The area has been labeled by the city and the California Coastal Commission as an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area, or ESHA, and these chemicals could possibly be running off into the ocean.

Since the area in question is a state highway, legal jurisdiction, along with the highway’s safety and road maintenance belongs to Caltrans.

“Weed abatement is a county-wide problem,” said Ron Kosinski, the head of Environmental Planning for District 7 at Caltrans. “And whenever you talk about environmental impact, you must look at the long-term versus the short-term solution.”

Although the advantages and disadvantages of the uses of chemicals are usually taken into consideration, sometimes organizations such as Heal the Bay and Santa Monica Baykeeper have become involved to prevent contamination of the watersheds.

Dave White, Public Affairs officer for Caltrans said, “Overall Caltrans has vastly reduced its chemical usage Along Highway 23, we spray one time a year, four feet on either side of the highway.”

They also use all legal, EPA-approved herbicides, in low concentrations and refrain from spraying within 25 feet of creeks.

The chemicals are broad spectrum, pre-emergent herbicides that also bind to the soil and eventually break down, therefore shouldn’t flow into watersheds.

Opponents of chemical use still argue the dangers and the studies often conflict, but a simple solution to the problem could be a debate between the responsible authority and the concerned residents says Melinda Watts of the Regional Conservation District for the Santa Monica Mountains. She also added that the conservation district is working on solutions to chemical weed abatement in eco-sensitive areas throughout Malibu and public support from citizens will urge county officials to act.

Source: The Malibu Times