On August 14, the OCTA Board of Directors allocated more than $3.1 million to 16 cities to improve water quality in Orange County.
Funding comes from Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. Measure M includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the county for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation.
After reviewing 24 applications from 21 cities, OCTA approved $3.1 million for 16 projects focused on removing visible pollutants from roads before they reach waterways. These projects include purchasing or upgrading screens, filters and inserts for catch basins, as well as other devices designed to remove pollutants such as litter and debris. Since the program began in 2011, more than 1 million cubic feet of trash have been captured as the result of these devices.
The following cities received funding: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Irvine, La Habra, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Orange, Placentia, Tustin, Villa Park and Yorba Linda.
During the past six years, the OCTA board has approved funding for 138 projects totaling approximately $17 million.