Pursuant to the provisions of the Clean Water Act, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Board has identified the sources of urban runoff and pollution, specified the various municipalities and their responsibilities during all phases of urban development, and directed those municipalities to develop and implement programs to manage, control, and minimize such runoff and pollution.

It's about time! As defined in the California Water Code, urban runoff contains pollutants that adversely impact water quality in the State of California. The degradation of our water constitutes a threat to our health and safety, and to our very quality of life.

Having served on the Laguna Niguel City Council from 1994 to 1998, one of my greatest regrets is that this directive was not in effect at that time. If it were, many of the onerous developments that were routinely rubber stamped by the Council would not have seen the light of day.

But since there were little or no concerns with urban runoff and its inevitable consequences on the part of developers and the City Council members who obediently did and continue to do their bidding, the proverbial chickens have come home to roost.

The residents of Orange County and the State of California are entitled to harbors and beaches free from contamination and the constant threat of closure. Those responsible for polluting our coastal waters must be held accountable for their actions. Since they will not clean up their act voluntarily, then this Board has the authority and the duty to compel them to do so.

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