Los Angeles Waterkeeper

TO FIGHT FOR THE HEALTH OF THE REGION'S WATERWAYS, AND FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLIES.

THE POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO THE ELIMINATION OF ONGOING POLLUTION OF THE LA REGION'S COASTAL, INLAND, AND GROUND WATERS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON REGULATORY AND LEGAL ENFORCEMENT AROUND URBAN AND STORMWATER RUNOFF, INCLUDING ENGAGING COMMUNITIES AND PARTNERS IN THESE EFFORTS, WHILE ALSO TRACKING OTHER SOURCES OF POLLUTION (SEWAGE SPILLS, INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES) TO ENSURE THERE IS NO BACKSLIDING OF GAINS ALREADY MADE. A HALLMARK EFFORT OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES THE COMMUNITY WATER WATCH WHICH OFFERS SAMPLING TRAINING TO VOLUNTEERS LIVING IN INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITIES THAT FACE HIGH POLLUTION BURDENS ACROSS LA COUNTY. THE WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS RESULTS SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S ADVOCACY CASES AND PARTNER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS' ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WORK. IN 2021, THE ORGANIZATION SETTLED NINE INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER CASES RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIVE HALTING OF POLLUTION TO LOCAL WATERWAYS.

THE HEALTHY HABITATS PROGRAM WORKS TO ACHIEVE ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND RESILIENCY FOR ALL THE REGION'S WATERS SO THEY CAN SUPPORT THE COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE THAT DEPEND ON THEM. THE ORGANIZATION DOES THIS THROUGH ITS MARINE AND WATERSHEDS PROGRAMS, WHICH SEEK TO REVITALIZE OUR COASTAL AND RIPARIAN HABITATS THROUGH RESEARCH, FIELDWORK, ENGAGEMENT WITH DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, BROAD-BASED COALITION BUILDING, AND REGULATORY AND LEGAL ENFORCEMENT AND ADVOCACY. THE HEART OF THE MARINE PROGRAM IS THE MARINE PROTECTED AREA WATCH (MPA WATCH). WITH MPA WATCH, THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS COASTAL WATER MONITORING TRIPS PROVIDING ON-THE- WATER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS. THIS COMMUNITY-SCIENCE SURVEY EXPERIENCE OFTEN INCLUDES WITNESSING SEA LIFE, INTERACTIONS WITH CARGO BARGES, TRASH FLOWS, AND ILLEGAL FISHING, WHICH SERVE AS EXPERIENTIAL REMINDERS OF HOW DRAMATICALLY HUMAN BEHAVIOR INFLUENCES THE PLANET. IN 2021, THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTED OVER 70 MPA WATCH TRIPS, BRINGING 574 VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALONG FOR THE EXPERIENCE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ENGAGES THE PUBLIC THROUGH BEACH AND RIVER CLEANUPS, AND AT COMMUNITY FAIRS, SCHOOLS, AND ECO CONFERENCES.

THE SYSTEMS CHANGE PROGRAM WORKS TO ENSURE LOCAL, LOW-CARBON, AND AFFORDABLE WATER SUPPLIES AND WATER-FRIENDLY LAND USE & ENERGY POLICIES BY HOLDING OUR ELECTED AND AGENCY OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE, PROMOTING A 4R (REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE AND RESTORE) APPROACH TO WATER SYSTEMS, AND PARTNERING WITH LIKEMINDED GROUPS PROMOTING WATER-FRIENDLY LAND-USE, TRANSPORTATION, AND ENERGY POLICIES. A HALLMARK ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS PROGRAM WAS THE ORGANIZATION'S ROLE IN STOPPING THE PLANNED WEST BASIN OCEAN DESALINATION PLANT FROM MOVING FORWARD. WE ALSO SAW NEARLY $200M ALLOCATED TO THE SAFE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM AND CHAMPIONED THE APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS TO THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT.