Waste Water Plan for Newport Bay Raises Concerns

Your coverage of the Irvine Ranch Water District’s proposal to dump treated waste water into Upper Newport Bay (“They Won’t Go With the Flow,” Sept. 14) was a good introduction to a complicated issue.

In recent months, I have researched the issue, completed a water-issues study group, talked with authorities on both sides of the matter, and concluded that this is the wrong project in the wrong place at the wrong time. Upper Newport Bay is far too important to allow it to be treated as the proverbial guinea pig for a project of this nature.

The bottom line, as noted by biologist Troy Kelly, is that the addition of any additional freshwater flows into the bay is not in the estuary’s best interests. This issue alone--and there are many to study here--is reason enough to pass on the project before us.

Other issues--the data cited by IRWD as valid is debatable and too fresh to rely on, the effects on the nutrient cycle, the possible lack of accountability should problems be detected, the definition of winter by IRWD as being seven months long--require thorough examination by the public.

The area is a mecca for tourists and birders. The lack of diversity that could result if the “temporary” project is implemented--fewer kinds, fewer numbers of birds and the largely unseen members of the aquatic community--could tarnish the bay’s reputation as a prime birding area and outdoor classroom, resulting in fewer tourists and a dampening effect on an area already reeling from the effects of recession and bankruptcy.

Combine this with homeowners unhappy with the project because of a negative impact on home values, and we have a community, both human and wild, that will not be well-served if this project is implemented.

AMY LITTON

Costa Mesa

I am absolutely convinced that the discharge of properly treated water (tertiary treatment) into Newport Bay will have no adverse effect on the bay water. Discharges, however, should be constantly monitored.

Properly treated tertiary water will be a lot cleaner than anything else that flows into the bay.

ALEXANDER S. RADOS

Newport Beach

I am enraged to find that the Irvine Ranch Water District is trying to implement a plan to dump 5 million gallons a day of tertiary-treated sewage into Upper Newport Bay. The goal of this project appears to be financial savings in lieu of public health and the well-being of the Back Bay and Newport Harbor environments.

The project is opposed by the California Department of Fish and Game, the University of California Natural Reserve System, environmentalists and homeowner groups. Unfortunately, so far the Newport Beach City Council seems to support the project.

This project must not be allowed implementation. The ecology of the area must be protected for future generations, and the area must be kept as clean as possible for the hundreds of people who use it each day.

WILLIAM KARL VALENTINE

Newport Beach

Such experimental use of public trust land is irresponsible, and the damage caused by this project could permanently damage the ecosystem of Newport Bay. The state Department of Fish and Game found that the proposed project would have significant impacts to state fish and wildlife resources and that the water districts’s environmental impact report did not adequately identify, analyze or mitigate significant project impacts to public trust resources.

Despite the recommendation from the Department of Fish and Game that more information is needed, the city of Newport Beach gave its support for Phase 1 of the project. I believe that this approval was made without complete understanding of the facts and that Newport Beach should rescind its support until such time as the impact of the project is fully understood by all affected parties.

DAVID ALLISON

Newport Beach

We have come to a great extent to try to keep this water safe for people, migratory and residential bird life, and the fish and various inhabitants of our ecological system.

Now because Irvine wishes to save money, by not processing their sewage through the Huntington Beach treatment plant, all of this is to be endangered.

Safety costs money but will save in the long haul.

As a physician in Newport for 37 years, I am very concerned and would strongly urge thoughtful rejection of this proposal. It has not been proven safe! It should not be tested on Newport Bay!

DR. MACLYN B. SOMERS

Newport Beach

I have lived in this area since 1987 and spend much of my time hiking, kayaking and biking around the bay. My personal assessment of Upper Newport Bay is that it requires aggressive improvements in environmental quality.

As I kayak in the back regions of the bay, massive algae blooms suggest that too much waste from industrial, agricultural and possibly residential sources is already entering this fragile system. Fish may be seen leaping out of the water seeking the oxygen they need to survive.

CHRISTOPHER W. INGALLS

Costa Mesa

This plan is an outrage! How dare anyone jeopardize the quality of our bay life! We have all worked too hard to improve the quality of our water to experiment with something known to have such inherent risk.

GLORIA GRAND

Newport Beach