Concern over state of beach

Putting aside all of the confusing technical issues related to managing pollution leading to Aliso Beach there’s one thing most everyone can agree on.

“We all know we have a problem with Aliso Creek” pollution flowing into the ocean, Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider said.

The problem is what to do about it.

A narrow majority of council members voted Tuesday to seek alternatives to the county’s plan to clear a sand berm that filters Aliso Creek water from the ocean.

Even though the mayor voted against the council’s opposition to the berm-breaking she wants to seek alternatives to the county’s plan.

“I lobbied [newly elected U.S. Rep. ] John Campbell three times about the creek and maybe he can help us find the money. But public safety is government’s number one job, so I can’t” oppose breaking of the berm, she added.

The council’s decisions are based on pollution concerns that have been considered health risks for decades to area swimmers and surfers.

Experts differ on the question of whether a steady outflow of polluted water from the stream is better than having the berm act as a filter.

Rick Wilson, of the Laguna chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, believes the county is correct to clear away the berm as a measure to protect public safety and structures.

Ideally, Wilson said, nature should take its course, but he points out that the water is going to end up in the ocean, berm or not.

Roger Butow, of the Clean Water Now! Coalition, believes that allowing water from the creek to build up behind the berm without releasing it creates higher levels of pollution.

Butow claims the pooled water ? warmed by the sun ? is fertile ground for pathogenic bacteria.

South Laguna Civic Assn. member Mike Beanan opposes the berm-clearing. He argues that allowing polluted water to flow directly into the ocean would never be allowed at Main Beach, and should not be allowed at Aliso Beach.

Larry McKenney, the county’s manager of watersheds and coastal resources, said the county works to make sure the channel flows straight to the ocean because it poses hazards to let it meander naturally.

Beanan disagrees.

“The meandering gives it a broader sand filter,” Beanan said.

Resident Denis Morin believes the berm naturally disappears with the tides every five to six hours, so claiming it is a filter makes no sense.

But McKenney believes the berm may act as a filter.