Playa Vista Honored for Storm Water Management Program and Freshwater Marsh

Playa Vista was honored by the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) with the Outstanding Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Implementation Project Award. The community’s storm water management program and freshwater marsh system has resulted in a net reduction of pollutants to the Ballona Wetlands, Ballona Channel and Santa Monica Bay.

“The improvement to not one, but three, local water resources proves the value of using a regional approach to solve storm water quality issues,” said Steve Soboroff, president of Playa Vista. “We are very proud to bring this state-of-the-art program to our wonderful community and pleased to be recognized by the California Stormwater Quality Association.”

The improvement to not one, but three, local water resources proves the value of using a regional approach to solve storm water quality issues Outstanding features of the project include the 51-acre freshwater marsh and riparian corridor system, which collects storm water runoff from the community and its neighbors and serves as a natural water filter by removing contaminants before the water enters the Santa Monica Bay. Located along the base of the Westchester Bluffs and at the southeast corner of Lincoln and Jefferson boulevards, the freshwater system consists of several habitat areas, including open water, marsh, willow scrub woodland and mixed riparian.

In addition to providing storm water management, the system protects the streets, businesses and homes in the area from flooding, and creates an attractive environment for birds and other wildlife. Since construction of the marsh was completed in 2003, more than 180 species of birds have been observed, some of which have not been seen in the Ballona region for several decades. More than 3,000 native trees and 10,000 native shrubs and grasses were originally planted at the freshwater marsh, including California alders, Arroyo willow, Mexican elderberry, bulrush and cattail.

“The freshwater marsh at Playa Vista is a widely recognized example of the best in sustainable design and environmental protection,” said Marc Huffman, vice president of entitlements. “Not only is this program cleaning our local waters naturally, but we are thrilled to provide a fantastic new habitat for native plants, birds and wildlife in the heart of the city.”

The Playa Vista Riparian Corridor will complete the freshwater wetlands system. The corridor ranges from between 21 and 162 ft wide, is 10,300 ft long and will include 3,000 plants per acre.

In addition to the freshwater marsh and riparian corridor, Playa Vista is implementing a number of other innovative design components, such as storm water planters for roof runoff and bioswales, which incorporate landscape elements in removing pollutants from surface runoff.

Playa Vista was nominated for the award by GeoSyntec Consultants, a CASQA member. GeoSyntec assisted Playa Vista in developing and implementing the comprehensive storm water quality and quantity management plan, which treats urban storm water from more than 1,000 acres in both on and offsite drainage areas.

Source: Playa Vista