SOUNDING OFF: SUPER is needed

The horse is out of the gate!

For several years, the county, the [U.S. Army] Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency have worked on a viable plan “” the Aliso Creek SUPER Project “” to remove non-native vegetation, restore Aliso Creek and install technology to not only slow down water flow that carries pollution “” but to also capture water and remove or treat pollution just before it hits our ocean.

This is a $45-million project. Two years ago, the county was able to obtain a commitment from the federal government for the project “” with WRDA (Water Resources Development Agency) grant funding (mostly from Democrate leadership), whereby the federal government provides 75% and the local governments /agencies/supporters provide a balance of 25%. Now, our Supervisor, Pat Bates, has cobbled together approximately $9 million in funding for the local 25% match for the balance of the WRDA funding needed. We’re almost there!

Why some are now trying to derail this project, which will benefit the city of Laguna Beach the most, is beyond me.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the finish line is in sight. Let’s keep this horse on track and support the Aliso Creek Project.

MARTHA LYDICK lives in Laguna Beach.