State to Hunt for Source of Algae in Newport Bay

State and county officials will survey areas fronting a creek leading to Newport Bay this summer to track down the sources of nutrients that are choking the waters with algae.

Joanne Schneider, the environmental program manager for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, said at a press conference Friday that officials will try to determine where nutrients, such as those found in fertilizers, are flowing into San Diego Creek. In the past few years, they have identified some nurseries and agricultural areas along the creek but have concluded that they are only part of the problem.

“The next step is: What are those other sources?” Schneider said. “It’s kind of like a piece of detective work.”

They speculate that such runoff also might come from parks, lawns and construction projects. Another source might be nutrient-laden ground water, which can rise to the surface near the creek.

Report Due in September

In 1987, the state Legislature, acting on legislation introduced by state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), called for the water board to survey water quality in Newport Bay. A report is due Sept. 1.

Bergeson and other residents had been concerned that work on the report had not been moving fast enough. After the press conference, Bergeson said: “I think it’s evident the survey is going forward. I feel very positive.”

Later, Bergeson added: “I’ve been disappointed that (the survey) hasn’t been moving at a more rapid rate, but I understand it’s very complex. I just don’t want to lose momentum.”

San Diego Creek flows into Upper Newport Bay, where the algae buildup is thought to be the worst. Bergeson and other residents who live near the upper bay have been alarmed by recent algae growth.

“There has been more algae built up in the last few months than I have ever seen,” Bergeson said.

Bill Hamilton, owner of the Cannery Restaurant on the Rhine channel near Lower Newport Bay, said that he continues to observe the ugly buildup.

“There are places in Newport Harbor where it looks like indoor/outdoor carpeting,” he said. “It looks terrible.”

In addition to its slimy appearance, algae can kill fish and other marine life by soaking up the oxygen in water. High amounts of nutrients--especially nitrates, phosphates and trace metals--can produce algae in massive proportions.

The state Department of Fish and Game has said that it appears existing levels of nutrients have yet to excessively deplete the oxygen supply to marine life in Upper Newport Bay. But it is not known how much the area can take before the situation becomes excessive.

The Orange County Environmental Management Agency did a study of the area that showed a decline over time in the amount of the organic nitrogen nutrients in the bay. They have not determined whether this means the problem is getting better or worse.

But Bob Collacott, manager of the environmental resources division at the agency, said that the amount of nutrients flowing into Newport Bay is still much greater than any other place in Southern California.

“You will not see this anywhere else,” he said.

In its statement, the water board advised that no action be taken until the state and county organizations have completed their study.

“At this point, I don’t think any legislation is needed,” Schneider said. “It’s just a question of having to know what to control and if we can control it.”

But steps have been taken at some nurseries to stem the runoff of water and fertilizers into San Diego Creek.

Hines Wholesale Nurseries in Irvine has installed 117 acres of drip irrigation, which helps prevent the overflow of excess water from plants. By September, it plans to start a recycling system in which runoff will be collected, the nutrients removed and the water reused. The system is expected to cost more than $1 million, said Bud Summers, the nursery’s technical resource manager.

Since 1983, the water board also has had erosion-control measures for agricultural areas along the creek. Deposits of silt caused by erosion have been found to carry nutrients that flow into the bay.