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Annual Beach and River Report Cards 2024-2025

09.03.2025 |

Beach Report CardPress ReleaseRiver Report Card

Read our press release below or download here.

Water quality at many West Coast beaches and Los Angeles freshwater sites improved over the past year, according to Heal the Bay’s annual Beach Report Card and River Report Card, released today. The reports’ findings highlight both progress and persistent risks for millions of people who swim, surf, and play in local waters each year.

A near-record 62 beaches earned a spot on the nonprofit’s coveted Honor Roll with perfect A+ scores in 2024-2025. It was the highest Honor Roll count in over a decade. Only 12 beaches made the Honor Roll last year and just two in the 2022-2023 report. Freshwater sites also saw gains in the 2024 River Report Card, with 24 out of 35 graded safe for recreation.

But the good news comes with caveats. Climate “whiplash” is making water quality more variable. Dry years are generally bringing cleaner water — with less bacterial pollution washing into waterways — while wet years are dragging down grades. Persistent hotspots like the Santa Monica Pier, several San Diego County beaches, and the lower L.A. River remain unsafe despite improvement efforts. And January’s wildfires added a new layer of concern, underscoring the importance of Heal the Bay’s work to expand testing and monitoring in the wake of the disasters. “More beaches and rivers were safe for swimming than we’ve seen in years,” said Annelisa Moe, Heal the Bay’s Associate Director for Science & Policy. “But persistent pollution hotspots and new threats from climate extremes like wildfires make it clear that we can’t take clean water for granted. That’s why Heal the Bay is pushing for stronger infrastructure and policies to protect public health and our waterways.”

Download the Reports

Annual Beach Report Card

Annual River Report Card

 

Biggest Takeaways

1. Dry weather meant cleaner water, but climate extremes loom large. Nearly 9 in 10 beaches and more than two-thirds of freshwater sites were safe for recreating last year, likely thanks to a dry summer and winter. But progress is uneven, as climate extremes drive swings in bacteria levels and highlight the urgent need for resiliency planning.

2. Persistent hotspots show where work is most urgent. Trouble spots like the Santa Monica Pier, beaches along the U.S.-Mexico border, and stretches of the lower L.A. River remain unsafe year after year. Outdated sewage and stormwater systems, polluted runoff, and poor water circulation all contribute, underscoring the need for stronger infrastructure and controls.

3. Wildfires add layered threats to water quality. The January 2025 Palisades and Altadena fires washed ash, debris, and toxins into local waters, and early results suggest a link with worsened bacteria levels. Since Beach and River Report Cards only measure fecal indicator bacteria, more study is needed to assess impacts from wildfire-related contaminants like heavy metals. Heal the Bay is advancing this work through its Ash to Action initiative.

About the Reports

What are the Beach and River Report Cards?

Heal the Bay’s 35th annual Beach Report Card and 7th annual River Report Card take a deep dive into bacterial pollution trends at more than 700 beaches along the Pacific Coast and 35 freshwater sites in Los Angeles.

Each site gets an annual letter grade from A to F based on how much fecal indicator bacteria is found in the water during each testing season (summer dry weather, winter dry weather, and annual wet weather). The bacteria come from stormwater runoff, failing sewage systems, or other pollution, and they can cause illnesses like stomach flu, ear infections, upper-respiratory infections, and rashes. In short: The lower the letter grade, the higher the risk of getting sick.

All county health departments in California are required to test beach water quality samples for three types of indicator bacteria at least once a week during the summer season. Many counties also monitor heavily used beaches year-round. Heal the Bay compiles and analyzes the data to produce the annual Beach Report Card.

Freshwater sites don’t have the same monitoring requirements, so Heal the Bay deploys its own scientists with the Stream Team — students trained in field and lab techniques — and works with other local groups and municipalities to collect and analyze samples throughout the summer (May to September).

How is this different from the reports shared in May?

In May, Heal the Bay released a first look at this year’s Beach Report Card with a list of California’s Honor Roll beaches and bottom 10 Beach Bummers. Today’s release expands on those lists with deeper insights and annual grades for more beaches across California, Oregon, Washington, and Baja California.

The 2024 River Report Card was released today and includes annual grades and insights into 35 freshwater sites across Los Angeles.

How did the wildfires impact the reports?

The January wildfires delayed the full report release as Heal the Bay scientists worked to quickly assess how toxins from fire debris were impacting beach and water quality and notify the public about potential health risks beyond bacteria pollution. More information about Heal the Bay’s post-fire response work is available in a special section of the Beach Report Card (pgs. 52-54).

Note: The water-quality grades released today only reflect monitoring of fecal indicator bacteria. They do not include data related to testing for harmful heavy metals and other toxins that made their way to L.A.-area beaches following the Palisades and Altadena wildfires in January.

To follow along with Heal the Bay’s continued exploration of wildfire impacts and solutions, visit the Ash to Action webpage

What’s the difference between the annual and weekly report cards?

Weekly grades for beaches and freshwater sites monitored by Heal the Bay are available on the Beach Report Card (beachreportcard.org) and River Report Card (healthebay.org/riverreportcard) websites. These weekly grades are based on the most recent samples, offering a snapshot of bacteria levels to help people gauge their real-time risk.

The annual reports examine patterns and trends over longer periods to identify consistent problem spots, sources of pollution, and ongoing impacts. These findings help policymakers formulate solutions, aid scientists in improving testing and monitoring methods, and give the public a look at which waters are best avoided throughout the year.

If you care about science-based research that protects our coastline, watersheds, and public health, please consider donating to Heal the Bay. Your support powers critical water quality investigations and drives solutions for a more resilient Los Angeles.

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Blue Ribbon Commission Releases Post-Fire Climate Resiliency Recommendations

06.20.2025 |

NewsPress Release

On June 20, 2025, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery released a final report recommending ways to create a resilient and sustainable recovery from the 2025 LA wildfires and ensure Greater LA is better prepared for future climate disasters.

Heal the Bay’s CEO, Tracy Quinn, co-chaired on the Commission’s Water Working Group, leading the effort to design critical water protection and reliability measures that will curb climate-related water impacts and pollution and increase fire resilience in high risk communities. This includes solutions focusing on the protection of waterways and infrastructure from climate pollution, the implementation of robust water safety testing plans, the creation of climate-resilient water infrastructure, and the ways to ensure firefighters have the water they need.

The next step will be working with decision-makers at the local, state, and federal levels to implement these solutions. Details below.

 

  The independent Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery released a final report today outlining ways to ensure a resilient and sustainable recovery from the devastating 2025 LA wildfires and make the region better prepared for future climate disasters. The report assesses a range of recovery and preparation issues, providing important recommendations for efficient and climate-smart rebuilding, equitable recovery, and climate-resilient infrastructure. 

Water safety and resilience is also a key focus of the report. Heal the Bay CEO, Tracy Quinn, served as a co-chair on the Commission’s Water Working Group, driving forward the development of critical water protection and reliability measures in the face of increased climate-related water impacts and pollution. 

“Like so many, these fires forced me to learn firsthand about the recovery, remediation, and preparedness steps we, as individuals, need to take to better protect our homes and families from the impact of climate change,” said Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal the Bay. “This report provides a broader community-wide lens, seeking to improve our building standards, address our infrastructure needs, and provide equitable funding approaches for recovery and resilience.”

“It also takes a look at how to preserve our most precious resource: water,” Quinn continued. “We need our water resources to be readily available during any crisis and we need the ability to deliver it. We need our waterways and water reserves to be protected against disaster-related toxic contamination. We need to have the tools in place to comprehensively test water safety before we drink or recreate in it after a disaster strikes. And we need to ensure our wastewater systems are built to withstand disaster – and not become part of the problem. This report outlines essential steps we need to take to keep our most precious resource abundant and safe from climate harm.”

Some of the key water quality and safety recommendations found in the report include:

  • Protecting Waterways and Infrastructure from Climate-Related Pollution
    • Implement erosion control measures and nature-based solutions to safeguard watersheds and water infrastructure from post-disaster sedimentation, runoff, and debris flows.
    • Establish buffer zones to help protect communities, reducing potential for secondary harm to waterways.
  • Implementing Robust Water Safety Testing Plans
    • Update state legislation to require water systems to test for a broad array of contaminants before lifting health notices.
    • Improve and implement communication protocols for post-disaster water testing results.
  • Ensuring Water Infrastructure is Climate-Resilient
    • Conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of water and sewer infrastructure.
    • Site new systems outside of high-risk areas.
    • Ensure rebuilding along the Pacific Coast Highway properly assesses wastewater treatment and conveyance alternatives to avoid sewage overflow and leakage into the ocean.
  • Ensuring Water Infrastructure Maintains Pressure for Firefighting
    • Utilize low impact development (LID) stormwater capture strategies to increase water supply redundancy 
    • Upgrade systems to meet modern fire flow requirements. 
    • Test flow rates and system capacity under peak demand and emergency conditions.

Detailed Water Recommendations can be found in the Chapter entitled WATER SYSTEM RESILIENCE AND SAFETY on page 60 of the report.

The Commission was created on February 13, 2025, in the wake of the LA fires, to develop a set of policy recommendations to promote a safe, resilient recovery for Los Angeles. The Commission includes a broad cross-section of volunteer technical experts and professionals from governmental, academic, public interest, and other civic institutions. Implementation is critical to the impact of these recommendations and will require engagement with decision-makers at the local, state, and Federal levels. 

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FAQ on EPA Hazardous Waste Site at Topanga Beach

01.31.2025 |

Ash to ActionCaliforniaLocationsMalibu / Pacific PalisadesNewsPress ReleaseWater Quality

Heal the Bay strongly disagrees with the selection of State land in close proximity to Topanga Creek and Lagoon as the US EPA’s Palisades Fire hazardous material staging area, where materials will be sorted and repackaged before they are sent to permitted waste collection facilities. The site chosen is an area of cultural and ecological significance, and we stand with the surfers, swimmers, and local communities concerned about the potential for harm to this precious ecosystem.

UPDATE: February 26, 2025 -The first phase of removing wildfire debris is over. What happens to those collection sites?  (Daily News)

UPDATE: February 12, 2025 – Heal the Bay’s Associate Director of Science and Policy, Annelisa Moe, toured the EPA hazardous waste sorting and storage sites at Topanga Creek and Will Rogers State Beach with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the EPA, and FEMA.

UPDATE: January 31, 2025 – Initial Takeaways from the EPA Hazardous Waste Site at Topanga Beach & FAQ (below)

For the record, Heal the Bay was NOT consulted on the site selection ahead of time. 

Soon after we learned about the site selection, we asked to meet with US EPA officials to express our concerns and learn what measures were being taken to protect Topanga Creek and Lagoon. That meeting occurred on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

At our meeting with EPA, we learned that operations have already begun on the Topanga site, reducing the likelihood that we can get EPA & FEMA to select a different location (although we still pushed). Between the Palisades and Eaton fires, this is the largest operation the EPA emergency response team has had to clean up since they began this work in 2015. In addition, they have been tasked by the current Federal Administration to complete the work in 30 days, a time constraint that has left the region with few options.

We are fighting to ensure that the EPA implements sufficient measures to prevent contaminants from coming into contact with the bare soils or leaving the site and impacting critical waterways. In addition to what the EPA has proposed (see EPA’s FAQ), Heal the Bay asks for water testing in Topanga Creek and Lagoon. We have also asked to be permitted access to the site to observe operations and the implementation of measures meant to prevent harmful chemicals from leaving the site. We are waiting to hear back on both of these.

Although we strongly disagree with the site EPA and FEMA have chosen, speedy removal of hazardous wastes from the burn areas IS ESSENTIAL. Right now, the hazardous waste in the burn areas is uncontained and exposed to the elements, with almost no measures in place to prevent it from being blown by the wind or entering our ocean when it rains again. There are no good choices here, but in our opinion, hazardous materials left exposed at burned structures pose a greater threat to water quality and ecosystem health than they will at an EPA sorting site where multiple containment measures are in place. If the EPA will not or cannot move the hazardous waste staging area from the Topanga location, we demand that they take extra precautions to prevent stormwater from running onto the site, contaminated runoff from leaving the site, and contaminated dust from being blown from the site into waterways. Please join us in asking for water quality sampling to be added to the BMP protocol.

Here are the biggest takeaways from our meeting with the EPA:

What does the EPA look for in a staging site?  

  • When looking for a hazardous material staging site, the EPA team needs at least five acres of flat land located near a roadway suitable for trucks to enter and exit.  
  • The EPA could not start cleaning efforts until a space was selected and prepared. 

Why was Topanga Lagoon chosen as the site location? 

  • EPA did recon with Cal Fire, and the Topanga Lagoon site met the basic logistical requirements for space and access. The state approved EPA use of the Topanga location. 
  • According to the EPA, other proposed sites were either rejected by City of LA and LA County officials or already used by other emergency response teams.  
  • Heal the Bay has requested a list of other sites considered by the EPA.  

Will additional locations be needed to remove all of the hazardous waste entirely? 

  • For the Palisades Fire response, EPA anticipates the need for more staging areas, maybe an additional 25 acres. 
  • The EPA is currently searching for other staging areas, and Heal the Bay has requested to be part of that decision-making process. 

What has taken place on the site to date? 

  • The property was burned, so EPA cleared it of burned debris, then built berms around it and added straw wattles to prevent water from entering or leaving the site.  
  • Secondary containment and plastic lining have been implemented to prevent direct contact of hazardous materials with the soils on site. 
  • The EPA took soil samples before the cleanup activity commenced and will sample again once the cleanup activity is complete.  (NOTE: Heal the Bay has requested a list of contaminants tested to ensure the sampling plan is sufficient).  
  • The cleanup team monitors the air for particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radiation, and wind indicators for weather tracking. 
  • The cleanup team has started electric car battery recovery for the Palisades area, de-energizing them in the Topanga staging area to be recycled.  

What safety precautions will EPA take to protect the environment? 

  • See EPA FAQ 
  • Heal the Bay asked about additional BMPs (Best Management Practices) for the expected rain. EPA Public Information Officer Rusty Harris-Bishop has agreed to update us as more information becomes available. 
  • Heal the Bay has also requested that the EPA conduct water quality monitoring in the nearby creek and Lagoon.  
  • The EPA has explained that they have not had any issues with staging areas in past emergencies, including the Lahaina fires. 

When will they start accepting hazardous waste? 

  • As of January 30, they have already started collecting lithium-ion batteries (from electric cars). 
  • Larger-scale work is scheduled to begin January 31, 2025. 

When will they be done? 

  • This is a temporary staging area, and although the Palisades Fire was an unprecedented event, the plan is for the site work to be completed by the end of February 2025 (30 days).  

Where will the hazardous waste be sent? 

  • Materials are taken to the staging area to sort and re-pack for final shipping to permitted hazardous waste facilities that are in good standing.  
  • The facilities have not been determined yet.  
  • Determining specific locations will depend on what the EPA team finds and how much material is collected. Still, our understanding is that the waste will likely be transported out of state. 

Can EPA move the staging to another location? 

  • Attempting to move locations would cause delays in removing the hazardous waste from within the burn zone where it is currently exposed to the elements, which is the biggest concern. 

What is more dangerous to the environment: Creating the staging area near an ecologically sensitive area or slowing removal? 

  • Slowing down removal is likely more dangerous for the environment because there are few measures to prevent the waste in the burn areas from entering waterways and the ocean. 

Is the EPA planning to test the water quality? 

  • No water quality testing is planned. 

Does Heal the Bay have water quality testing recommendations?

  • Yes, our Water Quality Team recommends that the EPA test for the following:  
    • Chronic and Acute Toxicity  
    • Basic water quality parameters (e.g., turbidity, pH, dissolved Oxygen, and temperature) 
    • Total Suspended Solids 
    • Heavy Metals (e.g., lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium and cadmium) 
    • Volatile organic compounds  (e.g., Benzene) 
    • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 
    • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 
    • Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 
    • Oil and Grease 
    • Total Organic Carbon 
    • FIB (i.e., E. coli, total coliforms, and enterococcus) 
    • Dioxins 
    • Ammonium 
    • Phosphates 
    • Sulfates 
    • Asbestos 
    • Microplastics 
    • Radionuclides 

Has the EPA started a cleanup operation in response to the Eaton Fire? 

  • They have started cleanup operations in Eaton. 

Will Heal the Bay continue to monitor the situation at Topanga Lagoon?

  • Yes, and Heal the Bay will continue to push for the opportunity to conduct a site visit in the coming days to observe the BMPs in action.

 

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Boeing vs the Regional Water Board: A Win for the Environment

01.28.2025 |

Climate ChangeNewsPoluciónPress Release

Polluters are being held accountable in the Upper LA River Watershed!

A recent legal victory for the Regional Water Board is a major win for the environment, helping to protect the Los Angeles River headwaters and the broader watershed from further pollution.

As a result of advocacy by groups like Heal the Bay, LA Water Keeper, and Parents Against SSFL, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) approved updated regulations for runoff from the Boeing Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) site in 2023. The new permit included strict water quality limits and additional monitoring requirements for contaminants like PFAS and PCBs, permit elements that are necessary to understand and control polluted runoff from this site. Boeing immediately filed a petition against the Regional Board opposing the permit.

For a “deep dive” into the history of Santa Susana and the Regional Water Quality Control Board check out our piece Calling for Accountability at the Santa Susana Field Lab.

Over this past year, Heal the Bay, LA Water Keeper, and Parents Against SSFL supported the Regional Board as interested parties, filing an amicus briefing, or “friend-of-the-court” briefing, to provide useful information to the court as they weighed their decision. The Los Angeles Superior Court recently ruled in favor of the Regional Water Board, rejecting most of Boeing’s arguments, and upholding the new permit terms.

This significant legal victory for the Regional Water Board is a major win for the environment, helping to protect the Los Angeles River headwaters and the broader watershed from further pollution.

Read the full press release.

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HEAL THE BAY SUES BIG PLASTIC

09.23.2024 |

NewsPlastic PollutionPress Release

Heal the Bay Sues Big Plastic

Heal the Bay today took historic legal action to put an end to one of the existential threats facing our local beaches and ocean – plastic pollution.

We have joined a coalition of leading environmental groups in filing a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, the world’s largest producer of single-use plastic polymers. California’s Attorney General also filed a similar lawsuit today.

For the past 40 years, we’ve hosted tens of thousands of beach cleanups in L.A. County. Our volunteers have removed over 2 million pounds of plastic-strewn trash from our shorelines and inland waterways.

Today, we say “No more!”

Instead of cleaning up the wreckage created by Big Plastic, we are moving aggressively to stop the harm at its source.

The coalition complaint, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, alleges violations of California’s nuisance law and unfair competition law. In the suit, the plaintiffs argue there must be corporate accountability for a decades-long campaign to bury the truth about the known environmental, economic and human health impacts caused by plastics.

The bold action harkens back to Heal the Bay’s first victory in 1990, when it successfully secured a legal settlement with the City of Los Angeles to stop dumping partially treated sewage into the Bay from its Hyperion wastewater treatment facility.

Who else is backing the lawsuits against ExxonMobil? 

For months, Heal the Bay’s policy staff has been quietly meeting with our peers at Surfrider Foundation, the Sierra Club and San Francisco Baykeeper. Today’s action marks the first step in a coordinated campaign to legally hold Big Oil accountable for the production of wasteful and harmful single-use plastics.

In April 2022, California Attorney General Rob Bonta launched an investigation into ExxonMobil (and other fossil fuel industry giants) for their role in the plastic pollution problem. Based on those findings, Bonta’s office today filed a concurrent lawsuit against Big Plastic. This marks a more aggressive approach to stop plastic pollution at its source rather than merely remediating it.

What are the environmental harms created by ExxonMobil? 

As alleged in the complaint, ExxonMobil-produced polymer resins are responsible for over 6 million metric tons of plastic waste annually — equivalent to the weight of 300,000 garbage trucks. Polymers are used to produce so-called “nurdles.” These BB-sized plastic pellets are the building blocks of such wasteful and harmful single-use items as plastic bags, water bottles and snack packaging. This debris winds up contaminating our environment and our bodies, at every stage of its product lifecycle. By 2050, there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish, according to some studies.

Why can’t we just do a better job of recycling single-use plastics?

Even with recycling programs in place for decades, less than 5% of domestic plastic is recycled into another plastic product, despite being labeled as “recyclable.” The vast majority of plastics end up littering our public places, winding up in overtaxed landfills, or floating in garbage vortexes in our oceans.

What are the ties between single-use plastics and the worsening climate crisis? 

Given falling demand for gasoline as electric cars proliferate, plastics will be the greatest growth market for Big Oil in the next decade.

Plastic production and disposal are also a significant contributor to ever-worsening climate change, responsible for roughly 3% of all carbon emissions worldwide. The doubling of plastics production in the next two decades will contribute to the wildfires, famine and heat stroke that jeopardize the lives of millions.

How has plastic harmed our bodies? 

Plastic pollution never biodegrades. Instead, plastic pollution breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces — sometimes referred to as microplastics. Avoiding microplastics in our daily lives is virtually impossible. It is in our drinking water, it is in the food we eat, and it is even in the air we breathe.

Over the course of a lifetime, the average person will unknowingly consume more than 40 pounds of plastic.  Microplastics have been found in human blood, heart tissue, placentas, and even breast milk.

A Heal the Bay volunteer sorts through plastic pollution on a Southern California beach.

How can our supporters help? 

Today’s filing is just the first step in what could be a years-long legal fight. Just as with our victory at Hyperion, a steady application of grassroots pressure will be required to force deep-pocketed Big Oil to change its harmful practices.

We will be calling on all our supporters in the coming months to add their voices to the chorus of everyday people fed up with single-use plastics. We will also need the financial assistance of donors to help defray costs associated with the lawsuit.

 

What are the next steps?  

In the next few months, Heal the Bay’s science and policy team will continue to gather data to hold Big Oil’s feet to the fire.

DONATE TO SUPPORT THIS LEGAL ACTION

Today is just the first day in a long fight.

To receive regular updates on how you can make your voice heard, please click here. 

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Heal the Bay, NRDC and LA Waterkeeper Have A “Vision” for the Safe, Clean Water Program

12.06.2023 |

Calidad de AguaCaliforniaNewsPress ReleaseWater Quality

Heal the Bay, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Los Angeles Waterkeeper have worked together to develop a “Vision 2045” report with bolder goals and recommendations for the County’s Safe, Clean Water Program.

 

Ladera Park is one of many successful greening projects funded by the Safe, Clean Water Program, but Los Angeles needs more stormwater projects to prepare our region for its future water needs. (Photo by Heal the Bay) 

In 2018, Los Angeles County residents passed a landmark funding measure (Measure W), which imposed a parcel tax on impervious surfaces to fund stormwater projects to increase local water supply, improve water quality, and provide community benefits through the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP). With an annual budget of approximately $280 million, the SCWP has the potential to transform how Los Angeles County manages stormwater, prioritizing climate resilience and community health and well-being.

The SCWP is currently undergoing its first official assessment through the County’s Biennial Review process, offering an opportunity to assess progress, reflect on the achievement of goals, set targets, and make recommendations.   Numerous water quality deadlines have passed in an environment that is becoming hotter and less hospitable and frontline communities are bearing the brunt of those impacts. Therefore, despite numerous successes in its first four years, it has become evident that to meet future ambitions, a clear and realistic roadmap is required.   It is now clear that the SCWP must be even bolder in its goals, targets, and timelines to accelerate the equitable transformation of LA County to greener, more local water self-sufficient and climate-prepared communities. 

That is why Heal the Bay, along with our partners at Natural Resources Defense Council and LA Waterkeeper, representing three of the LA region’s leading water advocacy organizations, shared a new report with LA County decision-makers tasked with overseeing the ambitious SCWP.

Vision 2045: Thriving in a Hotter and Drier LA County through Local Stormwater Capture and Pollutant Reduction includes bolder goals, targets, and recommendations for the SCWP on water supply, water quality, equity, science, finance, and policy.  The report is intended to catalyze County efforts to ensure the Safe, Clean Water Program reaches its goals more quickly and definitively. The timing of the release of this document corresponds with the December 7th meeting of the Regional Oversight Committee on the Biennial Review as well as this week’s LA County Board of Supervisors approval of the LA County Water Plan that builds on their goal of 80% local water supplies by 2045.

Make The Most of Every Drop of Rain 

With climate change accelerating, one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure Angelenos will continue to have the water they need to thrive in the decades to come is to make the most of every drop of rain that falls. The groups that drafted this vision document note there is a real urgency to ensure the Safe, Clean Water Program is implemented in a way that is both effective and equitable. Among other goals, it calls for a target of an additional 300,000 acre-feet of stormwater to be captured and put to use every year by 2045. The document also calls on the county to aggressively reduce water pollution by complying with state deadlines, and ensure that at least 10% of projects in disadvantaged communities that are funded through the program are led by community-based organizations, to ensure robust community involvement.

Nature-Based Solutions 

The vision document also proposes a target of replacing 12,000 acres of impermeable surfaces with new green space by 2045: a nature-based solution that provides recreation, open space, public health benefits, and more. It calls for all schools located within the boundaries of state-defined disadvantaged communities to become green schools by 2030, with all LA County schools meeting that target no later than 2045. Vision 2045 also sets a target of developing an outreach plan to actively engage local tribes in program implementation by the end of next year.

Yes, 2045 is more than twenty years in the future and unforeseeable changes are ahead economically, environmentally, and politically (for better or worse).  Most policymakers and groups working on the program will have moved on and so the way to stay on target is to set realistic (but bold) milestones goals, targets, and timelines to stay on track and achieve safe, clean, water for all.

See our top-level goals, and additional recommendations in the full report.

Read the full Vision 2045 Report

READ THE VISION 2045 PRESS RELEASE

DOWNLOAD THE VISION 2045 REPORT

 

 

 

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Tracy Quinn Appointed to CEO of Heal the Bay

04.18.2022 |

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Upholding its dedication to science-based advocacy, the environmental group Heal the Bay today announced Tracy Quinn as its new CEO. Quinn joins the Santa Monica-based nonprofit from the Natural Resources Defense Council, where she served as the Director of California Urban Water Policy.

During her tenure, Quinn was a widely respected voice on how communities and industries across California must respond to unprecedented drought by improving water efficiency and investing in climate resilient supplies through stormwater capture and recycled water. Her strong technical background and commitment to environmental equity are clear in her leadership in addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS, advocating for cost-effective strategies to improve water reliability, and partnering with frontline groups to protect low-income households from water shutoffs.

“I am honored and humbled to lead Heal the Bay into its next chapter as we tackle increasingly challenging environmental issues and work to ensure equitable outcomes for the communities in our watersheds,” Quinn said. “As California continues to adapt to a changing climate, Heal the Bay’s legacy of science-based activism makes it well suited to address the challenges in our region.”

As a Board Member of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Quinn pushes for bold actions to conserve and protect drinking water supplies for millions of people. She also served on the boards of The Wildwoods Foundation and the California Urban Water Conservation Council.

An extensive nationwide search culminated in the hiring of Quinn, who has been tasked with amplifying Heal the Bay’s science, advocacy, education, and community action programs. While focused on the organization’s core mission of clean water and healthy watersheds, she will implement strategies to deepen Heal the Bay’s engagement in solving the most critical environmental challenges in Greater Los Angeles.

Formed more than three decades ago as a local grassroots organization, Heal the Bay successfully led the fight to require Hyperion Plant to thoroughly treat sewage before releasing into the Santa Monica Bay, thereby protecting Southern California’s coast for the many people who rely on it. The region now has even bigger threats, from climate change to an uncertain water supply to an increasing amount of toxic legacy pollutants and plastics.

“Heal the Bay will always pursue protection of our public waters and fight against pollution. We have also transformed in recent years with inclusion-focused programs,” said Sharon Lawrence, chairperson of the organization’s Board of Directors. “Clean water is essential for our communities to survive and thrive, and Tracy is perfectly equipped to continue our important work.”

Quinn, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Cornell University and is a registered civil engineer in California, began her water-centric career in Los Angeles at Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, an engineering firm that delivers innovative water solutions in the US.

Quinn plans to lead Heal the Bay in forming smart strategic alliances and growing public participation across the diverse region of Greater Los Angeles. In the coming months, Heal the Bay will extend its impact with these key initiatives:

Upgrade River Report Card. Heal the Bay is protecting public health by increasing access to science-based water quality information for ocean, river, and stream water users. The nonprofit is going through a rigorous process to enhance its River Report Card by aligning the freshwater grading methodology with scientific standards and the well-known Beach Report Card’s “A through F” grading system.

Build Inell Woods Park. The nonprofit group is addressing water quality and supply issues for the communities most impacted by climate change. For the first time ever, Heal the Bay is building a stormwater park in collaboration with LA City Councilman Curren Price Jr. and community members! The groundbreaking for the new community-designed, multi-benefit green space Inell Woods Park is planned in South LA this year.

Ban plastic pollution. Heal the Bay is launching an advocacy campaign, targeted at Southern California voters, in support of the statewide 2022 ballot measure (California Plastic Pollution Reduction and Recycling Act), to reduce plastic pollution in communities and aquatic environments. The passionate science and policy experts are also pushing the City of LA and LA County to greenlight comprehensive ordinances that address single-use plastic waste.

Quinn formally joins Heal the Bay on May 2, taking the leadership reins from Dr. Shelley Luce, who has served as president and CEO since April 2017.

“I am so proud to leave Heal the Bay in Tracy’s hands,” says Dr. Shelley Luce. “Her focus on strong, equitable water policy will take Heal the Bay’s environmental advocacy work to the next level.”

You can read a letter from Shelley Luce about the leadership transition at Heal the Bay.

“Shelley Luce began at Heal the Bay as a PhD student, grew as a scientific expert, and then led our organization as a trusted authority, coalition builder, role model, and mentor,” shares Sharon Lawrence. “Through the global pandemic she maintained operations and steered us through environmental and public health crises while keeping the public informed and engaged. The Santa Monica Bay and communities who use it are healthier and safer because of Shelley’s years at Heal the Bay.”

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