The City of Dana Point, in close coordination with state and county authorities and the Miocean Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing ocean pollution through solutions-oriented projects, broke ground last Thursday on a project that will help prevent contaminated urban runoff from polluting Doheny State Beach. The North Creek initiative is part of a citywide effort to clean up Dana Point's beaches and ocean water quality.
The groundbreaking marks the culmination of a two-year site evaluation, permitting, and environmental studies process headed by City Council Member Wayne Rayfield and Public Works Director Bob Warren. PBS&J, the City's Consultant, secured grant funding and completed the environmental process and studies, as well as the design for the project. The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the County of Orange, the Miocean Foundation, and the City of Dana Point provided funding for the $1 million dollar project.
"This ambitious project should serve as a model for private/public sector partnerships," said Public Works Director Bob Warren. "With the generous contributions of Miocean, the County of Orange and the SWRCB, the City, which contributed 50 percent of the necessary funding, will be able to meet its existing obligations and help clean up our beaches at the same time."
In 2003, Doheny State beach was identified as one of the most impacted beaches on the southern coast of California. It is a popular year-round destination for tourists and locals alike, offering amenities such as hotels, shopping, campgrounds, picnic areas and surfing.
The North Creek Project will divert polluted urban runoff to a sanitary sewer system a short distance away. The City of Dana Point expects construction to be completed in August 2003. Miocean has pledged $100,000 towards the North Creek project, while the SWRCB funded over $380,000 and the County funded just under $100,000.
"The groundbreaking on the North Creek project represents a major step forward for Doheny State Beach, but our commitment does not end there," said Miocean co-founder Keith Ross. "We have identified Salt Creek, also located in Dana Point, as our next initiative, and we will continue to work with state and local authorities to clean up our beaches and reduce ocean pollution."
Source: Miocean Foundation
