The County of Orange has over 145 miles of underground storm drain facilities. OC Operations & Maintenance is responsible for inspection, maintenance and repair of the storm drain system in the public right-of-way and in drainage easements. This includes clearing blocked drains, removing debris from storm drain structures, and cleaning and repairing damaged drainpipes. Storm drains are designed to handle normal water flow, but occasionally during heavy rain, flooding will occur. Our goal is to limit the number of flooding incidents by keeping the drains clear with regular maintenance and cleaning. Stormwater PollutionStormwater pollution is urban runoff water that has picked up pollutants as it flows through the storm drain system (a network of channels, gutters and pipes that collect runoff from city streets, neighborhoods, farms, construction sites and parking lots) and empties directly into local waterways. Unlike sewage, which goes to treatment plants, urban runoff flows untreated through the storm drain system. Anything thrown, swept or poured into the street, gutter or a catch basin (the curbside openings that lead into the storm drain system) can flow directly into our channels, creeks, bays and ocean. This includes pollutants like trash, pet waste, cigarette butts, motor oil, antifreeze, runoff from pesticides and fertilizers, paint from brushes and containers rinsed in the gutter and toxic household chemicals. To report a storm drain problem, you may submit a service request or contact the OC Operations & Maintenance office at (714) 955-0200. How Stormwater Pollution Affects...County Residents Contaminated urban runoff is an uncontrolled non-point source of pollution into local waters, and may contribute to beach closures. Litter, leaves and other debris can clog catch basins, causing flooding when it rains. County Businesses Stormwater pollution may contribute to beach closures, which hurt local businesses, tourism and Orange County's image as a desirable place to live and work. It is illegal for businesses without a permit to discharge wastewater or other materials into the storm drain system. Water Quality ImpactNon-point source pollution can have a serious impact on water quality in Orange County. Pollutants from the storm drain system can harm marine life as well as coastal and wetland habitats. They can also degrade recreation areas such as beaches, harbors and bays. Stormwater quality management programs have been developed by the Orange County Stormwater Program under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The program educates and encourages the public to protect water quality, monitor runoff in the storm drain system, manage NPDES permit process for municipalities, investigate illegal disposals, and maintain storm drains. The support of Orange County residents, businesses and industries is needed to improve water quality and reduce the threat of stormwater and urban runoff pollution. Proper use and disposal of materials we use everyday will help stop this form of pollution before it reaches the storm drain and the ocean. There are a number of different habitats within the Upper Newport Bay. A habitat is a type of place where a particular animal or plant or group of animals and plants are most at home. In this type of place the general combination of food, water, shelter and space allows these plants and animals to thrive. Within any one geographical area there may be several habitats. The classification of habitats is a subject of much debate among naturalists. Some bird watchers, for instance, feel that as few as five habitats are sufficient to define where birds are seen at Upper Newport Bay. On the other hand some botanists have defined as many as 13 different habitats and as many as 21 distinct plant communities here at the Bay. The set of six habitats shown below has been found to be of most benefit in categorizing the plants, birds, marine life and other life of Upper Newport Bay in a simple and consistent manner: Open Water. – The bay itself as distinct from the bottom or the shores of the bay. Fish swim in open water and seabirds are seen overhead. The water is teeming with plankton. Seaweeds (algae) and submerged marine plants such as eel grass may be present. Mudflat. – The areas of the shore exposed at low tide. As the name implies these areas are generally muddy and flat. Plant life is limited to algae. Worms, mollusks and other marine critters are found in abundance in the mud and shore birds are seen pecking at the surface or probing below the surface of the mud for food. Saltmarsh. – The area of the shore from the mud flats to the high tide line. The plants in this area are adapted to being submerged in water and growing in salty soils. Cord grass thrives from the mid tide region upwards. Pickleweed is found in abundance in the high tide region and adjacent dry land which has salty soil. Freshwater Marsh/Pond. – Water-loving plants such as cattails and sedges grow in and around the water. Many of these plants can tolerate mild to moderate salinity. Freshwater fish, crayfish and other critters live here. Numerous ducks will be found here, particularly in winter. Riparian. – The area along side a river or stream or on the banks of a lake or pond. The plants in this area like moist soil but do not necessarily grow in the water. Willows are common. Cottonwoods and other trees and large shrubs are found. Bushtits, finches and hummingbirds will be seen here. Upland. – The bluffs, cliffs and undeveloped mesas around the bay make up the upland habitat. The dry slopes abound with sagebrush and drought-resistant succulents such as dudleya and cactus are found. Turkey vultures and other birds of prey are at home here. They are seen soaring effortlessly in the upward currents of warm air along the bluffs. Loss of habitat was identified as a major threat to the wildlife of California. While the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Nature Preserve are protected areas, this does not mean that UNB is not affected by loss or degradation of habitat. One key loss has been the loss of grassy upland areas on the bluffs surrounding the bay during the past decade. The development of Bonita Creek and San Joaquin Hills means that top predators like the coyote are less able to reach Upper Newport Bay. This enables other predators to thrive, possibly at the expense of endangered species. Habitat Restoration projects replace invasive, non-native plants with native vegetation. Non-native plants are a serious threat to upland habitats. Although they may look attractive, non-native plants provide little food or nesting opportunities for wildlife. They also tend to be aggressive, growing quickly and crowding out more valuable habitat. Coastal Sage Scrub is a unique habitat found only in Southern and Baja California. At Upper Newport Bay both Coastal Sage Scrub and grassland environments have been subjected to an invasion of non native species and less than thoughtful recreational use. Many plants and animals, at Upper Newport Bay depend on upland habitats, particularly Coastal Sage Scrub, for survival. Species such as the California Gnatcatcher could no longer survive here if the Coastal Sage Scrub habitat was depleted. Management efforts are helping maintain viable populations of this sensitive species. The County of Orange, OC Parks, California Department of Fish and Game, the California Coastal Commission and the Newport BayConservancy (Volunteers) are committed to protecting and restoring the crucial habitats of Upper Newport Bay. Resource management becomes necessary when natural areas become islands of open space surrounded by development. Habitat Restoration is an ongoing management effort to protect and restore healthy and diverse flora and fauna populations. For resource management to be successful, site user cooperation is important. Staff and volunteers work together to restore the uplands by limiting recreational uses, removing non-native vegetation and replanting native vegetation. Please do your part by using only marked trails, keeping your dog on a six foot leash at all times and avoiding areas that are being restored. You DO make a difference. “Never doubt a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that can.” – Margaret Mead If you are interested in helping with our restoration efforts there are scheduled monthly restoration days open to the public. We can also arrange restoration projects for groups. (Scouts, High School or College Classes etc.) |
