Making the Santa Ana River Watershed a Priority

In a clash of vision and politics, the battle for the Santa Ana River Conservancy has begun.

Some in Orange County would like to see the watershed and the river protected as it flows to the ocean. These groups include the Friends of Harbors, Beachs and Parks and the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. Others, including three members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Water District, have come out against Assembly Bill 496, which would create the Santa Ana River Conservancy. They describe the conservancy as an unneeded layer of government that would compete with cities and counties for scarce bond funds.

I beg to differ with them. There is a better vision for our future with the conservancy.

Our greatest resources in California are our people and our magnificent natural landmarks. Millions come to enjoy the environment and the glittering bounty the Golden State has to offer. My own region, along the Santa Ana River and its watershed, is home to one of the nation’s fastest-growing populations. The Santa Ana River is the largest stream system in Southern California, flowing more than 96 miles from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The watershed includes portions of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and is home to almost 5 million people, with growth expected to reach 7 million by 2025 and almost 10 million by 2050.

As construction on vacant land continues, it is critical that we protect the river and watershed, which are among the region’s most precious environmental treasures. For those reasons, I have introduced Assembly Bill 496.

The creation of the Santa Ana River Conservancy would permit a governing board, acting in collaboration with local interests, affected counties and cities, water agencies and state and federal agencies, to acquire, manage and protect undeveloped lands in the Santa Ana River watershed.

In addition, the Santa Ana River Conservancy would develop open space and recreational opportunities; restore and preserve wildlife habitat and natural resources; enhance conservation and management of ground water and surface water resources; and protect and enhance local flood-control efforts.

Despite the obvious need to protect this gateway to nature, some officials would rather construct a freeway along the banks of the river or simply do nothing. That is not the kind of vision we need for the Santa Ana River.

People certainly can hold their views about creating overlapping layers of bureaucracy. I share many of those concerns. But AB 496 creates a “conservative” entity, one that takes into account the skepticism about government that pervades this three-county region.

While AB 496 would allow for the capture of park bond funds, including already-approved bonds, there is no direct legislative appropriation. It would also not exercise eminent domain or levy a tax.

The conservancy would also not necessarily live forever. The legislation will lapse on Jan. 1, 2011, unless reauthorized by the state Legislature with the support of the affected communities.

The Santa Ana River is a natural resource of statewide significance and has the potential to provide a remarkably high-quality nature experience for millions of urban residents.

For example, in my district, many families do not have the money to catch a plane for a vacation or take the time to drive long distances to renowned national parks such as Yosemite or Yellowstone. However, instead, families could drive to a local park along the river, where they could raft the river and picnic along its banks.

Communities in the Santa Ana River region understand the tremendous opportunities the river has to offer. Throughout the region, cities and counties are working to create recreational opportunities within the river watershed.

The Santa Ana River Trail, for example, provides a trail system for pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists. In addition, other regional projects are being undertaken to improve water quality and preserve the natural habitat.

The Santa Ana River Conservancy would help to ensure that these worthy projects continue to receive the funding they deserve.

Without a conservancy, agencies compete for scarce funds that are dispersed among a narrow range of regional projects. The river trail or lakes-and-streams projects don’t always fit into rigid categories within statewide water and park bonds.

A report released by San Bernardino County states that “the majority of the river corridor has remained a relatively unused resource due to lack of access, funds, curricula and a dedicated facility.”

We don’t need a freeway down the river. We need recreation and access to nature for urban residents in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.