REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 17, 2024
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Adoption of Ordinance to Limit New Groundwater Wells in the Unincorporated County Area Near the Cajon Disposal Site
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt Ordinance relating to the limitation of new groundwater wells in the San Bernardino County unincorporated area near the Cajon Disposal Site, which was introduced on December 3, 2024, Item No. 63.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as the update to the proposed ordinance is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On December 3, 2024 (Item No. 63), the ordinance adding Article 6 to Title 3, Division 3, Chapter 6 of the San Bernardino County Code relating to the limitation of groundwater wells in the unincorporated County area near the Cajon Disposal Site was introduced and scheduled for final adoption on December 17, 2024. The recommendation before the Board of Supervisors today will adopt the ordinance on the Consent Calendar.
This proposed ordinance will address the remedial action requirement, set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, to implement an institutional control to prohibit the construction of new groundwater wells for the extraction and use of groundwater within a specific area in the County unincorporated area near the Cajon Disposal Site. This prohibition does not apply to wells currently installed within the specific area as of the date the ordinance is enacted and does not prohibit the installation of future groundwater wells, where the purpose is to collect groundwater for monitoring or testing groundwater quality. The purpose of the institutional control is to prevent human exposure to tetrachloroethene (PCE)-contaminated groundwater. The area impacted by the updated ordinance includes nine parcels, two of which are the Cajon Disposal Site owned by the County.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Kristina Robb, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 25, 2024; Finance (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4205) on November 25, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on November 25, 2024.