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Associated Press
September 15, 2006
Regional
water officials voted Thursday to fine cities surrounding
Santa Monica Bay up to $10,000 a day if the water at their
beaches does not meet clean-water standards.
Conservationists hailed the decision by the Los Angeles
Regional Water Quality Control Board as the strongest
regulation to protect beachgoers in the United States. They
expect it to be the first of many.
"I'm very happy for the future of the county and for
future generations that can finally look toward clean
beaches," said Tracy Egoscue, executive director of Santa
Monica Baykeeper. "This is a trail blazer."
The ongoing effort to clean up the area's bacteria pollution
stems out of a larger plan outlined in a 1999 settlement of a
lawsuit filed by environmental groups. Government officials
and the groups worked out a schedule to set limits on a
variety of pollutants that end up in Los Angeles and Ventura
counties. These include bacteria, trash, toxic metals and
chemical pollutants.
Local government must meet "total maximum daily
loads" or limits on these pollutants that make their way
into the county's numerous watersheds. Setting and enforcing
bacteria limits is the first of about 100 of the pollutant
limits that conservationists hope will eventually be
enforced.
During the 13-hour meeting, Los Angeles County was repeatedly
admonished by water control board members. County officials
have said they support the clean water standards and have
spent $20 million on diversion, but were accused of trying to
delay the decision.
Attorney Howard Gest, the county's attorney, asked for 16
hours to give his presentation, eventually testing the board's
chairman with his long-winded arguments.
"I think you're trying to drag this out, to waste time
and delay this and I don't know why," said board Chairman
H. David Nahai.
Among the residents who pleaded with board members to save
local beaches included an aging surfer who had lost his right
ankle to a staph infection and a 14-year-old aspiring marine
biologist whose mother won't allow her in the ocean because of
pollution.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also weighed in, sending a letter
urging the board to enforce the standards and
"demonstrate your strong commitment to protecting beach
water quality." The governor cited a UCLA study showing
that 1.5 million beachgoers get sick from swimming in Los
Angeles and Orange County every year.
Although it's been seven years since the federal consent
decree, many of the beaches still aren't clean.
The 13 cities that encircle Santa Monica Bay were given until
this summer to do something about the bacteria pollution
streaming into the waters. The rule applied to the 44 beaches
that stretch from the Los Angeles-Ventura County line to just
south of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Some of the areas' most famous beaches including Malibu's
legendary surf spot, Surfrider Beach, repeatedly received poor
grades in Heal the Bay's annual beach report card. Last
summer, the group found that 37 percent of the county's
beaches were frequently unsafe for swimming.
Throughout the state, local government have been required to
post signs warning visitors about water quality problems, but
often have not been required to fix the problem.
Most contamination happens during winter when heavy rains
overload storm drain and sewage systems, washing waste
directly into the sea, officials said. Swimming in such waters
can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory and other
illnesses.
"Southern California is defined by many things -
Hollywood, palm trees," said David Beckman, an attorney
for the National Resources Defense Council. "But
certainly the beach and the fact that in the 21st century
people can't go to the beach without assurances they won't get
sick or skin rashes isn't worthy of our society."
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