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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - CLWA SUPPORT APPROPRIATIONS (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: June 24, 2003 CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY: SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION Support the Castaic Lake Water Agency's $30 million federal appropriations requests for clean-up of groundwater contamination at the Whittaker-Bermite site ($15 million) and development of the Santa Clarita Valley Recycled Water Program ($15 million). Authorize letters of support to be sent to Congressman McKeon, Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein, congressional committee members and federal departments as appropriate. BACKGROUND Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) has submitted two $15 million requests through Congressman Howard P. 'Buck" McKeon (R -CA -25) for federal appropriations funding for clean-up of groundwater contamination at the Whittaker-Bermite site in the City of Santa Clarita and to implement the next phases of the Santa Clarita Valley Recycled Water Program. The funding request is for the appropriations to occur in each of the next three years. CLWA has requested that the City of Santa Clarita endorse its request to the federal government. The first appropriations request is for $15 million and will be allocated over a three year period. These funds are needed to complete characterization studies and treatment system design, leading to clean-up of perchlorate contaminated groundwater at the Whittaker-Bermite site located in the City of Santa Clarita. Castaic Lake Water Agency has been working in partnership with the City of Santa Clarita and various federal and state agencies to address contamination and clean-up issues at the Whittaker-Bermite property. Congressman McKeon has successfully obtained federal funding in the past for the CLWA and Army Corps of Engineers to begin groundwater sampling and testing of groundwater at wells on the Whittaker-Bermite property. The next phase r , I 1F td fi i t! "; li U U 6"A �✓ rf u LJ of federal funding, beginning with FY 04 appropriations, would be used to continue the site characterization and contamination characterization work at the site, leading to the beginning of actual clean-up. The second request is for a total of $15 million and the funds will be allocated each year over a three year period. These funds are needed to implement the next phases of the Santa Clarita Valley Recycled Water Program. During the last three years, CLWA has been developing and constructing the initial phases of a recycled water system. The federal funding request, beginning with the FY 04 appropriations cycle, would be used to expand the reclaimed water system and increase deliveries for non -potable water, which could be used for such purposes as landscape irrigation. This would enable the drinking water supply to be reserved for residential and other potable needs. Castaic Lake Water Agency believes that development of a recycled water system is critical to its ability to meet the future water needs of the Santa Clarita Valley. Both appropriations are being sought from the Energy and Water Appropriations Act. The City of Santa Clarita has also submitted an FY 04 appropriations request under this act for $500,000 to enable the Army Corps of Engineers to begin the Project Management Plan component of the Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study. The mark-up on the bill is likely to occur within the next two weeks. Support from the City of Santa Clarita for Castaic Lake Water Agency's appropriations requests sends a strong signal to the federal government of community cooperation and shared goals in meeting the water quality and supply needs of Santa Clarita. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Do not support the Castaic Lake Water Agency's federal funding requests. 2. Support only one of the federal funding requests. 3. Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT There is no additional cost to the City of Santa Clarita to implement the recommended action as all costs associated with the preparation and conduct of communications with federal officials is contained within the approved FY 02103 City budget.