SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

Home Browse Search

5.15 WATER RESOURCES water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the CWA. The rule assumes the use of narrative,rather than numeric,effluent limitations requiring implementation of BMPs. 5.15.5.2.3 Industrial Stormwater NPDES Permit The SWRCB implements regulations under the federal Clean Water Act requiring that point source discharges of stormwater (which is a flow of rainfall runoff in some kind of discrete conveyance such as a pipe, ditch,channel, or swale) associated with industrial activity that discharges either directly to surface waters or indirectly through municipal separate storm sewers must be regulated by an NPDES permit (SWRCB, 1997). The SWRCB has issued Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for discharges of stormwater associated with industrial activities (SWRCB Order 97-03-DWQ),excluding construction activities. The LEC project is discharging all stormwater runoff to the WPCF and will apply for an exemption from the General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activities because there will be no discharge offsite. 5.15.5.2.4 Construction Stormwater NPDES Permit The federal Clean Water Act effectively prohibits discharges of stormwater from construction sites unless the discharge is in compliance with an NPDES permit. The SWRCB is the permitting authority in California and has adopted a statewide General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity (SWRCB Water Quality Order No. 99-08-DWQ;SWRCB, 1999) that applies to projects resulting in one or more acres of soil disturbance. The proposed project would result in disturbance of more than one acre of soil. Therefore,the project will require the preparation of a construction SWPPP that would specify site management activities to be implemented during site development. These management activities will include construction stormwater BMPs, dewatering runoff controls, and construction equipment decontamination. The Central Valley RWQCB requires a NOI to be filed prior to prior to any stormwater discharge from construction activities, and that the SWPPP be implemented and maintained onsite. A Construction Drainage Erosion and Sediment Control Plan/SWPPP will be completed prior to the beginning of construction activities. 5.15.5.2.5 Delta Protection Commission The Delta Protection Act of 1992 established the Delta Protection Commission,an entity to plan for and to guide the conservation and enhancement of the natural resources of the Delta,while sustaining agriculture and meeting increased recreational demand. The Act defines a Primary Zone,which comprises the principal jurisdiction of the Commission. The Secondary Zone is the area outside the Primary Zone,but still within the legal Delta; however,the Secondary Zone is not within the planning area of the Commission. The Act requires the Commission to prepare and adopt a Land Use and Resource Management Plan for the Delta,which must meet specific goals. In order to achieve these goals,local land use plans and decisions must be in conformance with the Land Use and Resource Management Plan for the Delta and local decisions are subject to appellate review by the Delta Protection Commission. The LEC project is located within the Secondary Zone and is not within the planning area of the Commission. SAC1371322/082340005(LEC_5.15_WATER_RESOURCES.DOC) 5.15-29