Conservation groups have sued Los Angeles County and the city of Malibu, Calif., over fecal bacteria, copper, lead, cyanide and other pollutants being washed down storm drains and into area water bodies. The two lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, are test cases aimed at enforcing compliance with the federal Clean Water Act; the groups wish for the county and Malibu to clean up, though it leaves specifications up to government officials.
Supporting the conservationists' cases are annual county reports illustrating illegally high levels of bacteria, heavy metals and other pollutants being carried by runoff down the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers, Ballona and Malibu creeks and other discharge points feeding Southern California waters.
"Polluted runoff is the No. 1 source of contaminants flowing into the ocean," said David Beckman, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "It continues flowing into our coastal waters year after year. It's bad for people and marine life, and it's against the law."
Mark Pestrella, an assistant deputy director for the county's public works department, said the county is in full legal compliance but will move forward with "progressive plans" for cleaning up urban runoff. "It's unfortunate that they've brought litigation," he said. "We are going to have to spend money on defending ourselves instead of spending it on improving water quality."
Malibu City Attorney Christi Hogin, too, is disappointed regarding the lawsuit. "It's frustrating because we feel like the good guys," she said. "Malibu has been using a newly built wastewater plant to collect and treat storm water that flows into Malibu Creek." The city has also been collaborating with state officials to find solutions for handling discharges into coastal waters stemming from Latigo Point to Point Mugu.
The runoff pollution in question contributes to gastrointestinal illness among Southern California beachgoers, increases toxicity in fish and spurs algae blooms that can poison marine life, according to various studies.
Source: Los Angeles Times
