Effects of Pollution at 2 Creeks Spelled Out

Erosion and pollution at two South County creeks threatens to kill off aquatic and riparian species, worsen water quality and cause up to $4.2 million a year in damage to bridges, sewer lines and other utilities, according to a draft study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The grim findings come as the county Board of Supervisors votes today on a proposal to join with the federal government and several South County cities to develop solutions to the long-standing problem.

Officials and environmentalists have been eagerly awaiting the results of the one-year study--the first comprehensive examination of the Aliso and San Juan creek watershed systems.

Already, erosion has eaten away at creek banks and beds and caused sewer lines to break, polluting beaches in Dana Point and Laguna Beach. But the report predicts even greater problems unless potentially expensive mitigation measures are taken.

“This is an issue that must be addressed,” said Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson. “The entire ecosystem is at risk.”

The two creeks run from the Santa Ana Mountain down through the rapidly growing communities of south Orange County before emptying into the ocean.

The problems now facing the watersheds are blamed largely on urbanization, which has deprived the creeks of needed sediment while increasing pollution.

“The man-made features have put the [creeks] out of whack,” said Mark Williams, planning sector chief for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “It’s a long-term problem. There is no quick fix.”

Eroded creek beds and banks have created stagnant water conditions in some parts of the watersheds. As shade trees and other plants are uprooted by the erosion, the water temperature rises, worsening bacterial contamination, according to the report.

The creeks once teemed with fish and lush plants. But the declining water quality has already devastated the ecosystem, and the corps study said some species could all but “disappear” in the future.

“It’s a chain of events,” Williams added. “When you have less aquatic species, you have less species dependent on the them. It goes on and on.”

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Unless solutions are found, the erosion will continue to eat away at both private and public property, damaging public infrastructure and eventually causing sand erosion at local beaches, officials warn.

Because of the volume of development over the last two decades, the report recommends that officials re-examine the flood zone maps for the creek areas and determine whether they are still accurate or need to be redrawn.

The corps indicated that 700 homes, 76 industrial sites and 179 commercial properties near the creeks might be vulnerable during some future “large magnitude flooding.”

Local officials said the corps effort is important because it looks at all the problems facing the creeks rather than focusing on a single issue in one community.

“We can never have our concerns dealt with until all inland cities and agencies have a stake in the same process,” said Laguna Beach Councilman Wayne J. Baglin. “This is the first time we have seen broad support for this.”

Laguna Beach agreed last week to move forward with the corps on a second “watershed study” that will recommend ways to improve water quality, reduce erosion and protect species. The Board of Supervisors is expected to follow suit today, while other water districts and government agencies will consider the matter over the next few weeks.

Once the watershed report is completed, local and federal officials will have to somehow find a way to pay for the proposed mitigations.

Some solutions being discussed range from placing stones along the side of the creek bed to planting new trees to reduce water temperature.

Others have suggested an “adopt a creek” program as well as educational efforts designed to inform the public about the fragile watersheds and the danger of waste dumping and urban runoff.

“It’s a matter of both education and government action,” said Laguna Hills Councilman Randal J. Bressette. “It’s important that people understand the dangers they [pose] to the environment.”