Santa Monica ranks California's most polluted beach
As temperatures rise across the Southland, droves of people will hit the beach in search of a reprieve — but you might want to think twice before taking a dip near one of the region's most famous landmarks.For the second year in a row, the area around the Santa Monica Pier was named one of California's dirtiest beaches by environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay.
The pier-adjacent beach came in at No. 2 this year due to persistent water quality issues, according to the organization's annual Beach Report Card.
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Los Angeles Times
31-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Santa Monica ranks California's most polluted beach
As temperatures rise across the Southland, droves of people will hit the beach in search of a reprieve — but you might want to think twice before taking a dip near one of the region's most famous the second year in a row, the area around the Santa Monica Pier was named one of California's dirtiest beaches by environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay. The pier-adjacent beach came in at No. 2 this year due to persistent water quality issues, according to the organization's annual Beach Report Card.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Wildfire Debris Washing Up On Los Angeles Beaches Causes Alarm
Environmentalists are raising concerns about wildfire debris that's washed up on Los Angeles beaches, saying they're skeptical of the county's assurances that the shoreline is safe for people. 'This is an unprecedented event, and we must wait for the results of additional testing before declaring our beaches safe,' environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay warned residents Wednesday, telling them to stay off the sand. The message comes a week after the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) said the debris ― charred matter from destroyed homes and businesses that washed into the oceans during January's massive fires ― is 'not hazardous to beachgoers or the environment' but that beachgoers should take steps to avoid large pieces of debris, as it 'may be unstable, have sharp edges or contain nails.' Those precautions should be stricter, Heal the Bay urged, saying it's learned that the county's determination 'is likely based on only two debris samples' 'These samples were collected to determine the disposal method required to remove the debris, not to determine if it is safe for people to be on the sand. It is alarming that DPH would make this proclamation based on only two data points,' the group said. DBH declined to comment when asked for its thoughts on Heal the Bay's concerns. The department said last week that it would be conducting more testing this week. January's dozen-plus fires in LA were some of the most destructive in state history. The vast majority of the damage was caused by the two biggest ones: the Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades. The blazes killed at least 29 people and destroyed 18,000 homes and other structures, potentially unleashing heavy metals and other harmful compounds into the environment. While the county has been removing large pieces of debris, it's not touching the 'dark, silty sediment' ― the matter that Heal the Bay says could be dangerous — saying 'removing it could harm the ecosystem by disturbing rocks, sand layers, and marine habitats. It could also erode the shoreline, potentially causing long-term environmental damage. Instead, natural tides and weather will gradually clear it away.' LA Mayor Ousts Fire Chief Over Response To Destructive Wildfire Trump's Mass Layoffs Raise Risk Of Wildfires In West, Warn Fired Workers Man Agrees To Plead Guilty For Flying Drone That Damaged Firefighting Aircraft In LA Wildfire
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Wildfire debris washes up on LA beaches after major rainstorm
Los Angeles county beaches are contending with the aftermath of recent wildfires and winter storms as debris from the Palisades fire and urban runoff are carried to the shoreline. After last week's major rainstorm, beaches in southern California have been littered with timber, twisted metals, construction materials and charred silt and sediment originating from the Palisades fire in January. That blaze, along with the Eaton fire, killed at least 29 people. The Los Angeles county department of beaches and harbors said last week that officials were monitoring beach conditions and ocean water quality. Maintenance crews were working to remove large pieces of debris from the shore, and the department advised beachgoers to avoid visible fire debris and stay out of the ocean water where advisories were posted. The department of public health lifted the ocean water quality rain advisory last week for all Los Angeles county beaches except those affected by fire. Beaches from Las Flores beach to Santa Monica state beach were still under advisory warnings. Just days after the fires began, winds carried ash and charred debris up to 100 miles (161km) offshore. Since then, wind and waves have spread the charred material along the county's coastline. 'The fires burn also through vegetations that normally will help stabilize soil,' said Tania Pineda-Enriquez, water-quality data and policy specialist at Heal the Bay, an environmental advocacy group. 'Without this natural barrier, all the ash and soil will be washed out into the waterways.' Beachgoers can still hang around the sand areas but should avoid water contact, especially near storm drains, creeks and rivers, since ocean water-quality testing results are still pending, according to the department of public health. Initial sediment testing at Will Rogers state beach and Topanga Beach shows that the charred silt and sediment are not hazardous to people or the environment, the department of beaches and harbors said. More testing is being conducted this week. The dark sediment, made up of fine ash mixed with sand, will not be removed to prevent further shoreline erosion and habitat destruction. 'Natural tides and weather will gradually break down and wash away the sediment, allowing the ecosystem to recover naturally,' reads a statement from the department of beaches and harbors. The concern about debris comes as Angelenos protest against the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to set up a hazardous waste sorting site in lower Topanga near the ocean. The site is meant to process materials like paint, solvents and lithium-ion batteries from wildfire-ravaged homes, but hundreds of protesters thus far have raised concerns over the risks to water quality, wildlife and Indigenous heritage.
