Malibu, Calif., Answers NRDC Beach Report's Call to Action

The Natural Resources Defense Council has released its annual survey of water quality at U.S. beaches called "Testing the Waters 2009."In addition to reporting 2008 beach closure and advisory days, the report stated "the best way to protect swimmers from beachwater pollution is to prevent it. Federal, state and local government can make this a priority by requiring better controls on storm water and sewage--the two largest known sources of beachwater pollution."The city of Malibu, Calif.'s, much-anticipated $50-million Legacy Park Project is an important example of how local governments are working diligently to reduce pollution and clean local beaches. The project will transform 17 acres in the heart of Malibu into a central park that will serve as an environmental cleaning machine, capturing, cleaning and disinfecting up to 2.6 million gal of storm water and urban runoff that flow from the surrounding watershed. The park's state-of-the-art design will reduce pollution and improve water quality in Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon and the world-famous Surfrider Beach."The city of Malibu has spearheaded one of the most ambitious and innovative storm water projects in California, demonstrating our commitment to reducing pollution and improving ocean water quality," said Andy Stern, mayor of the city of Malibu. "We are proud to be advancing a project that will help protect our Malibu families and tourists from around the world when they visit our local beaches."The Legacy Park Project has undergone a comprehensive environmental permitting and design process, which included extensive public review and participation. The project's design team included some of California's most respected engineering, storm water, wastewater and environmental restoration experts. Construction is anticipated to begin within the next few months.In addition to this storm water runoff project, the city is preparing plans for a centralized wastewater system for its Civic Center area, authorizing $2.6 million in January 2009 for design and engineering.