potable dual indoor plumbing. The result is little or no urban runoff reaches the beach from the storm drains during dry weather. Other suspected causes of beach pollution from the pier include trash from beach goers, leaking trash containers, bird feces, fish wastes from the fishing public, and occasional leaks from around the pier. The grant, part of a $30 million statewide effort, will fund strategies to eliminate and reduce pollutants into the bay adjacent to the pier.
The remaining grants, totaling $1.25 million, come from the state’s Proposition 12 and the California Integrated Waste Management Board to reduce trash, debris, sediments, oil and grease, and other soluble pollutants found in urban runoff. Prop 12, the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000, provides $25 million, to be administered by the State Coastal Conservancy, for restoration of the bay to reflect the goals and priorities of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan. The third grant is part of the state’s solid waste cleanup program to remove pollutants, such as trash and debris, that cause negative impacts on the environment. The grants will be used to install pollution prevention devices at the Centinela Drainage Basin to reduce polluted urban runoff draining the eastern portion of the city into Ballona Creek and the Bay.
In addition to these efforts, the city plans to install additional pollution prevention devices at the Wilshire and Montana storm drains, which drain at the beach during winter months. The city’s new objective, part of its 1994 Sustainable City Program, is to have some type of device at each of its 13 storm drains, which carry urban runoff out of the city, within the next few years.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 24, 2001. Read the original PDF.