LegAlert #97-15

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Urge Governor to Support Toxic Hot Spots Cleanup Extension
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California's bays are suffering from extreme pollution. Heavy
metals, pesticides, and toxic compounds are endangering wildlife
and contaminating fish and shellfish that are consumed by people.
The pollution results from agricultural runoff, oil refineries,
shipyards, sewage plants, and stormwater runoff, among other
sources.

In 1989, the Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program (BPTCP)
was enacted to identify and rank the most hazardous toxic hot spots
in California's bays, determine the sources of pollution and those
responsible, and develop and implement cleanup plans. The
program's funding sunsets at the end of 1997, but its goals have not
yet been achieved.

It is very important for California's regional water quality control
boards to finish the monitoring and source characterization needed
to complete the toxic hot spots cleanup plans. However, BPTCP
has been attacked by dischargers who want to avoid paying to clean
up the pollution they create. They argue that failure to complete
the program's provisions prove that the program is unworkable. In
fact, the program simply needs to be improved in order for it to
achieve its goals. Valuable monitoring data has already been
gathered, and it should now be utilized in the identification of
companies responsible for the contamination and the development
of cleanup plans. It would be irresponsible to end the program
while the state's bays remain contaminated.

** AB 1479 (Sweeney) ** AB 1479 would extend and restructure
BPTCP so that the program can finish the development of cleanup
plans and ensure that high priority sites are cleaned up. The bill
would transfer greater authority for cleanup to regional water
boards, require accountability from state agencies, and reduce the
influence of polluters on the program's advisory committee.
BPTCP is funded by fees collected from agencies and businesses
that discharge wastewater into the state's bays, and AB 1479 would
continue those fees.

AB 1479 is one of the final survivors among this year's legislative
flotilla of over 30 bills to protect coastal resources. It is the only
bill left that could have a substantial impact on coastal water quality
-- all the others are at risk for lack of funding. Because BPTCP is
funded by polluters, it costs the State nothing.

STATUS: So far this year, AB 1479 has passed the Assembly and
Senate Environmental Quality and Natural Resource Committees.
The bill is expected to easily pass the Senate Floor. The problem is
ensuring that Governor Wilson does not veto the bill. He is
currently undecided letters from constituents may be the
deciding factor.

ACTION NEEDED: Write a letter to Governor Wilson as soon as
possible urging him to support AB 1479. Emphasize that the bill is
an excellent way for the Governor to follow through on his promise
to protect the coast, especially since other coastal protection bills
have failed this year due to lack of funding.

Send your letters to:

Governor Pete Wilson
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-4633 fax

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