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 .
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