Letter: Don't Dump Debris in Cold Creek

Heal the Bay’s Stream Team has been working in the Santa Monica Mountains conducting water quality monitoring, restoration and stream surveys for over a decade.

During our recent visit to Cold Creek we were shocked and discouraged to see a massive amount of yard waste and other woody debris dumped off Piuma Road into the stream channel.  

When yard waste is left to decay within a creek it can lead to a variety of water quality impacts. The decomposition process consumes oxygen, which can lead to the suffocation of aquatic species. Also, during the decomposition process, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate are released, which can result to an unhealthy build up of algae.

Not only does dumping yard waste into a creek have a multitude of adverse affects on its water quality and biological communities, it is also illegal. You can help by spreading the word to your neighbors that the responsible way to dispose of yard waste is to put it in your green waste bin or bring it to a landfill facility that accepts green waste (the Calabasas landfill does).

If you witness dumping first hand, call the police. Also, write down a license plate number or get a picture and turn the violators in to the Regional Water Quality Control Board by calling 213-576-6600 and the California Department of Fish and Game by calling 1-888-DFG-CALTIP.

Kevin Jontz

Monitoring Specialist