Trampled under foot

June Casagrande

Pedestrians who for years have blazed trails through the Back Bay

have contributed to a problem that could cost millions to fix.

The City Council today will consider two ambitious environmental

restoration projects. In their study session, council members will

hear a presentation on a plan to restore the wildlife habitat in the

of Back Bay and even create a boardwalk for pedestrians. Then, in

their regular meeting, they will vote on whether to award a $110,000

contract, paid by a state grant, to Community Conservancy

International to study and plan possible environmental remedies for

Big Canyon Creek.

“To me, the great thing about both projects is the combination of

good public access with good habitat restoration,” Assistant City

Manager Dave Kiff said.

The Back Bay work would help restore the habitat of the endangered

least terns and other animals that have been nudged out by

pedestrians who use “illegal” trails created by foot traffic. The

boardwalk would take pedestrians, bicyclists and horseback riders off

sensitive habitat and keep them on existing trails and the new

boardwalk.

The elevated walking platform would be two miles long, stretching

from University Avenue to 23rd Street. It would provide access to the

bluff tops, but not down to the shoreline. It could also have viewing

platforms, bird-viewing blinds and signs with information about the

local environment.

Officials say they can’t yet estimate the total cost of the

three-phase project, but the first phase alone is estimated at nearly

$4 million.

If the city moves ahead with the project, a portion of the money

could come from Orange County, which got the funds as part of the

American Trader Oil Spill Settlement. Council members will decide

during their study session whether they want to move forward with the

plan by putting it up for a vote at an upcoming council meeting.

Big Canyon Creek work is one step ahead of the Back Bay project

because it’s already on the council’s agenda.

Big Canyon Creek is a body of water that forms as runoff drains

from the area surrounding Big Canyon Country Club. The creek runs

through Big Canyon Nature Park before ultimately draining into the

bay.

Community Conservancy International, a nonprofit environmental

organization, has proposed restoring wetlands and habitats for

endangered species, addressing pollution from runoff, providing

public access to the nature park and other improvements.

Initial studies would be funded by the Southern California

Wetlands Recovery Project of the state Coastal Conservancy.

* 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.