The following appears in a box on page 42 of the printed report.
Taking Action: San Francisco Bay
The San Francisco Bay is vulnerable to many sources of pollution. In 1978, the Association of Bay Area Governments developed a regional environmental management plan to control pollution in the bay. The plan was prepared through an extensive collaborative process that involved a broad spectrum of stakeholders—federal, state, and local regulatory agencies; business, labor, and environmental groups; ethnic minorities; and city and county governments. During the decision-making process, stakeholders raised important issues about federal-state-local relationships, the social and economic impact of land-use controls, and the extent of air-quality improvement likely to be obtained.
Stakeholders who were involved in analyzing problems and solutions and in making decisions supported the final plan and its implementation. And while some aspects of the plan might have been developed and implemented without the help of stakeholders, most of the actions were implemented more expeditiously as a direct result of stakeholder involvement.
Many actions recommended by the plan were implemented by public agencies, businesses, industries, and private citizens. For example:
- A state implementation plan for regional air quality resulted in designation under the federal Clean Air Act as an attainment area for ozone in 1995.
- Almost all the industrial and municipal wastewater treatment facilities have been upgraded.
- Erosion-control measures to reduce nonpoint-source pollution have been in place for many years.
- A council of water-supply agencies was formed and has engaged in cooperative efforts, such as developing a regional drought-response strategy.
- Hazardous-material spill response teams have become available at the city and county levels.
- Technical assistance was provided to local agencies to initiate recycling programs.
The plan has served as a blueprint for environmental management activities in the bay area.