Environmentalists warily optimistic about Crystal Cove

Jasmine Lee

Federal environmental experts and local beach activists are awaiting the

Irvine Co.’s release of a new drainage system plan for the heavily

scrutinized development proposed above Crystal Cove State Park.

Irvine Co. executives, who will seek a key permit from the California

Coastal Commission in April, have made several changes to their proposal

during the last year.

Residents near Crystal Cove have been fighting the project to build 635

homes in an area they consider environmentally sensitive. They are

concerned that runoff from the development could contaminate the pristine

beach if waste water is not properly collected.

But members of local preservationist groups said they are enjoying a

recent cooperative turn in their relationship with the major development

company.

“Everything that has been put before the Irvine Co., they are

addressing,” said George Hrebian, who met this week with the developers

and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials.

“However, I still believe that some people at the Irvine Co. think that

this is a battle,” Hrebian added. “We attempted to make it clear to them

that we’re partners in this.”

Hrebian, a volunteer for the Alliance to Rescue Crystal Cove, met with

Irvine Co. representatives and U.S. Environmental Agency officials and

said the conference was a successful dialogue.

Catherine Kuhlman, the associate director for the federal agency’s San

Francisco offices, said she and her staff will continue to monitor the

project and give advice to the developers.

Both Hrebian and Kuhlman said they want to see documentation of the

Irvine Co.’s new design.

But Paul Kranhold, a spokesman for the Irvine Co., said concerned

residents and the federal agency will have to wait a couple of months

before the developers unveil the revisions.

The revised plan apparently will eliminate a detention basin -- one that

has been a point of contention with activists, who say the drainage

system would destroy sensitive wetlands and taint the ocean water.

Instead, planners are developing a design with six smaller basins to

catch the runoff.

And while local environmental groups, such as the alliance and the

Newport Beach-based Orange County Coastkeeper, are feeling friendly

toward the development company, the activists will still be watching the

project. Federal officials, who complimented part of the Irvine Co.’s

project, said they will also keep their eyes on Crystal Cove.

“We remain concerned, especially about the wetlands,” Kuhlman said. “If

necessary, we will testify at the Coastal Commission meeting.”