Culver City leaders moved forward on requiring developers to take greater action on stormwater pollution by passing an ordinance that brings Culver City’s municipal code into compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The Low Impact Development Ordinance, which was approved unanimously on Nov. 10, will require developers who build new projects to instigate measures that will reduce stormwater runoff.
Public Works Director Charles Herbertson said the council’s approval of the ordinance also keeps Culver City in compliance with the Regional Water Quality Board’s regulations for maintaining its storm water permit.
“We’re required to have a low impact ordinance to meet our stormwater mandates,” he said.
“We face a daunting task com- ing into compliance with the new storm water regulations. The pro- posed low impact development ordinance is just one of many strat- egies that if implemented together give us a chance to succeed,” said City Manager John Nachbar prior to the meeting. “If we choose not to implement some strategies it will make compliance more of a challenge.”
Herbertson said one planned future stormwater project entails drawing water from Ballona Creek, filtering it and them returning clean water back into the creek. “Combating storm water pol- lution requires a multi-pronged approach and this is just one of them,” Herbertson said.