HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2016 Item 13, Hensley
San Luis Obispo COASTKEEPER®, a program of Environment in the Public Interest, is a trademark and service mark of Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc. and is license d
for use herein.
San Luis Obispo COASTKEEPER®
EPI-Center, 1013 Monterey Street, Suite 202 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone and Fax: 805-781-9932
Jan Marx, Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 February 16, 2016
Subject: February 16 City Council Agenda Item 13, 2015-16 Mid-Year Budget Review.
Mayor Marx and Honorable Council Members,
This evening your Council will hear Staff’s mid-year budget review for your review and possible update . The
San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, a program of Environment in the Public Interest, is organized to protect
swimmable, fishable, and drinkable water. As such, I have 2 comments to bring to your attention as you
consider Staff’s presentation,
1.Response to the lower Higuera Street Fire: SLO Coastkeeper monitored the creek as clean -up efforts went
forward as part of the City’s response to this unfortunate incident. We consider the effort of City Stormwater
Staff to affect a timely clean-up of the debris and contamination that reached the creek to be an excellent
example of how such unforeseen events are to be handled. Congratulations on protecting public trust resources.
Since 2012 our staff and volunteers have conducted regular observations of storm water issues throughout the
City and adjoining watershed. We have reported observed environmental harms to the City biologist on 2
occasions to SLOFD hazardous materials personnel. The response has been an exceptional demonstration of the
seriousness with which the City seeks to enforce the conditions of your MS4 permit.
However, we have also observed a complete lack storm water catchment/filtering of runoff discharged from
City parking lots, sidewalks, or streets (see attached example). As the multitude of sidewalk monuments point
out, any pollutants including sediment, oil & grease, organics, and trash caught in storm water are conveyed
directly to the creeks of the city. Therefore SLO Coastkeeper urges your Council to direct the allocate budget
resources to City storm water system improvements during the 2015 -17 Financial Plan cycle.
Respectfully submitted,
Gordon R. Hensley,
San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper
San Luis Obispo COASTKEEPER®, a program of Environment in the Public Interest, is a trademark and service mark of Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc. and is license d
for use herein.
Marsh Street Parking Structure. July 7, 2015