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Home My WebLink About2009/09/29 Additional Information #4~dc`~o~ G~~-i.~ ~`~~~ ~t 4 C9T>' ~F OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CHERYL COX MAYOR September 29, 2009 Ms. Dorothy R. Rice, Executive Director State Water Resources Control Board P.O. Box 100 Sacramento, CA 95812-0100 Dear Ms. Rice: RE: NPDES Permit Application for Renewal of NPDES Waste Discharge Requirements For Order No. R9-2004 - Ol 54, NPDES No. CAOOOli68 Dynegy South, LLC, South Bay Power Plant Discharge to San Diego Bay The Chula Vista City Council is unanimous in its support of the July I5, 2009, letter (Attached) to John Roberius and in its expectation that the discharge permit for the South Bay Power Plant (SBPP) not be renewed or extended. The residents of Chula Vista have shouldered the negative environmental and economic impacts of this regional facility for almost five decades. The Plant uses an old technology that constrains public access and economic development plans for 135 acres of bayfront property, and inhibits the restoration and protection of adjacent habitat. The City encourages the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to recognize the unique characteristic of the South Bay Power Plant that differentiates it from other "once through cooling" power plants iu California--it discharges into a closed bay. The City furtJ~er requests that the State Water Resources Control Board direct the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) to conduct a local hearing in Chula Vista as soon as possible. A review of the record will clearly indicate that the South Bay Power Plant creates substantial environmental damage to the local watershed. Furthermore, the most recent five-year permit was granted with the understanding that it would be the last permit for this facility. Public agencies, including our City, have limited resources. However, this is a once-in-five- years process that all of us were obligated to plan for. The SBPP is one of the two largest such facilities in the San Diego region. According to the SWRCB's most recent study, SBPP uses up to 600-bi~keu gallons of bay water per day, and annually kills approximately 390,000 fish through impingement and 2.4 billion larvae through entrainment. The RWQCB general statement says, "The primary duty of the Regional Board is to protect the quality of the waters within the Region for all beneficial uses." The Chula Vista City Council asked that the RWCQB make the process for denying this permit a priority. Five years ago, as a responsible partner, Dulw Energy included the City in the process at the very early stages of permit application development. As stated in our letter to Mr. Robertus, the City did not 276 fourth Avenue • Chula Vista • California 91910 • (619) 691-5044 • Fax (fi19) 476-5379 ccox@chulavistaca.gov (_r~ro~iro~~~~~~, x„~r~irn v.,o~, Ms. Dorotlry R. Rice, Executive Director September 29, 2009 Page 2 intervene in the RWQCB process and supported Duke and the Port in minimizing impacts and costs to SBPP operation by phasing in minimal standards. That collaboration was based on the founding principle that SBPP would not operate beyond the current lease term, would be decommissioned by February 2010, and would therefore not need or seek an extended permit from the RWQCB. Dynegy's current permit request represents a failure to meet that commiunent. San Diego Bay and its surrounding habitat will not begin fully to restore itself from 50 years of the Plant's impacts until the Plant ceases drawing and discharging exceptionally large volumes of water through this closed water body. The community will not realize the financial means to restore and preserve that habitat, provide public access and the economic opportunities the bayfront represents until the SBPP is decommissioned and dismantled, and the adjacent marine habitat has the resources and time to be restored. Please help us convey in the strongest manner to the SBPP operator and the other state regulatory agencies that 1950s technology and discharge practices of the past century do not meet this region's water quality standards for this unique watershed today. We ask that you encourage the RWQCB to conduct its hearing/s in Chula Vista. Doing so will provide an open and inclusive opportunity for South Bay residents to hear from all parties and review the data. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Cheryl Cox Mayor Rudy Ramirez Deputy Mayor Steve Castaneda Councilmember Attached: Letter to John H. Robertus cc: Charles R. Hoppin, Chair Francis Spivy-Weber, Vice Chair Arthur G. Badggett Tam M.Doduc Pamela Bensoussan Councilmember Jim Sandoval, City Manager, Chula Vista Michael T. Meacham, Director of Conservation & Environmental Services 276 Fourth Avenue • Chula Vista • California 91910 • (619) 691-5044 • Fax (619) 476-5379 ccox@chutavistaca.gov ® ~a~l;orrsume~ RecK~~ Fape~