REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Chau Vu, Director of Public Works
PREPARED BY: Jim Merid, Environmental Services Manager
Subject:
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Approve and Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to Execute the Amended and Restated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement
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Statement of Issue:
The Amended and Restated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement updates and replaces the 2002 Stormwater Permit Agreement. The original agreement designated the County of Orange as the lead stormwater permittee and identified the 34 cities and the Orange County Flood Control District as co permittees under regional stormwater permits issued by the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
This amended agreement updates the cooperative framework and funding structure to align with current stormwater permit requirements. It also establishes a new watershed-based funding mechanism to support programs and projects required under watershed-based compliance mandates.
Financial Impact:
The City is required to fund its portion of the Countywide stormwater permit budget. This share is calculated using a formula based on population and jurisdictional area. Each year, the County proposes a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which must be ratified by a majority of co-permittees (representing more than 50 percent of the total population and area). The City’s share is typically between $360,000 and $420,000 depending on permit requirements and the development and implementation of permit-required programs and projects.
Additional costs incurred as a result of watershed-based programs and projects will be submitted by staff as part of the City’s annual budget preparation process.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Amended and Restated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve or authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Amended and Restated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement and direct staff on alternative action.
Analysis:
The existing NPDES Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement, approved in 2002 (and originally in 1990), no longer reflects current or anticipated regulatory requirements. The updated agreement modernizes the roles and responsibilities of the County and co permittee cities.
As lead permittee, the County of Orange will continue to:
• Prepare the annual countywide stormwater program budget
• Develop and coordinate compliance programs
• Compile and submit regional compliance reports
• Provide administrative support for both the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards
Co-permittee cities, including Huntington Beach, will remain responsible for implementing local compliance programs such as inspections, public education and outreach, and timely response to water quality concerns.
The most significant update is the creation of a watershed-based funding structure to support projects that target pollutants specific to each watershed. This structure aligns with Santa Ana and San Diego regional permit requirements and enables collaborative development and cost sharing of multi- jurisdictional projects.
Huntington Beach is located in two watersheds:
• Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbour watershed - impaired for copper, chlordane, indicator bacteria, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
• Santa Ana River watershed - currently without impairment
The amended agreement provides a coordinated framework for developing and funding projects to address these pollutants within each watershed.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan.
Attachment(s):
1. Amended and Restated NPDES Stormwater Permit Agreement
2. PowerPoint Presentation