CORRESPONDENCE_1982-1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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four of the evaporation ponds occupy an area about 400' x 350' just north of the South Fork of South Littlejohn Creek. The evap- oration ponds are for the purpose of receiving and evaporating to dryness oil well brines and drilling muds. Each pond is about 1001 x 3501, including the bemw. BAX has been allowed only limited access to the records of the California Department of Health Services, but have received ex- cellent cooperation from the staff of the Regional Board, and from the California State Solid Waste Management Board. Much of this report is based upon the material found in the files of the Regional Board. An explanation of the activities and duties of the State Water Resources Control Board (hereafter, State Board) as opposed to those of the Regional Board follows: The State Board has jurisdiction over the 9 regions of the State. It is concerned with broader Issues than the Regional Board, e.g. the matter of water rights, funding certain Programs, etc. The staff of the State Board includes certain specialists, such as geologists, who serve the Regional Boards at their request. The State Board members (as opposed to the staff) are the policy making body. Their decisions often have the effect of law. They are appointed by the Governor, and are full-time salaried employees of the State-of Cali- fornia. Each Board member represents a segment of the economy. For example, one member represents agriculture, one water supply, one the public at large, and so on. In the event of a dispute regarding the activities of the Regional Board, the State Board may hear an appeal by an aggrieved party. When the State Board issues guidelines, they are binding on the Regional Board. in a sense, then, the State Board is the "boss" of the Regional Boards. The Regional Boards are concerned only with matters relating to pollution. There are 9 Board members, and like the State Board members, they represent segments of the economy and are appointed by the gover- nor. Unlike the State Board members, however, they serve only part time, and are not salaried employees of the State. They do receive expenses, of course. Setting aside the differences, however, they are like the State Board In many respects. They are the policy mak- 2