Los Angeles is getting serious about runoff. An ordinance just approved by the city’s Department of Public Works would require new developments and some redevelopment projects to capture runoff for reuse or infiltration or to pay a mitigation fee.
Much of the Los Angeles area is known for its huge, open concrete-lined storm channels. You’ve seen them in chase scenes from Hollywood movies, if nothing else—remember Terminator 2? If the ordinance passes, the city will begin moving away from the need for drainage ditches so large that a semi truck can easily navigate them.
Under the proposed ordinance, covered projects would need to capture 100% of runoff from a ¾-inch storm. Those that do not would pay a fee—currently proposed at $13 per gallon of runoff that leaves the site, down from an earlier proposal of $20 per gallon. Low-impact development techniques could be used to infiltrate stormwater onsite; the fee would help to fund larger public LID efforts, such as bioswales and porous pavement in public spaces.
If implemented, the ordinance could stop more than 100 million gallons of storm runoff from reaching the ocean, its supporters say. They’d like to see it in place by 2011. There is concern, though, about whether it can actually be implemented, especially on sites with less-permeable soils. The Building Industry Association is asking for more flexibility depending on site conditions, as well as a lower per-gallon fee.
Although the ordinance has been approved by the Department of Public Works, it must be approved by reviewed by various city council committees before being voted on by the city council and approved by the mayor.
