Bay science center opens

Construction of the new Back Bay Science Center on Shellmaker Island had to be delayed for a pair of osprey nesting in the area. Building plans for the center were put on hold until the pair’s eggs hatched.

The birds, which mate for life, still nest in the area. The osprey flew over the science center Friday as state, county and Newport Beach officials celebrated the opening of the new $8 million structure.

“Those osprey are a perfect example of the perseverance and tenacity that has been demonstrated in the building of the science center,” said John McCamman, chief deputy director for the California Dept. of Fish and Game.

The 12,400-square-foot center has operated out of temporary structures since the early 1980s. The new center includes educational facilities and a state-of-the art water quality laboratory. The lab does routine tests on ocean and drinking water in Orange County. It also conducts tests to monitor pollution and find sources of pollution in water.

“The overall goal of the facility is the protection of people from disease spread by water,” said Douglas Moore, director of the County of Orange Public Health Laboratory.

An environmental tragedy sparked the original impetus for the science center, McCamman said. The American Trader tanker oil spill off Huntington Beach in 1990 dumped about 40,000 gallons of crude oil into Orange County Coastal waters and killed an estimated 3,400 birds.

“It’s amazing that such a terrible environmental disaster could have resulted in such a huge benefit to the community,” McCamman said.

Funding for water pollution monitoring that came from a legal settlement from the petroleum company went toward the Back Bay Science Center.

The Newport Beach City Council put about $2.5 million into building the science center, said Mayor Ed Selich.

The new science center also will offer hands-on educational programs for students in grades seventh through 12th. Students from several area universities and colleges also will have opportunities to do research at the center. More than 10,000 students and visitors participate in center tours and programs each year.

“We hope to see thousands of high school and junior high school students use this building,” Selich said. “Each of these students will learn to take better care of our coastal waters.”

The project is a result of a partnership among the California Dept. of Fish and Game, the County of Orange, Newport Beach and UCI. The project also received support from the California Costal Conservancy, the Irvine Co. the Miocean Foundation, Pacific Life and Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.