Banning Ranch Conservancy Appeal Denied 03-28-13
Daily Pilot - The State Supreme Court refused to hear the Sunset Ridge Park case. The Conservancy claims the park will facilitate the development of the Banning Ranch property.
With O.C. Hills Deceptively Green, A Dry Spring Looms 03-17-13
Orange County Register - George Ewan of the Orange County Fire Authority says the lush green hills give people a false sense of security, because those green hills will go brown and dry out pretty fast. Dry brush is a huge risk during fire season in Southern California. In fact, Bill Patzert, a Jet Propulsion Laboratory researcher, says "people equal fire."
Great Park Officials Ponder Wisdom of Free Events 03-10-13
Los Angeles Times - Based on the number of visitors each week, the average estimated visitor costs $1.29 to visit the Great Park during free events. Proposals are now underway to start charging for some of the historically free activities such as the carousel ride or the balloon ride.
Canyon Groups Vie For Control of Emergency Radio Team 03-07-13
Orange County Register - The board of the Inter-Canyon League voted unanimously to keep control of the Canyon Watch radio team, which during emergencies provides radio communications between Silverado, Modjeska and Trabuco Canyons.
The other group under consideration for the radio team was the Fire Safe Council East Orange Canyons, a group under the umbrella of the Inter-Canyon League.
Chay Peterson: Angel of the Canyon 03-07-13
OC Weekly -
A self proclaimed free spirit, Chay Peterson has been a long-time advocate for social and environmental issues. From helping residents when the devastating Hurricane Katrina hit, to advancing the anti-nuke position in the USSR to more recently the working toward the preservation of the Holtz Ranch in Silverado Canyon, Chay has many great talents.
City May Acquire County Park 03-05-13
Daily Pilot - The City of Costa Mesa
voted 4-1 to acquire Talbert Park. The park is adjacent to the Santa Ana River and Fairview Park. Officials are unsure if the county is willing to give the land to Costa Mesa for management.
Fair Board Ponders Action on Private Bid 02-28-13
Voice of OC - Working with a group of activists the Fair Board is unraveling the scheme from 2011 to sell the 162 acre OC Fair. A series of forensic audits are being conducted to determine exactly how public funds were used.
Tidepool Lecture Scheduled for March 6 02-26-13
Corona Del Mar Today - The Orange County Natural History Lecture Series features a presentation by Melanie Schlotterbeck of Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks. She will present relevant and timely information on the Green Vision Project.
Wetlands Habitat Opens at Fairview Park 02-20-13
Daily Pilot -
Thirty-seven acres of riparian and wetland habitat received their latest phase of funding. Partners for this project included the Orange County Transportation Authority and Miocean, a local funder focused on water pollution.
OC Groups Join Largest Climate Rally 02-19-13
OC Weekly -
A growing chorus of organizations call on President Obama to take action on climate change. More than 100 organizations from Orange and LA Counties are advancing a Forward on Climate effort, linked with a rally in Washington DC, it will be the largest climate rally in history.
Former Fountain Valley Mayor Dies 02-14-13
Huntington Beach Independent - Gus Ayer, former Mayor of Fountain Valley, passed away on Wednesday, February 13th. Known for his wit, charm and enthusiasm, Gus brought many skill sets to the table. He was involved in local politics, elections and campaigning and environmental stewardship.
Santa Ana River Marsh Dredging Begins 02-12-13
Daily Pilot - A five million dredging project has begun on the Santa Ana River Marsh near Newport Beach. What is considered good quality sand
will be piped out 1000 feet offshore. This project has some residents concerned.
Homes Plan Worries Locals 02-07-13
Yorba Linda Star - Residents in Yorba Linda are concerned about two developments proposed in the hills of unincorporated Orange County.
Those that went throught the Freeway Complex Fire would never support adding additional homes in the path of oncoming flames in an area with existing traffic issues.
Council Members to Reconsider Madrona Housing Development- 02-06-13
Brea Star Progress - The current plans call for 162 houses on 367 acres using the guidelines from the 1986 General Plan and a Specific Plan that no longer exists--all this because of a lawsuit the developer filed when the City updated its documents.
2013 OCTA Looking Forward 01-28-13
OCTA Weekly Update -
Among 12 priorities for new OCTA Board Chair Greg Winterbottom in 2013, is to continue to support environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives. This specific priority will advance the creation of the Natural Communities Conservation Plan and Habitat Conservation Plan for the Renewed Measure M Environmental Mitigation Program.
Wider I-405 Expansion May Get Another Look - 01-25-13
OC Register - Supervisor Moorlach is urging OCTA to reconsider the plans to add toll lanes and remove the carpool lanes from the 405 Freeway. Many of the OCTA Directors are new and the vote may be different.
Wierd Beard Joel: A Hiker's Quest to Find Snow in OC 01-14-13
OC Weekly - Hikers with Naturalist For You get an incredible experience on Maple Springs Road in early January as tumultous weather provides rain, hail and snow for the group.
Irvine City Council Overhauls Oversight, Spending on Great Park 01-10-13
Los Angeles Times -
At the end of an eight hour meeting, the Irvine City Council approved an audit of the $220 million that has been spent on the Great Park. The City also voted to eliminate the public member positions of the Orange County Great Park Corporation. The new Irvine City Council majority was victorious on both items, passing them 3-2.
Irvine Council Majority Takes Great Park in New Direction 01-09-13
Voice of OC -
The Irvine City Council voted 3-2 to eliminate the non-elected positions of the Orange County Great Park Corporation Board of Directors. This results in the immediate removal of long-time board members: Michael Pinto, Walkie Ray, Bill Kogerman and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.
Irvine Council Ok's Great Park Audit, Ends Contract, Cuts Board 01-09-13
Orange County Register -
In three different votes, the new majority of the Irvine City Council approved a forensic audit of the Great Park Corporations books, immediate termination of the Corporation's contract with Townsend Public Affairs, and eliminated of four independent members of the Corporation's board.
Great Park Board Warns of Proposals Costs 01-07-13
Orange County Register - The Orange County Great Park Corporation Board determined the future was bleak if the new majority of the Irvine City Council voted to remove the four independent board members. Those promoting the re-writing of the Corporation's founding documents did not attend the meeting.
Trestles: Historic Place? Historic Treasure? 01-04-13
Orange County Register -
Surfrider has worked with the State Historical Resources Commission to add Trestles to the National Registry of Historic Places. The decision to move the nomination to the federal government is February 8, 2013.
Butterfly Park Gets New Wings- 01-02-13
Huntington Beach Independent -
From Scary Park to Butterfly Park a little revitalization brings the butterflies back to a seven acre site in Huntington Beach.
