Measure M funding will support eight projects to capture trash and other pollutants before they reach local waterways and the ocean
ORANGE – From neighborhood streets to the Pacific Ocean, keeping Orange County’s waterways clean begins with preventing trash and debris from entering storm drains. The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors on Monday approved approximately $3.9 million for eight local projects designed to do just that.
The funding, approved through OCTA’s Measure M Environmental Cleanup Program, will help local agencies install equipment and make improvements that capture transportation-related pollution before it reaches creeks, rivers, harbors and beaches.
The latest awards are part of OCTA’s ongoing commitment to protecting Orange County’s environment while investing in a balanced transportation system through Measure M, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.
“Orange County’s beaches and waterways are among our greatest natural resources, and protecting them is an important responsibility we all share,” said OCTA Chair Jamey M. Federico, also the mayor of Dana Point. “Through Measure M, we’re working with cities across the county to make meaningful improvements that keep pollution out of our waterways and help preserve our environment for future generations.”
The eight projects receiving funding are in:
- Anaheim
- Dana Point
- Huntington Beach
- Irvine
- Laguna Hills
- Mission Viejo
- San Clemente and
- San Juan Capistrano.
Projects range from installing hundreds of catch-basin screens and other trash-capture devices to larger improvements, including biofiltration and infiltration basins and in-line trash-trap systems. Individual awards range from $120,000 to $600,000, with the eight projects receiving a combined $3.9 million in Measure M funding.
Preventing Pollution Before It Reaches the Ocean
The eight projects receiving funding through the 2026 Tier 1 Environmental Cleanup Program will focus on reducing visible pollutants, including litter, trash and debris that accumulate on roadways and can be carried into storm drains during rainfall.
Projects funded through the program typically include equipment such as catch basin screens, filters and other stormwater treatment systems designed to capture pollutants near their source.
These improvements help cities and the county meet water quality requirements while preventing transportation-related pollutants from entering waterways and ultimately reaching the Pacific Ocean.
The program is funded through Measure M, which dedicates a portion of local transportation sales tax revenue to environmental cleanup efforts. Funding is awarded through a competitive process to eligible local agencies.
A Long-Term Commitment to Cleaner Water
Since the Environmental Cleanup Program began in 2011, OCTA has approved more than $47 million for 249 Tier 1 projects throughout Orange County. Those projects are estimated to have captured nearly 92 million gallons of trash that otherwise could have entered local waterways.
With the latest funding awards, OCTA continues to build on that investment, supporting practical improvements that benefit communities throughout the county.
The program is one component of OCTA’s broader environmental commitment through Measure M, which also includes permanently preserving approximately 1,300 acres of open space and supporting habitat restoration projects throughout Orange County.
Together, these investments demonstrate how local transportation funding can help improve mobility while protecting the natural resources that make Orange County a desirable place to live, work and visit.
For more information about OCTA’s environmental programs, visit octa.net/water.
