SoCal cities must implement state/federal stormwater runoff regulations

October 2006 - Storm-drain runoff is a major cause of water pollution at the beach and in other waterways. About 60 million people visit county beaches each year and urban runoff is the No. 1 source of water pollution, Beckman said.

A state appeals court has ruled that cities must follow the state's strict rules for storm-water runoff, despite the cities' claims that the standards are excessive.

In a recent decision, construction industry interests joined with the city of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles county. Heal the Bay and the NRDC sided with the California State Water Resources Control Board in the matter.

The justices' recent 3-0 decision rejected all but one of the cities' many claims, but does require the Regional Water Quality Control Board to perform some environmental review.

"This decision upholds the principle that results matter," said attorney David Beckman, who represented the National Resources Defense Council, which joined with the water agencies. "The success of the regulatory program needs to be measured in clean water at the beach."

Santa Clarita was among 32 cities in the county that appealed a lower court ruling issued in 2005 that favored state and regional water agencies. The case has been ongoing for years and may outlive the five-year permit it revolves around, which expires in December. A trial court will have to consider whether the environmental review still needs to be done. The decision will set a precedent.