FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Lan C. Wiborg, Director of Environmental Services
SUBJECT:
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PAYMENT OF ANNUAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE AND ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT FEES
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Approve payment to the State Water Pollution Control Board in an amount not to exceed $950,000 for the annual NPDES ocean discharge permit fees for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
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BACKGROUND
Under the Clean Water Act, the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) lawfully discharges treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean under its NPDES ocean discharge permit which is jointly administered by SARWQCB and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In accordance with Sections 13260 and 13269 of the California Water Code, an annual fee is required to maintain this permit. The fee is based on OC San's facility design flow.
OC San is expecting an invoice for the permit fee from the State Water Pollution Control Board (SWRCB) to arrive in December 2024 with a short turnaround time for payment. Staff has confirmed with SWRCB personnel the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 annual permit fee will be higher than the annual permit fee for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 ($904,107) but below $950,000. Thus, staff recommends that the Board of Directors approve payment of the annual ocean discharge permit fees for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the amount not to exceed $950,000.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
* Comply with environmental permit requirements
* 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
* Comply with Government Code Section (California Water Code Sections 13260 & 13269)
PROBLEM
OC San is required by California Water Code Sections 13260 and 13269 to pay an annual fee to maintain our ocean discharge permit.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve payment of the annual NPDES ocean discharge permit fees in the amount not to exceed $950,000, as to be invoiced by the SWRCB fo...
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