HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 10611 (Contaminated Water Wells Clean-up)RESOLUTION 10611
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
REQUESTING AN IMMEDIATE BAN OF METHYL TERTIARY SUTYL ETHER
(MTBE) AND CLEAN-UP OF CONTAMINATED CALIFORNIA WATER WELLS
WHEREAS, it has been well documented that a large number of wells and
ground water in 49 states, and particularly in California, are contaminated with MTBE
which smells and tastes like paint thinner or kerosene; and
WHEREAS, this taste and smell are present at levels as low as 2 to 3
parts per billion and MTBE is 25 times more soluble in water than any other constituent
of gasoline and has proven to be carcinogenic at high levels to laboratory animals, tests
of humans not having been accomplished to date; and
WHEREAS, the proposed safe standard is 5 ppb, and tests done in states
having MTBE in their gasoline have included large contamination numbers many times
this level; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California has petitioned the
EPA for an exemption from the 2% oxygenates requirement, citing "our regulations
accomplish the needed emission reductions without requiring a minimum level of
oxygen. Numerous assessments by the auto and fuels industry, government agencies,
and most recently scientists at the University of California confirm that a minimum
oxygen content is not essential to making RFG that meets all emission reduction
requirements. Therefore, application of the current minimum oxygen content
requirement serves absolutely no purpose in California relative to its intended air quality
rationale — to reduce ozone precursors and toxic emissions from vehicles"; and
WHEREAS, in particular, the cities of South Lake Tahoe and Santa
Monica and the area of Glennville and Cambria in California have had their local water
contaminated to a large extent; and
WHEREAS, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in a study
dated June 1, 1998, concluded that the dangers of MTBE contamination in water were
overwhelming and a distinguished group of University of California scientists in
November, 1998, recommended that MTBE be phased out and found "there is not
significant additional air quality benefit to the use of oxygenates such as MTBE in
reformulated gasoline, relative to California's reformulated gasoline formula". UC also
found "there are significant risks and costs associated with water contamination due to
the use of MTBE"; and
WHEREAS, we are not asking to undo the reformulated gasoline program
nor attack the Clean Air Act, but do wish to join the many local governments and air and
water districts, State officials, Statewide organizations, other states, other governors,
and other California agencies who have made their voices heard.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of San Rafael does hereby request the state and federal agencies responsible for the
health and safety of the air and water supplies of its citizens, work to immediately
remove MTBE from gasoline, it being clearly evident that the cost to the health of the
human population and the costs of clean-up will be greater than any costs incurred as a
result of not removing MTBE as soon as possible.
I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify
that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular
meeting of the Council of said City on the 20th day of March, 2000 by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS : Cohen, Mi 11 er, Phi 11 i ps and Vi ce-Mayor Hel l er
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: PIayor Boro
JEA&M LEONCINI, City Clerk