SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE_CASE 2

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Response to Written Comments -30- 24 April 2007 City of Tracy WWTP San Joaquin County SDWA — NPDES COMMENT #5: On page F-8 the proposed Order references a requirement for the permittee to evaluate the appropriate effluent limit to protect agricultural beneficial uses. This does not appear in the provisions. RESPONSE: This was an error that has been corrected. SDWA — NPDES COMMENT #6: On page F-15 the proposed Order continues the misconception that temporary barriers are installed to improve salinity. They are not. They improve water levels and are not operated to improve water quality. RESPONSE: Though the commentor may not agree that the barriers are effective in improving water quality, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) South Delta Section website (http://sdelta.water.ca.gov/web_pg/tempbar.htm), states that one of the objectives of the temporary barriers program are to improve water quality: "• Increase water levels, circulation patterns, and water quality in the southern Delta area for local agricultural diversions, and "• Improve operational flexibility of the State Water Project to help reduce fishery impacts and improve fishery conditions."(emphasis added) SDWA — NPDES COMMENT #7: On page F-17 of the proposed Order it states that the South Delta Improvements Program permanent operable gates will be operating by April 2009. The estimated date for operation has been changed to one or two years later. RESPONSE: The proposed Order has been updated to indicate the latest estimated date for operation of the permanent gates. SDWA — NPDES COMMENT #8: Table F-3 appears to have been written by someone unfamiliar with the salinity problems in the Southern Delta. To suggest that there are site specific problems with salinity in the South Delta is a misrepresentation. The statement in the table's footnote #2 suggests that the problem exists only in limited areas. To the contrary, it exists throughout the Southern Delta. In addition, footnote #4 to the table continues the fallacy that the standards are only to be met at three locations. The 2006 WQCP clarified that the standards apply throughout the channels. RESPONSE: Footnote #2 has been modified by removing the last two sentences. Footnote #4 states the following, "Compliance with the 1995 Bay- Delta Plan water quality objectives are determined at three monitoring locations in the South Delta." This statement is correct. We understand that the water Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region Board Meeting — 3/4 May 2007 Item#17