Council steps up to boardwalk

June Casagrande

A contract for as much as $400,000 approved by City Council

members clears the way for a series of scientific studies and public

workshops that are a first step toward building a boardwalk in a

portion of the Back Bay.

Council members on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to hire

Community Conservancy International to launch studies on whether a

boardwalk and trail system in the Back Bay could protect fragile

habitats from damage by human encroachment.

City leaders and environmentalists hope that the boardwalk and

trails, if ultimately approved by the council and the community,

would allow nature lovers to get close to the water without trampling

sensitive ecosystems. Pedestrians, bicyclists and others stray from

official trails, not realizing that they are damaging the

environment.

“When you’re walking through the wetlands and a bird flies up, you

think: No big deal; a bird flew up. But to you that would be the

equivalent of finding a burglar in your house and being scared out of

your wits. When that happens three or four times a day, it makes it

difficult for a bird to do what it’s supposed to do: feed its young,

all that,” said Esther Feldman, Community Conservancy International’s

president.

The $4-million boardwalk and trails project, which would be paid

for with county and federal environmental funds, would guide visitors

through the Back Bay in a way that keeps them from stomping over

sensitive plants or disrupting endangered bird species such as the

clapper rail. The existing legal trails at the top of the bluffs

would remain in place, and the boardwalk would connect with those

trails to let people get closer to the water.

Mayor Steve Bromberg said that initially he was concerned that the

work would endanger the environment instead of help it, but after

hearing testimony from environmental organizations, he felt reassured

that the boardwalk and trails would minimize human encroachment.

“My concern was basically, What’s wrong with keeping dirt paths?

Why screw up the environment with wooden boardwalks?” Bromberg said.

“But it’s just the contrary. The boardwalk is going to save it.”

Community Conservancy International expects to begin scientific

studies in February. The nonprofit firm will also hold public

workshops on the project before it comes before the City Council for

approval.

* 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.