Water districts sue EPA over clean water standards




   Two local water districts have filed suit in federal court seeking to block the new clean water standards imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Malibu Creek and Lagoon.
   The Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority, a joint venture of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and Triunfo Sanitation District, seeks injunctive relief from the EPA’s July 2 “total maximum daily load” requirements for the watershed.
   TMDLs are the maximum amount of a pollutant that the creek can receive and still meet water quality standards    
   The water districts say the TMDL mandate will hit the consumer with millions of dollars in compliance costs without assurance that the watershed would be significantly better off.
   “We are filing this action on behalf of the ratepayers who will ultimately bear the costs for facilities that would need to be built, yet may not accomplish meaningful water quality improvements,” said David Pedersen, Las Virgenes general manager.  
   “As written, the TMDL does not sufficiently recognize native conditions in the watershed and goes far beyond the scope and intent of the (U.S.) Clean Water Act,” Pedersen said.
   Native algae that chokes the creek’s oxygen supply and threatens the watershed ecology exists even without the introduction of growth-inducing fertilizers and other pollutants, Pedersen says.
   The filing cites numerous instances of inappropriate actions by the EPA in the course of formulating its TMDL document.
   Michael McReynolds, chairman of both the Triunfo district and the joint powers authority, said, “Since we could not reach agreement with the EPA on the process and science behind the regulations, we felt compelled to file a lawsuit.
   “In the absence of concrete evidence that the regulations will have the desired effect and in view of the unfair process, the lawsuit was the only course of action left at our disposal. When one considers the staggering costs to the community, it is imperative for sound science and proper process to be at the core of such a significant regulation.” McReynolds said.  
   In May, the EPA hosted a public meeting on the proposed TMDLs. Nearly 200 people attended, but the agency did not act on many of the concerns that were brought forth, the water agencies say.
   “We support the responsible environmental stewardship of the watershed, but we also believe that water quality goals must be attainable, cost-effective, and produce meaningful results,” said Charles Caspary, president of the Las Virgenes board.
   The Las Virgenes-Triunfo J.P.A. provides wastewater treatment, recycled water and composting services to 100,000 people in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, portions of Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, North Ranch and surrounding unincorporated areas of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
                                                                                                                                         —Acorn staff report



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *