To continue protecting the bay from harmful urban runoff and other pollutants, the City Council is calling on voters to approve a new parcel tax — Measure V — that is expected to raise $40 million over the next 10 years to fund a watershed management plan.
For each single-family homes, the annual maximum tax rate will be set at $84 for the first year, with annual reviews. Other housing and businesses will pay a tax based on the size of the parcel and the amount of runoff found there.
In addition to reducing urban runoff pollution, supporters of the tax claim it will increase water reuse and conservation, recreational opportunities and open space, not to mention wildlife and marine habitat.
Don Gray, an opponent of the measure, said approval would be nothing more than “giving government a blank check to do what they want.”
Gray said the watershed management plan lacks oversight and does not guarantee that water will be safer once it is implemented. He also said Santa Monica residents should not be solely responsible for cleaning up the bay when other municipalities are just as guilty, if not more of polluting it.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 8, 2006. Read the original PDF.