COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

 

DATE:

February 5, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 24, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services Agency

Brian Zamora, Director of Public Health & Environmental Protection

SUBJECT:

San Mateo Countywide Stormwater Management Plan and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution:

 

1)

Adopting the San Mateo Countywide Stormwater Management Plan for 2004-2009

 

2)

Authorizing the application for reissuance of the San Mateo Countywide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit.

 

Background

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted regulations that mandate local governments to reduce the amount of pollutants in stormwater discharged from municipal storm drain systems. To meet that mandate, the State Water Resources Control Board and its regional boards issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits and determine waste discharge requirements for municipal stormwater discharges. The Stormwater Management Plan is submitted to the Control Board as part of the permit application process; the plan is implemented following issuance of the permit.

 

The San Mateo Countywide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (STOPPP) is a consortium of all 20 cities located within San Mateo County and the County. STOPPP was developed in 1993 as part of the NPDES permit issued to the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG). The NPDES application and permit are administered by C/CAG. In 1998, the permit was reissued and STOPPP continued their work.

 

The current permit cycle includes:

 

·

A mercury thermometer exchange;

 

·

PCB hotspot cleanups;

 

·

Working with various city public works and planning/building departments;

 

·

Storm drain inspections and cleanup; and

 

·

Public Education Programs.

     

Discussion

The STOPPP plan for July 2004-June 2009 focuses on five major stormwater pollution prevention and control components. These include:

 

·

Municipal government maintenance activities, such as street sweeping and storm drain cleaning;

 

·

Industrial and illicit discharge controls to minimize or eliminate pollution sources at commercial and industrial facilities;

 

·

Public information and participation programs designed to educate the public about the hazards of stormwater pollution and increase the public's role in pollution prevention;

 

·

Watershed assessment and monitoring; and

 

·

Controls on new development and construction to minimize the "during and after" impact of construction on the county's watersheds.

 

Vision Alignment

The adoption of the Stormwater Management Plan and authorization of the application for the reissuance of the NPDES Permit keep the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number 7: maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors. These actions contribute to this commitment and goal because the reduction of stormwater pollution will protect and enhance the health, safety, welfare and natural resources of all San Mateo County communities.

 

Fiscal Impact

The program costs and permit fees are funded through a flood control parcel tax. The revenue and expenditures associated with this year's work plan total $218,229, and are included in the adopted FY 2003-04 budget. Revenue and expenditures will be included in subsequent budgets based on each year's work plan. There is no net County cost.