COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

August 5, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 20, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Brian Zamora, Director of Public Health and Environmental Protection

SUBJECT:

Proposition 13 Grant for a Clean Beaches Initiative Project

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution:

1)

Authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to enter into an agreement with the State of California Water Resources Control Board that will enable the County to obtain reimbursement for all costs associated with implementing Proposition 13, Coastal Nonpoint Source Program Grant for a Clean Beaches Initiative Project, Location and Elimination of Fecal Sources of Contamination from Coastal Creek.

2)

Authorizing the Director of Health Services, or her designee, to execute any and all future amendments and renewal agreements.

3)

Authorizing the Director of Health Services, or her designee, to certify that the Health Services Agency has and will comply with all applicable state statutory and regulatory requirements related to any state grants received.

Background

For decades, San Mateo County Environmental Health staff have sampled recreational waters at beaches and creeks throughout the county to determine if the water is contaminated with fecal material. Water samples are analyzed at the Public Health Laboratory to determine the concentration of certain indicator bacteria (Escheria coli, enteroccoci, and total coliforms). When a beach or creek is found to have high concentrations of these indicator bacteria or when there is a known sewage overflow, the area is posted with warnings until bacteria levels fall below state standards.

The relationship between the presence of indicator bacteria in recreational water and the spread of disease was clarified in a 1996 study of the health effects of swimming in Santa Monica Bay. It was found that people who swim in waters with high bacteria counts or close to storm drains were twice as likely to become ill as those who swim elsewhere.

Most recently, Environmental Health staff have partnered with the San Mateo County Chapter of Surfriders, stable operators, the Farm Bureau, the Resource Conservation District and property owners to investigate and eliminate sources of fecal contamination from San Vicente Creek. Many hours were spent locating, identifying and removing sources of fecal contamination. All human sources of fecal contamination, including one septic system that drained directly into the creek, have been removed from this creek. Other sources of fecal contamination, mainly stables, have greatly reduced their contribution to this problem through the enactment of better management of wastes. As a result, San Vicente Creek is measurably less contaminated and much less likely to transmit disease to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve patrons.

Discussion

On July 27, 2001, Governor Gray Davis signed the Budget Act of 2001 providing for Proposition 13 grants to be made available to fund 38 Clean Beaches Initiative (CBI) Projects. The major goal of the CBI is to reduce health risks and increase the public's access to clean beaches. Environmental Health's proposal for the Location and Elimination of Fecal Sources of Pollution to Pilarcitos Creek was approved and funded by a CBI grant not to exceed $175,000. The project will use the methods developed during the San Vicente Creek investigation and cleanup. The resultant lowering of fecal contamination in the target creeks and the beaches will effectively reduce the number of pathogens in the water and the potential for transmission of disease.

The Resolution authorizes the Director of Health Services, or her designee, to execute any and all future amendments and renewal agreements and to certify that the Health Services Agency has and will comply with all applicable state statutory and regulatory requirements related to any state grants received.

Vision Alignment

The agreement with the State keeps the commitment to help ensure basic health and safety for all and goal number 7: maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors. The agreement with the State contributes to this commitment and goal by making San Mateo County's recreational waters safer for water contact activities.

Fiscal Impact

The contract term will be from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2004. A Decision Package was included in the FY 2002-2003 budget to reflect appropriations and revenue in the amount of $125,000. The remaining $50,000 will be included in the FY 2003-2004 budget. The total amount of this grant will not exceed $175,000. The proposed work is totally funded by the grant. There is no net County cost.