Heal The Bay
1992 saw the consolidation of the basic programs Heal the Bay had been working on, and the beginnings of broadening our outlook and direction. Full treatment of all sewage continues to be a primary goal. In addition, urban runoff and the Gutter Patrol Program began to receive top attention from the organization. ...Public Information
Heal the Bay continued its new tradition of public reports with three in 1992. The Second Annual Beach Report received even more media support than the first, and proved invaluable in educating the public about safe swimming, storm drain runoff, and cleaner beaches. The Third Year Research on Bacteria and Viruses in Santa Monica Bay Storm Drains was completed by Heal the Bay, the Environmental Monitoring Division of the Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation, and the Orange County Sanitation Districts. The study again confirmed the presence of human fecal viruses in the storm drain system at virus sampling sites Malibu Lagoon, and Pico/Kenter and Herondo storm drains. Lastly, a package was developed for distribution to local cities. It included a Model Stormwater Land Use Ordinance, Storm Drain Best Management Practices, and the Gutter Patrol Program. The packets were designed to educate cities about their responsibilities regarding the reduction of both the volume and toxicity of urban runoff.
Pico/Kenter Storm Drain
As expected, the diversion of polluted runoff to Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant allowed for a victorious re-opening of the beach to the public after 2 years, and raised the area's grade from a "D" to an "A".
U.S. Department of Justice Lawsuit
For decades, industries discharged tons of the carcinogens DDT and PCBs off of White's Point in Palos Verdes. The lawsuit for damages resulting from the toxic dumping was filed in 1990 by the Justice Department, NOAA, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and three California resource agencies. In November of 1992, a partial victory was scored in the fight to obtain remediation from the polluters. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and over 150 cities and special districts in Southern California reached a $42.2 million settlement with the Justice Department. Industrial polluters charged in the suit, including Montrose Chemical Corporation and ICI American, have yet to settle with the Justice Department. Heal the Bay was deeply involved in writing the terms of the consent decree.
Gutter Patrol Program
The Storm Drain Task Force continued to develop this massive public education program. Heal the Bay and the City of Los Angeles worked together to develop a design that says "No dumping, drains to ocean," to be painted on curbs above catch basins. Heal the Bay received several government and foundation grants to begin the project next year. The organization planned to mobilize hundreds of volunteers all over the County to paint 65,000 storm drains and educate 100,000 people about how they can reduce the pollution of urban runoff.
UNPAVE LA: The Coalition to Restore our Watershed
Heal the Bay and Friends of the Los Angeles River are organizing this new coalition of environmental groups, public officials and concerned citizens to provide a new way of thinking about storm water that is more holistic and works with nature, not against it.
County Sanitation Districts
The 301(h) waiver lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice dragged on at a snail's pace. Heal the Bay continued to push the state and federal governments to quickly address this problem.
Chevron Oil Refinery
Chevron has been discharging waste water only 100 yards from the shore line into a popular surfing and swimming beach. When their discharge permit came up for renewal this year, Heal the Bay demanded much tighter discharge standards. Chevron seemed willing to comply, although a final decision was not reached.
Heal the Bay's volunteers and committees continued to do much of the work of the organization. The Volunteer Council began to manage volunteers at events, and started publishing a monthly newsletter just for volunteers, Sea Stars. The Membership Outreach Committee helped to launch their second chapter, this time in Malibu. The Fundraising Committee helped to institute our annual major fundraising event, the Bring Back the Beach Benefit. The Legal Committee provided a large number of pro bono hours reviewing and commenting on environmental impact reports for the Terminal Island Treatment Plant, the Los Angeles River, and the Port of Los Angeles expansion. The Storm Drain Task Force, after years of hard work, completed the long-awaited Storm Drain Packet for cities in the Santa Monica Bay Watershed.
http://www.healthebay.org
20 Years of Progress
Since 1985, Heal the Bay has been working to make Santa Monica Bay and Southern California coastal waters safe and healthy for people and marine life. As such, our progress spans over 20 years!