October 8, 2007

In response to the impacts of red tides in the harbor and highly-publicized “F” grades in water quality from the environmental group Heal the Bay, Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin and the city council enlisted residents, business owners, and other stakeholders in a “Water Quality Task Force.” The mission of this empowered volunteer group was to study ocean water quality issues and recommend a plan to improve the quality of water in and around our harbor and beaches.

The Water Quality Task Force (WQTF) quickly settled on five main objectives ranging from short to long term: development of an action plan to solve immediate water quality concerns; development of a long-term “Clean Harbor” plan; development of a community outreach and public education program; research of funding opportunities; and implementation of a long-term harbor volunteer program to deal with emergencies such as red tides.

The city took the role of facilitator, encouraging WQTF to seek education and opportunities by following each and every lead and idea. For example, water quality recommendations discussed by the students involved in the 2006 Chamber of Commerce “Leader for a Day” program were reviewed by WQTF and incorporated into the final Task Force report. Researchers and specialists were invited to make presentations to WQTF, where an open and candid dialogue was encouraged. Educational and informational input from multiple agencies and foundations, including the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission and the Algalita Foundation, proved invaluable. Cutting edge water quality testing procedures were considered and included in the recommendations.

During their research and exploration of the very complex issues of ocean water contamination and its causes, the Task Force formed an alliance with scientists from the University of Southern California and a cooperative network with surrounding coastal cities. WQTF’s outreach efforts to the scientific and academic communities, as well as state and regional agencies, has already resulted in innovative pilot programs and grant funding for water quality projects.

“Forming the Water Quality Task Force opened doors we would not have known about, and helped us form regional alliances,” said Council Member Chris Cagle. Gin agreed. “It helped us engage a level of expertise from the academic and environmental community that is now resulting in direct benefits to the city in the form of research and innovative solutions,” said the mayor.

WQTF’s recommendations were compiled in a 114-page report in July 2006. The recommendations, including 33 projects ranging from education to enforcement and harbor equipment purchases to formation of emergency response teams, now form the basis of the city’s Water Quality Strategic Plan for 2007 and the future.

Spring, 2007 brought the installation of a water quality testing pilot project and an exciting in-kind collaborative partnership. University of Southern California Environmental Professor David Caron and his team of graduate students installed pioneering monitoring buoys that represent the city’s first line of defense in alerting the city of the incoming presence of a red tide. The Los Angeles County Sanitation District issued $325,000 of in-kind services grant funding for DNA testing, research, and equipment.

In June, 2007, Gin, Cagle and staff presented WQTF as a model for community engagement at the “Transforming Local Government” Conference in Seattle. The presentation highlighted how, with dedicated leaders (as facilitators), a specific timeframe and an openness to ideas, difficult community issues can be vetted and explored, resulting in a plan of action and an informed and supportive community.

As a result of WQTF, the city is now known in the region for its environmental leadership. The Task Force model is being applied to other tough issues in Redondo Beach to ensure community ownership, education and involvement in solutions. By enlisting the help of residents, businesses, youth, educational institutions, and scientific and technological groups, the city hopes to once again facilitate innovation well beyond its own resources and foster a greater understanding and ownership of issues by all those whose lives and livelihoods are affected.

The lessons learned in Redondo Beach can have broad application in virtually any community. They include:

• Involving the youth of your community, educational institutions, scientific and technological groups in an open forum as partners and collaborators helps local governments achieve innovative solutions that extend far beyond the abilities of local government resources.

• A philosophy of openness and transparency brings greater understanding and broader ownership and accountability for community problems. This requires the government leaders to take an active role as facilitators instead of problem solvers.

• Creating a task force with clear objectives to be achieved within a limited timeframe is a good way to bring positive, productive focus and attention to difficult community issues.

For more information on the Water Quality Task Force, please visit the city’s website at www.redondo.org/waterquality