We must establish a zero tolerance for ocean pollution

By Jacob Cherub

We must survey all of Laguna to identify sources of and pathways of pollution into the sea and decisively attack and win this battle.

Because we live in a seacoast village there is no natural resource in Laguna Beach more important to our physical and economic well being.

• The health of our citizens is in peril.
• Our status as a tourist destination is threatened. We must avoid repeating the experience of Huntington Beach.
• Laguna has already been fined $60,000 in penalties and without decisive action there is no reason to believe there won't be more and higher fines.
• Rising amounts of toxic runoff from surrounding watershed and creeks because increased inland development.
• Aging and unreliable sewer piping, pumping equipment, and inadequate telemetry technology.
• Unenlightened behavior by local citizens unaware of the consequences of such activities as improper waste handling and disposal and over watering landscape.

• Bring in local experts like Clean Water Now and the Surfrider Foundation who have substantial experience and knowledge they are more than willing to share to help.
• Initiate the use of State-of-the-art Street sweeping equipment used in concert with effectively regulated parking in a strategic effort to thoroughly clean curb, gutters and roadway pollutants.
• Installation of storm drain filter to stop waste and debris from washing into the ocean.
• A widespread information effort to enlighten our citizenry of the many things which we can easily perform to reduce the amount of our own toxic contributions.
• Cooperate and negotiate vigorously with our neighboring upstream cities to stop their pollution of our watershed and creeks.