The UCLA Institute of the Environment has concluded conditions
in Southern California’s water quality and supply, marine
resources, and hazardous waste levels have improved, but had some
recommendations on environmental sustainability in its fourth
annual Southern California Environmental Report Card released
Wednesday.
The report provides scientific analysis that the institute hopes
will provide useful feedback to government agencies responsible for
enforcing environmental laws.
In the report, institute director Mary Nichols described the
report’s primary purpose as sharing the opinions of a select
group of UCLA environmental researchers with the general population
of Southern California. The report examines improvements like the
decline in leaks from underground fuel storage tanks and other
releases of hazardous wastes in groundwater.
It also addresses the problems that stem out of discrepancies
between state and local governments. These are problematic because
both forms of government often have difficulty finding common
ground or a uniform method to track compliance once a violation of
environmental policy occurs.
Additionally, the report includes a comprehensive look at the
kelp bed habitats in the Santa Monica bay, stating that those
habitats are continuing to recover. However, due to the lack of
systematic assessments of fish populations, the status of the bay
itself is unknown.
By looking at these different areas in the environment, authors
say the report is particularly useful because it presents
scientific data in a brief format that allows the general public
and policy makers to come up with solutions for environmental
protection.
Glen MacDonald, professor and chair of the geography department,
analyzed the water supply, concluding that although southern
California government agencies and the general public have taken
adequate water conservation measures, long-term planning is lacking
in the potential case of a severe drought.
It was MacDonald’s first year helping to compile the
report card, and although he has worked with the organization
before, he admitted experiencing some anxiety.
“Normally, as a researcher you publish in specialized
journals for academics who share that field of study, but this
report card is put out to a larger audience ““ it’s
different,” MacDonald said.
While the analysis plaudits the increased funding and public
support to improve the quality of waste water and storm water
runoff, it also states that educational efforts about the safety of
the water are lacking.
IOE, the sponsoring institute, was established to find
sustainable solutions to major environmental problems.
It is comprised of over 70 faculty members from various
disciplines including public policy, atmospheric science, and
business.
Michael Stenstrom, author of the water quality section and a
professor in the civil and environmental engineering department,
rewarded what he saw as commendable actions by the public, issuing
an “A” grade for supporting environmental
improvements.
Unfortunately, the public was given a failing grade for not
improving existing problems, such as litter.
Stenstrom awards the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Board
with an “A” grade for adopting far-reaching strategies
that are sustainable, and using newer, more scientific approaches
to regulation.
Efforts made by researchers of the report have been received
positively by various policy makers who consider the report’s
findings a showing of leadership, said officials with the Los
Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
“Urban storm water and runoff ““ the water that
rushes down our streets and gutters and into our storm channels
carrying bacterial and chemical freight to the ocean ““ is a
serious problem,” stressed Susan Cloke, chairwoman of the
board.
“The Board looks forward to continuing its leadership and
working in partnership (with the institute) to create a cleaner and
healthier environment in Southern California,” Cloke
added.