HABITAT / WILDLIFE REMOVAL

Excavating 28,000 Truck Loads of Soil

Army Corps Proposes Massive Project

The proposed project would bulldoze 5 miles of sensitive habitat in the Wilderness Park, excavate 28,000 truck loads of soil (566,900 cu. yards), and armor creek banks with rock. We encourage you to join us in preservation.

TAXPAYER CO$T

$100,000,000

Massive Costs and Expected Overuns

$100,000,000 is the massive estimated cost of the project, with additional delays and cost overruns likely. Lower Cost to Taxpayers by Reducing Scale of Concept. There are better uses of local resources and taxpayer funds.

LARGE SCALE DUMPING

Debris and Dirt dumped inside Wilderness Park

Visitors impacted by Scenic Degradation

Large-Scale Dumping in the Wilderness Park. 300,000 cubic yards of dirt and debris dumped inside Wilderness Park. 300,000 cubic yards of dirt and debris dumped inside Wilderness Park

ARMORED STEEL PILINGS

Excavation, grading and Recontouring

Rock and steel piling armoring along several sections of creek bank

The project proposes to use heavy machinery to excavate, grade and re-contour five miles of creek bed and creek banks. Excavation, grading and re-contouring would be followed by installation of engineered structures to control creek flows and raise the creek bed.

SCENIC DEGRADATION

47 Engineered Rock Rip Rap/Riffle Structures

VISITORS IMPACTED BY SCENIC DEGRADATION

Aliso Creek is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of annual Wilderness Park visitors. The proposed project’s years of construction, bank armoring and other unsightly components would significantly reduce the scenic quality of this special area.

Bulldozing of Creek

Large-Scale Excavation and Bulldozing of Creek

LARGE-SCALE EXCAVATION AND BULLDOZING OF CREEK

Local cities, hydrologist experts, environmental organizations, ecologists, residents and many others have expressed opposition to the unnecessary size and impact of the project. A more cost-effective and environmentally-responsible approach desired..

PROPOSED PROJECT
The proposed project is located within Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and spans an approximately five-mile length of Aliso Creek. This is the most natural and habitat-rich section of Aliso Creek, with numerous sensitive, threatened and endangered wildlife. The northernmost boundary of the project is near Pacific Park Drive in Aliso Viejo and the southernmost boundary is near The Ranch at Laguna Beach golf course.
The Army Corps has identified creek instability, utility line protection, floodplain hydrology and riparian habitat as its rationale for its proposal. The project proposes to use heavy machinery to excavate, grade and re-contour five miles of creek bed and creek banks. Excavation, grading and re-contouring would be followed by installation of engineered structures (grouted and ungrouted rock riffles and bank armoring) to control creek flows and raise the creek bed.

MAJOR PROJECT COMPONENTS
• 566,900 cubic yards excavated (equivalent to 28,345 tractor trailers of dirt)
• Five-miles of sensitive habitat/wildlife removed for excavation and grading
• 47 engineered rock rip rap/riffle structures between 9-inches and 6-feet height
• Rock and steel piling armoring along several sections of creek bank
• 300,000 cubic yards of dirt and debris dumped inside Wilderness Park
• Widening of creek profile and flood plain

SPECIFIC CONCERNS
Large-Scale Habitat and Wildlife Removal. The proposed project would remove an enormous amount of habitat and wildlife in the most sensitive area of Aliso Creek within Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Dozens of species would be affected.
Scenic Degradation. This segment of Aliso Creek is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of annual Wilderness Park visitors. The proposed project’s years of construction, bank armoring and other unsightly components would significantly reduce the scenic quality of this special area.
Taxpayer Cost. $100,000,000 is the massive estimated cost of the project, with additional delays and cost overruns likely. There are better uses of taxpayer funds.
Over-Engineered, Huge Scale. Local cities, hydrologist experts, environmental organizations, ecologists, residents and many others have expressed opposition to the unnecessary size and impact of the project. The issues the project claims to address can be remedied with a far more cost-effective and environmentally-responsible approach.