Heal the Bay urges council to back mayor’s stormwater funding plan
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Summary
Mark Gold, executive director of Heal the Bay, told the council May 11 that the mayor’s proposed budget increases stormwater pollution abatement funding and uses Proposition A dollars and general funds to support runoff diversion projects aimed at improving beach safety and water quality.
Mark Gold, executive director of environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay, urged the Los Angeles City Council May 11 to support the mayor’s proposed allocations to the stormwater pollution abatement fund.
“Every year, I come here representing Heal the Bay to complain about the lack of funds going towards stormwater pollution abatement,” Gold said, adding that the mayor’s proposal would allocate a larger percentage of user fees to the fund and help protect the health of the bay’s tens of millions of annual visitors.
Gold said the mayor’s office proposed a $6,000,000 reduction in stormwater pollution abatement fund allocations to street sweeping while maintaining service citywide and recommended using some general funds to supplement SPAF allocations. He also noted that Proposition A funding earmarked for diversions has already been awarded to the city and urged council members and staff to finalize the Mizukowski–Galanter SPAC proposal and the city’s stormwater strategic plan.
Gold framed the changes as measures that would reduce pollutant loads to local creeks, drains and the Santa Monica and San Pedro bays and improve beach safety at Will Rogers, Venice and Dockweiler beaches.
