Aliso Creek Restoration Project Kicks Off with the City Supporting, But Public Concerns Persist
The Aliso Creek estuary could see a complete restoration, according to a motion cast by the city council on Tuesday, Oct. 22. In a key move toward these plans, council members unanimously agreed to move forward with conceptual plans brought by the Laguna Ocean Foundation, consolidating technical studies needed to advance the project. These studies will help determine the environmental and structural impacts of the proposed restoration project.
The Laguna Ocean Foundation divided the project into three components: estuary lagoon expansion and restoration, decreasing the estuary mouth breach and reducing dry weather flow.
“The goal about improving water quality and reducing dry flow—I think that’s something everyone in this room should want because it’s how we have cleaner ocean water and we have an opportunity now where we are getting a couple million dollars through Moulton Niguel exiting their obligation under the coastal treatment plan,” said Alex Rounaghi, Mayor Pro Tem, referencing Tuesday’s city council attendees.
Additionally, the council approved preparations for a scope of work for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), marking a critical milestone before final decisions on the project’s feasibility. The project includes restoring the estuary’s functionality, such as removing invasive plant species and mitigating water flow, upgrading public spaces, adding an interpretive center and improving pedestrian access. The project would also replace parking lots and paved areas with mobility hubs encouraging alternate transportation such as buses and trolleys, updated restrooms, trails and seating areas, and a pedestrian bridge over the estuary.
Though public input remains both supportive and skeptical, the council stressed the need for further technical evaluations within the proposed EIR to address lingering concerns, such as berm control, endangered species awareness and mosquito populations.
“With very little rain, we’d be worried about mosquitoes …and other insects we wouldn’t want to necessarily see,” said Mayor Sue Kempf. “We see quite frequently when we’ve had a lot of rain, a lot of water coming down and you have to breach the berm, it typically heads north, and I’ve been down many times where it looks like these homes are imperiled.”
Residents expressed both enthusiastic support and skeptical caution for the proposed project. Some residents and environmental advocates consider restoration essential to protecting and revitalizing the natural habitat.
“The estuary will become a vital and healthy resource eventually, for the marine protected areas, and for the beauty and well-being of Laguna and all its inhabitants,” said Charlotte Masarik, Laguna Blue Belt board member. “Restoring the estuary is a perfect example of stewardship and will be a key addition to Lagunas protection of our public lands.”
On the other end of the spectrum, some residents expressed concerns and skepticism about the project’s feasibility and transparency, questioning conflicting information presented by the city and the Laguna Ocean Foundation. Adam Redding-Kaufman, local surfer, questioned the water flow management, pointing out that records of the creek’s dynamic nature question the validity of the historical perspective.
“The Laguna Beach Historical Society has, like, 50 pictures of the creek between 1890 and 1920, and every single picture is different,” said Kaufman. “Every single picture, the creek is in a different zone…So when they say they’re going to restore it to historical, I don’t even think we have a clear definition of historical. The Thurstons, who were the first white settlers in Laguna, defined it as constantly changing.”
While several hurdles remain, including coordination among landowners who own parts of the property surrounding the estuary including owners of The Ranch, South Coast Water District in addition to numerous government agencies, the council voiced its commitment to improving the region’s watershed and water quality. The project’s final decisions will follow the completion of technical studies and the draft EIR, which are expected in the next six months.
“Fundamentally, that’s the biggest flaw…its success, and arguably its feasibility, depends on the cooperation of too many government agencies to even keep track of…” said Rounaghi. “But I really believe that ocean quality in our ecosystem should not be compromised by bureaucratic infighting.”
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