Preventing Pollution
Preventing Pollution
A Healthier Environment for Healthier People
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Coastal Cleanup Day
Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual waterway and land cleanup held on the third Saturday of every September. It’s California’s largest volunteer event and brings community awareness to cleaning up our streets and protecting our marine environment.
San Mateo County Environmental Health Services coordinates the event in partnership with the California Coastal Commission, the Ocean Conservancy, and many Statewide and local partners (see below).
Cigarette Butt Litter Reduction Program
Thousands of cigarette butts get picked up in San Mateo County every Coastal Cleanup Day.
When butts are littered onto streets and sidewalks, they are easily washed, blown, or flicked down storm drains that lead straight into local creeks, the Bay, and the Pacific Ocean without any treatment. In addition to being unsightly, cigarette butts never disappear because they are made of plastic and do not biodegrade. They are toxic to marine and freshwater fish.
Fitzgerald ASBS Pollution Reduction Program
The ASBS is a Special Area Worth Protecting
The James V. Fitzgerald Area of Special Biological Significance (Fitzgerald ASBS) is located approximately 7 miles north of Half Moon Bay and extends from 4th Street, Montara south to the Pillar Point breakwater. The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (Reserve) is located within the boundary of the ASBS. The Reserve was created in 1969 to protect the mosaic of habitats and tremendous diversity of marine life that exists in the area.
- ASBS Final Project Report
- Appendix A: Pilot BMP Pre- and Post-Construction Photo Documentation
- Appendix B: Pilot Storm Drain BMP Summary Report
- Appendix C: MidCoast Storm Drain Inventory and Assessment Project Drainage Report
- Appendix D: Microbial Source Tracking Study
- Appendix E: Phase 2 Storm Drain BMPs Pre- and Post-Construction Photo Documentation
- Appendix F: Phase 2 Storm Drain BMP Summary Report
- Appendix G: Phase 2 Upland Private BMPs Final Report
- Appendix H: Education and Outreach Materials
- Appendix I: BMP Operation and Maintenance Plan
- Appendix J: Future Planning Report
- Appendix K: Assessment of County Policies and Programs Related to Water Quality
- Fitzgerald Special Edition Newsletter 2014
- Fitzgerald Special Editition Newsletter 2013
- Fitzgerald Special Edition Newsletter 2012
- Free Technical Assistance for Homeowners
- San Francisco Estuary Institute - Historical Ecology of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Critical Coastal Area
- Coastal Commission
- Fitzgerald Marine Reserve CCA Fact Sheet
- ASBS Special Protections
- Municipal Regional Permit
- California Ocean Plan
- Pilot BMPs
- Microbial Source tracking Sampling Locations
- California ASBS
- Phase 2 Storm Drain BMP Sites
- Take the Pledge Too
- Program Overview
- Monitoring BMP
- Bioswale and Rain Gardens
- Pervious Pavements
- LID Residential
- Graywater Talk
- LID for Small Projects
- Read more
Reusable Bag Ordinance – Suspended
REUSABLE BAG ORDINANCE EMERGENCY REGULATION OVERVIEW
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Mateo County has adopted an Emergency Regulation that suspends the requirement for retailers to charge for reusable bags or recycled content paper bags at point of sale. The Health Officer’s Order prohibits all bags brought in by customers.
- Recycled Paper Bag Suppliers
- San Mateo County Reusable Bag Ordinance Emergency Regulation
- Reusable Bag Ordinance Suspension Fact Sheet - English
- Reusable Bag Ordinance Suspension Sign - English
- Reusable 2.25 mil durable plastic bag suppliers
- Reusable Bag Ordinance Suspension Fact Sheet - Español
- Reusable Bag Ordinance Suspension Fact Sheet - 中文
- Reusable Bag Ordinance Suspension Sign - Español
- Reusable Bag Ordinance Suspension Sign - 中文
- Read more