EPA Seeks Input on Malibu Creek TDML

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it is soliciting public comments on the draft Total Maximum Daily Loads for Malibu Creek and Lagoon.

The issue of human waste versus naturally occurring nutrients/pollutants have recently taken center stage during debates about Malibu Creek and the Malibu Lagoon.

“Malibu Creek and Lagoon are on California’s list of polluted waters for the following impairments: sedimentation and benthic

community impacts,” the press release states. “In this TMDL, EPA also re-evaluated the 2003 EPA Established Malibu

“Creek Nutrient TMDL based on new information in the Watershed for nutrient data collected since 2003. Based on the new detailed data and analysis, EPA is proposing to revise the total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentration based allocations. Furthermore, USEPA is inviting comments on an alternative option to specifically address total phosphorus concentrations for areas draining the Modelo/Monterey formation in the watershed.”

The Modelo/Monterey formation extends throughout much of Malibu-from Malibu Canyon to Point Dume, and contains high levels of naturally occurring phosphorus, which  impact water quality, according to recent studies.

The proposed TMDLs and Appendices are available on EPA’s website: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/tmdl/progress.html

Copies of the revised draft TMDLs are also available for public review at the Los Angeles Regional  Water Quality Control Board, EPA Region IX Offices in San Francisco, the EPA Southern California Field Office.

Comments for the record must be submitted in writing on or before January 23, 2013, 5pm, to: 213-244-1803,  lin.cindy@epa.gov, or Cindy Lin (WTR-2), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Southern California Field Office, 600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1460, Los Angeles, CA 90017.