Los Angeles County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit Process Update

Presented by Maria Mehranian C.F.O - Cordoba Corporation &

Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Member

MS4 Permit Timeline

Timeline 2001- LA County MS4 Permit

Includes LA County Flood Control District, LA County, and 84 incorporated cities within LA County

2006- Permit expired, but was extended pursuant to federal regulations 2006, 2007 & 2009: permit was reopened to incorporate

provisions to implement three TMDLs. 2012- Board reconsiders and amends MS4 Permit

Many advances were made in stormwater and urban runoff management that were not reflected in the LA County MS4 permit

Need for a New MS4 Permit

The requirement and framework presented an opportunity to develop a more effective MS4 Permit

This was before the increasing severity of the drought

The New MS4 Permit was the first serious attempt to get municipalities engaged and educated on developing storm water cleanup measures

The process started with over 50 stakeholder workshops

Framework for the New MS4 Permit

Need for local sources of water

Water quality and water supply are two sides of the same coin

We can create sustainable infrastructure while cleaning the water

All the discharger’s must be involved in developing and implementing water management plans

Now is the time to build stormwater capture infrastructure

A New MS4 Permit: How is it different?

Allowed a 3 year lead time for design & compliance

Requires that permittees demonstrate that Best Management Practices reduce pollution

A Regional Approach to stormwater EWMPs

Options to meet the goals individually or as a part of a watershed

Stakeholder Concerns

Majority of Permittees were in favor of leaving the permit as it was

Concern that permitting agency would be unable to effectively compare the different modeling methods

Concerns that new permit lacks regulation

Permittees concerned they won’t have funding to implement proposed plans

Positive Impact of MS4 Changes

WMP is a water quality based permit Requires that municipalities determine whether their

programs will reduce pollutant levels Encourages innovative and collaborative solutions Innovative water quality management approaches will

also lead to increased local water supply and water infrastructure resiliency

From Sustainable Regulation to Sustainable Infrastructure

Sustainable policy leads to Sustainable Infrastructure

A total of 17 WMPs were developed

More dialog among dischargers

Enhanced resources and capabilities

Will develop a sustainable infrastructure while meeting water quality standards

LA River Revitalization will be the next big test

Watersheds

Current Draft Submittals

17 Watershed Management Program Submittals Includes 7 Group WMPs

33 Municipalities/Permittees Participating in Group WMPs

Groups range in size from 2 to 13 Municipalities/Permittees

Includes 10 Individual Submittals

12 EWMP Groups EWMPs are not due until June 2015

Locations of WMPs San Gabriel Valley area

#7 – East San Gabriel Valley WMP El Monte Irwindale South El Monte West Covina Walnut La Habra Heights

#8 – Lower San Gabriel River

#9 & #18 – Alamitos Bay/Los Cerritos Channel

#3 – Los Angeles River Upper Reach 2

#4 – Lower Los Angeles River and Environs Compton Carson

Dominquez Channel Area Lawndale Gardena

#19 – SMB Jurisdictional Group 7 area in City of Los Angeles (PV Peninsula)

WMPs Status

10 Individual and Group WMPs have minor deficiencies These WMP participants have been provided notice of

their deficiencies They now have three months to revise their WMPs and

address deficiencies

7 of the Individual WMPs were severely deficient and have been denied participation in a WMP These municipalities now must meet baseline

requirements

General Areas for Improvement

Many Permittees make assumptions with regard to predicted pollution reduction without sufficient support

The Permit allows Permittees to delay reaching the goals by relying on future legislation and polices to assist in reducing pollutant levels

Better assessment related to pollutant contributions from MS4 discharges

Greater detail on Watershed Control Measures to meet early deadlines

Examples of Watershed Control Measures Included in Submitted Plans

Stormwater capture & use BMPs at public parks

Infiltration to dry wells

Constructed wetlands

Vacant lot ordinance (to address TSS & associated pollutants)

Green streets/BMPs in rights-of-way

LID for new redevelopment

Enhanced street sweeping

Implementation Challenges

The WMPs are able to estimate implementation cost fairly accurately, however the plans do not address financing or funding

Possible Funding Opportunities Proposition 1 will provide funding for some of the projects

included in the WMPs, but not all Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act(WIFIA)

program may provide additional funding opportunities Drinking water loan program - $400 Million earmarked

Next Steps

Complete Review of Draft WMPs Provide Comments to Permittees Permittees Revise WMPs

Complete Review of Integrated Monitoring Programs (IMP)/Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Programs (CIMP)

Continue to Provide Input on EWMPs

Develop Appropriate Evaluation Standards

Find Funding for Implementation

The Good News

PROPOSITION 1 PASSED !!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!