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HomeMy WebLinkAbout97.Received from ENS at LAPA 01-13-14ENS Resources, Inc. 1101 Fourteenth Street, N.W. Suite 350 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone 202.466.3755/Telefax 202.466.3787 M E M O R A N DUM TO: James Herberg, General Manager FROM: Eric Sapirstein CC: Robert Ghirelli Jim Colston DATE: January 10, 2014 SUBJECT: Washington, D.C. Trip Report On January 6 – 7, the District visited Washington to meet with its congressional delegation and senior committee staff involved with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy. A discussion was also held with officials at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on water recycling. The following summarizes the meetings. By separate email, draft thank you letters and addresses have been transmitted. Summary The meetings demonstrated a strong level of support for the District and its policy priorities. The discussions on the legislative and regulatory needs found the delegation staff are willing to support the District’s efforts to secure its objectives. Also, an interest exists to tour the District to learn about its water quality program. Congressional Meetings In the meetings with the Offices of Representatives Ed Royce, Dana Rohrabacher, Alan Lowenthal, Gary Miller, Ken Calvert and Senators Feinstein and Boxer, the following points were presented: • The District considers the opportunity to develop the remaining wastewater flows important. However, significant technical barriers exist that must be studied to ensure that appropriate technology can be employed cost-effectively. The staff were informed that if a feasibility study revealed an effective project, an additional 70 million gallons per day of wastewater could be treated, supplementing existing water supplies for the region. The staff were intrigued with the concept and asked to be kept updated. In response, they were informed that a formal proposal would be developed and once submitted, the District would provide a copy of the proposal. Senator Feinstein’s staff noted that GWRS is viewed as a success and understood that the District’s proposed approach would enhance this success. Representative Calvert’s staff emphasized that the office was supportive of efforts to improve the water supply picture and that the District should submit its project to them for review as part of any request for project support in Fiscal Year 2015. • The discussion on the SARI Line and the requirement to remove riprap from the Santa Ana River served to explain the challenge that the District is confronting. The challenge was explained with regard to the permit mandate and the new information that independent studies are demonstrating that removal of the riprap could impact endangered species, that USACOE riverbank armoring activities need enhanced coordination with the District, and the federal responsibility for the need to install the riprap were issues that demanded consideration, before ratepayers are required to shoulder the entire cost of the riprap removal. Staff appreciated the issues and inquired on a preferred course of action. In response, the staff were told that the District intended to work with USACOE officials to determine if a modification of the permit conditions could be achieved. Staff asked if other agencies like USEPA are involved. They were informed because of the migratory corridor that is in the region, US Fish and Wildlife is a consulting agency. Staff were curious as to why the riprap removal is required, if only a portion of the area was used by wildlife migration. Additionally, it was pointed out that other endangered species (fish, fauna and bird) are now relying on the riprap and the ecosystem support it offers. Thus, if a permit modification could occur, then it would minimize the need for direct federal assistance and avoid potential of endangered species takes. The staff suggested that the District provide follow-up on the status of the effort to modify the permit and advise them of any assistance that may be required in support of the District priority to implement an appropriate response to riprap removal mandate. • As a general update, the District provided the staff with its efforts to identify ways in which to secure assistance with the implementation of air quality ENS Resources, Inc. 1101 Fourteenth Street, N.W. Suite 350 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone 202.466.3755/Telefax 202.466.3787 technology that offers to provide an efficient alternative to traditional multiple control technology. Staff asked where the focus of the effort would be made and were informed that USEPA and DOE were options given the priority associated with the energy and water nexus. They asked to be kept informed so they could provide support as appropriate Congressional Committee Meeting Meetings with the senior House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure committee staff with policy responsibility for USACOE programs were held to review the ongoing challenges associated with the removal of the riprap. Staff asked a number of questions surrounding the history of the permit and which federal agencies are party to any decisions to review the permit conditions. They asked to be kept apprised of the District’s discussions with USACOE on how to coordinate any modifications to the permit conditions. They also volunteered that based on these updates that they would be happy to provide assistance in working toward a reasonable remedy that could address the circumstances surrounding the removal of riprap. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Meeting A meeting with USBR staff representing the District’s geographic region and senior budget officials was held to review the proposed water recycling feasibility study. Staff were extremely complimentary of GWRS and what the District contributed to make the project a success. In the discussion, the staff asked if the project would supplement GWRS. It was pointed out that any project would be separate because GWRS and its present expansion had reached its physical maximum state. At the same time, it was emphasized that the partnership would continue and that any project would lead to benefits for the region and be complementary to the existing activities. Staff explained the status of the WaterSMART program and noted that the program would be a good fit for the District’s objective. They indicated that based upon the final resolution of the fiscal year 2014 budget, USBR would determine how to proceed on issuing a funding opportunity announcement. Action Items A number of action items resulted from the meetings. These are identified below. • Arrange for tour by Rep. Lowenthal staff (underway); • Monitor progress of WaterSMART program for funding opportunity; • Meet with USBR Temecula Office staff to discuss feasibility study and project opportunity; • Transmit letters of thanks to meeting attendees (draft letters provided under separate email); • Meet with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, L.A. District Office staff to discuss permit requirements and seek agreement to modify mandates on riprap; • Arrange for meetings with D.C. federal agency officials (based upon meetings with L.A. District Office of USACOE) to discuss permit modifications; • Update SAWPA on meetings in D.C. as related to riprap; • Develop strategy to provide for support from congressional delegation on modification to riprap removal mandate subsequent to USACOE meeting outcome; • Arrange for follow-up meetings as appropriate with delegation in Washington; • Review feasibility of congressional tour later in the year of District facilities to discuss regional water quality (and other environmental) priorities; • Meet with SAWPA to discuss federal objectives and areas of collaboration; • Monitor funding solicitations to support implementation of air emissions control technology demonstration; and • Develop improved visual aid to illustrate riprap removal region.