Marina del Rey Harbor Plan Approved

The State Water Resources Control Board recently approved an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region designed as a preliminary step to achieve water quality standards for a number of toxic pollutants in Marina del Rey Harbor.

The amendment, developed by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, is based on new data and information, including a statewide study showing that Marina del Rey Harbor has the worst copper pollution of any marina in California, with serious toxic effects on the harbor’s marine life.

The amendment addresses pollution of both the harbor water and sediment, and considers all pollution sources, including stormwater, historic activities, and boating-related sources.

“Marina del Rey is the world’s largest man-made small craft harbor, and is used by boaters, anglers, swimmers, paddle boarders and bird watchers,” said Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Board.

“This amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan is an important step to help improve the water quality in the harbor so that aquatic life is protected and the public can continue to enjoy those activities.”