Are we really expected to accept the notion that Malibu attracts lawsuits because it is a “sexy target?” C’mon now. What do you take us as, apathetic, disaffected lemmings?
I do accept that the city isn’t entirely to blame for the poor water quality that affects Malibu beaches, however, I do abide by the same notion as the National Resources Defense Council, Santa Monica Baykeeper, Heal the Bay and Surfrider that coastal cities should be held to a higher standard and accept the added responsibility imparted upon them to remain stewards of the ocean and beaches. We are all entitled to clean water.
That means proactive public policy, including sewers, not septic for wastewater, stringent and enforceable legislation regarding single use bags, residential water use, pesticides, etc. The list goes on. Our city has accepted some of these responsibilities and proposed policies that certainly move us in the right direction but there’s room for improvement. Which takes me to my next position-we residents have to accept the same amount of responsibility as our elected officials and step up to the plate.
We can’t expect the council to do things for us that we can and should do for ourselves and our community as a whole. We need to police our neighbors and visitors who contribute to the poor environmental quality that affects us all.
When you see trash on the beach or street, pick it up. If you see someone littering, approach him or her to clean it up.
The mess doesn’t just come from our residents but on the contrary, visitors who don’t respect our home, or theirs for that matter, and think of the earth as their ashtray and trash can are frequent sources.
Maybe it’s time to limit free public access to the beaches and start charging everyone everywhere to assist with the cleanup necessary. If you don’t respect it and act responsibly at the beach, well then you lose your privilege to access the beach.
And it is a privilege.
Robert Pousman