In part, my response to the Toxics in the steam issue, was somewhat flippant. The type and levels of toxics is not news and is a serious problem – and needs to be looked at by the City and administering agencies.
As far as the City of Santa Rosa goes, the City Council, at great cost to the waters in it’s sphere of influence and economic cost to the City has abdicated understanding and control of the situation to consultants and the BPU. This has put the City in the position of spending great sums of money not to solve pollutant problems.
Addressing, both, the City NPDES Waste Water Permit conditions and the toxic issue (as they are linked by the permits and by emperical interaction) will take organized action by the City, responsible agency, and clean water advocates. The City Wide Creek Master Plan and associated DEIR are open for comment.
The City Wide Creek Master Plan and DEIR must address degraded conditions and 303 (d) listings of Santa Rosa Creek and it’s tributaries and how the Master Plan and the City Storm Water Plan will effectively address the issue of pollutant control and pollutant inputs. Also, the Master Plan and DEIR must address the issue and effects of Santa Rosa Creek discharges to the Laguna.
The fact that the City of Santa Rosa’s Stormwater Plan is not enforceable or effective must be a consideration in the above noted action is a great place for the City and all interested parties to address these issues and the inter-relationship of this issue with the Waste Water NPDES permit.
It is not clear if the City Council should be approached now on the issue of directions and choices – or – if more work should be done by agency and the City Wide Creek Plan to clarify some issues.