EDITORIAL

The end is admirable, lofty: Restore the Bolsa Chica wetlands to their

natural state and provide refuge for endangered animals and rare plants.

The means to that end are coming into focus: A $100-million plan approved Tuesday by the California Coastal Commission that includes

opening a channel between the now-polluted, murky waters and the ocean

off Bolsa Chica State Beach.

The question is: Are these the best means to reach this goal?

Many involved in the long, arduous process to clean up Bolsa Chica say

it is. A cadre of environmentalists, state officials and city leaders

point to this tidal flushing as imperative for bringing life back to the

wetlands. For 100 years, the wetlands have been cut off from this natural

flow. The result of that century of seclusion is clear from any walk

through the area.

But support is not unanimous. Most notable, the Surfrider Foundation

has raised alarms about the potential harm to the state beach. Right now,

it is one of Orange County’s cleanest beaches. Lacking an inlet, levels

of bacteria generally stay low, even after rains, while they spike in

Seal Beach, Newport Beach and other areas of Huntington Beach. That

cleanliness, combined with the state park access and the typically calm

currents, has made the beach a popular family destination.

It is unclear how the inlet plan would change the state of the beach,

with arguments being made both to oppose the proposal and to support it.

That disagreement needs to be cleared up before work begins. Precautions

need to be put in place because, once that channel is dug, there will be

no going back.

The wetlands need to be saved. But they should not be saved at the

expense of the beach. Both are too precious.