A beach closed sign on October 9, 2010 in Malibu warns against contaminated water due to rain runoff. Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
The LACFD is proposing an annual fee to help pay for cleanup of stormwater runoff. Toxins, sewage and debris ranging from plastic water bottles to soccer balls regularly find their way Southern California’s beaches and oceans through L.A.’s waterways after a heavy rain. The fee would be based on the size of an owner’s land parcel; homeowners would be assessed approximately $54 a year, city parks around $600 and elementary schools around $8,000.
The LACFD estimates the parcel tax would raise around $275 million a year, which would go towards various cleanup projects. Cities, homeowners associations and school districts have voiced opposition to the proposal. The county Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing on Tuesday,and is expected to decide soon on whether to issue a special ballot asking landowners to vote on the measure.
Guests:Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
Don Knabe, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Fourth District
Molly Peterson, KPCC reporter