Laguna Beach : Beach, Aliso Creek Cleanup Events Set

Surfrider Foundation members are planning a series of events to help clean up the coastline and reduce pollution at Aliso Creek.

The group has dubbed Saturday Clean Water Day. Local chapters are encouraging the organization of events to counteract sewage spills, trash dumping and urban runoff.

And, On Sept. 18, the Laguna Beach Surfrider chapter will target a section of Aliso Creek near Sheep Hills Park for cleanup. Volunteers are encouraged to join in the effort at the creek at Moulton Parkway and Laguna Hills Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Surfrider Foundation is a grass-roots organization formed to guard coastal waters. The Laguna Beach chapter is concerned about the runoff that finds its way into Aliso Creek, a 12-mile waterway that meanders from Trabuco Canyon to South Laguna, where it empties into the ocean.

The creek carries runoff from homes and businesses, including waste such as pesticides and fertilizers.

Tex Haines, Laguna Beach chapter co-founder, said he has been collecting the results of water samples from different locations along the creek for almost two years. He says the results continue to show a “surprisingly high” level of bacteria in the creek.

Ultimately, Haines said, the group will push for the creek to be restored, partly by encouraging the regrowth of natural vegetation throughout the creek bed.

“We would like it restored as much as possible to its natural condition, which means plants and ducks,” he said.

Since it was formed three years ago, the Laguna Beach chapter has worked to reduce pollution spills into local waters.

Haines said the chapter’s Blue Water Task Force volunteers monitor about 20 of the 30 or so coves in Laguna Beach to test the surf and water from storm drains.

Haines said the chapter has conducted six local beach cleanups in Laguna this year. The next project is to print flyers to distribute to residents and business owners outlining ways they can help stem pollution.

On Oct. 2, California Coastal Cleanup Day, the local Surfrider Foundation chapter will stage a cleanup of Main Beach from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information about the Main Beach or Aliso Creek cleanup days, call (714) 494-0606. To participate in Clean Water Day, call (714) 492-8170.