Project Name: Manadas Creek Toxic Substance Project
Basin: R
Sub-watershed Location: Stream Segment 2304
Sub-watershed Description: Discharges into the Rio Grande at 99* 30' 44"W
                           and 27* 30' 44"N.
Lead Entity: City of Laredo Environmental Engineering Division
Other Participants: TNRCC - Clean Rivers Program, USGS
Funding Source: EPA 319 of the Clean Water Act
Amount of Funding: $223,331.00
Project Start Year: 1996
Project Finish Year: 1999

Contact:   Raj Guntnu, P.E. - Environmental Manager
           City of Laredo
           1110 Houston St.
           Laredo, Tx. 78042
           tel: (956) 795-7346
           fax: (956) 795-7358
           e-mail: raj@icsi.net

Abstract: In 1994 Manadas Creek was identified as one of the four tributary
sites in the basin (along the international boundary) with a high potential for
toxic chemical impacts.  Manadas Creek watershed also appeared in several
newspaper articles d uring 1995 reporting illegal dumping, open 55-gallon drums,
and other potential sources of contamination in the creek.  Nonprofit groups
expressed concern to both the Clean Rivers Program and the City of Laredo that
warehouses located within the Mana das Creek watershed could be contributing to
water quality problems in the creek.

In response to these findings the Clean Rivers Program, the City of Laredo and
the USGS initiated a project funded under section 319 of the Clean Water Act,
the nonpoint source program.  Together these agencies are designing a plan for
managing the w atershed.  The plan includes a guidance manual for the warehouses
in the Manadas Creek drainage area that store hazardous materials.  The manual
will instruct those who operate the warehouses on "best management practices"-
or the most appropriate, c ost-effective and environmentally safe procedures-
for handling hazardous materials.  This guidance manual will be implemented
through a City of Laredo ordinance.

The Manadas Creek project represents the culmination of several activities under
the goal to effect solutions.

The Clean Rivers Program:
Chose a project in a watershed prioritized through analysis of data.
Communicated with local government and nongovernment organizations to develop
and approach to correcting the problem.  Cooperated with the City of Laredo and
USGS to jointly develop a project.  Leveraged local and state dollars to obtain
federal dollars for the project.  Will facilitate discussions and assist the
local task force to develop the guidance manual.  Will evaluate the
effectiveness of the solution.  While evaluation and education remain the thrust
of the Clean Rivers Program, the Manadas Creek project demonstrates the
opportunity to also effect solutions.

     Progress to Date: N/A

Category: I