District Proposes Environmental Projects
Posted on: Thursday, 28 July 2005, 18:00 CDT
Jul. 28--San Ramon city staff members will hold a public hearing next week to discuss potential environmental projects that would be funded by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District -- a funding effort in lieu of district fines for sewage spills.
A state panel on June 16 unanimously approved a fine of $165,000 against the sanitary district for a 40,000-gallon spill in San Ramon last year.
"We're trying to do something to give back to the residents," particularly those affected by the spill, and to help them understand the process, said Rod Wui, a city engineer. One possibility would be a restoration project in the area of San Ramon Creek, and the public comment and feedback will factor into decisions about what project is most suitable.
Sewage flowed into the creek during the May 22, 2004, spill, which was caused by equipment failure. The district responded promptly and cooperated during the state investigation that followed. If the state had fined the district the maximum for all of the spills dating to 2000, in which a total of 274,375 gallons spilled, more than 97,000 gallons of that never recovered, the total fine amount would have been $900,000, according to Lila Tang, chief of the wastewater discharge division.
The state's Regional Water Quality Control Board for the Bay Area adopted the fine, which also covers 27 other incidents over the past five years. The board did so over the protests of two San Ramon residents, who contended that $165,000 was not significant enough to force the sanitary district into preventing future problems at a Mangos Drive pumping station.
The maximum legal fine for the spill last year was $400,000.
The board also decided that the sanitary district could propose an environmental project funded by the amount of the fine.
IF YOU GO
Environmental Projects Public Meeting
When: 7-8 p.m. Aug. 2
Where: San Ramon Senior Center, Vista Grand Room, 9300 Alcosta Blvd.
Information: 925-973-2686 or www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us.
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Source: Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
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