Date: October 18, 2000	Contact: Darren Pudgil
	tel: (619) 531-5894

SUPERVISORS ACT TO CLEAN UP BEACHES AND BAYS
Roberts, Cox Convene Regional Clean Water Conference

In a move aimed at building regional cooperation to end coastal pollution, Supervisors Ron Roberts
and Greg Cox today convened a regional Clean Water conference. Elected officials, scientific experts
and other stakeholders met in a strong show of Countywide support for addressing the water quality
issues for our coastline resulting from sewage spills and urban runoff.

"Tragically, beach closures have become an all too familiar occurrence in San Diego County," said Roberts. "Sewage spills and increasing urban run-off have diminished our ability to enjoy our beaches, and have taken a hefty environmental toll. If we are going to succeed in cleaning up our beaches and bays, it's going to require a true region-wide partnership."

"No one wants to face the ugly truth about our beautiful beaches," stated Supervisor Greg Cox whose district includes Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach and other coastal communities seriously impacted by beach closures this year. "We are here today to begin to seriously address coastal pollution cooperatively and comprehensively as a region, since pollution knows no governmental boundaries."

San Diego County suffered 141 reported cases of contamination at area beaches in 1999. We had unsafe water at our beaches for 249 days, or more than 68% of the year, which means that a family who wanted a 3-day weekend at the beach was likely to have been met with unsafe water for 2 of those 3 days.

Sewage spills and urban runoff are the main culprits in beach contamination. Informal and inadequate prevention measures make water pollution a region-wide problem. San Diego County residents all contribute to coastal pollution through the everyday use of our cars, homes, and businesses. This means that every citizen in the region has a stake in improving our coastal water quality. Supervisor Greg Cox and Vice Chairman Ron Roberts plan to continue the regional process of support and cooperation in developing a specific plan with real solutions. The Regional Clean Water Strategic Plan will be brought before the Board of Supervisors on or before June 30, 2001.