Clean It Up, Now

The problem is ugly and obvious: floating cups, newspapers, plastic bags and other trash in the waters of Playa del Rey. Much of the rubbish finds its way to Santa Monica Bay via storm drains from streets and commercial facilities. It jeopardizes marine life and the health of swimmers and compromises our tourism-dependent economy. And its continued presence in the bay means this region will be unable to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.

Outright dumping of sewage and toxic waste has largely been eliminated through enforcement of federal law. On a national scale, what remains is a formidable environmental challenge: controlling the debris and contaminants that drain into rivers, lakes and bays from farms, highways, yards, businesses and alleys.

The local problem is far bigger than the Santa Monica Bay. Orange County beaches were closed for 125 days in 1994, double the previous year’s figure, according to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Solutions are controversial; they usually involve plans for close monitoring by regulators and programs to change the behavior of individuals. Proposals under discussion for Santa Monica Bay, for example, include limiting the hosing of streets and sidewalks and requiring businesses to regularly sweep their parking lots.

Cities seem headed in the wrong direction. Many of the 85 Los Angeles-area municipalities that had been working toward a common plan to control bay runoff are now balking. Moreover, the consensus and cooperation that once guided their efforts have disintegrated; by summer, the plan, which must be accepted by state regulators, will be a year overdue.

The bickering should end. Cities that have walked away from countywide negotiations should return to the table. State and county officials should encourage them. Meanwhile, neighborhood associations, business groups and local chambers of commerce need not wait. They should set up programs to voluntarily clear storm drains, monitor businesses and educate the public. Clean it up.