HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.24.1994 Item #3TO: City Council
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Harbor Quality Committee Minutes
Item 3 - Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD)
"Wetlands Demonstration Project"
October 24, 1994
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
ITEM NO._________3_____
OCT 2 41994
Attached is a memo from ,John Wolter, our engineer that has represented the
City on Upper Newport Bay dredging and water quality issues. His memo
comments on the IRWD Wetlands Demonstration Project and their proposed
negative declaration -environmental document.
Also attached is a letter from jack and Nancy Skinner expressing concern that
the proposed demonstration project will increase current levels of nitrates
being added to the Bay.
At least one representative from the Regional Water Quality Control Board will
be present at the afternoon session. The Board has not issued a permit for
the demonstration project and their staff is still reviewing information
concerning this project.
John Wolter and the Skinners will be present at the afternoon session to
answer questions concerning this item.
Don Webb
Public Works Director
Attachments
r
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Memorandum
October 20, 1994
TO: City Manager
FROM: Cooperative Projects Engineer
SUBJECT: IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT (IRWD)
"Wetlands Demonstration Project"
The Irvine Ranch Water District has proposed a two-year demonstration project
to assess feasibility of discharging treated waste water from the Michelson Waste
Water Reclamation Plant through a series of ponds in the San Joaquin Marsh,
northeast of Campus Drive, and then to the San Diego Creek from October 1 through
April 30 each year.
Recommendation:
Direct staff to forward written comments regarding the proposed project to the
Irvine Ranch Water District and the Santa Ana Region, Regional Water Quality Control
Board as follows.
The City of Newport Beach supports the production and use of reclaimed waste
water and the development of the San Joaquin Marsh. The proposed discharge of
treated waste water into San Diego Creek, however, will increase the nitrate loading to
the Upper Newport Bay. Increased nitrate loading may encourage algae growth which
negatively affects some beneficial uses of the Bay. In recent years, there has been a
significant effort to reduce nitrate loading in San Diego Creek which has resulted in a
reduction in the algae blooms in the Bay. The proposed wetlands demonstration project
and future long term project, if the wetland treatment proves effective, should include
the following conditions to ensure protection of water quality within the Bay.
1. Increase water quality monitoring during the demonstration project to include:
a.) A third station in San Diego Creek downstream of the proposed discharge
at the outlet from the existing sediment basin, near the MacArthur
Boulevard Bridge.
b.) Monitor water quality and algae growth at several locations in Upper
Newport Bay.
2. If a significant increase in algae growth is experienced in Upper Newport Bay,
reduce or halt discharge of treated waste water into San Diego Creek until the
algae bloom subsides.
3. Prior to implementing any long term discharge of treated waste water into San
Diego Creek, prepare a full environmental impact report which includes:
a.) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the wetland treatment which
demonstrates reduction in nitrates.
b.) Include facilities in San Diego Creek to bypass a significant portion of the
low -flow from San Diego Creek into the San Joaquin Marsh and duck
ponds used to treat the reclaimed waste water. This is to be used during
the summer period when reclaimed water is used elsewhere.
c.) Insure that operation of the proposed project (the discharge of treated
waste water in winter months) and the bypass and wetland treatment of
low -flows from San Diego Creek in summer months, results in a net
reduction of total nitrates delivered to Upper Newport Bay for the year.
Background:
The Irvine Ranch Water District has proposed a draft Negative Declaration for a
Wetland Demonstration Project which would circulate reclaimed waste water from the
Michelson Waste Water Reclamation Plant through a series of existing ponds in the
San Joaquin Marsh, northeast of Campus Drive and then to the San Diego Creek. The
project proposes to increase waterfowl and wildlife habitat in the marsh and creek
systems and discharge up to 6 million gallons per day of treated waste water into San
Diego Creek from October 1 through April 30. The discharge to San Diego Creek is
proposed during winter months when the demand for reclaimed irrigation water is low
and the district would otherwise have to pipe the reclaimed water (as presently
required) to the County Sanitation Districts of Orange County. The project proposes to
demonstrate the development and enhancement of San Joaquin Marsh with reclaimed
waste water and to quantify the effectiveness of wetland treatment in reducing nutrients
from the water flow.
The Negative Declaration will be considered for approval or disapproval by the
Board of Directors of the District at its meeting to be held on November 21, 1994. If the
Negative Declaration is approved, the District will then need to apply for an NPDES
permit for the Demonstration Project from the Santa Ana Region, Regional Water
Quality Control Board. If the Negative Declaration is approved by the IRWD Board of
Directors in November, the NPDES permit application for the project would come
before the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board some time after January 1,
1995.
2
I __
Issues:
1. Nutrients
a.) Dr. Skinner's letter to the IRWD Board of Directors dated October 10,
1994, describes recent county -wide efforts to reduce nitrate loading in
San Diego Creek and the progress that has been made in reducing algae
blooms in the Bay. While there has been a measurable reduction in
nutrient loading to the Bay, Dr. Skinner points out that algae growth still is
affecting some beneficial uses of the Bay and there is a continuing need
to further reduce the nitrates entering the bay.
b.) IRWD staff point out that algae blooms in the Bay are affected by tidal
circulation, storm flows, water temperatures, etc... and not just nutrient
loading. Their contention is that algae blooms are most frequently
experienced in the warmer summer months when they will not be
discharging reclaimant water into San Diego Creek and that algae blooms
do not seem to be a problem in the cooler winter months when they
propose to discharge reclaimed water.
c.) Public Works Department staff have observed a significant decrease in
algae blooms in the Bay since the Unit I and Unit II Upper Bay sediment
control basins were dredged in 1985 and 1988. The increased tidal flow
into Upper Newport Bay, which resulted from the 2.5 million cubic yards of
sediment that were removed, and the significant reduction in nutrients
being discharged from commercial nurseries into San Diego Creek
combined to improve water clarity in the Bay, reduce algae blooms in
Lower Bay and significantly reduce algae blooms in the Upper Bay.
With all the work (to recirculate and treat irrigation water) completed by
the commercial nurseries, nutrient loading in San Diego Creek has been
greatly reduced. Nutrients from years of agricultural activity in the
drainage area, however, will continue to enter San Diego Creek along
with runoff from residential landscaping. Treatment to remove nutrients
from the low -flow discharge in San Diego Creek would be beneficial in
reducing the non -point source nutrients which are entering San Diego
Creek.
Peer Swan of IRWD has indicated that if the demonstration project can
quantify the effective reduction of nutrients from reclaimed water passing
through the marsh, that along with their proposal for long-term discharge
of reclaimed water the District would propose to bypass low -flow from San
Diego Creek into the marsh for treatment during summer months, May 1
to September 30. Operation of the low -flow bypass system would reduce
nutrient loading to the Bay, during the warm summer months with the total
nutrient loading in San Diego Creek over the entire year being at or below
the current low -flow levels in the creek.
3
2. Currently maintenance of the San Diego Creek sediment control basins requires
the trapped sediment from the basins to be stacked along the channel bank to
drain before the material can be loaded into trucks for removal. A low -flow
bypass system, as proposed by IRWD, would provide for more efficient and
economical maintenance of the sediment basins.
Conclusion:
1. The "Wetlands Demonstration Project" should provide additional monitoring
stations in San Diego Creek and Upper Newport Bay to evaluate the impacts of
the additional nitrates and discharge of the reclaimed water should be stopped if
increase in algae blooms are observed in Upper Bay.
2. Full environmental impact report should be prepared prior to implementing any
long-term program to discharge reclaimed water to San Diego Creek.
3. Proposed long-term project should include facilities in San Diego Creek to
bypass a significant portion of the low -flow from San Diego Creek into the marsh
for treatment during summer months.
4. Operations of the proposed project should:
a.) Provide for reduced nutrient loading during summer months, May 1
through September 30.
b.) Provide for a reduction in total nitrate loading from San Diego Creek over
entire year.
John Wolter
Cooperative Projects Engineer
JW -.kc
4
1724 Righland Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
October 20, 1994
Newport Beach City Council
3300 Newport Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92663
RR: Irvine Ranch Water District's
Wetlands Demonstration Project
Dear City Council Members:
The Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) has applied for an permit from
the Banta Ana Regional Water duality Control Board (Regional Board)
to discharge up to six million, gallons a day of treated wastewater
from IRWD's Michelson Wastewater Reclamation Plant. This flow would
be routed through a series of existing duck ponds that are located
near the treatment plant and then into San Diego Creek, a tributary
of Upper Newport Bay. By IRWD's own studies, this will increase the
nitrates entering Newport Bay by 27 percent.
The permit, if' granted, would allow IRWD to discharge into the creek
from October 1. to May l for a period of two years. However, the
president of the elected IRWD Board admits that in future years IRWD
hopes they can continue to discharge their excess reclaimed water in
order to save money.
The Regional Board has requested that IRWD complete an environmental
review of the project prior to taking the issue to the Ragional.Board
for a decision. Therefore, IRWD has prepared a draft Negative
Declaration on what they call their "Wetlands Demonstration Project."
The Negative Declaration was discussed at IRWD's Board meeting on
October. 7.1, 1994, but a decision to approve or disapprove the
Negative Declaration was postponed until November 21. The City of
Newport Beach was not given notice of the original meeting but can
still submit comments on the proposal if desired. Additional
comments will be accepted by IRWD until November 11, 1994.
We urge you to take one .of two possible actions at this time.
1. Oppose the project outright, or
2. Request that IRWD prepare a complete DIR and disapprove the
Negative Declaration (which only addresses impacts on the project
site and San Diego Creek but fails to consider impacts on the bay).
The HIR should include, but not be limited to, the fate of the
nitrates in the bay.
We oppose this project because of the additional nitrates that will
enter the bay from this new point source. It doesn't make sense to
increase the nitrates at a time when the bay is starting to show
Newport Beach City Council
oct:obcr 20, 1994
page two
improvement in water quality because of a reduction of nutrients
entering the bay from the San Diego Creek watershed. While the Lower
Bay has visibly improved, the Upper Bay still shows the effects of
excessive nitrates. Even now, in mid-October, at low tide one can
see that the mud flats are covered with green algae and water
recreational activities at the Newport Dunes are affected by mats of
algae. Pictures taken of these growths on October 19, 1994, will be
presented to the City Council on October 24th.
Nutrients can linger in the bay for months. One way that they can
remain in the bay is through uptake by plant life which is then
recycled when the organic material dies and subsequently.decomposes,
resulting in release of nitrogen which is once again available for
plant or algae regrowth.
Historically, growth of algae oftentimes starts in late February or
early March and lasts through the fall season. TRWD's proposal would
allow reclaimed water to be discharged during these times. Adding
nutrients to the bay water can only further promote unsightly algae
growth.
If IRWD wants to experiment with the nutrient removal efficiency of
running reclaimed water through open duck ponds, they have the
capability of doing this without discharging any water into San Diego
Creek. They can pump the water back into the treatment plant while
monitoring this project.
The Regional Board, the Orange County Environmental Management
Agency, and Senator Bergeson's office have worked hard to improve bay
water quality. Many of us believe we are making progress. Why
jeopardize this progress by allowing the discharge of reclaimed
wastewater into Upper Newport Bay.
Sincerely,
Jack and Nancy Skinner
�o Do
L"l
a
0
c�
0
w
0.
z
0
z
0
z
w
l v�
# auoyd t y edea
?� U o
'
. Basad }o # GL9[ ouiaui 173 Itj lsu,211 xBj puieaq ANSO'd
.................
►
Td WH9S:80 t766T T,7 '�00 . 'ON DHOHd
Xt1d%Qtil o ? ur sFU d wo':�j
v�
b ;z
Lut-
�z
(>
J
4j W
�2
a
2--s
Z)
1.1
cam.,
* z
L
Wr
-J
t�^ 1`
-<I�
v�
b ;z
Lut-
�z
(>
J
4j W
�2
a
2--s
Z)
1.1
cam.,
* z
FROM : Panasonic TAD/FPX
gr.
PHOt-AE HO. Oct. 21 1994 08:57AIII'P2
0) CL
4" Oft
C) Q 40 Q) Q)
CL
C)
C�• Q)
CL
20
AN
C
Lu.
z Vii.`'
0.,
�L
FRC IM Panascn i c TRU/FAX
7
PHONE NO. : Oct.. 21 1994 08:58 'l F4
i
FROM Panasonic TAD/FAX PHONE NO. Oct.. 21 1994 08:57AM P
6
P
CV,
!� Z
O
C)
-M October 24, 1994
BY THE
C1 1Y
j
Coy C)F K, E•JVi::�..�_:... eA
" CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
} OCT 2. 4 I99A
ITEM N0. 3
HARBOR QUALITY COMMITTEE MINUTES
DATE: September 8, 1994
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jean Watt, Tony Melum, Jack Skinner, Rosemary
Luxton, Nancy Skinner, Susan Leifer, Tom
Houston, Wes Armand.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Len Miller, Miriam Mayell, Ralph Furra, Oscar
Frenzel.
GUEST PRESENT: Monica Mazur, Mary McNamara, Charlie Gabhert,
Rick Higley, Mike Adackapara, Ken Thompson, Jim
Hyde, Alan Short.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jean
Watt, at 3:30 P.M.
ADDITIONAL Luxton requested the committee discuss the
AGENDA ITEM: proposed Noise Element of the General Plan.
APPROVAL OF The minutes of August 11, 1994, were approved as
MINUTES: corrected.
1. Item #2, first paragraph, insert word "own"
in place of "owes".
2. Item #4, b) replace the number 3 with 26 to
read " will show its new 26 minute film".
ViTeIMM
1. Erosion complaint , Shore Cliff. Rick Higley, Building
Department, reviewed grading permits, erosion plans, and
discussed the issues that go beyond the Building Departments
requirements.
Alan Short, Civil Engineer, presented the complaint of the
residents and defined the issue from their viewpoint, which
basicly was that this construction altered the intent of the
Coastal Commission plan approval. Do the plans match in actual
design and spirit and has there been coordination between
agencies?
Watt recommended a staff session to address these questions.
The issue of drainage from construction sites along the water
edge was discussed.
2. Noise Element of the General Plan. Luxton handed out the
revision that related to boats and party boat noise. Requested
committee to review and put this on next month's agenda.
3. Nitrate issue. Regional Board permit, IRWD. Nancy and Jack
Skinner reported their concern that the Santa Ana Regional Water
Quality Control Board was planning to issue a permit to the
Irvine ranch Water District (IRWD)that would have allowed a
discharge into the San Diego Creek of up to an average of 5500
lbs. of nitrates per day which could double the amount of
nitrates presently entering the bay.
Ken Thompson and Jim Horde, representing the IRWD, and Mike
Adackapara, of the Regional Board admitted that there was an
oversight in the drafting of the permit and that the permit would
be changed. The revised permit would limit the discharge to major
storm events only and would be much more restrictive regarding
the amount of nitrates entering the bay. The revised draft permit
would be sent to the Skinners for review prior to adoption by the
Regional Board.
IRWD representatives described a separate permit that they have
requested from the Regional Board which, if adopted, would allow
them to discharge into San Diego Creek, October through April, up
to 6 million gallons a day of reclaimed water that has first
circulated through duck ponds located adjacent to the IRWD
treatment plant. At the present time, the IRWD fills the duck
nds at the beginning of the winter season with 50 million
po
gallons of reclaimed water and then drains the ponds in the
spring by discharging into the UCI Marsh.
The Skinners expressed reservations about the new proposal since
it could have an adverse impact on the bay because of the nitrate
content in reclaimed water. Nitrates are the major cause of the
excess algae in Newport Bay. IRWD indicated that this is a
research project and they would cease discharge if needed to
protect the bay.
Nancy Skinner suggested that rather than take a chance of
degrading the bay, an alternative solution would have the IRWD
fill the ponds at the beginning of the winter as they are now. In
the spring, instead of discharging to the marsh, the water could
be pumped back to IRWD's treatment plant for reuse. This would
provide IRWD with additional reclaimed water at the time when
there is the greater need. This would take away the chance of
degrading the bay.
Jack Skinner recommended the Harbor Quality Committee to monitor
this proposal to be certain this permit will not degrade the bay.
4. Staff reports. Tony Melum reported to the committee that
General Services has been informed about the need to have
additional weekend trash pick-up at certain street -ends on Balboa
Island. Residents have complained that overflowing trash bins
have debris on the streets and blowing into the bay. Rick
Greaney, Beach Maintenance Supervisor, has increased pick-ups
during the season of high use and he will communicate with the
Balboa Improvement Association for their list of areas needing
additional pick-ups.
S. Reducing sewage in harbor. Monica Mazur, EMA, Environmental
Health, Water Quality Division, reported on a study to determine
how significant rabbit pellets are in impactinV test results at
certain testing cites oceanward from Pelican Hill Golf Course.
This was an outgrowth of questions raised by the Surfrider
Foundation newsletter article .
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P.M.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, October 13, 1994, at 3:30 P.M., Fire
Department Conference Room.
Minutes submitted by Wes Armand