Orange County Public Works officials have creek activists on edge this week after an abrupt announcement that they’re headed out to the San Juan and Trabuco creeks next Tuesday – armed with things like weedwackers and other landscaping tools.
Apparently, public works leaders want to give the channel’s vegetation a haircut.
It comes after activists pushed OC Supervisors to end herbicide use in the two creeks after residents repeatedly questioned not only how dangerous the chemicals could be for humans – but also the impact it had on endangered species, vegetation and the overall local ecosystem in the creek.
[Read: OC Supervisors Phase Out Herbicides in San Juan and Trabuco Creeks Near Doheny State Beach]
According to a public notice disclosures that activists pressed for and Supervisor Katrina Foley successfully sponsored on the dais last month – officials said the work will start Tuesday, July 21 and run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the next 10 days.
That’s triggered local activists who have spent the last year confronting OC Public Works officials over their herbicide practices, which have triggered several investigations by state and local agencies raising questions about how well county officials document what they are doing to local waterways.
The announcement said the county’s actions have been signed off by relevant state and federal regulators.
Meanwhile, it’s raising all sorts of questions and concerns locally.
“Public Works’ planned decimation of the San Juan Creek is motivated by one thing, spite towards the community that stood up to them,” said Creek Team founder Brent Linas, who has been working to end herbicide use for more than a year.
“There is no scientific basis for the removal of all vegetation in the creek, nor is this action consistent with the pilot study approved by the Board of Supervisors just one month ago,” Linas added. “Orange County Public Works once again proves that not only do they not care about the concerns of the community, but they also don’t care about the mandates of the Board of Supervisors.”
Linas shared an email sent out by Supervisor Foley – who did not respond to requests for comment – that seemed to indicate there was no prior notice to supervisors before OC Public Works officials notified the public.
“We learned about simultaneously with the public notice,” Foley wrote in an email activists shared with the Voice of OC. “We addressed in our meeting with CEO yesterday and requested more information about the proposed plan,” Foley wrote.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento – the only county supervisor to respond to questions – also raised concerns.
“My understanding was that County Public Works staff would pause the use of herbicides, study and thereafter analyze the alternatives available to safely manage the flood channels,” Sarmiento wrote in a Friday statement.
“I was surprised to learn that staff would move forward with clearing the channels prior to conducting that analysis and sharing the findings with the Board,” Sarmiento added.
According to the July 15 public notice from the county, “OC Public Works will be conducting vegetation management within the San Juan Creek and Trabuco Creek channels to maintain safe and effective channel operations. Detours along the bike trail will be present and signage will be posted near the project area.”
While the notice says that OC Public Works won’t be using herbicides – which seems consistent with the county supervisors’ vote – it also notes that the agency will be removing vegetation from the creeks, which doesn’t seem to correlate with the public vote taken by county supervisors that seemed to indicate the creek would be left alone while studies were conducted.
“Maintenance activity will include removal of non-native plant species and cutting vegetation (small trees, shrubs, and brush) down to ground level. Soil, roots and channel surfaces will not be disturbed except where necessary for the removal of non-native, invasive vegetation. All cut material will be removed from the channel to ensure the facility remains clean and unobstructed. No excavation or herbicide application will occur,” reads the notice.
According to the notice, OC Public Works officials said the proposed action had been reviewed and approved by State and Federal regulatory agencies.
In addition, the notice stipulates that a “biological monitor will be on site daily to ensure that nesting birds and any other sensitive biological resources are not harmed during this essential maintenance.”
OC Public Works officials and county media spokespeople didn’t respond to questions about their proposed action.
Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to questions earlier today seeking confirmation by noting they would review the matter with relevant staff but didn’t offer a comment before publication.