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U.S. EPA, California Coastal Commission, Heal the Bay, help cleanup Compton Creek

Release Date: 09/14/2006
Contact Information: Mark Merchant, 415-947-4297

(09/14/06 - LOS ANGELES) To observe National Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will join others in the Compton Creek Cleanup Day sponsored by the environmental group, Heal The Bay, in partnership with the California Coastal Commission,
Compton Creek is a 42 square-mile tributary to the Los Angeles River for which trash has become a major cause of water quality impairment. Under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. EPA and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board worked closely to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) – or pollution control plans – for waterways impaired by trash such as Ballona Creek, the Los Angeles River and its tributaries.
Compton Creek is located in a densely urbanized area, composed of small single family homes and areas of commercial and industrial facilities. The clean up event will extend all the way to the Los Angeles River.
“We are focusing today on Compton Creek to call attention to the problem of trash in our Los Angeles waterways. We are committed to working with residents, with community groups, local and State agencies to solve this problem, and by so doing, protect our beaches and coastal environment,” said Alexis Strauss, director of EPA’s water division, Pacific Southwest Region.

For more information on the event, please contact:
Heal the Bay - Leila Hamden, L.A. County coordinator
• 800 HEAL BAY, x155