The purpose of the PCBS TMDL special studies and implementation project is to support protection and restoration of the SAN francisco BAY

This $8,000,000 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 under the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (CFDA 66.126) supports efforts to reduce polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pollution in the San Francisco Bay. The key activities include:

1. Ongoing monitoring of PCBs in stormwater, urban sediments, and Bay tributaries.
2. Implementation of 10 PCBs control programs, including monitoring and assessment to quantify stormwater runoff loads and load reductions achieved through treatment, source control, and other actions.
3. Continued development of GIS maps and databases to identify watershed characteristics that correlate with areas contributing high, moderate, and low levels of PCBs to the Bay via stormwater.

The anticipated deliverables include establishment of four water quality monitoring stations, technical reports assessing monitoring methods and data, implementation plans, and programs to assist agencies in addressing PCBs release and implementing stormwater treatment systems. The project aims to reduce harm to the Bay's aquatic ecosystems, improve recovery time, and make the Bay fishable for subsistence populations and underserved communities. The award period is from January 1, 2025 to December 30, 2029.

This project will continue and expand implementation of the SAN francisco BAY polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS) total maximum daily load (TMDL). PCBS and other sediment-bound pollutants are found in SAN francisco BAY water, sediments, and biota. Concentrations of PCBS in certain fish exceed target levels and may pose a health risk to people who consume fish caught in the BAY. As a result, the california office of environmental health hazard assessment issued an advisory on the consumption of fish from the BAY. Of particular concern were subsistence fishing communities, often in underserved and minority neighborhoods, which were taken into account when the BAY was designated as impaired on the clean water act 303(D) list due to PCBS. In response, the SAN francisco BAY regional water quality control board (water board) finalized a comprehensive TMDL program in 2011 to identify and control sources of PCBS in the BAY and restore water quality. The anticipated funded activities of the PCBS TMDL studies and implementation project will help reduce harm to the BAY's aquatic ecosystems, improve the recovery time of the BAY, and in doing so make the BAY fishable for subsistence populations and underserved communities. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $8,000,000.00.activities:the PCBS TMDL special studies and implementation project activities will focus in three primary areas including: 1) support ongoing PCBS monitoring in stormwater, urban sediments, and in tributaries to the SAN francisco BAY, 2) implement 10 PCBS control programs including monitoring and assessment programs to quantify PCBS stormwater runoff loads and load reductions achieved through treatment, source control, and other actions, and 3) continued development of geographic information system (GIS) maps and databases to assist in identifying which watershed characteristics correlate well with land areas that contribute high, moderate, and low levels of PCBS to the BAY via stormwater runoff.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:anticipated deliverables include: establishment of four monitoring stations in collaboration with the RMP that will collect samples to evaluate the loads of PCBS entering the BAY from urban stormwater, technical reports that comprehensively assess the alternative monitoring methods, sampling and site investigations conducted, monitoring and mapping data, implementation plans, and potential management actions to support PCBS control programs. In addition, this project is expected to aid development of programs to assist agencies in addressing PCBS released from the property to the MS4, and stormwater treatment systems to address old industrial or moderate PCBS areas. The intended beneficiaries of this project are SAN francisco BAY community members including subsistence fishing communities and underserved communities.