Those of us who live in the South Bay are incredibly fortunate to live near some of the cleanest beaches in Southern California. In terms of water quality, our waters regularly ace dry weather tests and it is rare that bacteria/pollutant tests don't earn an A+ score. Much of this is due to the amazing efforts by Heal the Bay who, since 1985, have been fighting to keep the Santa Monica Bay safe, healthy and clean. It is a little bit more of a struggle to keep the northern beaches in the bay above average in their water quality, but South Bay residents have really partnered with Heal the Bay to keep our slice of ocean heaven as pristine as possible.
Long time residents may recall that the group's first big victory was getting a judge to order the Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant to stop dumping incompletely treated sewage in the bay. Now, there is 90% less sewage entering our waters. In 1990, they created a Beach Report Card that is a local analysis of bacteria levels at L.A. area beaches that serves as a guide to let swimmers know if it is OK to get in the water. They have organized massive beach cleanups through Coastal Cleanup Day and Nothin' But Sand, and they were instrumental in the plastic bag ban that lead to Manhattan Beach being one of the first cities in California to ban them.
Although the focus of Heal the Bay spans from Malibu down to Palos Verdes, just 25% of Heal the Bay’s 15,000 members live in the South Bay. That may change now that Manhattan Beach resident Don Kinsey has recently been chosen to serve as the first chairman of Heal the Bay to hail from the South Bay. One of his goals is to raise local awareness and participation in the group. This is an especially important goal due to the proposed Hermosa Beach slant-drilling oil operation proposal coming before Hermosa voters later this year.
Long time residents may recall that the group's first big victory was getting a judge to order the Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant to stop dumping incompletely treated sewage in the bay. Now, there is 90% less sewage entering our waters. In 1990, they created a Beach Report Card that is a local analysis of bacteria levels at L.A. area beaches that serves as a guide to let swimmers know if it is OK to get in the water. They have organized massive beach cleanups through Coastal Cleanup Day and Nothin' But Sand, and they were instrumental in the plastic bag ban that lead to Manhattan Beach being one of the first cities in California to ban them.
Although the focus of Heal the Bay spans from Malibu down to Palos Verdes, just 25% of Heal the Bay’s 15,000 members live in the South Bay. That may change now that Manhattan Beach resident Don Kinsey has recently been chosen to serve as the first chairman of Heal the Bay to hail from the South Bay. One of his goals is to raise local awareness and participation in the group. This is an especially important goal due to the proposed Hermosa Beach slant-drilling oil operation proposal coming before Hermosa voters later this year.
No matter what challenges we may still face in the future regarding our treasured South Bay beaches and waters, I think we all owe a big debt of gratitude to the amazing work Heal the Bay has done to revitalize the Santa Monica Bay and their continuing work on our behalf to keep it clean and safe.
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