A plan by OC Public Works officials to trim significant vegetation along the San Juan and Trabuco Creeks near Doheny State Beach has been delayed after state intervention. The Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed they asked OC Public Works to halt the work, raising questions about whether the county agency's streambed alteration agreements with the state permit such extensive vegetation removal, especially in sensitive habitats for endangered species.
Cort Klopping, a spokesman for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, stated his agency requested OC Public Works "to hold off on commencing on their scheduled work until we meet with them." This intervention came after Creek Team activists raised alarms. Despite an OC Public Works notice indicating state regulators had approved the proposed action, state officials confirmed they had not.
Creek Team activists, who have advocated for non-toxic flood control methods, expressed shock at the sudden announcement. Brent Linas, who founded the group, stated that state Fish and Wildlife confirmed no such approval existed and that the department was not informed, despite OC Public Works' claims. Linas added that the current Streambed Alteration Agreement from state Fish and Wildlife would not authorize such an act in endangered species habitat.
State regulators already had a meeting scheduled with OC Public Works to assess their overall compliance program, according to Klopping. He noted that while OC Public Works holds a permit allowing non-native vegetation removal, the meeting will determine compliance with all permit conditions.
OC Public Works officials confirmed the work was delayed "to address community concerns." The planned work, according to spokeswoman Jaime Cargo, is part of a pilot program to study the feasibility and costs of manual and mechanical vegetation removal methods, as directed by the Board of Supervisors at a June meeting. This prior vote had seemingly granted a year-long reprieve to the creeks, including a herbicide ban and a study on vegetation management near endangered species habitat.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento indicated his understanding was that county staff would pause herbicides and study alternatives. OC Public Works stated their crews would manually remove non-native plants and cut vegetation, including small trees, shrubs, and bushes, down to ground level, without disturbing soil or roots unless necessary for removal. The spokeswoman did not address questions about whether state regulators had reviewed and signed off on the plan.
Regarding notification, Cargo stated OC Public Works informed the Board of Supervisors via email the day before the public announcement. This appears to contradict Supervisor Katrina Foley, who represents the area and stated she learned about it simultaneously with the public notice. Foley later issued a public statement suggesting her office's advocacy led to the pause in the pilot program.
Linas of the Creek Team described the incident as another instance of vague bureaucracy within Orange County government, asserting that county staff seems willing to provide misleading information to justify actions they know are not legal. He reiterated calls for new leadership in OC Public Works’ Flood Control group.
