Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Heather Forshey, Director, Environmental Health Services
Subject: Application and Acceptance of Groundwater Protection Local Oversight Program Grants from the State Water Resources Control for the Oversight and Abatement of Unauthorized Releases of Hazardous Substances from Underground Storage Tanks
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing San Mateo County Health, on behalf of the County of San Mateo, to apply for and accept all available Groundwater Protection Local Oversight Program grant funds from the State Water Resources Control Board for Fiscal Years July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 1988, the Groundwater Protection Program (GPP) in Environmental Health has been funded by grants from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). GPP functions as a Local Oversight Program authorized under the California Health and Safety Code for the oversight abatement of hazardous substances from underground storage tanks. Since being established, the GPP has guided more than 1,160 leaking fuel underground storage tanks cases through characterization, remediation, and final closure. The GPP continues to handle approximately 150 active cases, including sites contaminated by fuels, solvents, metals, and pesticides.
DISCUSSION:
Continued SWRCB grant funding would ensure the GPP’s operation and oversight of leaking underground fuel tank remediation cases for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025. Currently, approximately 40% Full Time Employee (FTE) of a Program Supervisor, and 80% FTE each of a Hazardous Materials Specialist IV and two Hazardous Materials Specialists III are funded by SWRCB grant funding. GPP ensures the timely characterization and clean-up of fuel releases that could impact the public health and environment of San Mateo County.
Grantees are generally allowed a three-week turnaround to execute a grant agreement. Authorization is therefore being requested to allow the Chief of San Mateo County Health, on behalf of the County of San Mateo, to: 1) approve all necessary applications, contracts, payment requests, agreements, amendments and all documents necessary for the purpose of securing grant funds; 2) implement the approved grant projects; and
3) carry out the purposes specified in the grant applications for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
It is anticipated that 94% of remediation facilities will be reviewed by Environmental Health in FY 2019-2020.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2019-20 Estimated |
FY 2020-21 Projected |
|
Percentage of remediation facilities reviewed by Environmental Health in FY 2019-2020 |
94% 150 facilities |
97% 146 facilities |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The resolution will authorize the Chief of San Mateo County Health, on behalf of the County of San Mateo to apply for and accept all available grant funds from the SWRCB on the GPP’s behalf during Fiscal Years July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025. The SWRCB grant amount for FY 2020-21 is approximately $820,672. The appropriations and revenue will be included in Environmental Health FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget. Similar arrangements will be made for future years. There is no Net County Cost associated with this resolution.