Envirovision

Roger von Butow

“All is water.”

-- Thales, father of philosophy, abstract astronomy and geometry, 6th

Century B.C.

Most locals know of the Aliso Creek, perhaps some are aware that there

is a Laguna Canyon Creek, but can you name the other creeks within Laguna

Beach city limits?

There are six, and along with the above, they are listed by the state

as follows: Moro, Emerald, Bluebird, Rimrock, Boat Canyon and Hobo

Canyon.

State hydrologists decided that we are part of the San Diego Basin and

our water related issues are regulated by the San Diego Regional Water

Quality Control Board (Region 9), California Environmental Protection

Agency.

Typically, basin plans carry a set of parameters and guidelines for

the beneficial uses of these creeks and their receiving waters, be it a

larger stream or the Pacific Ocean. These are called “Basin Plan

Objectives” and address the surface water menu, the biological potential

of flora and fauna, their drinking (potable) or irrigation (non-potable)

possibilities, recreational advantages, sensitivity to adverse ecological

impact, etc. The objectives also help to regulate and monitor a vast

array of compliance-related toxic constituents, some allowed in minor

concentrations, some absolutely forbidden. California Toxic Rules and

Proposition 65 (cancer-causing) chemicals are noted.

In our climate, these were once upon a time “ephemeral streams,”

meaning episodic flows due solely to precipitation. Except for the lower

reaches of the Aliso and Laguna Canyon near the beach, the remaining five

were always dried beds most of the year. Only the Aliso and Laguna Canyon

are considered separate watersheds, the other five are “hydrologic sub

areas” (HSA), in essence mini or sub-sheds.

Now both Aliso and Laguna Creeks carry a perennial flow of

contaminated toxic soup. They do, however, have one thing in common: They

function to sustain habitats for wildlife and the plant growth that

either shelters or feeds unique demands. The 12 to 14 inches of rainfall

concentrated in the few months between December and April are sufficient

to perform the tasks necessary to regenerate this cycle of watery “feast

and famine.”

These meager amounts of rain also help create “vernal ponds,”

temporary pools that allow the various species valuable water during

breeding, migratory and initial postnatal demands. The ignorant look

derisively at these vernal ponds as mud baths or mudholes, but for the

knowing biologist and thirsty animals, they are indispensable.

Until the late 1960s, the Aliso had steelhead trout runs up to

approximately Alicia Parkway in Laguna Niguel. Now little more than a

highly concentrated pollution nightmare, nothing survives more than a day

or two in this “effluent-dominant” (urban runoff) creek. All the more

reason for our City Council and Planning Commission to carefully peruse

any projects, great or small, that directly impact and potentially

degrade our HSAs.

There are 14 new water quality related projects, identified as High

Priority Construction Sites (HPCS). Three are subdivisions, which by

sheer acreage constitute legitimate alarm for environmental advocates and

adjacent homeowners. These HPCS proximity to easily degraded zones is

important to remember.

If you have been “noticed” by the city of Laguna Beach in regards to

them, or if you’re like every other species and just plain curious,

attend a Planning Commission meeting or reach out to the permitted

architects, landscapers or community development for more information.

Educate yourself by contacting the opposition, especially local groups

and individuals who’ll play “devil’s advocate” for more insight.

An informed and involved citizenry can provide valuable input and

insure that these properties do not further contribute to the impaired

ecological conditions of our town. Do it for your neighborhood, do it for

the critters that live in symbiotic harmony with us, and do it for your

future.

This is your city, isn’t it?

* ROGER VON BUTOW is the founder of the Clean Water Now! Coalition,

and co-founder of the South Orange County Watershed Conservancy. He can

be contacted at o7 rvonbutow@cleanwaternow.comf7 .