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City of Santa Cruz TMDL Summary Report

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City of Santa Cruz TMDL Summary Report City of Santa Cruz TMDL Summary Report Per General Permit Section E.15.d. (i-iv) TMDLs for Sediment and Pathogens INTRODUCTION TMDL for Sediment On May 16, 2003, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) adopted a TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) for Sediment for the San Lorenzo River (SLR), Carbonera Creek, Lompico Creek and Shingle Mill Creek and incorporated the TMDL and the associated Implementation Plan for the San Lorenzo River Sediment TMDL (Implementation Plan) into the Basin Plan. State Water Resources Control Board approved the TMDL on September 16, 2003 on September 16, 2003 followed by approval by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on December 18, 2003, which is the effective date of the TMDL. The US Environmental Protection Agency then approved the TMDL for Sediment on February 19, 2004. In 2006, the State Board added additional water bodies that were on the 303(d) as impaired by sediment. Of these additions, Branciforte Creek is located within the City of Santa Cruz (City). Thus, the water bodies within the City included in the implementation plan are the San Lorenzo River, Carbonera Creek, and Branciforte Creek (Lompico Creek and Shingle Mill Creek are not located within the city). The City is committed to developing and implementing measures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address the sources of sediment to these water bodies located within City jurisdiction. TMDL for Pathogens A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Pathogens (Fecal Indicator Bacteria) was adopted by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) in March 2008 and subsequently approved by the State Water Quality Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the San Lorenzo River, San Lorenzo River Estuary (Lagoon), Branciforte Creek, and Carbonera Creek. The City of Santa Cruz (City) is committed to developing and implementing measures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address the sources of pathogens to these water bodies located within the City’s jurisdiction. The City storm drain system (MS4) discharges into four water bodies that are currently on the 303(d) list of impaired water bodies which are: ♦ San Lorenzo River ♦ Carbonera Creek ♦ Branciforte Creek ♦ San Lorenzo River Lagoon 1 TMDL for Nitrates A TMDL for Nitrates was also developed for the San Lorenzo River and Carbonera Creek, however since the loadings are attributed to sources upstream of the City limits such as livestock and septic systems, the City was not named as an implementing party. San Lorenzo River Watershed The San Lorenzo River (SLR) originates in the Santa Cruz Mountains north of the City and flows through the City at the end of its journey towards northern Monterey Bay. The SLR watershed is comprised of approximately 87,827 acres. According to the County of Santa Cruz 2002 Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan, the SLR drains a watershed area of roughly 106 square miles in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Only a small percentage of the watershed is actually within the City’s jurisdiction. Branciforte Creek is the largest creek flowing into the SLR within city limits. Carbonera Creek flows from the City of Scotts Valley through the County of Santa Cruz prior to entering the City limits. (The City of Santa Cruz is approximately six miles downstream of the City of Scotts Valley). Carbonera Creek ends at the confluence with Branciforte Creek in the City of Santa Cruz. Regarding the other tributary creeks outside of the city limits, Camp Evers Creek drains into Carbonera Creek. The river forms the SLR Estuary, or lagoon, at the river mouth where the river water mixes with the waters of the Monterey Bay. The SLR Lagoon is subject to tidal influence and is also affected by seasonal (summer) shoaling at the river mouth. Per the December 5, 2007 RWQCB Final Project Report TMDL for Pathogens in San Lorenzo River Watersheds, the Soquel Avenue Bridge is considered the inland Estuary boundary, except when the river shoals and a sand bar closes the Estuary outlet to Monterey Bay. When river shoaling occurs, estuarine waters may rise as far back as the Water Street Bridge. The San Lorenzo River Watershed is affected by activities that occur within predominately three governmental jurisdictions. These jurisdictions are the City of Santa Cruz, the County of Santa Cruz, and the City of Scotts Valley. However, the California State Parks system also has jurisdiction of lands in this watershed. Thus, the river is affected by activities within four entities. Carbonera Creek is affected by activities that occur within the City of Scotts Valley and the County of Santa Cruz. Branciforte Creek is affected by activities that occur within Scotts Valley and the County of Santa Cruz, since Carbonera Creek flows into Branciforte Creek, and activities within the City. Land uses within the watershed include forests, open space, and urban uses. 2 Wasteload Allocation Attainment Plan (WAAP) The City submitted a WAAP for the TDML for Sediment to the CCRWQCB in June 2013. The City also submitted a WAAP for the TMDL for Pathogens in June 2012, and revised and again resubmitted the WAAP in June 2013. Per the CCRWQCB since the adoption of the current Storm Water MS4 General Permit, WAAP revisions are due June 30, 2015 and will incorporate any revisions to the monitoring and assessment plan. The City will work with the CCRWQCB regarding revisions to the TMDL monitoring program and BMP implementation. The City had its first consultation with CCRWQCB staff on May 27, 2014, and a subsequent telephone meeting on September 2, 2014. The City is planning to meet again with CCRWQCB staff in November 2014 to further discuss these topics and revisions to the WAAPs. The revised WAAPs will include a detailed description of the City’s monitoring program to assess discharge and receiving water quality, BMP effectiveness, and progress towards any interim targets and ultimate attainment of the City’s wasteload allocations. DESCRIPTION OF BMP IMPLEMENTATION: TMDL for SEDIMENT Per General Permit Section E.15.d.(i) Sweep City Streets By Mechanical Sweepers The City’s street sweeping program helps to reduce sediment and pollutant loadings to the San Lorenzo River, Branciforte Creek, other local creeks, and Monterey Bay. Studies show that approximately 90% of dirt and debris on the street is located within 12 inches of the curb. The City’s street sweeping program utilizes several practices to reduce polluted runoff as follows: Increased street sweeping frequency in areas most prone to litter and dirt accumulation with focus on the San Lorenzo watershed to reduce sediment and bacteria loading. Mechanical street sweeping is conducted throughout the City on a regular basis. However, some areas are swept more frequently than others based on which streets accumulate the most trash. Replacement of old sweepers with new, more advanced equipment, Regenerative Air PM10 Compliant sweepers, which pick up finer particulates. The City has replaced its three street sweepers with the Regenerative Air PM10 Compliant models. The measurable goals of the street sweeping program are as follows: 1. Sweep primary streets in downtown and main beach areas twice per week 2. Sweep primary streets in other commercial areas weekly to twice per month 3. Sweep 75% of residential streets once to twice per month As reported in the SWMP Annual Report, the following summarizes the work done during the permit year: 1. All sweeping requirements to meet our minimum goals equal 773 curb miles per month. July 2013 through June 2014, there was a total of 14,306 curb miles swept (or an average of 1,192 curb miles swept per month). Total tonnage collected was 926 tons or an average of 77 tons per month. There are 40 curb miles of commercial streets including downtown, Soquel Ave, 3 Mission & Beach area. This commercial area is our first priority and the minimum goal is to sweep twice each week or 320 miles per month. This year we exceeded our goal. 2. All sweeping requirements to meet our minimum goals equal 773 curb miles per month. July 2013 through June 2014, there was a total of 14,306 curb miles swept (or an average of 1,192 curb miles swept per month). Total tonnage collected was 926 tons or an average of 77 tons per month. There are 68 curb miles of secondary streets, primarily with bike lanes in other commercial areas and including West Cliff Drive and Beach Street. This area is second in our list of priority and the goal is to sweep once per week or 295 miles per month. We exceeded our goal this year. 3. All sweeping requirements to meet our minimum goals equal 773 curb miles per month. July 2013 through June 2014, there was a total of 14,306 curb miles swept (or an average of 1,192 curb miles swept per month). Total tonnage collected was 926 tons or an average of 77 tons per month. This area is third on our priority. There are 212 curb miles of residential streets, and 75% of that is 159 curb miles. We exceeded our goal in this area over this last year. Sweeping of Public Parking Lots and Municipal Garages The City’s sweeping of municipal parking lots and garages helps to reduce sediment and pollutant loadings to the San Lorenzo River since the downtown area drains to the river. The City cleans the public parking lots (Nos.2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,14,16,17, 20,23), Locust Garage and Soquel/Front Garages with a mechanical vacuum sweeper two or more times per week in lieu of wet cleaning. Lots 12, 18, 24 and 25 are mechanically swept typically once per week.
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