New regulations — failing in Los Angeles despite a $300 million new tax — threatens to increase housing costs, bankrupt cities, and harm disadvantaged communities across the region.
An updated Beacon Economics analysis reveals that proposed stormwater requirements will impose an estimated $11 billion in costs on San Bernardino County and 16 of its cities over the next 20 years, unleashing a financial crisis that threatens to bankrupt cities, increase housing prices, gut public safety budgets, and disproportionately harm the region’s most vulnerable residents.
The Regional Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit overseen by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board regulates stormwater runoff from urban areas. The proposed permit revisions would require sweeping new compliance measures that cities and the county say are both financially unworkable and environmentally unproven.