Wetland plan for Back Bay moves forward

Paul Clinton

UPPER NEWPORT BAY -- The Irvine Ranch Water District’s plan to install

wetlands in the bay’s watershed as a filter for urban runoff is rolling

along.

The district’s board on Monday approved the hiring of an environmental

consultant to develop a plan that would identify exact sizes and

locations of the wetlands.

‘This is another step,’ said district spokeswoman Marilyn Smith. ‘We

think the natural treatment system is a cost-effective, environmentally

superior way to treat dry-weather runoff.’

The small wetlands would be sprinkled across the cities in the

watershed, which include Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Tustin,

Orange, Lake Forest and Santa Ana. The wetlands would be designed to

filter out the muck in urban runoff before it reaches the San Diego Creek

or the Back Bay.

The board hired GeoSyntec Consultants, a nationwide firm with an

office in Northern California, to perform the work. The district approved

a $166,455 contract for the job.

In concert with the board’s decision to hire GeoSyntec, a state bill

that would pave the way for the installation of the wetlands passed the

Senate on Saturday.

The legislation, written by Assemblyman John Campbell (R-Irvine), has

encountered almost no opposition so far. The Senate passed the bill 37 to

0 on July 16, but it was held at the Senate desk until Saturday.

Urban runoff ‘can’t get to the ocean except through the watershed,’

Campbell said. ‘It’s much easier and cheaper to deal with it where it

collects.’

The bill passed the Assembly on May 17 on a 69-1 vote but must return

to that house because it was amended in the Senate. The Santa Margarita

Water District wanted to be added to the bill so it could implement a

similar program.

The bill is likely to be heard shortly after the Legislature

reconvenes Aug. 20. Then, if it passes, it will head to Gov. Gray Davis’

desk.

Local environmentalists have endorsed the bill. Defend the Bay founder

Bob Caustin, who has had his share of run-ins with the water district,

has said he supports the approach as long as no private property is

seized in the process.

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at paul.clinton@latimes.com.