At cities from San Clemente to La Habra, OCTA is investing nearly $3.4 million in devices that protect waterways from pollutants.
The funds come from OC Go, the half-cent sales tax Orange County voters approved for transportation improvements. OC Go, also known as Measure M, includes an environmental cleanup program that awards funding on a competitive basis to cities and the County of Orange for projects that reduce the impacts of transportation-generated pollutants.
“While OCTA is focused on improving transportation to keep the people of Orange County moving safely and efficiently, these water-quality projects also show how we can take the lead on protecting our natural resources in the process,” said OCTA Chairman Gene Hernandez, also the mayor of Yorba Linda. “I’m proud of OCTA’s commitment to both goals.”
The 10 projects are designed to remove litter and debris from roads before reaching waterways and the ocean and include screens, filters and inserts for catch basins, as well as other devices designed to remove pollutants.
Since the program began in 2011, OCTA has funded 222 projects totaling more than $36 million. It is estimated that more than 60 million gallons of trash have been captured as a result of these devices. For more information about OCTA’s environmental cleanup program, visit here.