Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Regular Meeting of June 12, 2018
Title
COMMENT LETTER IN RESPONSE TO THE DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE WEST BASIN
MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT PROPOSED DESALINATION PLANT
(Environmental Analyst Kristy Morris)
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
It is recommended that City Council:
1. Receive and review the draft comment letter in response to the draft environmental impact report for the West Basin Municipal Water District proposed desalination plant; and
2. Authorize staff to submit the comment letter to West Basin Municipal Water District
Body
Background:
On March 27, 2018, West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) announced that the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the potential ocean water desalination facility in El Segundo is available for public review and comment. The comment period was initially open for 60 days with comments due by May 25, 2018; however, on May 3, 2018 West Basin’s Board granted the public a 30-day extension on DEIR comments, which are now due by 5:00 PM on June 25, 2018.
The Full Draft EIR is available on their website: www.westbasin.org/desal <http://www.westbasin.org/desal>
On March 22, 2016, City Council directed staff to work with the City of Manhattan Beach staff to seek EIR expertise as needed in the preparation of DEIR comments and approved 60 hours of staff time and funding for consulting services.
Analysis:
At the March 27, 2018 City Council meeting, during the City Manager Updates, Council was notified that the draft EIR was released and that staff would proceed with the direction provided at the March 22, 2016 meeting. This is the City’s opportunity to review and provide technical comments on research that has been done on the environmental impacts of the proposed project.
The attached comment letter (Attachment 1) is the result of this direction and staff recommends that this DEIR comment letter be received, reviewed, and filed by City Council.
Fiscal Implications:
The cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Malibu selected Clear Resource Law to review and comment on the DEIR. The City issued a contractor’s purchase order to Clear Resource Law for $17,600.00. These costs are divided equally among the cities and the city has invoiced the other cities for $5,867. There is adequate funding available from savings in the City Manager’s Department contact services account (001-1201-4201) to cover the City’s share ($5,867).
Attachments:
1. DEIR Comment Letter on Proposed Desalination Project
Respectfully Submitted by: Kristy Morris, Environmental Analyst
Noted for Fiscal Impact: Viki Copeland, Finance Director
Legal Review: Mike Jenkins, City Attorney
Approved: John Jalili, Interim City Manager