Political Implications of a New Sewer System

Since the mid1960s, there has been a serious debate about whether a new and expensive sewer system should be built for the Southern California area of Malibu. Los Angeles County, in fact, had tried to force a costly sewer system on the residents of Malibu for at least twentyone years. This issue is not simply about an expensive new sewer system. Instead, it has further ramifications in rights of citizens, environmental concerns, and broken promises from county officials. Moreover, the debate and interest expressed by the citizens of Malibu brought together divergent interests and raised several issues for the area that would have vital impact on the future of the beach community.

However, in January, 1989, Los Angeles County supervisors approved a $43million sewer system for the area.1 This, according to the supervisors and despite vehement debate and argument from the residents, attempts to help balance the population influx into the area, an increase in recreation and tourism for the entire region, and the replacement of what many consider to be an outdated public utilities system.2

The situation regarding the sewer system has been through a rather long and complicated series of public and private arguments, especially in the period 1986 to 1989. On October 22, 1987 the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors set public hearings on the project. Although there had been several alternative proposals discussed, most that would not disrupt the city for the proposed year

Related Essays

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN YORK CITY .... agencies, there are both local political leaders and .... Thus, those who are constructing .... units are .... work together to understand the policy implications of each .... (5154 21 )

Modernity and Urban Life .... cultural symbol of moral disintegration and political disorder .... Paris would appear to have moral implications for the .... hotels and condos of the .... and Improved .... (2577 10 )

s been a serious health threat in the Malibu area, arising from improper septic tank installation or maintenance. It cited a 45.5 percent septic tank failure rate, yet the documented failures for 1987 were no larger than 3 percent per year.22 Supervisor Dana believed that public health was the primary issue, and that the sewer system was a natural part of community growth. "People move to an area, more people follow them, when it reaches a certain point, you put in sewers. It's a very normal process."23 Dana also cited damage from 1980 to 1984 as a severe problem exposing the residents to biological hazards. On some occasions, he noted, county inspectors have discovered water in the area contaminated with fecal material.24 This was echoed by the Los Angeles Director of Public Works who concluded that he considered "the need for sanitary sewers critical in [that] area."25 Malibu residents, however, were dubious about the health threat. In fact, Malibu Town Council Leon Cooper cautioned the citizen's committee not to use the term "health hazard" unless it was conclusively proven that one existed a fact never confirmed by environmental researchers.26 By giving a local Malibu committee the task of designing alternatives to

Category: Government - P