Proposed State Water Board Rules Could Capsize California School Districts
At a time when schools and other public service providers are coping with major funding cuts and next year’s budget remains uncertain, yet another threat looms on the horizon — this one courtesy of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The agency is proceeding with a rule-making that would cost school districts, cities, counties and small businesses hundreds of millions of dollars without first conducting a thorough analysis of its water quality benefits, its costs and whether there are less costly alternative strategies.
We need to continue improving water quality in California, but we need to proceed intelligently to ensure that regulations provide measurable environmental benefits and that we clearly understand their costs before approving them, and carefully consider any additional costs imposed during this difficult economic time.
That’s why the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) — representing 500 school districts serving 92% of California’s school children — has joined with the WATER Coalition (Workable Approach to Environmental Regulation) in opposition to SWRCB’s newest proposal to regulate storm water runoff.