(August 17, 2008) -- On August 15, the Ports of LB/L.A. issued a joint release, stating that in cooperation with the U.S. EPA and other regulatory agencies, they're "expanding their water quality programs with the development of a coordinated Water Resources Action Plan (WRAP), a comprehensive effort to target remaining water and sediment pollution sources in the San Pedro Bay."

The Ports say they'll launch their plan with a public meeting -- Sept. 17, 1 p.m. -- in the L.A. Harbor Commission's Hearing Room (425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro). "Stakeholders will be invited to play a role in the development of the WRAP," the release says.

The Ports' announcement comes as the Port of LB is poised to consider an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and associated approvals for a major reconfiguration and capacity expansion of its middle harbor...and simultaneous increased attention to downtown LB water quality.

Poor downtown water quality is frequently blamed on the L.A. River, which carries pollutants from multiple upstream communities that currently enter upstream storm drains largely unregulated. Rules to curtail the polluted runoff have been blocked in court by upriver cities...and the combined toxic and garbage laden spew continues to land in LB.

The Ports' release states in part:

While water quality at the two ports has improved dramatically in the decades since the passage in 1972 of the U.S. Clean Water Act, the ports have determined that better regional coordination will build upon existing programs and further improve water quality. The development of the Water Resources Action Plan will bring together multiple stakeholders to systematically identify sources and types of residual water and sediment pollution, and coordinate effective cleanup strategies.

"We've made terrific progress in cleaning the air through a collaborative approach, so it was only natural that we'd also take the same approach in working together to improve the quality of water in San Pedro Bay," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.

"The Port of Long Beach is very proud of its successful clean water programs," said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. "This additional program will provide a framework through which we can work with regulatory agencies, our neighboring port and other partners to ensure that water quality continues to improve in the harbor."

The water and sediment quality in San Pedro Bay has improved greatly over the last 40 years through increased monitoring, more aggressive regulation by state and federal agencies, better pollution source control and dredging that has removed accumulated contaminants in harbor sediment. However, the ports face ongoing challenges from contaminants that remain in port sediments, flow into the harbor from port land, and flow from upstream sources in the watersheds, well beyond the ports' boundaries.

Environmental experts from the two ports are working closely with federal and state officials to develop measures that will further minimize landside and waterside sources of pollutants in the San Pedro Bay. The WRAP will incorporate these new programs while continuing the many clean-water initiatives already under way at both ports. The ports will incorporate input from multiple stakeholders during development of the WRAP.

In recent months, a number of proposals (often not to the Port of LB's liking) have been floated to deal with water quality: