Local environmentalists and surfers were at Surfrider Beach Thursday morning to rally in support of the proposed Civic Center Area septic system ban for Malibu. The proposal will go before the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento on Tuesday. The board’s staff has recommended approval.
Proponents say the ban is needed because septic systems are the main cause of pollution for the Malibu Lagoon and Creek as well as Surfrider Beach. Mark Gold, president of the water quality watchdog Heal the Bay, called Tuesday “the most important day in the history” of Surfrider Beach.
“We’re all here to basically say, ‘enough is enough,’” Gold said. “Eighteen years of broken promises in the City of Malibu for cleaning up Surfrider Beach and making it safer for surfing is 18 years too long.”
Malibu city officials are opposed to the plan and have proposed an alternative. They will be at the hearing on Tuesday. Gold and other proponents will also attend.