LACPW discusses Ballona Creek Trash Interceptor Pilot Project at virtual meeting
Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW), will bring a boat trash interceptor into Ballona Creek to clean it. The Interceptor is the first of its type in the U.S.
The Board of Supervisors approved a motion on March 19, 2019 directing LACPW that it take action to clean up Ballona Creek. Campaigns to assist with cleanup have been ongoing since then.
Cung Nguyen is a senior engineer at LACPW. He stated that despite all efforts by cities in upstream watersheds, trash continues to enter our system via storm drains and eventually into the Ballona Creek.
The Ocean Cleanup approached LACPW just as the motion was being passed to launch an interceptor, which is a trash collection device that is the first to ever be deployed anywhere in the U.S. The Ocean Cleanup is an international non-profit organization that develops technology to eliminate plastics from oceans. After conference calls and a visit to Los Angeles, Ballona Creek has been recommended as a suitable location for the Interceptor pilot project.
The Interceptor was officially implemented in Los Angeles County Flood Control District’s partnership agreement with The Ocean Cleanup on November 15, 2019. The construction of the Interceptor was delayed until April 2022 due to community concerns.
The Interceptor is designed to capture trash from Ballona Creek and prevent it from reaching the ocean. It will be situated downstream of Pacific Avenue Bridge, close to the Pacific Ocean By Playa del Rey. It measures approximately 74ft in length, 25ft wide and 18.5ft tall. Ballona Creek’s width can vary depending on the tides and seasonality.
Research from The Ocean Cleanup revealed that 80% of ocean plastic comes from 1,000 rivers. The Interceptors location can capture trash before it reaches Pacific Ocean. The device can also be automated and powered by solar panels. This reduces the pollution entering waterways. It will also be secured in its place using moorings.
How the Interceptor works
The interceptor is flooded with debris.
The boats barrier directs waste toward the mouth of interceptor.
A conveyor belt moves the waste to the six containers. The shuttle can determine when to evenly distribute the trash into each dumpster.
Once all the dumpsters have been filled, they will then be taken to the Marina del Rey Boat Harbor for trash collection. Operators can see the contents of the dumpsters because the boat is automatically controlled. Operators would receive a message if the Interceptor was full.
The LACPW panel also addressed concerns previously raised about the Interceptor. They focused on noise, lighting, and rodent/pest problems.
Noise
Mark Beltran is a civil engineer in Los Angeles County. He explained that the Interceptor makes very little noise due to its construction. Its conveyor belt, which is 60 to 70 decibels loudest, is equivalent to a normal speaking voice.
Beltran stated that the noise from the interceptor would have no impact because the existing noise in the area is more audible than any noise coming from it.
Odors
The Interceptor is aiming to eliminate plastic waste, so 75% of the waste it will collect is inorganic. Inorganic waste is less odorous than organic waste and doesn’t impact the livelihoods of communities. Beltran addressed the problem of odor by explaining how winds moving East/Northeast during the storm seasons (October to April), can help clear residents’ minds.
Lighting
The Interceptor’s navigation lights are white, as per U.S Coast Guard regulations. It also has downward-facing LED stripping on the canopy’s opening to prevent them from shining on water surfaces.
Rodents/Pests
The Interceptor will be in the middle of water so there won’t be any signs that rodents are present. Flies could be present, most likely on the Interceptor.
Construction of the Interceptor is expected to begin in October and will continue until September. The pilot project will begin in October and run until April 2024. The boat will collect trash. The pilot project will be evaluated and permitted by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), if it is successful.
The Interceptor must meet the following minimum criteria: It must be safe, efficient, and economical. If the project is successful, it can improve Santa Monica Bay’s water quality as well as provide efficient operations at Ballona Creek. The Interceptor will also raise awareness about trash in Los Angeles County and promote pollution prevention efforts.
Tiffany Chang, a civil engineer in Los Angeles County, stated that keeping public beaches clean is of paramount importance to them. The pilot project will educate the community about trash in LA County waterways. It will also provide an opportunity for us to preserve the quality of life for the community and protect the marine environment.
The Interceptor has already been supported by students, locals, and environmental groups. The LA County Flood Control District funds it. LACPW has also done outreach for Mar Vista Farmers Markets, Mar Vista Community Centers, Mar Vista Branch Library, and county libraries in Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey. LACPW also visited groups and hung flyers along Pacific Avenue Bridge.
Visit this site to learn more about the project. pw.lacounty.gov/swp/ballonacreek
