header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to move forward with a comprehensive plan to increase local water supply and improve water quality.

Known as the Safe Clean Water Program, the plan would fund projects and programs that capture, clean, and conserve stormwater, increasing local water supplies, improving water quality, and creating opportunities for new recreational green space and habitat making communities safer, greener, healthier and more livable. The Safe Clean Water Program was outlined in a Board Letter presented to the Supervisors today by the LA County Department of Public Works.

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, said, “Every year a full 100 billion gallons of water run down our curbs and out into the ocean. We have to get water-wise. Extreme weather is our new normal and recurring cycles of drought are a reality. We need smarter ways to capture, clean and store stormwater, so we can increase our local water supply, clean that water, and save it for future use.”

The Safe Clean Water Program would be paid for by a parcel tax that will go before voters in November 2018. The 2.5 cent tax would only apply to impermeable areas such as concrete roofs and sidewalks. The measure will raise an estimated $300 million per year.

Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, co-author of the motion that directed the Department of Public Works to develop a long-term plan for improving water quality and supply, said, “The Safe Clean Water program not only dramatically increases the amount of stormwater we capture, it will provide health benefits to residents by reducing trash and toxins and increasing green space throughout the County. Clean water is not only an issue for coastal communities: what ends up in the ground and in our water affects us all. Everyone will benefit from improved water quality and enhanced water conservation efforts, including underserved communities with unique water needs.”

A diverse group of elected, business, public health and environmental leaders as well as firefighters have expressed support for the plan, commending the County’s action. Supporters cited a wide array of benefits, from securing future water supplies and improving water quality, to protecting marine life and adding much-needed green space to local communities.

“Capturing and cleaning stormwater is an imperative and an opportunity — work that is made more urgent by the effects of a changing climate,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The Safe, Clean Water program will help L.A. and cities across the County meet our obligations under the federal Clean Water Act — and put new momentum behind our efforts to conserve a precious resource, shield our communities from flooding, and protect waterways from pollution.”

LA County Fire Department Chief Daryl L. Osby said, “Wildfires are putting new and greater demands on our water supply. Currently 100 billion gallons of precious water are not captured during storm run-off. Additionally, preserving our environment and its natural resources is extremely important to the mission of the Fire Department. We simply can’t afford to waste water anymore. Water is a firefighter’s best friend during several types of emergencies. The Safe Clean Water Program takes important steps toward securing our future water supply.”

LA County’s Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer noted, “There is a direct connection between stormwater runoff and public health. Pollution and toxins from stormwater pose a real public health threat, and the Safe Clean Water Program would help provide the resources to address it. Access to safe, clean water is a critical determinant of health, with social, economic, and environmental consequences.”

Jerry Velasco, Chairman of the San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance, a coalition of Business, Labor, Government, Education and Community groups, said, “I am very enthusiastic about this plan which will help ensure our future regional water supply. I hope voters will also support it because it represents sound, fiscally-prudent public policy that addresses an urgent need.”

Mark Gold, Associate Vice Chancellor for Environment and Sustainability at UCLA said, “Over fifty million people visit our beaches annually, and too often, many of them are unsafe for swimming due to polluted runoff. Also, our beaches and rivers look like trash dumps after every rain, and stormwater runoff in our rivers, lakes and coastal waters is often toxic to a wide variety of aquatic life. If this measure is approved by the voters, it will be the most important water quality action in LA County history.”

If the measure passes, 40% of the revenue would return to cities for local priority projects; 50% would be returned proportionally to each of the region’s nine watersheds to fund projects best and most cost-effectively tackled at a regional scale that no individual city could do alone; and 10% of funds would go to the LA County Flood Control District for stormwater education, projects, and administration. Schools would be exempt from the parcel tax, and property owners who have recently made qualifying improvements to their properties would be eligible for credits.

“This is a historic opportunity to modernize LA County’s water infrastructure to meet the needs of the 21st Century,” said Mark Pestrella, Director of LA County Public Works. “The flood protection system designed and built in the 1940s and ‘50s has done an outstanding job managing flood risk within the LA Basin. But it was never designed to handle the tremendous population growth and urbanization that has contributed to the volume of pollutants we see in our waterways today. This program will continue the County’s mission of flood safety while protecting water quality within our communities and providing water resiliency for current and future generations.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

3 Comments

  1. Dan Colonello says:

    Anothe BS “Program” from the Politicians with a real snazzy title to induce the public to vote for more taxes! If they want more “open space” and more “green areas” why are they rubber stamping/approving All of these construction projects all over the County? Plus we don’t need this program, just think of all that water we will be saving from Gov. Browns new water rationing Bill ! In just a few years we will be limited to 55 gallons a day per person per household and going down to 50 gallons per day per person when it goes into full effect!

  2. Heisenberg says:

    This will neither increase local water supply nor improve quantity. In the SCV, water infiltrates readily and is cleaned by the geologic formations. Credit to Supervisor Barger for voting against this.

  3. Joseph Olynyk says:

    Let’s see – $7.5 billion approved a few years ago (Prop 1) divided by $300 million this would generate = This baby is pre-paided for the next 25 year!

    STOP giving them money when NOTHING is given back!

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com