Los Angeles Basin
Contaminated Sediments Task Force

Summary of Meeting on March 26, 1998

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1) Welcome/Introductions

Catherine Tyrrell, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, welcomed the participants to the meeting on behalf of the Regional Board and the Coastal Commission and thanked them for attending (see attached sign-in list).

2) Karnette Legislation Overview

Catherine Tyrrell presented a summary of the main provisions of the Karnette legislation. The California Coastal Commission and the Los Angeles Regional Board are required to work with the task force to develop a long-term management plan for dredging and disposal of contaminated sediments over the next five years (due by January 1, 2003). The Coastal Commission and the Los Angeles Regional Board must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to participate in the preparation of the long-term management plan. The Coastal Commission and the Regional Board must conduct at least one annual workshop to review the status of the plan and to promote public participation.

3) Update on Proposed Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding

Catherine Tyrrell discussed a proposed amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding developed by the task force members [handout distributed at meeting]. The Los Angeles Regional Board is seeking to amend the existing MOU to reflect the provisions of the Karnette legislation. Task force members do not wish to modify Section 4.b. in the existing MOU, which requires the task force to identify existing studies, data and new studies necessary to develop the management strategy, and identify existing studies and measures to control the discharge of contaminants into Santa Monica Bay and San Pedro Bay, within one year from the date of execution of the MOU (expected to be signed by all parties in April or May, 1997). Task force members agreed to modify Section 2 by referring to the management plan as a "long-term dredge material management plan" and to clarify that the plan will be for the dredging and disposal of contaminated sediments "from" (rather than "in") the coastal waters adjacent to Los Angeles County. Task force members wish to modify Section 5.d. to reflect that the management plan will include procedures to coordinate the activities of the regulatory agencies. The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach requested a language change to reflect that they execute the MOU "acting by and through the Board of Harbor Commissioners".

4) Action Plan - Ideas for Revised Structure

Michael Lyons, Los Angeles Regional Board, presented the proposed organizational structure [attachment included with task force agenda] for the task force developed by a subcommittee of six volunteers (Tom Johnson, Port of Long Beach; Ralph Appy, Port of Los Angeles; Tony Risko, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Steven John, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Jim Raives, California Coastal Commission; Michael Lyons, L.A. Regional Board). Task force members discussed the need for an Executive Committee, eventually agreeing to retain the proposed group composed of upper management from the four regulatory agencies (EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Commission, and LA Regional Board).

There was considerable discussion about the nature and role of the management committee and whether another (possibly larger) committee was needed to ensure participation by all interested parties and facilitate the decision-making process. The task force members agreed that the entire task force should meet to achieve a consensus on key issues. The task force recommended against creating another committee, feeling that the proposed management committee structure would be acceptable provided that all interested parties are invited to attend and welcome to contribute at the meetings. The task force members requested the addition of a resource agency to the designated management committee. The task force members asked that the strategy development committees (working groups) be open to everyone, and encouraged active participation from groups with diverse viewpoints on each of these committees. The task force members agreed that chairmanship of the management committee meetings should be rotated among the four regulatory agencies.

Comments on the draft plan should be submitted to Jim Raives, California Coastal Commission (415-904-5292) by Wednesday, April 1, 1998.

5) Strawman Action Plan

Tom Johnson, Port of Los Angeles, discussed the goals and objectives contained in the strawman proposal developed by the subcommittee of six volunteers [attachment included with task force agenda]. The task force members agreed that the overall strawman proposal "appears to be in the ballpark" and congratulated the subcommittee on its efforts. The task force recommended modifying goal #1 to deal with 5-year periods (rather than the foreseeable future) and to update estimates annually. The task force suggested adding "and implement" to goal #4 (promote region-wide efforts at source reduction). The task force recommended adding a new goal #5: seek funding for additional studies and implementation. EPA has made a commitment to help implement Brownfields remediation; this should be added as an issue for the upland/beneficial use strategy development committee. Task force members requested changing the title of the Coastal Commission’s administrative staff person to "Task Force Coordinator", rather than the proposed "Chief Administrator".

Several task force members pointed out that the strawman proposal needs more detail on the scope of work of the committees, subproducts to be produced (leading to the final management plan) and key milestones (deadlines) over the 5-year period. Many task force members indicated that it is not clear from the strawman proposal just how the task force will actually get to work and begin to accomplish what needs to be done.

Comments on the draft plan should be submitted to Jim Raives, California Coastal Commission (415-904-5292) by Wednesday, April 1, 1998.

6) Status of Interim Management Plan

The meeting was behind schedule, so Ralph Appy, Port of Los Angeles, was unable to discuss the proposed interim plan for managing dredging and disposal of contaminated sediment while the long-term management plan is under development. This item will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting (April 9, 1998) and a copy of the proposed interim management plan will be mailed to task force members. Task force members indicated that the interim plan should provide a mechanism for responding to predictable emergency dredging needs (e.g., Marina del Rey, Los Angeles River Estuary).

7) Next Meeting

The next task force meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9, 1998, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Port of Los Angeles Administrative Offices, 425 South Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro (note: this replaces the previously scheduled meeting of April 2, 1998).


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