2 projects compete for grants

June Casagrande

A plan to buy a protective cover for the Big Canyon Reservoir

could face direct competition from another project near and dear to

the city’s heart, a “natural treatment system” that uses marshlands

to improve water quality.

City officials and Irvine Ranch Water District representatives

have been working together in hopes that both agencies will be able

to achieve their goals. But because federal dollars are limited, it’s

possible that the situation could turn into a footrace with one

winner and one loser.

“We’ve been working very closely with the city of Newport Beach to

make sure we’ve done everything we can to avoid conflicts,” said

Marilyn Smith, a representative for the water district.

But it’s possible that working together may not be enough.

The city has applied for $2.5 million to help pay for a $5-million

cover for the reservoir -- a longtime goal, the priority of which got

a big boost by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The cover, basically a

huge plastic lid for the reservoir, would add a layer of security

against attack or contamination. Also, problems such as an

infestation of midge fly larvae in residents’ tap water earlier this

year might have been prevented by a cover.

But the city is passionately in favor of the water district’s

project too. The treatment system would build marshes throughout the

county to naturally clean water before it reaches the ocean or

harbor.

“We like the IRWD’s project, and we’ve sent a letter of support

for their funding request to the federal government,” said Assistant

City Manager Dave Kiff, who explained that the project helps the city

meet its clean-water goals.

The water district’s $20-million to $25-million project will seek

about $9 million in federal funds over the next five years. The first

installment, district officials hope, will be $2 million this year.

The water district has applied for grants from the Environmental

Protection Agency and through the federal government’s Energy and

Water Bill for the money. But one of those sources, the EPA, is

currently the city’s sole hope for getting federal help paying for

its reservoir cover. It’s possible that the federal appropriations

committee could see fit to fund both projects. But officials at both

local agencies worry that federal grantors, who have a limited amount

of money to meet almost unlimited demand, won’t want to concentrate

that much money in the relatively small geographic area.

Rep. Chris Cox has advocated both projects in Washington. Cox, who

represents Newport Beach, was traveling on Friday and unavailable for

comment.

The water district and the city hope to get an answer to their

funding requests sometime next month.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.