Briefly in the news

The Irvine Ranch Water District has decided to help fund a watershed

study of San Diego Creek and Back Bay.

The district’s board unanimously approved an $80,000 payment for the

study at a meeting last week. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is

overseeing the $2.4-million project.

The district is one of a handful of local agencies that will chip in

50% of the project’s cost. Other parties include Costa Mesa, Newport

Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Tustin, Lake Forest, the county of Orange and

the Irvine Co. Each will pay $80,000, said Larry Paul, the county’s

manager of watershed and environmental programs.

The engineers began the two-year study in January 2000. The study is

looking at potential projects that could improve the water quality and

habitat within the watershed.