SOUTH BBAY WWATERSHED AACTIVITIES STATUS REPORT JANUARY 2003

Administered by the Environmental Services Department, City of San José TRIBUTARY AGENCIES: Cities of: San José, Santa Clara and Milpitas • Cupertino Sanitary District West Valley Sanitary District —including Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga County Sanitation Districts 2-3 • Sunol and Burbank Sanitary Districts

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION...... 1 THE CITY’S NPDES STRATEGY...... 2 ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE 1998-2003 PERMIT CYCLE...... 3 NEXT STEPS...... 5 COPPER AND NICKEL PROGRAM ...... 7 WATERSHED SOURCES ...... 7 SOURCE IDENTIFICATION ...... 8 TECHNICAL STUDIES...... 8 POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN...... 10 AMBIENT MONITORING ...... 11 PROGRAM EVALUATION ...... 12 FLOW REDUCTION AND HABITAT PROTECTION ...... 18 GOALS OF HABITAT PROTECTION AND FLOW REDUCTION PROGRAM ...... 19 FLOW PREDICTION ...... 19 TIDAL MARSH HABITAT ASSESSMENT...... 20 MARSH MITIGATION ...... 27 MERCURY...... 32 REGIONAL PARTICIPATION IN SPECIAL STUDIES:...... 32 PESTICIDES AND PERSISTENT BIOACCUMULATIVE TOXINS ...... 34 SPECIAL EFFLUENT STUDY FOR CERTAIN ORGANIC POLLUTANTS...... 34 URBAN RUNOFF PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT...... 35 PESTICIDES OUTREACH...... 35 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES ...... 38 THE PRETREATMENT PROGRAM...... 38 DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW ...... 38 CITY OF SAN JOSE BIOASSESSMENT PROGRAM...... 39 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE ...... 41 OUTREACH EFFORTS ...... 43 WATERSHED GRANTS...... 44 AVIAN BOTULISM...... 45

APPENDIX A CLEAN BAY STRATEGY TIMELINE

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT i

ABBREVIATIONS AND UNITS OF

MEASURE

Action Plan Revised South Bay Action Plan ADWEF Average Dry Weather Effluent Flow BACWA Bay Area Clean Water Agency BAPPG Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group BASMAA Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association Bay San Francisco Bay BMM Watershed Management Initiative Bay Monitoring and Modeling Subgroup BMP Best Management Practice CBS Clean Bay Strategy CEP Clean Estuary Partnership City City of San José ERP Enforcement Response Plan ESD Environmental Services Department FAS Flow Audit Study FY Fiscal Year GWI Groundwater Infiltration Industrial Industrial Water Recycling and Reuse IPM Integrated Pest Management IPM Project Our Water Our World Partnership IU Industrial User NIPP Nickel Initiative Partnership Program NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System PBCE Department of Plumbing, Building, and Code Enforcement Plant San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant PMC Pesticide Management Committee POTW Publicly Owned Treatment Works Regional Board California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region RFP Request for Proposal RMP Regional Monitoring Program SBWR South Bay Water Recycling SFEI San Francisco Estuary Institute South Bay San Francisco Bay, South of Dumbarton Bridge TAG Technical Advisory Group TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load Tributary Agencies Cities and Agencies Tributary to the Plant: San José; Santa Clara; Milpitas; Cupertino Sanitary District; West Valley Sanitary District – Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga; County Sanitation Districts 2 and 3, and Sunol and Burbank Sanitary Districts

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT ii ABBREVIATIONS AND UNITS OF MEASURE

TWG TMDL Work Group ULFT Ultra-Low Flush Toilet Urban Runoff Program Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program U.S. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Water District Santa Clara Valley Water District WE&O Watershed Education and Outreach WEP Water Efficiency Program WET Water Efficient Technologies WMI Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative

UNITS OF MEASURE ccf hundred cubic feet gpd gallons per day LF linear feet mgd million gallons per day ppb parts per billion ppd pounds per day (lbs/day) ppt parts per trillion

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT iii

INTRODUCTION

The City of San Jose (City) manages the report includes pollutant priorities, San José/Santa Clara Water Pollution sources of pollutants, pollution Control Plant (Plant) for the Cities of prevention progress, and plans for the San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, next year. For this permit cycle, priority Cupertino Sanitation Districts 2-3, Sunol pollutants and issues were: and Burbank Sanitary Districts and West Valley Sanitation District (Campbell, · Copper and Nickel (Chapter 1) Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga). · Flow and Habitat Protection The Plant is located at the southern end (Chapter 2) of one of the most important estuaries in · Mercury (Chapter 3) the United States and receives discharge · Pesticides and Persistent from over 1.4 million residents and more Bioaccumulative Toxins (Chapter 4) than 16,000 commercial and industrial facilities, including the leading In addition, the City is implementing companies of Silicon Valley. The City other related watershed activities as faces numerous environmental issues described in Chapter 5. relating to the Plant’s discharge flows, including water quality and habitat The Tributary Area discharging to the issues. The current NPDES permit Plant is shown on the next page. governing the Plant’s wastewater discharge is due to expire in June 2003. All of the cities that discharge to the Bay, including San Jose, Santa Clara, and representatives for the tributary agencies, are currently participating in a stakeholder process to renew the permits for the three South Bay treatment plants.

This report provides an update on the activities for the fulfillment of the Plant’s NPDES discharge permit during the period July 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002, as well as a summary of efforts during the permit cycle from 1998 to 2002 under Permit Order 98-052, amendments 01-108 and 01-109. The

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 1 INTRODUCTION

· Environmental Equity THE CIITY’S NPDES · Stakeholder involvement and education STRATEGY · Cost-effective environmental

protection. Since 1994, the City has managed the

Plant’s pollution prevention program using the Clean Bay Strategy (CBS), Some of the goals for the next five-year permit cycle are: which defined the policies and principles of watershed management from the · Compliance with permit City/Plant’s perspective and served as requirements the basis for prioritizing programs. The · Comprehensive, cost-effective current permit strategy builds upon and protection of the South San expands the successful CBS approach, Francisco Bay through while preserving the following basic environmental leadership goals and principles: · To protect beneficial uses · To focus on an ecosystem approach · Holistic approach to environmental · Ongoing assessment of protection programmatic data to ensure · Regulatory certainty for the City and continuous improvement industrial dischargers · Coordination and integration with · Sound science and data collection local and regional programs and restoration efforts

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 2 INTRODUCTION

· To obtain stakeholder support ACCOMPLIISHMENTS DURIING

THE 1998-2003 PERMIT The City believes that a watershed THE 1998-2003 PERMIT management program must integrate CYCLE POTW and urban stormwater programs with land use and transportation Average Dry Weather Effluent flows3 planning, into a comprehensive plan to were maintained well below the 120 identify the most cost-effective and mgd trigger for five consecutive years. environmentally beneficial programs. Central to this watershed approach is the The combined effort of all flow acknowledgement of benefits that can be reduction programs over the past ten provided by the Plant’s effluent, years has resulted, by the end of 2002, in including recycled water uses and a reduction of over 20 mgd of flow, 10 habitat improvements. The City mgd of which came from South Bay supports environmental and regulatory Water Recycling. The 2002 ADWEF programs that produce a net was 102 mgd. environmental benefit for the ecosystem, while maintaining regulatory To achieve the reductions, over 121,000 compliance. Ultra Low Flush Toilets (ULFTs) were installed, more than 17,000 h-axis The City supports U.S. EPA in its effort washing machine rebates were given, to “restructure the permits program and 400 South Bay Water Recycling seek changes in the water quality Customers were brought on-line using standards, TMDL, and enforcement over 75 miles of pipeline, industrial flow programs to promote planning, reduction programs were implemented, development, and implementation of and sewer retrofits reduced groundwater environmental programs on a watershed infiltration. basis.”1 The goal is to have current and future NPDES programs that are based Marsh conversion analysis shows that on U.S. EPA’s recent Watershed-Based salt marsh acreage has increased over the NPDES Permitting Policy Statement last 10 years. Since 1989, 180 acres of which says, “A holistic watershed new salt marsh have formed. The City’s management approach provides a studies indicate that various factors framework for addressing all stressors contribute to marsh changes and is within a hydrologically defined drainage continuing to monitor habitat in the basin instead of viewing individual vicinity of the discharge. In addition, sources in isolation. 2 the City plans to become an active partner in the restoration of Cargill salt ponds. 1 Protecting the Nation’s Waters through effective NPDES Permits, EPA, June 2001 2 EPA Watershed-Based NPDES Permitting Policy Statement Memorandum from G. Tracy Mehan, III to Water Division 3 The lowest average effluent discharged during three Directors, Regions I-X. January 07, 2003. consecutive months between May and October.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 3 INTRODUCTION

Pollutant Reduction through source studies required by the 1998 permit were control efforts has kept industrial copper completed with the exception of the and nickel loading levels to the Plant bioassessment study. In November below 1997 baseline levels. The Plant 2002, the City requested and received has had sixteen minor violations of its from the Regional Board a six-month permit limits during the five-year permit time extension for deliverables cycle. Nine of the violations were due to associated with this study, with the final zinc concentration and mass loading. report on Phase I due to the Regional The increased levels of zinc were traced Board in June 2003 and a Phase II final to the addition of zinc orthophosphate in report due in June 2005. potable water as a corrosion inhibitor. Mandatory minimum penalties were In addition, the City continues its trace waived for these violations. No other level monitoring in South San Francisco penalties have been assessed. The Plant Bay. did not exceed any permit limits in 2002. Santa Clara Basin Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load Study for Management Initiative (WMI): The copper and nickel: The City funded a WMI was established in 1996 by the Total Maximum Daily Load study, U.S. EPA, the State Water Resources including facilitation of a stakeholder Control Board, and the Regional Board forum. The study found that the Bay is as a broad community-based stakeholder unlikely to be impaired by copper and process focused on protecting and nickel and that site-specific objectives enhancing the Watershed by developing are appropriate. In May 2002, the a watershed management plan for the Regional Board developed a Basin Plan Santa Clara Basin. The City has been a amendment to incorporate copper and leader in this effort, which is currently nickel site-specific objectives. completing a watershed assessment and Removing the South Bay from the developing an action plan and first year impaired water body list addresses the implementation workplan. Additional Plant’s permit compliance issues relating highlights since 1998 include the to copper and nickel. The City is now completion of the WMI vision and implementing the Copper and Nickel implementation objectives and State Action Plans developed in the recognition in 2002, of the WMI as one stakeholder process. of the ten best watershed efforts in the state. Strong science and increased data collection will continue to be important Regional Coordination: The City is an in the development of indicators such as active participant in regional pollution the City’s bioassessment program to prevention activities, including assess plankton community composition participation in collaborative processes and conventional water chemistry to such as the Clean Estuaries Partnership measure and mark progress. All special (CEP), the Bay Area Pollution

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 4 INTRODUCTION

Prevention Group (BAPPG), and the NEXT STEPS Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA). The City’s NPDES permit approach is intended to be flexible and is evaluated Outreach: The City is a partner in the annually, making improvements or successful Watershed Watch campaign changing priorities as new data and other launched in September 2001 by the information becomes available. The Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff City is currently participating in a Pollution Prevention Program and the stakeholder process to reissue the South WMI. The City’s strong outreach Bay treatment plant permits, which is program has also contributed to its scheduled for completion in June 2003. success in reducing flows to the Bay. The City participated in establishment of The Plant and other Bay Area a Bay Area Wide Regional Phone line, dischargers will face requirements for and the regional media relations group. new pollutants of concern and we want City staff chairs BAPPG and to build on the successful copper and participated in Bay Area Stormwater nickel approach to address common, Management Agencies Association’s regional issues. The City will continue national award-winning regional ad to collect essential South Bay water campaign “When ants invade.” quality impairment information and to characterize our discharge in light of Watershed Grants Program: The City current and future environmental initiated a Watershed Grants Program to concerns. This assessment and support community involvement in monitoring information will allow the watershed activities. Since 1998, City to make decisions based upon $600,000 dollars for 36 grants were sound technical information that support awarded. cost-effective environmental programs along with sustained economic growth. Plant Optimization: During the permit cycle, the Plant fully implemented a Based on regulatory requirements and Biological Nutrient Removal process, monitoring information and research, which enhanced the Plant’s efficiency program development will focus in the and reduced nutrient levels in the Plant’s following areas: effluent. In 2000, the Plant was awarded U.S. EPA’s National Operation and · Maintain flow reduction gains by Maintenance Excellence Award for large continuing programs and treatment Plants. The Plant is also implementing funded projects for proceeding on the implementation of a water recycling and groundwater wet weather reliability project that is infiltration reduction. scheduled for completion in 2006. · Continue implementation of the copper and nickel action plans.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 5 INTRODUCTION

· Participate in a regional approach to mercury control. · Participate in regional research to address cyanide. · Participate in regional habitat improvement projects such as salt pond restoration.

Clean Bay Strategy Reports, as well as other studies and information related to South Bay Water Quality issues, may be found on the following website: http://www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/esd/ .

Any questions about this report may be directed to the Environmental Services Department, Watershed Protection, at (408) 945-5121.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 6

CHAPTER 1 COPPER AND NICKEL PROGRAM

In 1989, San Francisco Bay south of the negative. Since this was not technically Dumbarton Bridge (South Bay) was or economically feasible, the City designated by the U.S. Environmental developed a new methodology for Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as an calculating local limits and implemented impaired water body under Section 304(l) a comprehensive pollution prevention of the Clean Water Act due to plan that included successful programs anthropogenic inputs of seven metals, such as the Nickel Initiative Partnership including copper and nickel. The three Program. municipal treatment plants (San Jose/Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Palo The City developed an effective Alto) and stormwater runoff were pollution prevention program, improved designated as sources contributing to the the treatment process at the Plant, and impairment. Until 2002, the South Bay funded extensive research and a Total had been continuously listed as an Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process impaired water body under the State’s to address these pollutants of concern. 305(b) reporting requirement. Under the Clean Water Act, a Total Maximum Goals of Copper and Nickel Pollution Daily Load (TMDL) is required to be Prevention Program developed for impaired water bodies · Protect beneficial uses of South Bay where point source controls are not from copper and nickel sufficient to meet water quality · Provide sound science to develop objectives. Despite stringent limits on the reasonable and protective permit three municipal treatment plants, water limits for the municipal treatment quality objectives for copper, nickel, and plants by resolving 303(d) listing mercury were not being met in the South issues Bay according to Regional Monitoring · Use a watershed approach and focus Program monitoring of the South Bay. on cost-effective solutions and priority sources of pollutants In October 1994, the City developed a comprehensive Clean Bay Strategy in WATERSHED SOURCES response to stringent copper, nickel and cyanide limits. In particular, the According to the Conceptual Model standard method of calculating local Report (Tetra Tech, December 1999), limits had resulted in a loading the two largest sources of total copper allocation for industry that would be and nickel to the Lower South San

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 7 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

Francisco Bay are sediment exchange plan for the Santa Clara Basin. The WMI during resuspension and nonpoint source is being led by a group of representatives loads from tributaries. from 33 different agencies and organizations. To achieve the goal of the SOURCE IDENTIIFIICATIION WMI, one of the key first steps identified by the core group was the need for a From 1995 through 2001, trunkline and TMDL effort, recognizing that the TMDL upstream monitoring was used to effort will start with copper and nickel, identify the sources of copper and nickel but the approach used for copper and as well as other pollutants entering the nickel should be useable for other Plant. Program data was used to identify pollutants or stressors. The Bay trunklines where pollutant loading Monitoring and Modeling (BMM) trended upward and the pattern which subgroup was formed, in part, to define pollutants entered the Plant. Upstream modeling needs for the South Bay and monitoring was then used to further investigate regulatory tools to address isolate pollutants sources. compliance issues. The mission of the BMM subgroup is to “…establish a Based on the program findings and the sound and technical basis for future completion of the program’s objectives, regulatory decisions affecting the Lower the trunkline and upstream monitoring South Bay.” program has concluded. A site-specific surveillance program will continue as As part of a provision in its 1998 permit part of the Pretreatment Program to and in partnership with the BMM’s identify non-compliant dischargers. subgroup’s process, the City funded Details of the six-year program were technical studies in support of described in the July 2002 CBS Report. development of TMDLs for copper and nickel in the South Bay. Stakeholder involvement and coordination were a TECHNIICAL STUDIIES critical element of this effort.

Total Maximum Daily Load and The City developed a Request for Coordination with the Watershed Proposal (RFP) in the spring of 1997. Management Initiative Throughout the process of RFP development, consultant selection, and The City believes that a TMDL is the contract development, the City technical basis for a watershed approach, coordinated with stakeholders. Such because it provides a holistic view of a coordination is unprecedented for the watershed by measuring the effect of development of a City contract totaling each pollution source on the entire over $3.5 million over four years. The system. scope of work, developed after negotiation with the selected contractor The Santa Clara Basin Watershed Tetra Tech, was reviewed by the BMM Management Initiative (WMI) was subgroup members and regulatory initiated by the Regional Board in April 1996 to develop a watershed management

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 8 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM agency staff knowledgeable about determination that the beneficial uses of TMDL development. Lower South San Francisco Bay were impaired due to ambient concentrations In 1998, the Copper and Nickel TMDL of copper and nickel. The final results Work Group (TWG) was formed by the of the impairment assessment indicate WMI to provide guidance for the that impairment to beneficial uses of development of the TMDLs for copper Lower South San Francisco Bay due to and nickel in Lower South San Francisco ambient copper and nickel Bay. A broad group of stakeholders concentrations is unlikely. The TMDL was represented on the TWG, including workgroup then developed Action Plans several environmental groups, local to monitor copper and nickel, to ensure wastewater treatment plants, local public that levels of copper and nickel in the agencies responsible for the urban runoff Bay are maintained and that actions program, state and federal regulators, would be taken if levels increased industry and local business beyond certain triggers. In addition, the representatives, and national Action Plans address remaining organizations such as the Copper uncertainties with respect to copper and Development Association. nickel impairment issues which resulted in the City’s bioassessment effort. The One of the first actions of the TMDL Action Plans were incorporated in the stakeholder group was to recognize the Plant’s permit in October 2000. The TMDL effort as a decision-making copper and nickel action plans were process, rather than merely a collection developed, in concert with the Regional of technical reports. The fundamental Board and other stakeholders, as a focus of the TMDL effort was to: means to ensure that a Water Quality Attainment Strategy was in place for the 1. Conduct an Impairment Assessment South Bay. to determine if ambient concentrations of copper and nickel As a result of the TMDL workgroup’s were negatively impacting the efforts, the Regional Board approved a designated Lower South San Basin Plan amendment that includes Site Francisco Bay beneficial uses; Specific Objectives for copper and nickel. 2. Develop a range of scientifically The State Board approved delisting of the defensible water quality South Bay for copper and nickel from the objectives/standards for copper and 303D list. nickel; and 3. Develop a conceptual model of The City also performed the following copper and nickel cycling to evaluate studies in support of development of Site attainment of the range of Specific Objectives for copper and objectives/standards. nickel. The research was peer-reviewed and accepted by regulatory agencies to The purpose of the impairment develop the Site Specific Objectives assessment was to present new included in the Basin Plan amendment: information and to re-evaluate the

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 9 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

· May 1998: South San Francisco Bay · Developing an environmental Copper Site-Specific Criterion clearinghouse Report. · Update of the City bioassessment · October 1998: Acute to Chronic studies Nickel Toxicity: Development of an · Coordinating with copper and nickel Acute-to-chronic ratio for west coast efforts planned for the North San marine species Francisco Bay · October 1998: South San Francisco · September 15, 2002 status report Bay Nickel Site-specific Criterion submitted for stormwater Report · Update of the City’s ambient receiving water monitoring. Based on these reports, site-specific chronic and acute water quality Figure 1: Total Permitted objectives for dissolved concentrations Industrial Copper and Nickel of copper and nickel in the South Bay Loading to the Plant were developed.

POLLUTIION PREVENTIION PLAN 25 Copper 19.9 (COPPER ACTION PLAN Appendix A 20 Baseline Number 13) Nickel 15 8.79 7.8 8.61 Copper Action Plan 10 7.58 6.8 5.57 5 2.81 6.36 4.96 4.85 The City is implementing the Copper Pounds 4.35 3.66 2.4 and Nickel Action Plans, which include 0 baseline activities for the Plant and 1993 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Urban Runoff Program. The City and other dischargers hold stakeholder The City’s Pollution Prevention meetings twice a year to review the Program status of the Copper and Nickel Action Plan activities. The Pollution Prevention Program The latest stakeholder meeting was held includes, or has included, Upstream November 18, 2002. The following Monitoring to identify sources of copper issues were discussed: and nickel to the trunklines, as well as a · The status of and future objectives site-specific surveillance program to for tracking and encouraging efforts identify spike dischargers. In addition, to understand and help reduce the Municipal Code was changed in uncertainty associated with the 1994 to designate copper and nickel development of the copper and dischargers as Group 1 or 2 dischargers nickel site-specific objectives and require them to complete Mass · Enhance the current action plan Audit Studies or Reasonable Control reporting format Measure Plans to reduce copper, nickel and wastewater discharge. Total

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 10 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM permitted industrial loading of copper · Guidelines for Managing Water in and nickel to the Plant have remained Cooling Systems – San José below 1997 baseline levels due to many · BMP’s for Educational Institutions – factors including pollution prevention, San José production efficiencies, a sluggish · BMP’s for Printing and economy and facility closures. See Photoprocessing Operations – San Figures 1 and 9 - 11. José · Wastewater Paths poster – The City The City has been a regional leader in · Copper Plumbing and the Health of implementing pollution prevention the Bay – Guidelines for Plumbers – activities. The City’s 1994-1997 Nickel San José, Sunnyvale, and Palo Alto Initiative Partnership Program (NIPP) · Get to the Root of the Problem root formed a public/private partnership with killer brochure – BAPPG the four largest dischargers of nickel to · Spanish Radio Outreach – BAPPG the Plant and through collaboration and project managed by San José research, succeeded in reducing nickel · Bay area wide “Clean It” guide from these discharger’s by more than printing - BAPPG 50% in spite of production increases. In addition, the City formed a partnership with four Printed Circuit Board AMBIIENT MONIITORIING Manufacturers, modeled on the successful NIPP and led by a former Regional Monitoring Program member, to reduce flow, copper and nickel loading from these industries. The City supports and actively The City maintains ongoing participates in the Regional Monitoring communication and training for Program (RMP), a region-wide dischargers, including the Industrial assessment and monitoring program User Academy and a periodic newsletter administered by the San Francisco called the Tributary Tribune. Both the Estuary Institute on behalf of the Academy and the Tributary Tribune Regional Board. The City supports one cover pretreatment program and storm additional sampling station in the water requirements, compliance issues southern end of the Bay. and pollution prevention topics specific to the Plant’s service area. Ambient Monitoring

The City is also very active in the The City monitors various water quality BAPPG and BACWA regional pollution parameters, including copper and nickel, prevention and outreach development monthly at 12 sampling sites in the groups. Over the past five years these extreme South Bay (see Figure 2). groups developed the following These sites represent deep channel, mid- programs and materials addressing channel, shallow mudflats, and areas of copper and nickel sources, as well as significant stream influence. This updated many existing materials. monitoring program provides fundamental information describing the spatial and temporal trends in water

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 11 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

quality. This monitoring information also represents the basis for trigger levels in the Copper and Nickel Action Plans and their associated pollution control activities. Figure 2: Ambient Monitoring Stations

Newark Slough SB01 SB08 DumbartonDumbarton Bridge Bridge BridgeBridge SB02 Mowry Slough SB02 SB07 Mowry Slough SB09 SB06 SB05 Coyote Creek SB10 SB04 SB03 AlvisoAlviso Slough ArtesianArtesian Slough Slough Slough (Guadalupe(Guadalupe River)River)River)River) GuadalupeGuadalupe Slough Slough SB11 Palo Alto POTW

Mayfield Slough SB12 San Jose/ Santa Clara 0 2.52.5 5 Sunnyvale 0 2.52.5 5 Sunnyvale POTW POTW Kilometers

PROGRAM EVALUATIION

Trends in Bay. Over the duration of this permit cycle, levels of dissolved copper and nickel have remained consistent and no Action Plan trigger levels have been exceeded (see Figures 3 & 4).

For comparison, the influent and effluent concentrations of copper and nickel to the Plant over the five years of the NPDES permit cycle are shown in Figures 5 – 8.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 12 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

Figure 3: Dry Weather Dissolved Copper Means for Indicator Stations

5.0

Phase 2 Trigger (4.4)

4.0

3.42 Phase 1 Trigger (4.0) 3.22 3.66 g/L) m 3.0 2.83 2.95 2.89

2.0

Phase 1 Trigger Copper Concentration (

Phase 2 Trigger 1.0

Yearly Indicator Station Means

0.0 Jun-97 Oct-98 Mar-00 Jul-01 Nov-02 Event Date

Figure 4: Dry Weather Dissolved Nickel Means for Indicator Stations

5.0

Phase 2 Trigger (4.4)

4.0

3.42 Phase 1 Trigger (4.0) 3.66 3.22 g/L) m 3.0 2.83

2.95 2.89

2.0

Phase 1 Trigger Copper Concentration (

Phase 2 Trigger 1.0

Yearly Indicator Station Means

0.0 Jun-97 Oct-98 Mar-00 Jul-01 Nov-02 Event Date

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 13 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

Figure 5: Influent Copper to the Plant

300

250

200

150

100 Concentration, ug/L

50

0 1/1/1998 1/1/1999 1/1/2000 1/1/2001 1/1/2002 1/1/2003 Date

Figure 6: Effluent Copper from the Plant

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

Concentration, ug/L 3

2

1

0 1/1/1998 1/1/1999 1/1/2000 1/1/2001 1/1/2002 1/1/2003 Date

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 14 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

Figure 7: Influent Nickel to the Plant

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

Concentration, ug/L 15

10

5

0 1/1/1998 1/1/1999 1/1/2000 1/1/2001 1/1/2002 1/1/2003 Date

Figure 8: Effluent Nickel from the Plant

14

12

10

8

6

Concentration, ug/L 4

2

0 1/1/1998 1/1/1999 1/2/2000 1/1/2001 1/1/2002 1/1/2003 Date

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 15 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

Figure 9: Permitted Dischargers Flow

10 8.97 8.99 1998 9 8.08 1999 8 7.69 2000 6.66 7 2001

6 2002

5

4 Total Flow (mgd) 2.53 2.57 3 2.29 2.15 2 1.49

1 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.15 0.05 0 Discharge Group 1 Discharge Group 2 Discharge Group 3

Figure 10: Daily Total Industrial Copper Loading

7.00 6.48 1998 6.00 1999

5.14 2000 5.00 2001

4.27 2002

4.00 3.51

2.95 3.00 2.51 2.42 2.10 Cu Loading (lbs) 2.00 1.8

1.08 1.00

0.03 0.02 0.02 0.11 0.04 0.00 Discharge Group 1 Discharge Group 2 Discharge Group 3

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 16 CHAPTER 1 COPPER & NICKEL PROGRAM

Figure 11: Daily Total Industrial Nickel Loading

4.00 1998 3.48 3.50 1999 3.20

2.98 2000 3.00 2001 2.54 2002 2.50

2.00 1.86 1.63 1.47 1.50 1.36 Ni Loading (lbs) 1.07 1.00 0.57

0.50

0.02 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 Discharge Group 1 Discharge Group 2 Discharge Group 3

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 17

CHAPTER 2 FLOW REDUCTION AND HABITAT PROTECTION

The Basin Plan prohibits wastewater endangered species, and to submit a discharge south of Dumbarton Bridge mitigation proposal involving the creation unless certain exception criteria are met. or restoration of 380 acres of salt marsh In an effort to gain exception to the Basin or equivalent habitat. In 1991, the Plan by demonstrating a net original Action Plan was proposed by the environmental benefit, the Plant City to meet these requirements. The participated in a five-year Water Quality Action Plan included water recycling, Monitoring Study conducted by the South water conservation (residential and Bay Dischargers Authority from 1981 to industrial), and marsh mitigation. In 1986. Based on that study, the Regional October 1993, the Regional Board Board determined that water quality incorporated the Action Plan into the enhancement occurs due to localized NPDES permit for the Plant. Despite increase of receiving water dissolved significant progress in implementing the oxygen and the flushing effects of the 1991 Action Plan, Plant discharge discharger. The State Water Resources averaged 132 mgd in 1996, probably due Control Board (State Board) denied the to the emergence of the Santa Clara net environmental benefit exception, Valley from a combination of drought however, based on the assertion that the and economic recession. The Regional Plant discharge converted salt marsh to Board held a public hearing in December either fresh or brackish marsh, thereby 1996 and directed the City to revise its threatening the habitat of two endangered Action Plan. The revised Action Plan species, the salt marsh harvest mouse and was submitted in June 1997, and the the California clapper rail. Regional Board amended the Plant’s NPDES permit to include the revised In 1990, the State Board ordered the City, Action Plan in August 1997. The Plan as the administering agency for the Plant, included the Water Efficiency Program to implement actions to protect the marsh (WEP), South Bay Water Recycling from conversion by limiting flows to (SBWR), Industrial Water Recycling and below 120 mgd average dry weather Reuse (Industrial), Groundwater effluent flow4 or to flows that would not Infiltration Reduction (GWI), and further impact the habitat of the two Environmental Enhancements.

4 4The ADWEF is defined in Board Order WQ90-5 as “the lowest average effluent flow for any three consecutive months between the months of May and October”.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 18 CHAPTER 2 FLOW REDUCTION

GOALS OF HABIITAT · manufacturing and wholesale; · retail; PROTECTIION AND FLOW · service industry; and REDUCTIION PROGRAM · other (including government, · Protect beneficial uses of endangered construction, and utilities) species habitat of South Bay. · Provide sound science to understand Upper and lower trend lines for dry- factors affecting marshes in the weather influent flows were developed South Bay. in millions of gallons per day (mgd) · Coordinate with regional wetlands based on the lowest and highest growth protection and restoration efforts. rates for residential and job projections · Use an ecosystem approach to in the Plant’s Tributary Area. Total flow address rare and endangered species’ reduction due to influent reduction habitat in the South Bay. programs (e.g., conservation and · Gain a better understanding of the groundwater infiltration) and effluent impact of Plant flows on the reduction programs (SBWR) were environment. subtracted from these values to forecast · Consider treated effluent as a flows to the Bay. The model indicates valuable resource to be managed that Plant dry-weather discharges are effectively to the benefit of the expected to remain below 120 mgd community and the environment. through the term of the next NPDES · Comply with Permit requirements permit period (2003 – 2008) under all cost effectively. scenarios, even with robust economic activity and strong housing growth (see Figure 12 below). FLOW PREDIICTIION Figure 12: Dry-Weather Effluent A Flow Projection Model was developed Projection Envelope to predict the increase in flows that could be expected with varying Upper Limit Average Effluent Projection Lower Limit 140 levels of economic activity and housing growth utilizing demographic data supplied by the 130 Association of Bay Area

Governments out to the year 2025. 120 mgd flow trigger Per capita flow factors5 were 120 developed and applied to the number of people living and working in the 110 Plant’s Tributary Area for the Effluent Discharge (mgd) following categories: · residential; 100 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

5 These values are calibrated using the actual monthly job figures published by the California Employment Development Department (CEDD).

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The model can be used periodically to adjacent sloughs, while the 255 acre help determine the need for future Reference Area represents the tidal zone programs and their implementation of the Guadalupe River. For the schedules. purposes of data collection and analysis, the study area is divided into 28 TIIDAL MARSH HABIITAT segments in four reaches (Upper Reach segments, Transition Reach segments, ASSESSMENT Lower Reach segments, and Reference Reach) as shown in Figure 13. The In 1989, as part of a monitoring program Upper (approximately 440 acres), required by the Regional Board, the City Transition (approximately 390 acres), commissioned a more detailed study of and Lower Reach (approximately 740 the marshes potentially affected by the acres) segments, referred to as the Main freshwater discharge from the Plant. Study Area, are located within the Subsequent mapping studies were Coyote Creek watershed and include conducted in 1991, 1994, and annually Segments 1-5 and 8-26. Segments 27-30 thereafter. These studies document are located along the lower Guadalupe changes in the distribution and extent of River, also known as Alviso Slough. salt, brackish and freshwater marsh. This study assumes that the Plant In 1999 and subsequent years, the aerial discharge does not significantly photographs were processed using influence the Reference Area, which digital orthorectification. This state-of- therefore provides a suitable control site the-art process enhances the accuracy of for documenting vegetation changes in the mapping by removing distortion, and South San Francisco Bay. allows for precise overlaying of other data layers. In addition, the City began Key Findings collecting physical data in August 1999, including continuous monitoring of tidal Brackish marsh plant associations elevations and salinity in the tidal dominated the Upper Reach of the Main channels, as well as porewater salinity, Study Area as well as the Reference bulk density, and pH of the soil in the Area. The Lower and Transition Reach root zones of marsh vegetation in the segments are primarily dominated by Main Study and Reference Areas. The salt marsh plant species; the Lower analysis of this data and of other Reach has only 16 acres of brackish freshwater input variables aids in marsh habitat. Although a similar determining the relative influences of distribution of habitats is noted in the environmental and anthropogenic factors Reference Area, brackish marsh habitats affecting changes in marsh type. comprise a much greater proportion of

the area than in the Main Study Area Study Area (see Figures 18 & 19).

Between 1989 and 1999, the relative The Main Study Area encompasses 1650 change in habitat types through time was acres of freshwater, brackish, and salt less in the Main Study Area than in the marsh habitats in the Coyote Creek and Reference Area although the rate of new

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 20 CHAPTER 2 FLOW REDUCTION marsh formation in the Main Study Area habitats and concurrent increases in salt had exceeded that of the Reference Area. marsh habitats since the last El Nino This indicates that much of the (1997 – 1998) indicates that freshwater conversion of salt marsh habitats within discharges and incident rainfall have a the South Bay area was likely driven by dramatic effect on the plant species large-scale influences (both distribution of the South Bay marshes. environmental and anthropogenic) that were affecting the entire system. In New Marsh Formation 2001 small gains in salt marsh habitat occurred in both the Main Study Area The surface area of marsh habitat has and Reference Area. In 2002 even increased by 231.5 acres between 1989 greater gains in salt marsh habitat were and 2002 within the Main Study Area observed. This trend seems to further (Upper, Transition and Lower Reaches highlight the influence of multiple Combined). During the same period, factors affecting changes in marsh 62.9 acres of new marsh has formed in vegetation communities in South San the Reference Area. This equates to a Francisco Bay. 17% increase in marsh acreage in the Main Study Area and a 37% increase in Although the Plant has had an effect marsh acreage in the Reference Area upon portions of the system, discharges between 1989 and 2002. from Guadalupe River (Alviso Slough), Coyote Creek and the Sacramento/San Marsh area remained relatively stable Joaquin Delta also play a role in marsh from 1989 to 1996 in the Main Study conversion and formation. For example, Area (see Figure 14). The formation of the Reference Area has experienced a new marsh habitat in the Main Study greater rate of salt marsh conversion Area has occurred primarily between than the Main Study Area and the 1996 and 2002 in the Lower Reach and Reference Area is hydrologically between 1996 and 1998 in the Transition disconnected from the Plant discharge. Reach. Gains in marsh area between 1989 and 2002 were greatest in the Conversion of brackish marsh habitats to Lower Reach (nearly 200 acres), while salt marsh habitats occurred in all only 30 acres of new marsh formation reaches during the past year including has occurred in the Transition Reach. the Upper Reach, the reach closest to the The majority of new marsh formation Plant discharge point. In the past has occurred in the Lower Reach along thirteen years, there has been only a the north side of Coyote Creek, minimal conversion of salt marsh to immediately upstream of Calaveras brackish marsh habitat (approximately 1 Point. acre) in the Lower Reach segments, and therefore it can be assumed that the Salt Marsh influence of the Plant discharge does not extend beyond the Transition Zone of Figure 16 presents the total acreage of the Main Study Area. Furthermore, the salt marsh habitat by year and location continued decrease in brackish marsh (reach). Salt marsh area decreased in the Transition Reach from 1989 through

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 21 CHAPTER 2 FLOW REDUCTION

2001; the rate of decrease in salt marsh During this period, brackish marsh area was greatest between 1989 and increased by 28.6 acres (5% increase) 1994. However, a significant increase in and 51.1 acres (55% increase) in the salt marsh habitat occurred between Main Study and Reference Areas, 2001 and 2002 in the Transition Reach. respectively. This is due mostly to marsh conversion (from salt to brackish) in the Reference Area. However, a Conversely, salt marsh area increased in combination of marsh conversion in the the Lower Reach from 1989 through Transition Reach and new brackish 2002 with most of the increase occurring marsh formation in the Lower Reach between 1996 - 1999 and 2001 - 2002. accounts for most of the new brackish Much of this increase was due to new marsh in the Main Study Area since marsh formation along the north side of 1989. Furthermore, freshwater marsh Coyote Creek within segments 3 and 4. has increased in the Main Study and There has been a significant net change Reference Areas during the past 13 in salt marsh habitat area from 1989 to years. 2002 (+180.5 acres) within the Main Study Area. For the first time the study The complete marsh assessment reports has found substantial gains in salt marsh for the years 1999-2002, Marsh Plant habitat from both new marsh formation Associations of South San Francisco (which has been occurring steadily since Bay: (Year) Comparative Study, can be 1997) and conversion of brackish marsh found on the Environmental Services habitat to salt marsh habitat. Department’s (ESD’s) web site (http://www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/esd) under “Publications and Research.” The Reference Reach pattern of salt marsh habitat change remains similar to the pattern in the Transition Reach. The majority of salt marsh decline in the Reference Reach occurred early in the study period between 1991 and 1996, including a slight decline in 2001 with a strong rebound in salt marsh area in 2002.

Brackish and Freshwater Marsh

Figures 15 and 17 present the total acreage of brackish and freshwater marsh habitats by year and location. Relatively minor increases in brackish marsh area occurred in the Main Study Area between 1989 and 2002. The Reference Area has experienced much greater increases in brackish marsh habitat during the same 13 years.

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Figure 13: Tidal Marsh Study Area

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Figure 14: Total Marsh Acreage Comparison

Figure 15: Brackish Marsh Acreage Comparison

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Figure 16: Salt Marsh Acreage Comparison

Figure 17: Freshwater Marsh Acreage Comparison

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Figure 18: Comparison of the Proportion of Salt Marsh

Figure 19: Comparison of the Proportion of Brackish Marsh

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MARSH MIITIIGATIION State in April 1997. The project has The City’s contribution towards the been permitted and construction begun purchase of the Baumberg Tract, the in 2001. Major construction work is Moseley Tract, and Bair Island has made scheduled for completion in the summer it possible for the City to fulfill its marsh of 2003. mitigation requirements. BAIR ISLAND MOSELEY TRACT On June 17, 1998 the Regional Board The City planned to implement a passive adopted Order No. 98-052 reissuing the tidal restoration to this 54-acre diked NPDES permit for the Plant. Provision seasonal wetland, which historically was 2.2 in the permit required the City to used as a duck club by the Moseley “submit a plan for mitigation of wetland family. Site preparation including losses caused by the discharge and not clearing the site of existing utilities was covered by previous Orders, including a completed in 1996, and the four old schedule for implementation acceptable agricultural wells on-site were to the Executive Officer.” The abandoned in 1997. traditional mitigation approach of purchase and restoration was not feasible A topographic survey and preliminary due to the limited availability of suitable restoration plan was completed in 1999. wetlands habitat in the South Bay. This report described the difficulty of Instead, the City initiated a process to continuing to accommodate CalTrans determine the acceptability of use of the site as a stormwater collection alternatives to classic marsh mitigation. basin while attempting to implement a passive tidal restoration. In April 1998, the City transmitted to the The increased cost combined with less Regional Board a proposal to conduct an mitigation credit (due to additional flood interest-based approach to address and control and stormwater conveyance resolve the marsh conversion issues. In facilities), have made the site far less June 1998, the Board approved the attractive as a salt marsh habitat submittal of a “Mitigation Alternative mitigation site for the California clapper Feasibility Report” that would be rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. The developed through a series of City is currently pursuing legal remedies stakeholder meetings over a six-month with the Port of Oakland and CalTrans. period. The feasibility report and accompanying recommendations were BAUMBERG TRACT (“Eden’s accepted by the Executive Officer on Landing Ecological Reserve December 23, 1998. Restoration Project”) The City, in collaboration with Regional The City contributed funds to the State’s Board staff, initiated an open stakeholder purchase and restoration of the process in August 1998, to discuss the Baumberg tract. A consultant contract viability of four proposed marsh for the project’s Restoration and mitigation alternatives. Through this Management Plan was executed by the process, stakeholders reached agreement

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 27 CHAPTER 2 FLOW REDUCTION

that the purchase and restoration of Bair Revised South Bay Action Plan Island was the highest priority mitigation Programs project in the South Bay. In 2002, upon the completion of the The Executive Officer of the Regional Revised South Bay Action Plan (Action Board accepted the City’s alternative Plan), the ADWEF from the Plant was marsh mitigation proposal to contribute 102 mgd. As shown in Figure 21, this $720,000 for the purchase and marks the fifth consecutive year in restoration of Bair Island, which which the Plant’s flows remained below satisfied marsh mitigation requirements 120 mgd. The dramatic flow decrease in through June 1998. A legal agreement the last two years indicates that that the establishing the procedure for acquiring slowdown in economy has also played a and restoring Bair Island between the role in addition to the success of flow City, the California Department of Fish reduction activities. Reductions from and Game, and the Peninsula Open Action Plan programs are shown in Space Trust was negotiated and executed Figure 20. in 1998.

Wetlands Banking Figure 21: Plant Dry Weather The City purchased a 10-acre salt marsh Flows habitat wetlands bank in 1996 as part of the Eden’s Landing Ecological Reserve 160 131.9 134.1 Project (formerly called the “Baumberg 140 117.9 116.1 116.3 Tract”). 120 107.3 102 100 Figure 20: Action Plan 80 Accomplishments 60 ADWEF (mgd) 40 20 0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 3.1 mgd Indoor Water 5.7 mgd Conservation (WEP) South Bay Water 1.6 mgd Recycling (SBWR) Industrial Water Recycling and Reuse Groundwater Infiltration Reduction (GWI)

10 mgd

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Water Efficiency Program South Bay Water Recycling (COPPER ACTION PLAN Appendix A (COPPER ACTION PLAN Appendix A Baseline Number 14) Baseline Number 14) The Water Efficiency Program (WEP) During the period of the current permit, continued to use the successful indoor the South Bay Water Recycling (SBWR) water conservation strategies employed system became operational and has prior to the Plan to achieve additional continued to develop infrastructure and influent reductions of 5.7 mgd. promote the use of recycled water for Strategies focused primarily on landscape irrigation and industrial uses programs to retrofit older toilets with in San José, Santa Clara, and Milpitas. Ultra Low Flush Toilets (ULFTs). More The recycled water system has grown to than 121,000 ULFTs have been installed include four pump stations, a reservoir, through this program during the five and over 75 miles of pipeline serving years of the Action Plan. These included over 400 customers. During Summer free or fee-for-service, full-service 2002, the system experienced a peak installation programs; rebates; and daily use of 15.2 mgd and a monthly dry distribution events. The program weather average of over 10 mgd. focused on single-family, low-income, elderly, disabled, and multi-family As part of the Action Plan, the City households as well as commercial Council approved a limited expansion of settings. In addition, the program either the recycled water system in June 2001. implemented or supported horizontal- The estimated cost of the expansion was axis washing machine rebates, mobile $82.5 million. One pipeline extension home sub-metering, commercial washer has been completed in Santa Clara and rebates, and other commercial three others are under construction in opportunities such as ice machine Milpitas. This expansion will add nearly retrofits. WEP maintained a cost sharing 100 customers to the system by the end agreement with the District that helped of 2003. to considerably reduce the cost per mgd of flow reduction. In total, indoor water The SBWR program is currently conservation programs have achieved engaged in a collaborative process with more than 20 mgd in flow reduction the Water District. This collaborative since 1986. effort to develop an institutional framework for long-term ownership, Some additional program activities operation, maintenance, and future included: expansion of SBWR has three primary · A Commercial/Industrial Water goals: Efficiency Workshop was held on 1. To most effectively meet the long- November 22, 2002 with Mary term water supply and wastewater Nichols – California Secretary for discharge needs of the community; Resources as the keynote speaker. 2. To ensure that the construction, · Slow the Flow educational campaign. maintenance, and operation of the Silver Creek pipeline and associated facilities are performed in a manner that protects future water supply and

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 29 CHAPTER 2 FLOW REDUCTION

wastewater discharge needs for Santa companies that reduce sanitary sewer Clara County while preserving water discharge by implementing equipment quality and protecting the and/or process changes. In the past five underground aquifer; and years, a total of 35 WET projects have 3. To develop a long-term plan, been completed, resulting in flow regarding funding and administrative reduction of over 730,500 gallons/day. responsibilities, for the operations Several WET projects resulted from the and maintenance of SBWR. flow audit studies required of large Recommendations of the committees dischargers as part of the industrial were taken to a joint meeting of the City Action Plan program. Council and the Water District Board on January 21, 2003. The committees’ Some additional activities included: recommendations to study two options · Developed Guidelines for Managing for managing recycled water in more Water in Cooling Systems. detail were approved at the meeting. · Held cooling tower workshops for City staff and industrial dischargers. Industrial Water Recycling and Reuse · Regular participant at the annual (COPPER ACTION PLAN Appendix A Northern California Plant Baseline Number 19) Engineering & Maintenance Show The focus of Industrial Recycling and and Conference. Reuse efforts has been to ensure that · Highlighted industrial flow reduction Industrial Users in the Plant’s service successes in the IU newsletter. area reduce the use of potable water, · Produced the first in a series of recycle their own wastewater, and/or use Success Stories describing industrial SBWR recycled water to the maximum water reduction projects. extent practicable. Programmatic efforts for Industrial Reuse have included Groundwater Infiltration Reduction technical seminars and financial To reduce extraneous flows into the incentives. Additionally, Flow Audit sanitary sewer system and ultimately Studies were completed by the 43 through the Plant and into the South dischargers with the highest wastewater Bay, the City and tributary agencies quantity (over 100,000 gpd each). Flow have located and quantified sources of reduction resulting from these efforts dry weather groundwater infiltration totals more than 1.6 mgd over the 5-year (GWI) into tributary area sewers and term of the Action Plan. Overall, have rehabilitated the sewer system as industrial flows have decreased appropriate to reduce GWI. dramatically over the same term, from 12.6 mgd in 1997 to 8.2 mgd in 2002. The GWI reduction program has Half of that 4.4 mgd reduction occurred financed infiltration studies conducted in the last year and can partially be by the City and its tributary agencies and attributed to the economic downturn and three construction projects. These business relocation. projects have resulted in a reduction of

GWI of approximately 3.1 mgd with The Water Efficient Technologies (WET) program provides rebates to

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 30 CHAPTER 2 FLOW REDUCTION another 1.4 mgd of reductions expected Continuing Activities by the end of 2003. The City will continue its leadership in protecting the habitat of the South Bay, Environmental Enhancements intends to become an active stakeholder The Plan proposed two environmental in the State/Federal effort to purchase enhancement pilot projects to assess the and restore Cargill salt ponds, and will benefits of releasing recycled water into continue implementation of flow the Santa Clara Valley watershed. reduction programs. These flow Because using recycled water for habitat reduction programs, including water enhancement is not well-documented, recycling, conservation, groundwater short-term pilot studies were designed to infiltration reduction, and industrial study freshwater wetlands creation and recycling and reuse as appropriate to stream flow augmentation. ensure that flows remain below the 120 A freshwater wetland conceptual plan mgd triggers. Discussions with the was developed in 1997 for a site in the Water District will continue to explore San José Airport approach zone. Due to the long-term feasibility of SBWR safety concerns raised by the FAA, that expansion in a collaborative effort. site was abandoned and no suitable alternate site for a wetland pilot project was identified.

The purpose of the Streamflow Augmentation Pilot was to study the effects of utilizing recycled water to supplement stream flows in streams with low summer flows and to assess the ability to enhance habitat and improve water quality in streams using recycled water. A multi-year baseline monitoring program in Coyote Creek was implemented. Due to the challenges encountered in implementation, including temperature control costs, facility siting, and permitting, these projects are currently on hold.

Program Evaluation The Action Plan programs have been successful in reducing flows to below the ADWEF trigger of 120 mgd for the last five years. Marsh studies indicate that more salt marsh habitat exists now than in 1989 and that marsh changes are the result of multiple factors.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 31

CHAPTER 3 MERCURY

On June 17, 1998, the Regional Board Regional Board Mercury TMDL staff reissued the three South Bay discharger presentation, Oct. 2002). NPDES permits which all contain a specific provision for mercury TMDL REGIIONAL PARTIICIIPATIION IIN participation: “participate with the Regional Board and other South Bay SPECIIAL STUDIIES: Dischargers in identifying cross media watershed-wide sources of mercury The City, as administrator for the Plant, impacting the receiving water and has participated in the Regional Board’s potential control measures,” as well as Mercury Council since its inception in “participate in Regional Board TMDL March 1999. process development of site specific objectives and/or a wasteload allocation Beginning in 1997, the City committed and mass effluent limits for mercury.” significant resources toward the On November 24, 1998 the City Regional Monitoring Program’s submitted for consideration a Mercury Atmospheric Deposition Pilot Study. Participation Plan that included the following objectives: (1) to continue This commitment enabled the San low level effluent monitoring for Francisco Estuary Project/San Francisco mercury and (2) to participate in the Estuary Institute to receive seed funding Regional Board’s region-wide mercury from the United States Environmental phased TMDL investigation. The Protection Agency under the National Regional Board accepted the proposal on Atmospheric Deposition Program – January 13, 1999. Mercury Deposition Network.

Sources Historically, effluent mercury samples at Mercury can be found in wastewater and municipal and industrial dischargers in stormwater. The Guadalupe watershed the Bay Area Region were reported as is the largest source of mercury to the below detection limit, which reduced the South Bay due to runoff from abandoned accuracy of mercury load estimates from mercury mines. Wastewater sources these sources. In January 2000 include hospitals and dental offices, municipal and industrial dischargers however, municipal discharges began using ultra-clean sampling contribute less than 1 percent of mercury methods for mercury, which resulted in a to the South Bay (as discussed in the much higher percentage of numerical

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 32 CHAPTER 3 MERCURY results, with individual numerical results information exchange and regional typically well below the older detection projects. Its mission is to coordinate all limits. The City has been using these dischargers’ pollution prevention ultra-clean methods for mercury analysis activities in order to reduce the amount since March 1996. Effluent monitoring of toxic pollutants discharged into San since 1996 has typically averaged 3 ppt Francisco Bay. BAPPG’s regional total mercury. projects cover source identification, source control, and public education. In In 2002, the City, as a principal member 2001-02, BAPPG's Dental Amalgam of BACWA, helped conceive and Subcommittee developed an inspection develop the Clean Estuary Partnership (a checklist for wastewater inspectors and collaboration between POTWs, urban created a set of PowerPoint presentations storm water management agencies, and for wastewater pre-treatment staff to use the RWQCB) to develop TMDLs and to speak with their local dental societies. implement water quality attainment BAPPG also developed four new strategies. The Bay-wide Mercury mercury pollution prevention ads that TMDL will be completed in 2003 as part aired on Spanish language radio stations. of the Clean Estuary Partnership. The City is evaluating the best use of the outreach materials for its service area. Pollution Prevention and Source The City often actively supports Control Activities pollution prevention legislation such as Regional pollution prevention and the California Mercury Reduction Act of source control efforts have focused on 2001 (SB 633). dental offices, hospital/medical facilities, and household products. In 1999, the Future Activities City performed limited sampling at At the October 2002 TMDL scoping several hospitals and a large dental presentation, Regional Board staff stated office to investigate mercury that the mercury loading to the bay by concentrations being discharged from municipal dischargers is approximately 1 these facilities. The Plant had an percent of the total loading to the bay. average discharge concentration of 3 ppt, Because this level is a de minimus well below the 12 ppt discharge limit. contribution, and particularly in the Since the concentration of mercury from Plant’s case where pollution prevention hospitals was very low, and the dental or source control efforts will not complex was variable, but low as well, significantly reduce the average the City determined the best use of concentration of mercury to below 3 ppt, resources was to support mercury the City will continue to focus efforts reduction through regional outreach primarily on participating in regional efforts and best management practices technical studies and outreach efforts. development instead of field inspections The City strongly supports a bay area and permitting. wide solution to this issue.

The City has been an active member in BAPPG. It provides a forum for

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 33

CHAPTER 4 PESTICIDES AND PERSISTENT BIOACCUMULATIVE TOXINS

Sources minimize their effect on the South The Regional Board considers Bay. discharges from the Plant as well as stormwater runoff from within the City SPECIIAL EFFLUENT STUDY to be potential sources for pesticides and other organic pollutants such as PCBs, FOR CERTAIIN ORGANIIC dioxins, diazinon, dieldrin, chlordane, POLLUTANTS and DDT. Pesticides can enter the Plant through discharge into the sanitary sewer On November 24, 1998 the Plant system from washing of spray submitted a work plan outlining its equipment among other pathways, and proposed special effluent study for the storm sewer system through overuse certain organic pollutants to comply with and use in areas subject to runoff during Provision E.9 of Regional Board Order storm events. 98-052. This study was jointly developed by the three South Bay Activities dischargers (Palo Alto, San Jose/Santa Provisions of Order 98-052 for the Plant Clara, and Sunnyvale) to conduct low and Order 01-024 for the Santa Clara level monitoring with ultra clean Valley Urban Runoff Pollution procedures and techniques on select Prevention Program outline efforts organic priority pollutants. The Regional required to implement source Board staff approved the proposal with investigation and pollution prevention modifications on January 13, 1999. activities. Such activities included: In early 1999, the South Bay dischargers · The City performed a special study worked with staff from the San at low detection levels to better Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) to quantify the concentration of organic further develop and refine a mutually pollutants in the Plant effluent. acceptable, monitoring proposal. Three · The City has prepared a Pesticide analytical research laboratories agreed to Management Plan for urban runoff. participate in the effluent trace organics · The City has also participated in study: AXYS Analytical, Texas A&M local and regional outreach efforts to University, and the University of Utah. educate residential and commercial Sampling events were scheduled for users of pesticides about practices to November 1999, February 2000, April

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 34 CHAPTER 4 PESTICIDES

2000, and July 2000. SFEI assumed Limits by as much as two orders of responsibility for management of the magnitude or better than that which is overall project, contracts, and data as available from commercial laboratories. well as final report preparation. A final Since the detection of many regulated report was due to the Regional Board by organic compounds is limited by January 31, 2001. available technology, developing improved sampling techniques will The first two effluent samples for the provide a better understanding of these City were collected in November 1999. contaminants and their relative loading Effluent samples from Palo Alto, impacts to the Bay. The report Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, and emphasized the importance of internal Sunnyvale were also collected in and external checks as well as historical November 1999. The University of and professional scientific judgment as a Utah and AXYS Environmental Systems key component in assuring quality when (a company specializing in large volume measuring pollutants at these minute organic extractions and analysis) levels. collected the wastewater samples, while the University of Utah exclusively performed all extractions. After URBAN RUNOFF PESTIICIIDE extraction, sample splits were sent to MANAGEMENT AXYS and the Geochemical and Environmental Research Group at Texas The City submitted its Pesticide A&M University for analysis. Management Plan (PMP), in the March 2002 Urban Runoff Management Plan, The Special Effluent Study For Certain to the Regional Board. A City-wide Organic Pollutants was completed in Pesticide Management Committee March 2001 and was published as the (PMC) was formed and includes “South Bay/Fairfield-Suisun Trace representatives from the following Organic Effluent Study.” The report’s Departments: Environmental Services, primary objectives were to determine Transportation, General Services, Public concentrations of organic compounds in Works, and Parks, Recreation and POTW effluents and assess sources of Neighborhood Services. The PMC has variation related to the collection and written drafts of an Integrated Pest measurement of organic pollutants using Management (IPM) policy, Standard ultra-sensitive techniques. The technical Operating Procedures and Best report is available for downloading at the Management Practices for pest San Francisco Estuary Institute’s web- control/pesticide application on site at http://www.sfei.org. municipal property.

The study provided higher quality PESTIICIIDES OUTREACH estimates for method detection limits of trace organic compounds using advanced Urban residential and non-regulated ultra-trace sampling and analysis commercial sources of pesticides are techniques. These techniques were found addressed through public education to yield a reduction in Method Detection

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 35 CHAPTER 4 PESTICIDES programs advocating voluntary behavior Integrated Pest Management changes. Non-urban upper-watershed sources of pesticides are regulated One approach promoted at the regional through other means. Urban wastewater level was an IPM approach to pest sources for pesticides include cleanup management. IPM stresses the use of a after use of household insecticides, combination of tactics designed to improper disposal of unused pesticides, reduce the need for direct intervention mixing, cleanup after pesticide use, and using pesticides. Fact sheets promoting use of strong pesticides where less toxic less-toxic alternatives to pesticide use methods are effective. In addition to the were developed by the Our Water Our above named sources, stormwater World partnership (IPM project). The sources include improper application IPM project places literature in over 100 (e.g. just before a rain), and over- bay Area hardware stores each spring, application. Over the last 5 years, the including several Santa Clara County City addressed sources of pesticides stores. The City supported the IPM from wastewater and stormwater sources committee activity from both the through pesticide reduction outreach to wastewater and the stormwater sides local and Bay Area wide English, through contributions and participation Hispanic, and Vietnamese audiences. in both BAPPG and the Urban Runoff Implementation took place through Program. The City also produced the participation in BAPPG, Bay Area first of these IPM fact sheets to be Stormwater Management Agencies translated into Spanish, and shared that Association (BASMAA), the Regional translation with the IPM workgroup at Media Relations workgroup, Watershed no cost. Currently, four more of the fact Management Initiative, and the Santa sheets are being translated. Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (Urban Runoff Media Relations Program). The City participated in the development Through the Regional Media Relations and production of new local and regional workgroup, the City produced prewritten materials, and updates of existing articles and press releases that resulted in materials designed to reduce pesticides articles in newspapers all over the Bay from residential, commercial and Area. The Media Relations workgroup industrial sources. The City distributed a also conducted press briefings, variety of brochures and fact sheets developed and distributed a media guide promoting pesticide pollution prevention explaining water pollution issues and in Spanish, English, and Vietnamese. listing contacts for further information, (materials listed below). The City also developed a media contact list and evaluated its own pesticide use at the provided professional training for those Treatment plant and, as a result of that contacts. Media Relations preparations evaluation, changed products. led to on-air interviews on several subjects including pesticide use.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 36 CHAPTER 4 PESTICIDES

Watershed Watch Campaign Pesticide Related materials and Projects The City also participated in the collaboration between the WMI and the · Watershed Watch Campaign – Urban Urban Runoff Program to implement the Runoff Program/WMI Watershed Watch Campaign. The · When Ants Invade radio and TV campaign delivers watershed and water campaign – BASMAA Regional Ad pollution prevention messages to Campaign residents, schools, and businesses in the · Half hour Spanish radio interview Santa Clara Basin. Partnership and pesticide commercials during agreements, donations, and in-kind Spanish radio ad campaign– BAPPG services have increased the value of the (project managed by the City) campaign to an estimated $1.2 million. · Articles, television interviews, media education, spokespersons – Media Industrial facilities learned about sources Relations workgroup of pesticides from manufacturing · The Bay Begins at your Front Door processes through articles in the City’s – BASMAA newsletter for Industrial Users, The · Home Maintenance Tips for a Tributary Tribune. Through BAPPG, Cleaner Bay - Urban Runoff two training workshops were held to Program train Pest Control Operators in sales · “IPM” fact Sheets – techniques for less toxic pest control BASMAA/BAPPG methods. A partnership between · Pests Bugging You (English, BAPPG and the Urban Runoff Program Spanish, and Vietnamese) - printed resulted in a third training event in Santa through the Urban Runoff Program Clara County. · Spanish Translation of “Ants” IPM The City developed the award winning Fact sheet –The City “Wastewater Paths” poster to assist · Grow-It guide (less toxic garden pest residents, businesses, educators and control) - printed through the Urban school aged children to understand how Runoff Program pollutants like pesticides get from their homes and businesses to the Bay and made the poster available Bay Area- wide through BAPPG. Currently, the City continues to support the IPM project through BAPPG and the Urban Runoff Program, the Watershed Watch campaign, and delivery of pesticide messages through the Media Relations workgroup. The City will continue to support cost effective tactics to keep pesticides out of our Creeks and Bay.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 37

CHAPTER 5 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES

In addition to the priority pollutant- authority review. This review is specific programs, the City implements designed to see that all required elements programs to address other pollutants, of the pretreatment program are increase stakeholder involvement, and represented in the City’s Municipal conduct studies. Code and the Codes of the other Tributary Agencies. The review was completed in December 2002. THE PRETREATMENT

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PLAN

In a letter dated May 16, 2002, the City REVIIEW submitted an updated Enforcement The Development Action Review Group Response Plan (ERP) to the Regional provides written comments to the City’s Board for comment. The revised ERP was updated to clarify enforcement Department of Planning, Building, and issues related to duration and magnitude Code Enforcement (PBCE), the division of the violation. Regional Board staff responsible for administrating the review completed their review of the ERP and and approval of development in the City. returned their comments on December This review of proposed developments is 15, 2002. A meeting with Regional frequently ESD’s first opportunity to Board staff was scheduled for January inform developers of discharge and 14, 2003 to go over their comments. service requirements that should be addressed in the design phase. Some of Additionally, work was completed on an the design considerations include extensive set of procedures for the wastewater discharge reduction, Environmental Inspectors to follow in pollutant minimization, onsite reuse and order to consistently implement the City’s Pretreatment Program. These use of recycled water. This is also an procedures are now in place and training opportunity to inform the developer of for these procedures was conducted for other non-required conservation staff on November 13, 2002. measures such as electronic faucets and water efficient laundries and washing As a result of a Pretreatment Compliance machines. Audit conducted by the Regional Board in May and June of this year, the program was required to conduct a legal

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 38 CHAPTER 5 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES

Activities Table 2 Activity Summary – January 1, 1998 – ESD developed standard language for December 31, 2002 comments to specific planning issues. Number of development applications reviewed ESD is beginning to implement a web- for the following subjects: Recycled Water 476 based development review process and Water Efficiency 269 tracking system. The number of reviews Source Control 411 of each type are shown for the last six Number of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) reviewed 41 months and the last five years in Tables

1 and 2, respectively. CIITY OF SAN JOSE

IOASSESSMENT ROGRAM Table 1 BIOASSESSMENT PROGRAM Activity Summary – July 1, 2002 – (COPPER ACTION PLAN Appendix A December 31, 2002 Baseline Number 17) Number of development applications The Plant’s NPDES Permit Order No reviewed for the following subjects: Recycled Water 30 98-052 - Provision E.4 contains Water Efficiency 16 requirements to conduct Source Control 26 bioassessment/biocriteria studies to Number of Environmental Impact develop additional tools and Reports (EIRs) reviewed 5 measurements for characterizing the water and sediment quality in the lower South Bay. The fundamental purpose of In addition, several strategic planning these investigations is to cooperatively meetings were held between the Green develop, with the assistance of the Building Policy coordinator and the academic and regulatory communities, PBCE to discuss implementation of the bioassessment techniques that could recent Green Building Policy that went possibly lead to site-specific into effect on July 1, 2002. Several environmental indicators for the South Bay. training sessions were completed in late 2002 to educate PBCE management, Five Year Summary planners, architects and others in the In December 1999, the City submitted to Green Building Leadership in Energy & the Regional Board a proposed Environmental Design certification Bioassessment Study Plan consistent process. Based upon the newness and with the intent of Provision E.4. The complexity of Green Building issues, Study Plan was approved by the PBCE will work directly with the Green Regional Board’s Executive Officer in Building Policy coordinator and keep January 2000.

comments separate from the weekly new In February 2000, the City formally development process. requested a time extension for conducting the approved studies following notification from Regional Board staff of changes to the RMP that

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 39 CHAPTER 5 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES could severely limit the effectiveness of associated with this study, with the final the proposed investigations. The time report on Phase I due to the Regional extension was approved by the Regional Board in June 2003 and a Phase II final Board’s Executive Officer in February report due in June 2005. 2000. Deliverables received since the In early 2000, the City met and execution of the contract (June 20, 2001) discussed bioassessment study prospects include five quarterly cruise reports and with Regional Board staff and local two semi-annual progress reports. scientific experts. Following these The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) discussions, the City worked with was organized to provide program scientists from San Francisco State direction and technical review and to University’s Romberg Tiburon Center better facilitate interagency coordination for Environmental Studies to produce a in designing and conducting field work study plan to develop bioassessment and analysis. Stakeholder groups techniques for San Francisco Bay’s represented on the advisory committee plankton community. The Regional include the United States Geological Board formally approved the City’s Survey, Interagency Ecological plankton bioassessment study in Program, Environmental Protection November 2000. Agency, San Francisco Estuary Institute, Regional Monitoring Program, San The approved plankton bioassessment Francisco Regional Water Quality study will develop and conduct a pilot Control Board, San Francisco State monitoring program of the plankton of University, and the City. The next TAG the South San Francisco Bay to provide meeting is scheduled to occur in April guidelines for long-term monitoring, and 2003, following production of the Phase recommendations of indicators of I draft report. ecosystem condition. This plankton bioassessment study is to occur over a The acquisition of historical data nears four-year period at an approximate cost completion. This data is being used in a of $506,000. This project has two thorough quantitative analysis of phases: an initial phase (~ 2 yrs) in plankton community composition and which existing data are used to develop a abundance, and possible covariance with monitoring plan, including potential water quality conditions. indicators of ecosystem condition, and to conduct preliminary monitoring; and a The Phase I draft report is in production. second phase (~ 2 yrs.) of field work to Results from analysis of the historical test and further refine the monitoring data are being used to develop a long- plan and proposed indicators. term monitoring plan, including potential indicators of ecosystem In November 2002, due to delays in condition. The Phase I draft report, contractual arrangements, the City which includes the long-term monitoring requested from the Regional Board a six- plan to be tested and refined during month time extension for deliverables Phase II, is due in April 2003.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 40 CHAPTER 5 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES

In addition to the plankton study Strengthening the WMI as a described above, the City proactively Stakeholder Process supported an investigative effort to develop alternative assessment 1) Recognition from the State methodology and techniques to define Resources Agency as one of the ten the “health” of the estuary. A report best watershed programs in the state entitled “Evaluating the Ecological in February 2002 at a half day Condition of the South Bay: A Potential celebration with the WMI Assessment Approach,” was prepared by stakeholders and local, regional, and the Center for Ecosystem Management state dignitaries. and Restoration to satisfy these goals. 2) Addition of Santa Clara County The City’s fundamental objective in Open Space Authority to the list of sponsoring this technical compilation 33 signatories. was to generate debate and discussion on 3) Invited to speak at three regional potential future activities in this arena. conferences, the County’s “Riparian The final report was sent to the Regional Renaissance”, the International Board’s Executive Officer in August Landscape Architects National 2002. Conference, and the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water’s WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Workshop on impaired water bodies and the total maximum daily load INIITIIATIIVE process.

4) Presented four papers at the Biennial The Santa Clara Basin Watershed National Watershed Management Management Initiative (WMI) was Council Conference in Washington, established in 1996 by the U.S. EPA, the topics include “Watershed Action State Water Resources Control Board, Plan”, “Stream Stewardship”, and the Regional Board as a broad “Watershed Assessment”, and community-based stakeholder process “Watershed Governance.” focused on protecting and enhancing the

Watershed. The City is an active Contributing to Permit Streamlining participant and has devoted significant Related Activities and Programs resources to this effort, chairing the Core

Group and several subcommittees for 1) Adoption of Copper/Nickel Basin several years. The WMI’s key Plan amendment and site specific accomplishments this year include: objectives for South San Francisco Bay. 2) Provided the stakeholder forum for the District’s multi-year Stream Maintenance permits from all permitting and resources agencies. 3) Initiation of the Permit Work Group for re-issuance of three South Bay wastewater treatment plant permits.

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Providing Stakeholder Forum for Key achieved by aligning, coordinating, and Issues or Planning Efforts integrating existing policies and programs. The nine strategic policy 1) Development of the Coyote Stream objectives, which are areas to focus Stewardship Plan. action, are: 2) Effective stakeholder dialogue, research and fact sheets on endocrine 1. Stream Stewardship Planning disrupting compounds. 2. Integrated Planning of Floodplains 3) Production of three white papers and Riparian Corridors related to land use: “The Role of 3. Habitat Conservation Plans/Natural Stormwater Programs in Regional Community Conservation Plans Congestion Management Planning 4. Expanding the Don Edwards San and Implementation”, “Economic Francisco Bay National Wildlife and Tax Incentives in Watershed Refuge Management” and “Municipal 5. Incorporating the WMI Vision into Development Policies Comparison.” General Plans & Specific Area Plans 6. Promote Drainage Systems that Making Progress for WMI Work Detain or Retain Runoff Products 7. Better Assessments, TMDLs, and Discharge Permits 1) Completion of the Draft Watershed 8. Integrated Water Resources Planning Action Plan. 9. Watershed Education and Outreach 2) Completed pilot Watershed Assessment process and produced The Core Group, which is the policy- report including “lessons learned.” making body of the WMI, used a preliminary prioritization exercise to The Initiative’s planning phase focused identify workplan elements for the next on three primary products, the year. This prioritization showed that Watershed Characteristics Report, the continuation of the Initiative to Watershed Assessment Report and the coordinate and build alliances is one of Watershed Action Plan. The its most important functions. Work Characteristics Report was published in elements identified included outreach May 2000. The Assessment Report is and education, particularly on the Action currently undergoing final review and a Plan document and continuation of a draft Action Plan is scheduled to be collaborative permit process. The completed by March 2003. Action Plan effort has been coordinated with the Regulatory Executive Forum, a The Watershed Action Plan outlines a group of high level executives of comprehensive strategy for adaptive participating regulatory agencies, management of Basin watersheds and municipal Department directors, the sets the stage for more detailed planning Water District and WMI chair. at the watershed scale. The Plan includes nine strategic policy objectives, The Core Group is now in the process of which specify desired outcomes to be developing a workplan for 2003. Once

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 42 CHAPTER 5 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES the Action Plan document is finalized, releases on less-toxic pest control. Initiative members will seek Pitches to Bay Area media led to three endorsement of the Action Plan and the on-air television interviews. Initiative process from member agencies. Member agencies, including The City contributes to the Media the City and District, are being asked to Relations project through BACWA and accept the nine key policy objectives of BASMAA. The value of the media the Action Plan and pledge to continue coverage obtained increased by an working together in the implementation estimated 23% this year. phase of the Initiative. New Regional Outreach Activity OUTREACH EFFORTS One element of Clean Estuary The City participates in regional groups Partnership (CEP) implementation is that deliver common messages to the regional outreach, and determining the public and to schools. scope of CEP outreach. At the request of BACWA, City staff attends the CEP Watershed Watch Survey Outreach meetings with the goal of coordinating CEP outreach activity with In November of 2002, the City’s the existing regional outreach activity of contractor presented the results of the BACWA, BAPPG, and BASMAA. Watershed portion of the trilingual survey (Watershed Watch Survey) to Pollution Prevention Menus WMI and Urban Runoff Program participants. The City completed the During BAPPG's FY 02/03 project Survey in February of 2002. The survey proposal process, Regional Board staff was designed to provide an early proposed that BAPPG consider a project baseline to guide the Watershed Watch to produce pollution prevention (P2) campaign for the WMI and Urban "menus" i.e. lists of projects that Runoff Program. Discussions of how POTW's could choose from when Watershed Watch Survey findings and formulating P2 strategies. Regional recommendations can be used to Board staff indicated their intention to improve Watershed Watch campaign require P2 plans from Bay Area implementation in FY 02/03 and FY dischargers through permit requirements, 03/04 are under way. and as part of responses to SB 709 violations. After discussion at BACWA Media Relations Project and BAPPG, the project was proposed, and is now a part of the 02/03 workplans The City participated in the Media for BAPPG and BACWA’s Permit Relations Committee to develop their Committee. BACWA's Permit annual workplan, press releases, and text Committee will take lead on the project. for Public Service Announcements. Several Bay Area newspapers wrote articles based on the TMDL press

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 43 CHAPTER 5 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES

Continuing Regional Outreach fiscal years. A total of 36 grants were Activities awarded, totaling over $600,000. Groups awarded grants committed an The City continued their active additional $170,000 in matching funds. participation on the outreach committees The Watershed Grants Program has met of the WE&O, BACWA, BAPPG, the the goals that were set for this effort. Urban Runoff Program, the WMI, and The City’s watershed protection efforts BASMAA. The actions below highlight were improved by this program in the some of the activities not mentioned in following ways: previous sections. City staff: · Managed BAPPG’s Spanish radio ad · An increase in collaborative campaign, and aired a total of seven partnerships that leverage resources radio spots over an eight week period for protection and restoration beginning in September of 2002 on activities radio station KSOL. · An increase in stakeholder · Facilitated the BAPPG annual participation and involvement in pollutant and issue prioritization watershed activities process, · Coordinated administrative changes · A greater understanding by those that resulted from making BAPPG a involved in managing and protecting committee of BACWA ecosystems of key stakeholder issues, and of ecosystem functions and processes WATERSHED GRANTS · An increased awareness by the In order to be responsive to the need for community of the fragile nature of stakeholder input and support for the South San Francisco Bay and the watershed efforts, San José’s City opportunities for involvement and Council approved the initiation of a pilot improvement Watershed Grants Program. The goals of the Watershed Grants Program are to: Partnerships and stakeholders are necessary for the success of the · Foster and implement innovative Watershed Management Initiative. It is solutions to local watershed also important that we continue to work problems with educators and students to inform · Encourage partnerships and joint them of the key issues and concerns ventures related to our watershed. · Acquire new participants and With this in mind, the Watershed Grants challenge existing participants Program was extended by the San José City Council at their June 25, 2002 · Increase awareness of watershed meeting for the purpose of continuing to issues meet its adopted goals. A request for · Leverage resources. proposals for the Cycle Three Watershed Grant Program was released on July 15, Two cycles of grants were awarded 2002 with submittals due August 30, during the 1998/1999 and 2000/2001

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 44 CHAPTER 5 RELATED WATERSHED BASED ACTIVITIES

2002. This program is reviewed on an Outbreaks of avian botulism cannot be annual basis and decisions to implement predicted with existing data. No this program in the future depend on correlation between Plant changes in fund availability and documentation that operation and outbreaks of avian objectives are being met cost effectively. botulism has been shown. The City will Three operating grant awards were made continue to collect information on avian to organizations to ensure their botulism in the study areas. The City is participation in the Watershed participating in an effort to create a Management Initiative. Two program regional GIS view of the entire South grants were awarded. Those programs Bay to track avian botulism outbreaks. will concentrate on: The development of a regional database will allow for better temporal and spatial 1) mapping causes of avian botulism in analysis of this issue and might assist in the Santa Clara Basin watershed; and creating a better understanding of avian 2) support of the Children Museum’s botulism in the South Bay and its causes. BioSITE environmental education program serving 1,000 elementary, middle and high school students. The Youth Watershed Education Grant Program also continues as a part of this program.

AVIIAN BOTULIISM The Plant monitored in Artesian Slough, Coyote Creek and Alviso Slough for the presence of avian botulism. The study areas include tidal areas with fresh and brackish water. There were a total of 52 surveys by boat, car and by foot for the period of June to November 2002. There was no evidence of avian botulism in 2002.

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT 45

APPENDIX A

CLEAN BAY STRATEGY TIMELINE

JANUARY 2003 CLEAN BAY STRATEGY REPORT