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•�'� California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Santa Ana Region
Linda S. Adams 3737 Main Street, Suite 500, Riverside, California 92501 -3348
SeoeraryJor Phone (951) 782 -4130 • FAX (951) 781-6288 • TDD (951) 782 -3221
www, waterboards. ca.govlsantaana
Emvimnn aal Proleat
July 26, 2010
Mr. David Kiff
City Manager
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Mr. Garry Brown
Executive Director
Orange County Coastkeeper
3151 Airway Ave, Suite F -110
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AND ORANGE COUNTY COASTKEEPER
LEADERSHIP ON RHINE CHANNEL REMEDIATION
Dear Mr. Kiff and Mr. Brown:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor
The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board) staff
commends the City of Newport Beach and the Orange County Coastkeeper for your
active pursuit of remediation of the Rhine Channel at the west end of Newport Bay.
Your actions support the implementation of the 2002 Newport Bay Rhine Channel
TMDLs established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and contribute to
efforts to improve quality conditions in the Bay as a whole. We applaud you both for
your leadership and diligence.
As you know, historical water quality data resulted in findings of impairment for the
Rhine Channel, which placed it on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of impaired
waters. The Channel was also identified as a "toxic hot spot ", one of a few most polluted
waterbodies in Southern California. The Channel appears to act as a source of
pollutants in other parts of Lower Newport Bay. In 2003, the Orange County
Coastkeeper (OCCK) was awarded a Proposition 13 grant to conduct, with the City of
Newport Beach and the Regional Water Board, a comprehensive characterization of the
Rhine Channel's water quality condition and to assess feasible remediation options.
The final report, Rhine Channel Sediment Remediation Feasibility Study and
Alternatives Evaluation, Newport Bay, California, January 2006, included a thorough
site assessment, an investigation of historic and current sources of pollution, and an
evaluation of various remedial actions,
This report, along with additional City and OCCK- sponsored studies, enables the City to
initiate a proposed, comprehensive plan to dispose of the contaminated sediments from
California Environmental Protection Agency
OD
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Mr. Kiff and Mr. Brown - 2 - July 26, 2010
the Rhine Channel by taking advantage of a unique disposal opportunity at the Port of
Long Beach in early 2011. The Regional Water Board staff strongly supports these
efforts. Working closely with City of Newport Beach staff, we will do all that we can to
ensure the success of the project.
Like you, we recognize the significance of the Bay as an ecological and recreationa4
resource. Again, we thank you for your genuinely commendable efforts to remediate the
Rhine Channel and contribute to water quality and beneficial use improvement in the
Bay.
Sincerely, \/
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Kurt V. Berchtold
Executive Officer
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board
cc: Regional Board
California Environmental Protection Agency
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