Filter system nearing OK for Back Bay

Paul Clinton

UPPER NEWPORT BAY -- The Irvine Ranch Water District is one step away

from installing a filtering system of man-made wetlands in San Diego

Creek.

District officials hope to get the green light to move ahead with the

project from Gov. Gray Davis, who is the final obstacle.

The project is part of a bill proposed by Assemblyman John Campbell

(R-Irvine) that passed the Legislature on Monday and made its way to

Davis’ desk.

Campbell’s bill, known as Assembly Bill 810, would allow the district

to acquire land in the watershed to install the wetlands. It blew through

the Assembly on Monday on a 71-0 vote.

District General Manager Paul D. Jones II said he was happy to hear

about the bill’s success. The district has already created wetlands on

its own property, known as the San Joaquin Marsh.

“The Natural Treatment System is a cost-effective, environmentally

sound alternative for handling dry weather runoff,” Jones said in a

statement. “It takes our program of successfully cleaning urban runoff at

the San Joaquin Marsh and applies it to benefit the entire watershed.”

The bill first passed the Assembly. An amended version of it passed

the Senate earlier this year. At that time, the Rancho Santa Margarita

Water District was added to the bill so it could implement a similar

system.

The bill has been the closest thing to a slam dunk so far, with only

one assemblyman opposing it in its history. It was introduced earlier

this year.

Once Davis receives the bill, which is expected to happen today, he

has 12 calendar days to act on it. If he does nothing, the bill will

become law.

“This is a good measure that’s widely supported, environmentally

responsible and fiscally sound,” Campbell said. “There’s no substantive

reason for the governor to veto this bill.”

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

[email protected] .