Orange County Coastkeeper works
with Federal, State, County and City agencies on our projects. When we bid on projects as a non-profit, we tend to save everyone (taxpayers) a good amount of money and get the job done professionally. We also work with local developers and industry to assure their projects
meet or improve the sites' water quality to protect our local coast and wetlands.
Kelp Reforestation Project
Kelp began to disappear from Orange County more than 20 years ago. Since then, fish populations have drastically diminished and some ocean wildlife in the area has almost vanished. In 1999, Orange County Coastkeeper addressed this problem by growing kelp in our regional laboratory and in portable eco-cart aquaria in classrooms. Students in Orange County grew kelp and our teams of volunteer divers planted it on reefs and offshore waters. Today, thanks to the collected efforts of Coastkeeper and the community, countless species of marine life can now enjoy kelp canopies along Little Corona and the Newport coast. Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this project on the National Geographic Channel. Learn more about the CA Coastkeeper Alliance's Kelp Program.
Vessel Waste Disposal Study In response to high bacteria counts in Orange County harbors, Orange County Coastkeeper initiated the Vessel Waste Disposal Study project to evaluate the potential bacterial pollution from leaks and improper use (or lack of use) of vessel waste disposal facilities (pumpout stations). Inspections of the existing stations found that many were inaccessible, inoperable, or in need of repair. The project identified all pumpout stations in the three harbors, determined if they were working, and noted any problems with the units. Additionally, Coastkeeper took water samples from the areas around the pump stations to determine if there were identifiable sewage leaks. The project determined that there was a critical shortage of pumpout stations available for use in our harbors. Another problem found was the lack of accountability for proper maintenance and operation of the pumpout stations. With Orange County Coastkeeper's assistance, the State Water Resources Control Board created a new set of statewide rules to mandate the number of pump stations in harbors, and to create a clear responsibility for their maintenance.
Caulerpa Taxifolia Survey
Caulerpa Taxifolia is an invasive plant from the tropics that can quickly overtake all native species in ocean environments. A common source of Caulerpa is people dumping the contents of their aquariums into the ocean. A public aquarium in Monaco released Caulerpa into the ocean, and it now covers hundreds of square miles of the Mediterranean Sea , and is considered unstoppable there. Caulerpa has been found in two areas of California , including Huntington Harbor (it has since been destroyed). It is a state priority to find and destroy Calurpa. With funding from the city of Newport Beach , Orange County Coastkeeper formed a survey team of volunteer divers and searched Newport Bay for Caulerpa. Luckily none was found.
Huntington Harbor Sediment Study
As part of the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (SARWQCB) mandate to protect water quality, an investigation of sediment and water contamination in Huntington Harbor was conducted from 2001 through 2003. Orange County Coastkeeper assisted the board in this investigation by providing the boat and equipment to collect the samples, and training over twenty volunteers to assist in the sampling. Coastkeeper staff and volunteers worked side by side with scientists from the Regional Board to collect water and sediment samples and send them to a lab for analysis. To determine the diversity of life in the mud, we collected animals by scooping up the bottom mud, and then using hoses and our hands to separate them out and preserve them for analysis. The conclusion reached in our study was that the sediments in Huntington Harbor were contaminated with a variety of substances harmful to life. The Regional Board is in the process of creating regulations to limit this contamination in Huntington Harbor.
completed projects
Newport Dunes Bacteria and Coliphage Study
As part of the effort by the City of Newport Beach and Orange County to deal with high bacteria counts in Upper Newport Bay , Orange County Coastkeeper collected water samples from Newport Dunes beaches. To determine the contribution of swimmers to high bacteria levels, Coastkeeper staff collected samples in areas with and without swimmers at three hour intervals during the summer, and also collected samples during the winter period. The Orange County Sanitation District tested the samples for bacteria, and Dr. Sunny Jiang at the University of California Irvine tested the samples for viruses. The results suggested that swimmers are not a significant source of bacteria contamination in the bay. Sediment is a more probable source, and additional studies of this problem are in the design stage.
Buck Gully Water Filtration and Diversion Study
One of the best ways to reduce ocean pollution is to keep runoff out of the ocean in the first place. For the Buck Gully Project, Orange County Coastkeeper partnered with the City of Newport Beach to set up a test facility that would collect runoff from Buck Gully Creek. This water that would normally flow into the ocean was filtered to an acceptable level for reuse as irrigation water at a nearby golf course. Since there were no facilities in place to deliver the water to the golf course, the filtered water was diverted to the Orange County Sanitation district via a nearby sewer connection. After working to receive permits from six different agencies to get the project going, Coastkeeper ran the pumps and filters for a year. The success of the Buck Gully Project showed that it is economically feasible to recycle urban runoff for landscaping uses and keep the pollution present in the runoff out of the ocean.
Huntington Harbor Cleanup
As part of our commitment to water quality, Orange County Coastkeeper organized the first Huntington Harbour Cleanup Day in May 2003. Several hundred people came to collect trash found throughout the Harbor. Volunteers were given trash bags and nets, and fanned out across the harbor to collect the debris that others had tossed into the harbor. Six volunteer boats, including both Coastkeeper boats, ferried people to their destinations and assisted with the trash collection. After the trash pick up, the volunteers were treated to free food and drinks. The City of Huntington Beach , the County of Orange and other participating groups were on hand to share water quality information with the participants.
completed projects
- Raised the statewide development standards for water quality management plans of coastal developments—ensuring better coastal protection.
- First to enforce the ASBS (Area of Special Biological Significance) provisions, which prohibit degrading discharges in the 30 year old California Ocean Plan. Coastkeeper caused Cease and Desist Orders to be issued to The Irvine Company, Cal Trans, and State Parks. As a result, new Water Quality Management Plans were set in place for coastal development and construction of a vegetated swale along PCH in Newport Coast . Coastkeeper successfully prevented the State from abolishing ASBS provisions in the Ocean Plan in 2004, and currently the State is enforcing the law.
- Worked with Orange County Sanitation District to obtain the commitment for $400 million to upgrade to full secondary treatment for any ocean discharge. We continue to participate on oversight and advisory panels for bio-solids, construction timelines, and the Ground Water Replenishment System.
- Completed the largest sediment and water quality monitoring project to date in Anaheim Bay / Huntington Harbor complex, as well as the Rhine Channel in Newport Harbor . As these studies help to identify the pollutants present, they will lead to the establishment of pollution regulations in these areas.
- Completed a study on the Rhine Channel in Newport Harbor , taking sediment cores, assessing pollution load, and recommending method of remediation. Coastkeeper organized a Technical Advisory Committee to oversee the project and project consultants.
- Educated over 30,000 school children on the importance of water quality and the impacts of urban runoff.
- Litigated against potential causes of pollution and polluters. We have successfully litigated against 6 developers and 2 cities.
- Initiated new regulations for vessel waste pump-out facilities in our harbors that will ensure more pump-out stations and more reliable operation. The State Water Resource Control Board adopted the Order and has directed staff to use it as a model for adoption throughout the State.
- Successfully advocated for stronger regulations and stricter water quality standards governing urban runoff and storm water management. Co-plaintiff on litigation upholding the standards of the San Diego Stormwater Permit, and paving the way for a numeric standard based permit for the Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino County permits on the next round of NPDES permit renewals.
- Worked closely with the California Coastal Commission on numerous water quality, marine habitat and wetlands issues. Coastkeeper played a vital role in bringing the Coastal Commission into the water quality arena in 2000.
- Diverted polluted runoff draining across the beach at Little Corona beach to a sewage treatment plant.
- Successfully preserved historic coastal wetlands by protecting them from development impacts. Reforested kelp canopies at Crystal Cove and Little Corona, and planted 12 sites of eel grass in Newport Harbor. We have documented increased fish counts in these restored habitats.
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