>> Take Action Now to Stop Ocean Desal in the South Bay
>> Back on the Water: Join the MPA Watch Crew
>> LAW Joins County Committee on LA River Master Plan Update
>> Safer, Greener LA Streets: A Case Study Along Ballona Creek
NoDesal
Take Action Now to Stop a Massive Ocean Desal Plant from Coming to our Coast!

On March 27, West Basin Municipal Water District released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for their proposed 20-60 million gallons per day ocean desalination facility in the South Bay. So... what do we do now?
  • Attend public workshops held by West Basin.
  • Submit your own comments on the EIR by Friday, May 25.
  • Endorse our Smarter Water principles as an individual or an organization.
Now is the time to showcase widespread opposition.
The proposed ocean desal plant is an awful idea. West Basin should pursue cost-effective, energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly local water supply options before even considering ocean desal.  Please consider  signing on  today.
MPAWatch
Back on the Water
Join the MPA Watch Crew!

With a fresh coat of non-toxic, non-polluting bottom paint, the Waterkeeper boat is back, safeguarding our local Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)!

Marine Programs Director Michael Quill leads our MPA Watch Boat-Based Surveys every week, all year round. The trips fill up fast, so check out our calendar and contact him today if you want to join the crew!

Not sure about MPA Watch? The folks at Kona Brewing Company had a great time with us. Perhaps their video will sway you. Check out the Kona Brew Crew!
LARiver
Let's Ensure the LA River Master Plan Enhances Watershed and Community Health
by Melissa von Mayrhauser

LAW has joined as a member of the Los Angeles County River  Master Plan  Update Steering Committee, and we plan to advocate for a revised master plan that will restore the Los Angeles River in a forward-thinking way that connects watershed and community health.

A lot of political momentum has been stirring around river revitalization since the last County River Master Plan was released in 1996, but many of the planning processes thus far have revolved around the beautification of the river channel and development of riverfront areas.

While we are excited about the increased focus on the river's place in our lives, let us be clear - fragmented and superficial changes that simply beautify concrete and promote development do not constitute river restoration or revitalization, and they may in fact foreclose future benefits for the community and the river and preclude more holistic, long-term planning.
Earth Day is Coming!
Keep an eye on our calendar for Earth Month events! CleanWaterAgenda
Clean Water Agenda for CA's Next Governor

California has some of the strongest clean water laws on the books. And yet we have a serious and growing pollution problem. Too many of our waterways remain polluted with trash, toxic runoff, and heavy metals, putting our drinking water supplies, favorite swimming holes, and fish and wildlife at risk.
 
With the Trump administration rolling back federal clean water protections, it is critical that we have strong leadership in Sacramento. That is why California Waterkeepers are working to elevate water as a priority issue in the 2018 gubernatorial election.
 
California Coastkeeper Alliance has developed a Clean Water Agenda for the Next Governor of California, providing a roadmap of activities the next governor should undertake to ensure swimmable, fishable, and drinkable water for all Californians. 

The Clean Water Agenda is part of a broader campaign we launched this spring to address California's pollution problem. Called the Clean Water Accountability Project, it aims to strengthen the State and Regional Water Boards, the agencies tasked with managing California's most precious resource. Our ultimate goal is that California becomes a leader on clean water in the way the state has led on climate change and other issues. Stay tuned for more news about clean water accountability!GreenStreets
If approved by voters, Prop 68 will make far reaching investments in California's land and water resources and represent the single largest investment in parks and water for underserved communities in California's history.

LA Waterkeeper supports Prop 69 and urges voters to learn more here & vote yes on June 5! 
Safer, Greener LA Streets: A Case Study Along Ballona Creek
by Hannah Sands

On a bright, sunny February day in the neighborhood of Del Rey, community members, politicians, environmental activists, and students all came together to celebrate a joyous event. It was the ribbon cutting of Milton Green Street, a project upstream from the Ballona Wetlands, parallel to Milton Street Linear Park, and across the street from Marina Del Rey Middle School.

Photo courtesy of Joe Linton/StreetsblogLA

Milton Green Street will improve water quality in Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay by capturing and infiltrating stormwater run-off. Curb cuts--where a piece of concrete is replaced with plants or mulch--naturally absorb stormwater instead of allowing it to pick up pollutants from the street and flow into creeks, rivers, and the ocean.

Plus, the project can help increase our local water supply...