The State - News from Nov. 23, 1988

Strict application of the Toxic Pits Act could force the shutdown of storm basins and sewer ponds all over California, the general manager of the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District said. The district has received a letter from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board that said levels of lead found five years ago in Fresno storm basin sediments could trigger the 1984 Toxic Pits Act, which was drafted to protect ground water drinking supplies from toxins. The board has asked the district to do further tests of its pond sediments. Doug Harrison of the flood control district called the Toxic Pits Act “poorly written” and said he would urge his district’s directors to pursue a legislative amendment to the act authored by Assemblyman Richard Katz, (D-Sepulveda).