BACWA – Leading the way to protect our Bay

BACWA Wet Weather BACWA Wet Weather Management WorkshopManagement Workshop

Michele Pla, Executive Director Michele Pla, Executive Director

Bay Area Clean Water AgenciesBay Area Clean Water Agencies

May 28, 2008Boy Scouts Facility, San Leandro

November 7, 2007: Cosco Busan November 7, 2007: Cosco Busan strikes the San Francisco Bay strikes the San Francisco Bay BridgeBridge

• Collision with Bridge causes a Collision with Bridge causes a 100 ft. long gash in its hull100 ft. long gash in its hull

• 54,000 gallons bunker fuel 54,000 gallons bunker fuel discharged into SF Baydischarged into SF Bay

• Spill impacts beaches and Spill impacts beaches and wildlife as far north as wildlife as far north as Richmond San-Rafael Bridge Richmond San-Rafael Bridge and Point Reyes, and as far and Point Reyes, and as far south as Oyster Point and Half south as Oyster Point and Half Moon BayMoon Bay

Reactions to the Oil SpillReactions to the Oil Spill

• Ownership and Value of the BayOwnership and Value of the Bay

• Distrust of Public AgenciesDistrust of Public Agencies– Spill response slowSpill response slow– Not all agencies notified as early as possibleNot all agencies notified as early as possible– Not coordinatedNot coordinated

• AngerAnger

• OutrageOutrage

• EducationEducation

Overflows and Spills in Overflows and Spills in JanuaryJanuary• Associated with the Oil SpillAssociated with the Oil Spill

• Media attention – regulatory reactionMedia attention – regulatory reaction

• We found many holes in our We found many holes in our notification process notification process

• Good news:Good news:– People Care About What We are Doing People Care About What We are Doing

and About Bay Water Quality and Usesand About Bay Water Quality and Uses

Wet Weather Management Wet Weather Management Workshop AgendaWorkshop Agenda• Purpose of the WorkshopPurpose of the Workshop

– Current Information Current Information – Allow for some discussion and questionsAllow for some discussion and questions

• Agenda Agenda

• Discussion and Q/ADiscussion and Q/A

• LogisticsLogistics

Ultimately Public Ultimately Public Investment in Infrastructure Investment in Infrastructure is Essentialis Essential

Can We Afford Infrastructure Can We Afford Infrastructure InvestmentsInvestments• Bay Area is 4Bay Area is 4thth most important center for most important center for

Global BusinessGlobal Business

• Economy is $400 billion a year Economy is $400 billion a year – Productivity and vibrancy outstrips the nation Productivity and vibrancy outstrips the nation

at every levelat every level– 35% of all venture capital in the country come 35% of all venture capital in the country come

herehere

• Global Competition can erode our Global Competition can erode our economic edgeeconomic edge

• Slow down here as elsewhereSlow down here as elsewhere

Population Growth Population Growth ContinuesContinues• Population is now at 7.2 millionPopulation is now at 7.2 million

• According to ABAG between 2005 and According to ABAG between 2005 and 2035 increase population by 2 million2035 increase population by 2 million

• More will live in urban area where there is More will live in urban area where there is access to transportationaccess to transportation– Higher median age tooHigher median age too

Environment/Pollution Ranks Environment/Pollution Ranks Low on Problems Facing Bay Low on Problems Facing Bay AreaArea• Recent Poll for Bay Area Economic Council Recent Poll for Bay Area Economic Council

published in February 2008published in February 2008– 4% Environment/Pollution most 4% Environment/Pollution most

importantimportant– Majority – things are going well for Majority – things are going well for

quality of lifequality of life

• Majority thought that improving and Majority thought that improving and managing environment were managing environment were responsibilities of Regional Agencies not responsibilities of Regional Agencies not cities or countiescities or counties