Holden Sponsors Resolution to Bring Awareness to Stormwater Problem

Assemblyman Chris Holden. – Photo by Terry Miller

By Susan Motander

Assemblyman Chris Holden has introduced a joint resolution of the Assembly and Senate that will bring the problem of funding the mandated clean-up of stormwater to the attention of the federal government and other sections of the state.

This action apparently came about as a result of a meeting, which representatives from the City of Monrovia held with Holden in May. The city brought its concerns about implementing the requirements of the mandated stormwater runoff permit.

These requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit stem from the Federal Clean Water Act. Exactly what the permits require are determined by the Regional Water Quality Boards and the requirements of the Los Angeles Board are the most rigid of any in the state. The joint resolution cites, as one of its concerns, the fact that the state board was urging the other boards in the state to look to the Los Angeles Board’s requirements as an example.

Holden’s resolution calls upon the federal government “to provide greater financial support for local agencies, implementing a federal mandate to improve stormwater quality” by, among other things, “strengthening the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and creating new grant programs” to assist in paying for the mandates.

The resolution lists the dollar figure for compliance with the permits countywide to be in excess of $20 billion. The City of Monrovia has estimated its share of the construction costs for implementing the requirements to be $1.4 billion and this figure does not take into account the cost of maintaining and operating such a system.

Council Member Gloria Crudgington said that she was glad to see Holden had introduced the joint resolution, calling it an important first step. “We have reached out to several legislators and Holden has listened to our concerns.”

She said that one reason she was particularly pleased with the resolution was that it would bring the issue to the attention of those in government outside of Los Angeles County, “We have tried to bring this issue to the attention of other elected officials and they don’t seem to realize how important this is.”

She explained that most communities in the state were not subject to restrictions as severe as those in Los Angeles. She pointed out that this would not be the case for long. “The state board is urging other Regional Water Quality Boards to look to Los Angeles as an example. This will be happening to them too,” she said.

“One of the best things about this action is that it will make others aware of the situation,” Crudgington said. “It is a good first step.”

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