Shoring and Repair Begins on Fire-Stripped Watershed : Conservation: U.S. officials describe the structures as temporary. Work includes grading and building barriers and basins to minimize damage when rains come.

Work began this week to shore up watersheds left bare and prone to mudslides and erosion by the October wildfire.

Crews under the supervision of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service started moving earth Tuesday in a canyon near El Toro Road and Laguna Canyon Road. For at least a month, the crews will be employing more than 100 methods--including grading and constructing barriers, dams and basins--to minimize damage from flooding and mudflows resulting from heavy rains.

“Most of these are considered temporary structures that can be removed in future years when the watershed heals itself,” said Richard Wagoner, team leader of the Soil Conservation Service’s emergency response office in Laguna Beach.

The service is employing an assortment of barriers, including rock, concrete, pipe, chain-link fencing and special fabrics. The choice of material depends on the structure’s location.

The initial work on county land along the north side of Laguna Canyon Road is estimated to cost $224,000.

Wagoner said the federal Emergency Watershed Protection Program pays 75% of such costs. The remaining 25% will be picked up by the county or city, depending on where the work is performed.

The city’s municipal services director, Terry Brandt, said local jurisdictions are also able to apply for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay the one-quarter share. With that assistance, the city would end up paying 6% to 10% of the cost for the erosion-control projects.

Brandt said the Soil Conservation Service has recommended work be done in about half a dozen locations, including the Irvine Bowl, and the city is reviewing them. He had no estimate on the cost of those projects.

Wagoner said the conservation measures have been designed based on assessments of 25 watersheds in the fire area by soil conservation teams.

Even if all measures are installed before heavy rains come, Wagoner said there is no guarantee that there will not be damage.

“We can work to minimize the damage,” he said, “but we can’t eliminate it.”