DATE: April 1, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: The County of San Diego’s Commitment to Clean Water

SUMMARY:
Overview
The County of San Diego has proven to be a leader in protecting our region’s watersheds and water resources. Today’s action will express our Board’s continued commitment to practical solutions to clean water and the goals of the stormwater permit, and our desire to seek changes in the permit that establish science-based, environmentally-beneficial, cost-effective and results-oriented approaches to protecting our watersheds and water resources.

Recommendations
VICE CHAIRWOMAN DIANNE JACOB AND SUPERVISOR RON ROBERTS

1. Approve the resolution, “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego, California, Stating Its Commitment to Clean Water.”
   
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to write a letter to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board expressing our Board’s intention to continue to seek practical solutions to clean water and science-based, environmentally-beneficial, cost-effective and results-oriented approaches to protecting our watersheds and water resources, and to do so through all methods at our disposal.

Fiscal Impact
None.

BACKGROUND
The County of San Diego is a proven leader in the implementation of the federal Clean Water Act. As stewards of the County’s watersheds and water resources, our Board has sought creative ways to reach our ultimate goal of making clean water part of the way our residents think and act. On July 11, 2000 (19), our Board initiated Project Clean Water, a voluntary program designed as a more comprehensive approach to water quality management. On June 30, 2001, the County adopted the Project Clean Water Strategic Plan. The three main goals of that program are: 1) strengthened coordination with other stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of local water quality activities; 2) assimilation of science and technology into management practices; and 3) support of stakeholder efforts to assure water quality in our region.

A key component of water quality maintenance is protection of our watersheds from pollutants associated with municipal stormwater runoff. As part of our stewardship, the County of San Diego serves as the Principal Co-permittee under the Regional Water Quality Board’s stormwater permit. In that role, our Board has created a stormwater ordinance that has become the model for our co-permittees. Additionally, on January 16, 2002 (14), we approved a Stormwater Standards Manual as part of our voluntary efforts to improve on regulatory requirements under the permit. On June 16, 2002, our Board adopted a program for long-term maintenance of Post-Construction Stormwater Management Best Management Practices. On November 13, 2002 (11) our Board received an update on the stormwater program and our County staff’s continued efforts to improve on the permit. At the same time, our Board adopted the Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan for land development and public improvement projects.

In many significant ways, the County has been successful in implementing the goals of the stormwater permit. However, more work needs to be done, and our Board will continue to pursue science-based, cost-effective, environmentally-beneficial and results-oriented solutions to water quality maintenance. It is our hope that through continued public dialogue and healthy discussion, the County of San Diego can lead the region toward the ultimate goal of preserving our watersheds and water resources. We urge your support of this resolution.

Respectfully Submitted,



DIANNE JACOB
Vice Chairwoman

RON ROBERTS
Supervisor, Fourth District