TMDL Proposed for Trash in Malibu Creek

• Water Panel Seeks Comment on Need for Oversight

BY BILL KOENEKER

Public comments are currently being accepted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board on whether to incorporate a total maximum daily load requirement, more commonly known by its acronym TMDL, for trash in the Malibu Creek watershed.
The change would be considered an amendment to the water quality control plan for the Los Angeles Region.
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board last year adopted an amendment to the plan to incorporate a TMDL for trash in the entire 109 square mile watershed.
In RWQCB language, Malibu Creek is the receiving water body for urban and storm runoff from a network of storm drains, tributaries, creeks and lakes.
Malibu Creek and some of its tributaries, including Medea Creek, Lindero Creek and Las Virgenes Creek have been identified as impaired water bodies because of many factors, including not meeting water quality standards for trash as defined by the Clean Water Act.
Experts contend the trash comes from everywhere, including adjacent land areas, roadways and direct dumping. Point sources such as storm drains area are also considered sources of trash discharge into the Malibu Creek watershed.
Detailed information about TMDLs and their importance is available at: www.waterboards. ca.gov
A hearing date before the regional board on this matter has not yet been scheduled.
Comments can be emailed to: commentletters@waterboards. ca.gov