Funds go to 9 cities for 10 projects that will reduce transportation-related pollution in storm-water runoff
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week approved nearly $2.7 million to improve water quality in Orange County cities from San Clemente to Stanton.
The funds come from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax renewed by Orange County voters in 2006 for transportation improvements. Measure M, also known as OC Go, includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the County of Orange for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation.
“This is a great way to help protect Orange County’s natural resources while continuing to improve the way our residents move safely and efficiently,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Making these funds available to help protect our water quality demonstrates OCTA’s commitment to delivering on promises made through Measure M.”
The OCTA Board of Directors approved $2.7 million for 10 projects focused on removing litter and debris from roads before they reach waterways and the ocean. These projects include purchasing or upgrading screens, filters and inserts for catch basins, as well as other devices designed to remove pollutants.
The cities that received funding include: Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo (2 projects), Orange, Stanton and San Clemente.
The OCTA board has approved funding for 199 projects since the inception of this program in 2011, totaling more than $30 million. It is estimated that more than 33 million gallons of trash has since been captured as a result of the installation of these devices.
For more information on the Measure M water quality program, visit octa.net/water.
Attachment: A complete list of projects approved by the OCTA board is attached.
