LAGUNA BEACH
Laguna’s beaches earned high marks for water quality on a report card issued by Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica-based nonprofit organization that monitors weekly bacteria levels at 262 locations along Southern California’s coast.
While other nearby beaches, such as Seal Beach, Dana Point Harbor and San Clemente, didn’t fare as well, Laguna’s beaches scored nearly all A’s and Bs on the report card, which covered the period from June 7 to Oct. 25.
Even the beach near Aliso Creek, which often is cited as one of the most polluted in California, earned fair marks for most of the summer.
Some Laguna water quality activists are concerned that Heal the Bay’s report may not be an accurate reflection of water quality locally.
“I’m disappointed with Heal the Bay,” said Michael Beanan, vice president of the South Laguna Civic Assn. and a member of the Clean Water Now coalition.
“I think what we need to do is invite them [Heal the Bay] down for lunch at Ben Brown’s--that’s the golf course there at Aliso--and then throw them in the ocean and see what they think then,” Beanan said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
