fe Springs chemical dump exploded in flames and contaminated the river, resulting in costly clean-up operations at the illegal dump site. Seal Beach waters were quarantined on March 16, 1982 following a fire at the Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant which resulted in partially treated sewage being discharged into the San Gabriel River. The Board1s minutes for March 6, 1980 show that an attempt was made to find out what agencies were responsible for maintenance of water quality in the river. No definite answers were forthcoming. . . The March 16, 1982 closing of the beach by Orange County Health Department coin- cided with the Board's regular meeting date. At that meeting it was decided a new approach would have to be taken to determine the responsible agencies. The outcome was the preparation of a letter (attached) setting forth the problem and our concern for the health of the lifeguards and beachgoers. It was pointed out that beach closure resulted in reduction of business, sales tax revenue and parking fees. This letter, dated April 9, 1982, was sent to twenty-two selected agencies and elected officials. Prompt replies from sixteen locations gave valuable information regarding their duties and responsibilities. The most interesting reply was from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region. The Executive Director offered to coordinate the subject with the Los Angeles Region office and meet with our Board to clarify their respective jurisdictional areas and outline what actions were being taken. We readily accepted the offer and at the same time decided to invite all those who had responded to our mailing. It was decided to hold this as an open hearing at our regular June 15, 1982 meeting. Appearing and participating were the following: 1. .James W. Anderson, Executive Director, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region. 2. Richard Harris, Assistant Executive Director, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region. 3. Kieran Bergin, Supervisor of Hazardous Waste Engineering of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. October 19, 1982 4It MEMORANDUM - Page Two . 4. Donald Scullin, Orange County Environmental Management Agency. Mayor Vanderstaay and Councilman Brownell attended the hearing. Not only did the participants give us valuable information about their responsi- bilities, but informed us of steps that were being taken to cope with problems such as we had raised. They suggested that the Board keep closely in touch with them and promised full cooperation. At the July 20, 1982 meeting the Board reviewed the major points brought out at the hearing, as well as the replies received from other locations. Replies were received from all but four of the twenty-two locations. It was decided the fact finding step of the project had been satisfied. The Board concluded that the self-monitoring program for legal discharges to the river appear to work. Accidents associated with these sources occasionally pollute the river but receive prompt attention. However, the Board continues to wonder if illegal discharges go undetected. Because of budget cuts at the Regional Water Quality Control Board, funds might not be available to adequately police illegal dumping. Furthermore, reliance on one hazardous waste disposal site for seven Southern California counties increases the possibility of illegal dumping. For these reasons it was felt that input should be made to appropriate elected officials to see that the responsible agencies have adequate support. At the same time it was decided to prepare a summary and report on the subject to the Seal Beach City Council. The purpose was to inform the Council of the need for this City to provide appropriate input on proposed legislation, moni- toring or budget reduction or other actions which would affect water quality in the river. We earnestly ask the Council to stay actively involved in legislative action related to hazardous waste disposal since illegal dumping of such waste poses a potential threat to the health and economy of the community. Respectfully submitted, I~/~ David Potter, Chairman Environmental Quality Control Board DP/js Attach. cc: City Manager City ClerkV Associate Planner .