The statewide drought has had a devastating effect on farmers and agriculture subsidies this year, but environmentalists say the lack of rainfall is also one of the reasons why stormwater pollution and conditions at many local beaches were greatly improved from a year ago.
Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay released its annual “Beach Report Card” at the end of May and three beaches received A grades.
“One of the reasons that we’ve seen trends in improving water quality statewide is because of the low amounts of precipitation over the last year because of the drought,” said Kirsten James, Heal the Bay’s science and policy direc-tor of water quality. “I also think Los Angeles is doing a great job of capturing a lot of the storm water runoff before it gets out to the ocean.
“It really has been a combination of things.”
James cited a stormwater proj- ect in Venice’s Penmar Park as one of Los Angeles’ more successful initiatives that has helped improve water quality at Venice beaches. Venice Beach near Windward Avenue made the report’s “Honor Roll,” posting an A+ grade.
“Because of the drought, I think that people are starting to see the link between stormwater improving water quality by capturing it and also helping the water supply,” James said. “So it’s sort if a dual benefit.”
Culver City has no beaches, but stormwater pollution remains a concern for Ballona Creek, the nearly 9-mile waterway that traverses the city. The nonprofit Ballona Creek Renaissance, which sponsors cleanups and educational opportunities about the creek’s ecology, is doing what it can to deter urban runoff. According to its website, “That runoff contains all sorts of pollutants from our air, yards, businesses, schools, and streetstrash, animal waste, oil and grease, pesticides and fertil- izers, industrial chemicals. One often finds large items, such as shopping carts, which have been dumped in the creek. Algae accumulate in some places and graffiti in others.”
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board says the watershed is impaired by pollutants including pesticides and heavy metals, as well as urban runoff.
City Manager John Nachbar considers the capture of storm water pollution to be a critical financial as well as environmental concern for all cities. “This is something that I really think the public should know about,” he said. “(Controlling) stormwater pollution is going to require a major operating expense.”
Los Angeles voters passed Proposition O in 2004, which authorized the city to issue $500 million for water protection projects and beach pollution prevention.
New developments in Culver City are now required to engage in specific regulations developed by the city’s Public Works Department to control storm water pollution from construction.
Not far from Culver City in Marina del Rey, Marina Beach, known locally as Mothers Beach, made Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer List” as one of the most polluted in the state.
The stretch of beach that surrounds the Santa Monica Pier also made the water quality organization’s “Beach Bummer” list.
Ballona Creek Renaissance could not be reached for comment on the Beach Report Card results or the stormwater initiatives.
“Stormwater regulations and funding are the focus of the council’s sustainability subcommittee,” Nachbar said. “We will be exploring various funding options with the Subcommittee including the county’s Clean Beaches initiative. This fiscal year, we will ask for City Council approval to hire a consultant to help us shape our funding strategy.”