Heal the Bay Blog

Freshwater Friday: Safe to Swim in Malibu Creek?

08.12.2016 | Heal the Bay

Malibu / Pacific Palisades River Report Card

For 2017 grades, please see our River Report Card.

Heal the Bay’s inaugural study of Los Angeles River microbial water quality that we published July 27, 2016 and last year’s study on swimming holes in the Santa Monica Mountains called for more readily available public water quality information. The public has a right to know about water quality conditions in these freshwater recreation areas so that they can make informed decisions on how to minimize the risk of getting sick.

We will be posting an update every Friday during the summer with water quality information from our weekly sampling of freshwater recreation sites in Los Angeles County.

Malibu Creek State Park – Number of Exceedances
Site Name	9/29/16	9/21/16	9/15/16	9/7/16	8/31/16	8/24/16	8/17/16	8/10/16	8/3/16
Rock Pool	0 out of 4 None of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml as was the geometric mean value for Enterococcus (below 30 MPN/100ml). Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 20% for E. coli and 13% for Enterococcus at this site.	0 out of 4 None of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml as was the geometric mean value for Enterococcus (below 30 MPN/100ml). Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 21% for E. coli and 14% for Enterococcus at this site.	0 out of 4 None of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml as was the geometric mean value for Enterococcus (below 30 MPN/100ml). Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 23% for E. coli and 15% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 25% for E. coli and 17% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 27% for E. coli and 18% for Enterococcus at this site.	2 out of 4 Two of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. In contrast, both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 30% for E. coli and 20% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 One of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. For both E. coli and Enterococcus, the single sample values were under their respective thresholds. The geometric mean value for E. coli was under its threshold, while Enterococcus was over its threshold. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 33% for E. coli and 11% for Enterococcus at this site.	2 out of 4 Two of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. For both E. coli and Enterococcus, the single sample values were under their respective thresholds but the geometric mean values were over the thresholds. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 33% for E. coli and 12% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. For E. coli, the single sample and geometric mean values were over threshold values; the single sample Enterococcus value was under the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value was over the threshold value. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 43% for E. coli and 14% for Enterococcus at this site.
Las Virgenes Creek at the Bridge	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 27% for E. coli and 53% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for E. coli was over the threshold of 126 MPN/100ml.The single sample Enterococcus value was over the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml and the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 29% for E. coli and 57% for Enterococcus at this site.	2 out of 4 Two of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for E. coli was over the threshold of 126 MPN/100ml.The single sample Enterococcus value was below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 31% for E. coli and 54% for Enterococcus at this site.	2 out of 4 Two of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for E. coli was over the threshold of 126 MPN/100ml.The single sample Enterococcus value was below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 33% for E. coli and 58% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample and geometric mean values for E. coli value were both over their respective thresholds of 235 MPN/100ml and 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 36% for E. coli and 64% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, while the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml. Both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 30% for E. coli and 70% for Enterococcus at this site.	4 out of 4 Four of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was above the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml. Similarly, both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 33% for E. coli and 67% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml, and both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 25% for E. coli and 62% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml, and both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 29% for E. coli and 57% for Enterococcus at this site.

Los Angeles River – Number of Exceedances
Site Name	9/27/16	9/20/16	9/13/16	9/6/16	8/30/16	8/23/16
Steelhead Park, Elysian Valley	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Steelhead Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 6% for E. coli and 61% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Steelhead Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 6% for E. coli and 65% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Steelhead Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 6% for E. coli and 69% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Steelhead Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 7% for E. coli and 73% for Enterococcus at this site.	2 out of 4 Two of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Steelhead Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. In contrast, both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds (110 and 30 MPN/100ml). Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 7% for E. coli and 79% for Enterococcus at this site.	2 out of 4 Two of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Steelhead Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. In contrast, both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 8% for E. coli and 77% for Enterococcus at this site.
Rattlesnake Park, Elysian Valley	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Rattlesnake Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample value for E. coli was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, but the geometric mean for E. coli was over the threshold of 126 MPN/100ml. Both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were also over their respective thresholds (110 and 30 MPN/100ml). Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 50% for E. coli and 100% for Enterococcus at this site.	4 out of 4 All four of the criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Rattlesnake Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample and geometric mean values for E. coli value were above the thresholds of 235 and 126 MPN/100ml, respectively. Both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were also over their respective thresholds (110 and 30 MPN/100ml). Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 53% for E. coli and 100% for Enterococcus at this site.	4 out of 4 All four of the criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Rattlesnake Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample and geometric mean values for E. coli value were above the thresholds of 235 and 126 MPN/100ml, respectively. Both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were also over their respective thresholds (110 and 30 MPN/100ml). Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 50% for E. coli and 100% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Rattlesnake Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, but the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml. Both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds (110 and 30 MPN/100ml). Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 47% for E. coli and 100% for Enterococcus at this site.	3 out of 4 Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Rattlesnake Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, but the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml. Both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds (110 and 30 MPN/100ml). Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 50% for E. coli and 100% for Enterococcus at this site.	4 out of 4 Four of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Rattlesnake Park site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was above the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml. Similarly, both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 54% for E. coli and 100% for Enterococcus at this site.
Sepulveda Basin at Burbank Blvd.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Sepulveda Basin site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 0% for E. coli and 6% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Sepulveda Basin site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 0% for E. coli and 6% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Sepulveda Basin site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 0% for E. coli and 6% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Sepulveda Basin site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 0% for E. coli and 7% for Enterococcus at this site.	1 out of 4 Only one of the four criteria exceeds the threshold values this week at the Sepulveda Basin site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. The single sample Enterococcus value was also below the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value for Enterococcus was over the threshold of 30 MPN/100ml. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 0% for E. coli and 7% for Enterococcus at this site.	2 out of 4 Two of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at the Sepulveda Basin site for the Los Angeles River. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml, and the geometric mean for E. coli was below 126 MPN/100ml. In contrast, both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since May 31, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 0% for E. coli and 8% for Enterococcus at this site.

We envision safe swimmable rivers and creeks throughout Los Angeles County. However, a number of recreational waterbodies are not regularly monitored or monitored at all. We know thousands of Angelenos use these aquatic resources.

As such, Heal the Bay would rather provide some information about the water quality they are immersing themselves into rather than no information. The idea is to prompt the user to ask questions about these waterbodies: What is the origin of the water? Can I get sick from it? What types of illnesses can I get? How do I get more information? Check out the answers to these questions and more in our FAQ and the joint statement on recreation in the L.A. River.

Malibu Creek State Park testing sites map

Heal the Bay has been monitoring water quality in streams and rivers since 1998 through our Stream Team program. In 2014 we initiated a pilot study to monitor human use and water quality at freshwater swimming spots in the Santa Monica Mountains, focusing on bacterial pollution and public health implications. We are currently in our third summer of monitoring water quality in those swimming locations. Given Heal the Bay’s 25-year history of informing and educating beachgoers about beach water quality through our Beach Report Card, assessing the water quality of the Los Angeles River recreation zones was a natural next step. We are now in our second season of monitoring for the L.A. River recreation zones.

The A-to-F grading system of the Beach Report Card took years of work to develop and fine-tune. We are only in the very early stages of thinking about an analogous River Report Card. But we want to start by making basic water quality information available to the public in a timely manner.

We will be providing weekly information about levels of fecal indicator bacteria at five sites. We will report on whether the sample from the current week exceeded limits set by the Regional Water Quality Control Board and US EPA and what the microbial water quality has been over the summer sampling season thus far.

We will report on two types of fecal indicator bacteria, or FIB: E. coli and Enterococcus. FIB, while not harmful themselves, indicate the possible presence of pathogenic bacteria, which have been found to cause ear infections, skin rashes, respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal illness. High levels of FIB are particularly concerning in areas where people come in contact with water through activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

Excuse us for getting technical in this next section, but we just want to be clear about what we are measuring and what constitutes an exceedance.

We compare bacteria levels measured at each site to water quality objectives from the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for Bacteria in the Malibu Creek Watershed and the Los Angeles River Watershed as well as EPA’s 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC)

The freshwater regulatory limit for E. coli is set in the TMDL at 235 MPN/100ml for a single sample and 126 MPN/100ml for the geometric mean. (A geometric mean is a type of average that results in a number that is not as heavily affected by very high or very low values).

We calculate geometric means from all samples over the last 30-day period (usually four or five samples). For Enterococcus, we used EPA’s statistical threshold value for an illness rate of 32/1,000 (the more protective rate), which is 110 MPN/100ml for a single sample and 30 MPN/100ml for the geometric mean in a fresh waterbody designated for recreation.

For each site, we will report on the number of criteria that exceeded four standards. A site can have 0-4 out of four exceedances. A sample exceeds if:

E. coli single sample > 235 MPN/100ml
E. coli geometric mean > 126 MPN/100ml
Enterococcus single sample is > 110 MPN/100ml
Enterococcus geometric mean is > 30 MPN/100ml

So, what does that all mean?

The greater the number and magnitude of exceedances at a site, the worse the water quality is, indicating a potentially increased risk of getting sick.

Deciding what to do with this information depends on the risk level you are comfortable with. Single sample values give you an indication of the most recent water quality, while geometric mean values give you an indication of the ambient water quality over the last 30 days.

However, it is important to note that the single sample gives information for the day on which the sample was taken and conditions can change throughout the week until the next sample is taken.

The thresholds that the US EPA and the RWQCB have put forth are based on epidemiological studies and risk. An increased risk of illness is not a guarantee that you will get sick. Certain activities are more risky when water quality is poor; for instance, swimming and submerging your head is more risky than wading; swimming is more risky than kayaking; kayaking is likely more risky than hiking (at least with regards to picking up a waterborne illness), and so on, with the risk dependent on how likely you are to ingest or contact water.

We recommend following these best practices to stay safe and healthy.

Swimming: In waters known to exceed bacterial limits, swimming is not recommended, particularly submerging one’s head. Elevated bacteria levels can occur at any time. Swimmers should use caution when entering the water by checking the latest water quality results, avoiding contact immediately after a rainfall, if they are immunocompromised, or if they have an open wound. If there is any water contact, then rise off with soap and water afterward.
Kayaking and Fishing: In waters that are known to exceed bacterial limits, people should limit water contact, especially avoiding hand-to-face water contact. Users should not enter the water with an open wound, if immunocompromised, or after a rainfall. If there is any water contact, then rinse off with soap and water afterward.

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Freshwater Friday: Safe to Swim in Malibu Creek?

08.05.2016 | Katherine Pease

Malibu / Pacific Palisades River Report Card

Aug, 5, 2016 — Staff scientist Katherine Pease launches our Freshwater Friday blog post, providing weekly updates on the latest bacterial exceedances at popular recreational zones

Heal the Bay’s inaugural study of Los Angeles River microbial water quality that we published last week and last year’s study on swimming holes in the Santa Monica Mountains called for more readily available public water quality information. The public has a right to know about water quality conditions in these freshwater recreation areas so that they can make informed decisions on how to minimize the risk of getting sick.

So beginning today with our Santa Monica Mountains sites, we will be posting a blog post every Friday during the summer with water quality information from our weekly sampling of freshwater recreation sites in Los Angeles County. (You can see this week’s findings at the bottom of this page, but first we want to explain our intent and methodology.)

As such, Heal the Bay would rather provide some information about the water quality they are immersing themselves into rather than no information. The idea is to prompt the user to ask questions about these waterbodies: What is the origin of the water? Can I get sick from it? What types of illnesses can I get? How do I get more information? We will be posting a Frequently Asked Questions document next week to help answer some of these questions.

Excuse us for getting technical in this next section, but we just want to be clear about what we are measuring and what constitutes an exceedance.

We compare bacteria levels measured at each site to water quality objectives from the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for Bacteria in the Malibu Creek Watershed and EPA’s 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC)

We calculate geometric means from all samples over the last 30-day period (usually four or five samples). For Enterococcus, we used EPA’s statistical threshold value (for an illness rate of 32/1,000 (the more protective rate), which is 110 MPN/100ml for a single sample and 30 MPN/100ml for the geometric mean in a fresh waterbody designated for recreation.

For each site, we will report on the number of criteria that exceeded four standards. A site can have 0-4 out of four exceedances. A sample exceeds if:

E. coli single sample > 235 MPN/100ml

E. coli geometric mean > 126 MPN/100ml

Enterococcus single sample is > 110 MPN/100ml

Enterococcus geometric mean is > 30 MPN/100ml

So, what does that all mean?

The greater the number and magnitude of exceedances at a site, the worse the water quality is, indicating a potentially increased risk of getting sick.

However, it is important to note that the single sample gives information for the day on which the sample was taken and conditions can change throughout the week until the next sample is taken.

We recommend following these best practices to stay safe and healthy.

Swimming: In waters known to exceed bacterial limits, swimming is not recommended, particularly submerging one’s head. Elevated bacteria levels can occur at any time. Swimmers should use caution when entering the water by checking the latest water quality results, avoiding contact immediately after a rainfall, if they are immunocompromised, or if they have an open wound. If there is any water contact, then rise off with soap and water afterward.
Kayaking and Fishing: In waters that are known to exceed bacterial limits, people should limit water contact, especially avoiding hand-to-face water contact. Users should not enter the water with an open wound, if immunocompromised, or after a rainfall. If there is any water contact, then rinse off with soap and water afterward.

Malibu Creek State Park

for the week ending August 3, 2016

1. Rock Pool: Three exceedances

Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Rock Pool site in Malibu Creek. For E. coli, the single sample and geometric mean values were over threshold values; the single sample Enterococcus value was under the threshold of 110 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean value was over the threshold value. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 43% for E. coli and 14% for Enterococcus at this site.

2. Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge: Three exceedances

Three of the four criteria exceed the threshold values this week at Las Virgenes Creek at the bridge. The single sample E. coli value was below the threshold of 235 MPN/100ml but the geometric mean for E. coli was over 126 MPN/100ml, and both the single sample and geometric mean values for Enterococcus were over their respective thresholds. Since June 15, 2016, we have documented exceedance rates (for single samples) of 29% for E. coli and 57% for Enterococcus at this site.

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NowCasting: Our New App to Predict Water Quality

08.02.2016 | Ryan Searcy

About Us Beach Report Card Beach Report Card Spanish

Aug. 2, 2016 — A day at the beach shouldn’t make you sick, writes Ryan Searcy, our new beach water quality modeler. He’s totally stoked about NowCasting — our new method for predicting pollution levels at popular beaches.

Curious what the weather in Big Bear will be like this weekend? Whether there will be good surf at Malibu this evening? How bad traffic will be on the 405 during your morning commute? It’s easy to get answers to these questions, thanks to your trusty mobile device.

Well ocean-lovers, we have some good news to share: you can now add water quality at beaches across the state to the list of on-demand forecasts that are easily accessible from your phone!

Heal the Bay, in partnership with Stanford University and UCLA, has officially rolled out its NowCast tool in California, a new water-quality forecasting system that promises a whole new way of keeping swimmers safe at their favorite beaches. Thinking of hanging out at the beach near Santa Monica Pier this weekend? Now you can find out that same day if it’s safe to swim or not before making the long drive (or Metro trip) out west.

NowCasting is a technique that uses predictive statistical models to forecast water quality at a beach based on observed environmental conditions — such as rainfall, waves, tides and past bacteria concentrations. Just as the weatherman on the 11 p.m. news predicts if it will be sunny for your birthday tomorrow, Heal the Bay’s staff scientists are able to predict if it is safe to swim at a given beach on any given morning.

Under the current monitoring protocol, health officials determine if a beach is safe or not by sampling for indicator bacteria (organisms whose presence suggests that other, more harmful bacteria and viruses are also present). Unfortunately, monitoring results do not come back from the lab for 24-48 hours.

In that time, beach conditions may very well have changed from when the sample was taken, potentially exposing ocean users to bacterial pollution. Additionally, most beaches in California are only sampled for bacteria once a week, leaving it to the public to decide whether to recreate or not based on days-old information.

Our new NowCast program fills these gaps.

Using years of environmental and bacteria sampling data, our team has developed complex models to predict the concentration of indicator bacteria on a daily basis. If the bacteria level is predicted by the NowCast system to be above the acceptable standards set by the state, then water quality is assumed to be poor, and a beach posting is recommended. A new prediction will then be made the following day. And the day after that…

Arroyo Burro Beach, courtesy of Damian Gadal, Flickr These models are also more accurate than the current method of waiting 24 hours for results to come back from the lab. We launched a pilot program last summer as a proof-of-concept test, and the results were very positive. While we don’t (yet) have the telekinetic powers to predict sewage or oil spills, our models still do a pretty good job of notifying the public each day about local beach conditions.

Over the last few decades, water quality in the Santa Monica Bay (and across the state) has improved dramatically. However, there is still much work to be done to clean up our beaches and reduce the number of swimmers, surfers, divers and other ocean users that get sick.

Predictions are made every morning during the summer based on current environmental conditions. Local health agencies can then use these predictions to notify the public of water conditions before most people arrive to the beach. For the remainder of this summer, you can find NowCast predictions for the following five beaches:

Arroyo Burro (Hendry’s) in Santa Barbara
East Beach (near Mission Creek) in Santa Barbara
Santa Monica Pier
Belmont Pier in Long Beach
Doheny State Beach in Orange County

Arroyo Burro, Santa Monica Pier, and Doheny State Beach were on our radar last year, and all had models that performed well. East Beach and Belmont Pier were added on this year because of good data availability and plenty of willingness from the local health agencies to help implement the program. Over the next three years, we plan to add an additional 15-20 beaches and expand the program across California — from the breezy beaches of San Francisco to the classic surf spots of San Diego.

Ryan Searcy - Beach Water Quality Modeler Our philosophy at Heal the Bay is that no one should get sick from a day at the beach. To make a decision about which beach is best for them and their family, people should be armed with the most accurate and timely water quality information available. Think of the water quality NowCast just as you do sunscreen – protect yourself from poor water conditions before you get in the water. You should be catching waves, not bugs!

Download our beach report card app on your mobile device or head to beachreportcard.org to find daily predictions for all of the NowCast beaches mentioned above. You can also access the lastest grades for our full complement of beaches that we monitor each week statewide — more than 400 beaches up and down the coast!

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Become a Community Advocate

07.28.2016 | Heal the Bay

Events Take Action

Become a Heal the Bay Community Advocate and inspire others to make a difference!

Attend our Community Advocates Training to learn how to communicate our work, educate others about the impacts of ocean pollution, and represent Heal the Bay at various outreach events, such as the KROQ Weenie Roast, Santa Monica Festival, and many more!
This is a great opportunity for those who wish to speak directly to the public about the issues that affect our local waters and watersheds.
Plus who doesn’t want some cool Heal the Bay swag? Earn your Heal the Bay t-shirt today!

Wednesday, August 10th, 2016

Heal the Bay Main Office (snacks provided)
6:00P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

To RSVP, click here.

To learn more about Community Advocates, please click here.

We’ll have plenty of outreach events coming up during Earth Month (April), so sign up today!

Required: Attendance to a Heal the Bay Volunteer Orientation. Check the calendar for upcoming orientations.

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Spread the Word: Enlist for Our Speakers Bureau

07.28.2016 | Heal the Bay

Events Take Action

Join Heal the Bay’s prestigious Speakers Bureau!

For over 25 years Speakers Bureau has been an integral part of Heal the Bay’s mission. Speaker Bureau volunteers spread educational awareness to schools, organizations and businesses about the causes and consequences of ocean pollution, water issues, and what everyone can do to help. Just last year we were able to reach out to over 30,000 LA County residents!

Classroom Training Session Dates:
Tuesday, August 9th, 1:00pm – 4:30pm
Tuesday, August 16th, 12:00pm – 4:30pm (includes a tour of the Environmental Learning Center from 12 – 1pm!)
Tuesday, August 23rd, 1:00pm – 4:30pm

Location:
Environmental Learning Center at the Hyperion Treatment Plant
12000 Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles, CA 90293

Field Training Session Dates:
Saturday, August 20th, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Redondo Beach Pier South (Tower Ruby)
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Attendance at all sessions is mandatory – we cover a lot of important information. Make the commitment to protect what you love! Come learn how to make a difference for your community and inspire others – no matter where you live, you can make an impact! Learn more about the program.

REGISTER HERE

You can make a suggested donation of $25 to cover your training costs when you register! We hope to see you there!

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Water Quality Study of L.A. River Rec Zones

07.26.2016 | Katherine Pease

News

July 27, 2016 — Heal the Bay released today a landmark study of water quality in the Los Angeles River. Dr. Katherine Pease, the study’s author, explains why improving the river’s water quality should be an integral part of any plan to restore it.

Last week’s massive 2.4 million gallon sewage spill into the Los Angeles River and subsequent closure of local beaches illustrates the serious water-quality challenges facing our inland waterways.

Sewage spills are unusual one-time events, but a new study that I have just completed demonstrates that bacterial pollution continues to plague the river on a chronic, long-term basis. We are releasing the results today.

The findings are a cause for both concern and opportunity — given the growing recreational uses of the river and a $1 billion revitalization plan for L.A.’s central water body.

The L.A. River Study
Full Report
Recreation Zone Maps
Figures
Appendices
Press Release

The study shows that popular recreation spots along the Los Angeles River suffer from very poor water quality, which poses health risks to the growing number of people who fish, swim and kayak in its waters.

Kayaking and other recreational opportunities are frequently described by participants as transformational in their perception of the Los Angeles River. Getting on the water helps people move beyond the stereotypical image of a concrete drainage ditch to a vision of a vibrant river filled with life and potential.

My transformational moment at the river took place in 2009 when I was asked by a friend to participate in River School, an educational event put on by Friends of the Los Angeles River (FOLAR) in the Elysian Valley. We scouted an area by Fletcher Avenue the day before, searching for examples of native and non-native plants as well as aquatic life in scoops of water.

I was amazed at this newly discovered area that had been hiding in plain sight. I found a hawk pellet underneath an overpass of a busy street. I ate a mulberry from a tree growing in the river. I also saw signs of a waterbody that needed help. Pollution in the form of trash was obvious, but the unseen pollution was also troubling.

The importance of developing a personal connection to the river cannot be overstated. Heal the Bay hopes that people continue to have transformational moments in its waters and that the river itself can be transformed into a waterbody meeting its beneficial uses of recreation, recharging groundwater, and providing habitat for wildlife.

But we have a long way to go – as the study clearly demonstrates.

Building on Heal the Bay’s work as a watchdog for public health at local beaches, we began monitoring popular, previously unmonitored freshwater recreational areas in 2014 starting with swimming holes in the Santa Monica Mountains, and adding sites in the L.A. River in 2015.

Heal the Bay staff scientists collected and tested water samples weekly for fecal indicator bacteria at three sites in the two recreation zones in the Sepulveda Basin and Elysian Valley areas of the river over a three-month period in summer 2015.

Bacteria levels varied among the sites in the new L.A. River study, but overall were quite high. For example, samples for one type of fecal indicator bacteria, Enterococcus, exceeded federal standards 100% of the time at two sites in Elysian Valley (Rattlesnake Park and Steelhead Park) and 50% of the time in Sepulveda Basin. The Rattlesnake Park site also suffered from a 67% exceedance rate for E. coli.

These exceedances indicate risk for ear infections, respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal illnesses for people who come in contact with the water.

Much of the water that flows in the L.A. River is highly treated and sanitized wastewater from the city of L.A.’s Tillman Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys, nearly 16 million gallons a day. Tillman’s discharge is not considered a source of bacterial pollution, and without its flow there would likely be no kayaking in the Los Angeles River.

Although the recreation zones were previously unassessed, monitoring in other stretches of the L.A. River show high bacteria counts, which led to the L.A. River’s designation by the state as a bacteria-impaired waterbody. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has also imposed a bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, for the river, which identifies several contributors of harmful bacteria to recreational zones along the river: urban runoff, leaks and flows from wastewater collection systems, illicit connections and failing septic systems. Bacteria sources include pets, horses and human waste.

By law, cities along the river and entities who discharge into it are required to enact pollution-reducing measures to comply with the federal Clean Water Act. The final deadlines for these regulations are a ways off, with interim and final goals set for 2030 and 2037, respectively. However, cities have worked together to develop an Enhanced Watershed Management Plan to address these issues with shorter-term milestones along the way.

In the report, Heal the Bay staff scientists laud recent efforts to revitalize the L.A. River and to open up public access to recreational zones. However, water quality improvements are needed to expand these opportunities and protect public health.

The federal Army Corps of Engineers has an approved $1.3-billion plan to revitalize an 11-mile stretch of the river, focusing on habitat and recreational improvement. Heal the Bay strongly urges that rehabilitation work incorporate specific and measurable measures to enhance water quality.

The full report has a detailed list of recommendations for increasing beneficial uses while protecting public health. Among them:

Swimming: While many families recreate in the water, particularly on hot days, adults and children should avoid swimming in the L.A. River, particularly submersing their heads under water. We envision a swimmable L.A. River one day but current water quality is not yet at a healthful level. If there is any water contact, rinse off with soap and water afterward.
Kayaking and Angling: People should limit water contact, especially avoiding hand-to-face water contact. Users should not enter the water with an open wound, if immunocompromised, or after a rainfall. If there is water contact, rinse off with soap and water afterward.
Public notification: All groups promoting recreation in the L.A. River should provide water quality information and best practices to all participants, using consistent, accurate and prominent information on all outreach materials, and in multiple languages, consistent with the demographics of visitors.
Increased monitoring: The City of Los Angeles or responsible municipal agency should institute, at a minimum, weekly water quality testing for fecal indicator bacteria in the recreation zones during the open season (Memorial Day to the end of September), and at other known swimming spots along the Los Angeles River.

The City of Los Angeles recently convened a stakeholder workshop to discuss water quality issues in the L.A. River and specific near-term and long-term measures to ensure that the public is informed of water quality issues. We had a robust discussion about ways to minimize risk and to implement solutions to reduce chronic pollution. We are cautiously optimistic and look forward to working with the City to put these plans into motion.

At the regional level, Heal the Bay continues to advocate for funding for comprehensive water-quality improvement projects like increased stormwater capture and wastewater recycling. These measures would reduce polluted flow into our recreation zones while increasing local water supplies in a time of drought.

About Heal the Bay and the L.A. River

We are currently in our third summer of monitoring water quality in those swimming locations. Given Heal the Bay’s 25-year history of informing and educating beach-goers about beach water quality through our Beach Report Card, assessing the water quality of the Los Angeles River recreation zones was a natural next step.

Heal the Bay has a long history of work on the Los Angeles River; we have advocated for improved habitat, water quality, and recreation by weighing in on numerous policies and permits concerning the Los Angeles River such as TMDLs, the Recreational Use Reassessment (RECUR) study, permits for dredging and clearing vegetation, and other regulatory actions.

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Deconstructing the Sewage Spill in the L.A. River

07.22.2016 | Rita Kampalath

Long Beach / Avalon

July 22, 2016 — Science and policy director Rita Kampalath gets to the bottom of the massive sewage spill that made a mess of the L.A. River.

Perfect blue sky, 95 degrees outside … and the beaches are closed??

After years of hard work, Heal the Bay is thankful that the days of sewage fouling our waterways are largely behind us. But we got a bad flashback to the old days this week when an estimated 1.75 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into the L.A. River late Monday and early Tuesday. The spill itself was estimated at 2.5 million gallons, roughly 800,000 gallons of which were captured before they reached the river. A rupture in an aging sewer pipe in the Boyle Heights area had been identified as the likely culprit.

We’ve heard a lot about our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, and L.A. isn’t immune to these issues. But the City of Los Angeles’ decision to invest in sewer upgrades over the past few years has largely paid off.

An estimated investment of $200M per year has resulted in an 85% reduction of sanitary sewer overflows (i.e., sewage spills) since 2000. But when popular shorelines in Long Beach and Seal Beach are closed for days because of a spill, you know a major amount of waste must have been discharged and something had seriously gone wrong.

I wanted to find out more about what could have caused such a catastrophic failure of a major sewer line and what was being done to fix it. So Thursday morning, the City of L.A. Bureau of Sanitation staff graciously offered to give me an up-close-and-personal view of the rupture area.

Site of the bridge demolition We pulled up to the site, located where active construction is already going on – the highly publicized demolition of the 6th Street Bridge in Boyle Heights. The immediate rupture area was now cleared of the heavy machinery ever-present during the months-long razing of the iconic bridge, but I could still hear demolition crews working nearby. I couldn’t help but wonder if all this heavy construction nearby might have played a role in the failure of the sewer line.

As we surveyed the damage, City staff explained that the spill was detected following sinkholes that had recently formed in the road, roughly at the intersection of Mission Road and 6th Street. These collapses and the associated debris ruptured and then clogged the massive 60-inch trunk line known as the North Outfall Sewer (NOS), causing a back-up of waste, which, given the volume flowing through the enormous pipe, quickly and unfortunately made it into the river.

With crews working around the clock, a diversion was ultimately put into place to direct sewage around the damaged pipe. Cleanup quickly commenced and is still ongoing.

In the early days after a troubling incident like this, we have at least as many questions as answers. We are urging the City to continue investigating the causes and impacts of the spill. What conditions underground led to the sinkholes? Did the months of construction and associated heavy machinery and demolition play a role? What safeguards were put into place to protect the relatively shallow sewer lines during the demolition? The top of the NOS is only 16 feet below ground.

What sort of controls will be put into place to avoid future spills along our key waterways? And, who will be held accountable for this spill? It is also a keen reminder that we need to continue to invest in our aging infrastructure to avoid incidents like this in the future.

When our region’s famously perfect weather starts to veer towards scorching, people want to take advantage of another enviable asset – our recreational waters. But they need to know a day at the beach isn’t going to make them sick.

Left to right: Barry Berggren, Rita Kampalath, Brian McCormick, and Adel Hagekhalil

So we commend and thank the authorities in Long Beach and Orange County for making the wise decision to prioritize public health and close the beaches as soon as news of the sewage spill came out. But it’s a shame that on this hot weekend some of our best avenues for relief may be out of commission. As a watchdog of our local waterways, Heal the Bay will continue to track the investigation and follow-up on this massive spill, advocating for appropriate accountability measures and preventative actions to protect our vital rivers and beaches.

Spills are fortunately rare occurrences on the river. But chronic bacterial pollution still plagues some of its popular recreational zones. That’s not good news for the increasing number of people who are now kayaking, swimming and angling in its waters.

My colleague Katherine Pease and her team have been collecting and analyzing water samples along the river for harmful bacteria. Next week she will release the results of her study. Let’s just say that if you care about public health, you will be very interested in its findings. Stay tuned.

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Huge Sewage Spill Soils Long Beach, L.A. River

07.19.2016 | Heal the Bay

Long Beach / Avalon

July 20, 2016 — UPDATE: L.A. Sanitation estimates that 2,853,200 gallons of sewage was released from the broken sewer during Monday’s spill. Of this amount, 829,100 gallons were contained and returned to the sewer system, while 1,754,100 gallons ultimately reached the Los Angeles River. Emergency sewer repair crews are constructing a permanent bypass system to divert sewage flow around the portion of the pipe that collapsed.

We are still awaiting more complete water quality data from Long Beach and Seal Beach.

July 19, 2016 — BREAKING NEWS: Yesterday afternoon around 2 p.m., a large sewage pipe ruptured near Boyle Heights, spilling 2.4 million gallons of sewage into the L.A. River. The river empties out in Long Beach, so, as a precautionary measure, all beaches in the city of Long Beach are currently closed until further notice. Beaches in Seal Beach from the mouth of the San Gabriel River to Anaheim Bay are also closed.

It’s too early to pinpoint the exact cause of the spill, but aging water and sewage infrastructure is likely to blame: The pipe that collapsed was built in 1929.

While no sewage has been seen on the beach yet, ocean water samples are currently being tested for bacteria that could make swimmers sick. Results should be available on Wednesday, and beaches could reopen as early as Thursday.

Heal the Bay water quality scientists are in touch with public health officials and will keep this blog updated as the situation develops.

For the latest updates, follow us on Twitter at @healthebay and @beachreportcard.

Long Beach closed due to sewage spill (Image by Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Sources: Los Angeles Times, Patch.com

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Biodiversity Blossoms, BioBlitz Report Reveals

07.13.2016 | Heal the Bay

Ballona Wetlands Santa Monica

July 14, 2016 — This past spring Heal the Bay hosted our first-ever BioBlitzes at two of Los Angeles’ remaining wetlands: Malibu Lagoon and Ballona Wetlands. BioBlitzes bring people together to rapidly (over a period of a few hours) catalogue and identify plant and animal life in biodiverse areas. Wetlands are unique and critical ecosystems that are in trouble – in the last couple hundred years, Southern California has lost over 90% of its native wetlands.

Wetlands provide many services, which often go by unappreciated. They help regulate climate, store surface water, control pollution and flooding, replenish natural aquifers, protect shorelines, maintain natural communities of plants and animals, and provide opportunities for education and recreation. (For more information about Southern California’s wetlands, check out http://scwrp.org/general-wetlands-information/). Unfortunately, years of development and degradation have destroyed the flow of water, altering the habitat for wetland animals and plants. Heal the Bay supported the restoration of Malibu Lagoon from 2012 to 2013 and now we’re lobbying for the restoration of Ballona Wetlands as well to bring it back to a healthy, functional state. Our BioBlitz events helped capture and illuminate the amazing biodiversity of these areas. After crunching the numbers from these events, it seems timely to share our findings leading up to this Saturday’s beach cleanup and sneak peek at the Ballona reserve.

Malibu Lagoon species diversity pie chart Most of our observations were of the amazing plants that rely on the wetlands to thrive. Plants form this environment’s base, providing a natural filter for water as it passes through. They also provide habitat, food, and shelter for the populations of birds, insects, and reptiles that live in wetlands. We found both sites were host to dozens of bird species including great blue herons, snowy egrets, and brown pelicans. Every year, almost one billion birds migrate along the coast of California in an area known as the Pacific coast flyway. Wetlands in Southern California are a crucial pit stop for migratory birds and the diversity of species we observed is promising. In just three hours at Ballona, we saw 17 different species of birds – almost a third of the bird species found in an extensive wetlands survey conducted by The Bay Foundation that spanned months. This shows the power of BioBlitzes to capture important data for conservation.

Malibu Lagoon species diversity bar graph From 2012 to 2013, Heal the Bay advocated for an ecological restoration of Malibu Lagoon which involved removing invasive species, replanting native ones, and adjusting the hydrology of the wetland. Inventories done by The Bay Foundation showed only six species of native plants prior to restoration, while almost 41 were noted after the restoration! Since plants form the base of an intricate web of life in the wetlands, bringing back natives can also bring back other species – including those that are threatened. At both sites our BioBlitzers found four threatened species, but that number will certainly increase with more sampling.

We found more than 20 introduced species at each site, which means they arrived through human influence. These invaders include everything from the delicate cabbage white butterfly to the crystalline ice plant. Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to healthy wetlands because they can outcompete native species and overtake the habitat. Since the restoration at Malibu Lagoon, the pervasiveness of non-natives has decreased. While Ballona is still struggling with invasive species, we hope planned restoration efforts will allow this wetland to reach its full potential.

Thanks to all of our “blitzers” for helping us Blitz the Bay in Ballona Wetlands and Malibu Lagoon. Keep exploring, enjoying, and fighting for our wetlands!

Citizen Science Coordinator Catherine Hoffman led these successful blitzing efforts.

Brown Pelican by iNaturalist user @glmory

A couple junior BioBlitzers looking for fauna in the creekbed

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Parks Funding Measure Makes it to the Ballot

07.08.2016 | Heal the Bay

News

July 8, 2016 — Yesterday the Board of Supervisors voted to place the parks and open space funding measure on the ballot for this November – a crucial step in achieving our shared goals for access to clean, safe, water smart parks and open space across LA County! The measure will be a 1.5 cent per square foot tax levied annually – which means it will require a supermajority vote in November. $98 million dollars will be created by the tax, which will be managed by LA County’s Open Space District. There is a state measure moving through the legislature but local funding is key because it provides much needed maintenance money that the state bond will not.

Heal the Bay completed its 2015 strategic plan which included a new area of focus called Healthy Watersheds. To meet our new goal of connecting inland communities to their watersheds and to restore the vibrancy of our watersheds, Heal the Bay joined the #OurParks coalition with Trust for Public Land, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy and many other groups to support the LA County Parks and Open Space measure. An unprecedented needs assessment illuminated $20 billion of needs across the county. The need for funding is urgent, since the last existing dedicated parks funding is set to expire in 2019.

Parks represent the vast majority of open space we have left in our dense, concrete laden watersheds. We have worked very closely with the Open Space District to ensure the grant programs within this funding measure will provide protection and opportunities for nature based solutions to our challenged water resources, including using parks to capture storm water, creating linear greenways along our rivers, and cool our cities – in addition to their traditional roles like creating safe places to play. This measure matched with future storm water funding will provide leverage for cities using parks to build projects to meet storm water quality mandates. The money can be used to:

Protect clean water resources, including rivers and creeks
Reduce gang activity and provide safe places to play
Ensure drinking water is safe at park and recreation centers
Remove asbestos, mold and lead paint from aging recreation centers
Protect and preserve parks and natural areas
Keep beaches open, clean and safe
Supports funding for high need areas

It was disappointing to hear the opposition from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. When Gary Toebben, president, said “It’s pretty easy to have a cup of coffee when someone else is paying for it”, County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl replied, “You’ve had plenty of our cups of coffee.” She noted that commercial properties have received favorable treatment under Proposition 13, the property tax initiative approved by California voters in 1978.

What’s next? Click here to learn more about the campaign and final ballot language for the Safe Clean Neighborhood Parks, Open Space, Beaches, Rivers Protection and Water Conservation Measure.

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