Riding a wave of encouragement

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Surfrider Foundation has received encouraging

words from Orange County Supervisor Tom Wilson on its proposal to prevent

Santa Ana River runoff from contaminating the Newport shoreline.

The bacteria outbreak that closed much of Huntington Beach during the

past few weeks has motivated local environmentalists to strive to protect

Newport waters, said Mike Boudreaux of the Newport Beach Surfrider

chapter.

“[Wilson] sent a note saying they fully supported our concept and

mentioned that there are funds available from the county,” he said.

Environmentalists are concerned about the runoff from the Santa Ana

River, which carries all of the trash and bacteria from inland cities

directly into the Pacific Ocean and onto Newport beaches.

Surfrider’s plan calls for separating oil and debris from the river’s

waters before it hits the ocean, then pumping the rest through the Orange

County Sanitation District’s pipes to remove harmful bacteria.

The group started working on the proposal more than a year ago and

even set up a special committee to study the Santa Ana River problem.

After sifting through various studies, they began to explore possible

solutions.

Last month the group submitted the proposal to the supervisors and

about 50 other officials around the county. So far Wilson, Supervisor

Charles Smith and a representative at the sanitation district have

responded positively, Boudreaux said.

He added that he would like the board of supervisors to take its time

to look seriously at the proposal.

But because many officials have their attention focused on the

Huntington Beach disaster, action on the plan has been temporarily

delayed.

“There’s no word yet,” Boudreaux said.