Personal Responsibility for Pollution Protection

Re “Wider Bid for Clean Beaches,” editorial, Aug. 9: Since the earth was parted from the seas there has been the cycle of storm water runoff bringing land-based debris to the ocean. But the man-made phenomenon of urban runoff is composed of “oil, animal waste, pesticides and other pollutants,” which leads to beach closures, especially after storm events.

Cities and counties, the owners of the storm-drain systems, are in the best position to try to intercept what society allows to run off. But instead of placing all the responsibility and cost on local government, why not require the producers and consumers of these products to help pay the freight? If the bottle bill (redemption funds for recycled cans and bottles) is a good thing to help conserve landfill space, why not add an increment to the cost of a quart of oil, a carton of pesticide or fertilizer, pet food, an automobile (brake-shoe dust, tire dust, oil), or even fast food (cups and wrappers)? Local government can implement programs and technical solutions to help.

Neil Miller

Redondo Beach