Assembly passes river conservancy bill Despite some...

Assembly passes river conservancy bill

Despite some local opposition, the Assembly passed Wednesday a

bill that would create a wild-lands conservancy around the Santa Ana

River.

Assembly Bill 496, introduced by Assemblyman Lou Correa (D-Santa

Ana), passed 49 to 13.

The bill, now headed to the state Senate, would set up a

conservancy that could set aside land for preservation as open space.

The conservancy would be given jurisdiction over the 96-mile-long

river and its 700 miles of tributaries that stretch through three

counties.

The conservancy could tap into bond money for special projects.

The bill was opposed by the Board of Supervisors and Assemblyman

John Campbell, who represents Newport Beach. Assemblymen Ken Maddox

and Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) supported it.

“The conservancy will make life better for millions of

Californians living along this river,” Correa said in a statement.

Costa Mesa receives six Measure M projects

The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors has

approved six Measure M projects to improve Costa Mesa’s

intersections, roadways and bike paths.

The authority awarded the funds to the city’s transportation

division thorough the Competitive Streets and Roads program.

This year, all of Costa Mesa’s proposals were accepted.