HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 95-99 Supporting House Bill HR961 :Err1 +`C;
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'` SIT'C/F.ROF' IGK MEMORANDUM OD r
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TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council S'I ► a v '-
FROM: Richard J. Folkers, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 95-99 SUPPORTING HOUSE BILL
HR961
DATE: November 9 , 1995
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 95-99 requesting the United States
Senate amend the Clean Water Act with regard to stormwater in a manner similar to
HR961.
BACKGROUND:
In May 1995, the House:of Representatives passed Bill HR961, which is the House
version of the Clean Water Act Reauthorization. The Senate has not taken any action
toward an accompanying bill. In fact, the Senate's proposed bill has yet to emerge
from the Environment and Public Works Committee.
HR961 has many provisions that would provide relief to cities and counties subject
to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permits.
The major change is the reclassification of stormwater discharges from a point to a
non-point discharge. As such, stormwater discharges would not be subject to the
present (NPDES) permits and program. Each state would be required to develop,
with significant input from local governments, a Stormwater Pollution Management
Plan. This, and other changes HR961 would bring to the NPDES Program, make it
a bill we should support.
On October 10, 1995, the Riverside County Flood Control District's Board of
Supervisors passed Resolution F95-46 supporting HR961 (copy attached) . The
resolution will be sent to Senators Boxer, Feinstien, and Chafee, the Chairman of
the Environment and Public Works Committee of the Senate. Staff is requesting that
the City Council adopt the attached resolution in support of HR961 and direct staff
to forward it to Senators Boxer, Feinstein, and Chafee.
The resolution also covers certain provisions of HR961 concerning obtaining 404
permits for the maintenance of flood control facilities. These provisions indirectly
impact the City of Palm Desert; therefore, staff feels it is an issue the Council
should also support.
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R C RD J. F RS, P.E. REVIEWED AND CONC
ACTING CITY MANAGER
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Attachments (as noted)