On March 22, the Building Industry Association of San Diego County (BIA) and the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) filed an appeal with the State Water Resources Control Board, challenging the newly adopted Municipal Storm Water permit. In response, Environmental Health Coalition joined other members of the San Diego Bay Council, a coalition of the region’s leading clean water advocacy groups, and issued a challenge to two industry associations to withdraw their appeal and work cooperatively with municipalities and the public to develop a strong program for water quality protection.
"It is significant to note that none of the 20 co-permittees that will be directly regulated by this permit joined the appeal, despite repeated requests from the industry associations. Our municipalities are to be strongly commended for taking such a positive and cooperative attitude," said Laura Hunter, Director of EHC’s Clean Bay Campaign. "It is too bad that the BIA and WSPA are fighting this much needed permit in order to retain the right to continue degrading our bays and beaches. This is simply not acceptable."
According to both the State Water Resources Control Board and the Resources Agency, nonpoint source pollution - runoff that flows untreated into our storm drains - is the most significant source of pollution for the State’s beaches and coastal waters. The storm water permit, adopted by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board in February, after 5 years of negotiation and delay, regulates urban runoff from the region’s 18 cities, the County of San Diego and the San Diego Unified Port District.
EHC wishes again to congratulate the twenty co-permittees for their willingness to work cooperatively with the Board and public to bring about a change for cleaner waters. The industry appeal is expected to be heard by the State Board later this year. EHC will be part of the united front to uphold the permit and will bring you updates in future issues of the Toxinformer.