Extended Review on New Bolsa Chica EIR Rejected : Development: County turns down city request for an increase. Supervisor says 45 days gives public enough time to respond.

The county has turned down a City Council request for a 90-day public review period on a new environmental report for the Bolsa Chica wetlands.

Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder said in a letter, sent last Thursday to Mayor Linda Moulton Patterson, that the city’s request for an extension would not be granted.

The City Council on Aug. 15 took an emergency action to request that the comment period be extended to 90 days from 45 days. A 45-day public review comment period on the revised draft environmental impact report began Aug. 23.

“While I am sympathetic to the need for adequate time to complete the review . . . the 45-day review period appears to meet that goal,” Wieder wrote.

Wieder also said that she has “confidence that the review process outlined by the county will allow all concerned parties time to determine the adequacy of the revised documents and to submit documents. Therefore, I cannot support an extension of the review period beyond the 45 days currently allowed.”

The county earlier this month suggested two plans that would dramatically downsize the proposed development of the Bolsa Chica wetlands. As a result, a revised environmental document was prepared. County planning officials presented the revised document during a City Council study session Aug. 15.

County officials said they plan to hold at least one public hearing in Huntington Beach on the revised draft environmental impact report. The date and details of the hearing have not be scheduled.