Welcome to this edition of the Fifth District Report, an electronic newsletter keeping you updated about the events taking place in Orange County and in the Fifth District. It is my hope that you find this distribution informative and I would encourage you to contact me regarding any thoughts, comments, or concerns you may have.

PatBates@ocgov.com

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. Board Bulletin Board

2. Fifth District News

3. Environmental Notes

4. County Connection

5. FYI

6. Fifth District Wrap-Up

OUR STAFF..

Justin McCusker:
Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Executive Director of Public Affairs

Eileen Takata:
Executive Policy Advisor

Jeff Corless:
Executive Policy Advisor

Elise Lampe:
Executive Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Executive Secretary II

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“OC Parks” & Strategic Plan Approved

At our October 2 Board meeting, my colleagues and I unanimously approved the Harbors Beaches & Parks Strategic Plan as well as “OC Parks” as the new name for the agency. It is not yet certain when the new name will become visible at County parks, but look for the coming changes. In the meantime, you are invited to visit the website at www.ocparks.com and review the approved Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan provides a road map for the OC Parks agency for the next ten years. Thank you to all who participated in the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Community Forums.

South County Future Governance

In addition to serving on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I am the Board’s Alternate Member on the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). Supervisor Bill Campbell serves as LAFCO Chair and Supervisor Moorlach also serves on the Commission as a Regular Member of the Board of Supervisors.

Orange County LAFCO is committed to promoting orderly growth and development, discouraging urban sprawl while preserving open space and agricultural lands, and encouraging efficient service areas for local governments. LAFCO is also a resource for citizens to actively participate in the decisions that affect their communities, for general information regarding government agencies and resources within the county, and for state agencies that relate to LAFCO goals and objectives.

At our October 10 LAFCO meeting, a discussion item of high priority for the Commission and of considerable significance to the Fifth District was the future governance of the South County area – comprising the unincorporated communities of Ladera Ranch, Coto de Caza, Wagon Wheel and Las Flores as well as the Rancho Mission Viejo development.

By focusing staff time and effort now, to develop a means to handle the future governance of this entire area, future issues can be minimized. To that end, LAFCO has received an application for the formation of a County Service Area (CSA) for the Rancho Mission Viejo development. Staff will be working with Rancho Mission Viejo and all the stakeholders so that a comprehensive look at governance of the unincorporated South County area can be brought to the Commission. For more information, please click here.

Toll Roads Offer $100 Million to State Parks

On September 28, an offer of $100 million to fund improvements to the California State Parks System was unanimously approved by the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors. The $100 million, a sum equal to one-fourth of the annual California State Parks operating budget, is proposed to be used to:

• Fund the extension of the lease at San Onofre State Beach Park and Trestles ($70 million estimated)
• Fund the construction of new or improved camping facilities at San Onofre State Beach Park, restoration of the historic cottages at Crystal Cove State Park, construct new campgrounds in Crystal Cove State Park, or fund the development of other coastal camping resources as determined by the California State Parks and Recreation Department ($20 million estimated)
• Provide $10 million to fund restoration of 150 acres of Coastal Sage Scrub habitat in Crystal Cove State Park

By providing funds to pay for extending the lease from the federal government at San Onofre State Beach Park and Trestles, millions of Californian’s will continue to enjoy these coastal resources. Additionally, existing camping areas at San Onofre State Beach Park could be improved, new coastal camp sites could be built, or the historic cottages at Crystal Cove State Park could be restored. According to Crystal Cove Alliance, which manages the properties, the Crystal Cove Historic District needs $22 million to complete the restoration of historic cottages, as well as to build an Outdoor Educational Commons, including a museum and other visitor serving facilities. For more information, please click here.

New Logo for Laguna Woods

Laguna Woods Village, formerly Leisure World Laguna Woods, recently unveiled a new logo. The logo features a simple rendering of an oak leaf with a new font design for the community name. Congratulations to Laguna Woods Village on the unveiling of its new logo! For more information, please click here.

Open House a Success!

On October 5, my staff and I hosted over 200 people who attended an Open House held in the Fifth District Office. Light refreshments and pleasant conversation were enjoyed by all in attendance, including many old and new friends. Thank you to all that made the trip to Santa Ana! To view pictures of the event, please click here.

South County Calendar

Every community event in the Fifth District is special including this month’s Autumn Harvest Festival in Lake Forest and the Kids Day at the Mission event in San Juan Capistrano. For more information about the Autumn Harvest Festival on October 20, please click here .

For more information about Kids Day at the Mission on October 27, please click here.

South County Spotlight

On October 5, I presented a Certificate of Recognition to Fluidmaster, Inc. of San Juan Capistrano in honor of their 50th Anniversary. Fluidmaster was born in 1957 when founder/inventor Adolf Schoepe decided to bring a better idea to life, a better product to the marketplace. Today, Fluidmaster sells more toilet tank replacement valves than any other manufacturer in the world. For more information about Fluidmaster, Inc., please click here.

Orange County Coastal Coalition

On September 27, I chaired the seventh Orange County Coastal Coalition meeting for 2007 along with Supervisor Moorlach's Chief of Staff Mario Mainero and Mary Anne Skorpanich, our new Director of the County's Watershed & Coastal Resources Division. For a detailed meeting summary, please click here.

The first presentation was by Dr. Phil Shaller, Exponent, who educated us on the long term effects of fire on the ecosystem. Fires trigger changes in watershed behavior, often resulting in mudslides and flooding. We also learned that vegetation recovery occurs slowly over decades. To view Dr. Phil Shaller’s presentation, please click here.

Lyn McAfee, Executive Director of the Nature Reserve of Orange County (NROC), and Trish Smith, Senior Project Ecologist for The Nature Conservancy of California, provided us an overview of the NROC's Wildland Fire Management Plan. This is a collaborative effort aimed at protection of the Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) resources. Although many of us knew that wildfires are a part of our native ecosystems, we learned that fires that occur too frequently make it difficult if not impossible for native plant and animal species to recover. To view their presentation, please click here.

From the Orange County Fire Authority. Laura Blaul, Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal and George Ewan spoke about their roles in wildland defense planning and on ways to protect homes along the “urban-wildland interface” zone. Important measures we can use to create a defensible space around a structure include removing all vegetation next to or under decks and overhangs; providing a 30 feet clearance between the home and non-irrigated vegetation; removing all plant litter, dead or dying vegetation, as well as dead wood between and underneath ground cover, shrubs, and trees; and thinning vegetation within 70 feet. To view Ms. Blaul’s presentation, please click here.

Because of the upcoming H2O Conference, our next Coastal Coalition meeting will be held on Thursday, November 1, 9am-11am, at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor. All are welcome and I hope to see you there!

Great Clean Air Tree Planting Project

On October 27, United Voices for Healthier Communities will plant over 6500 trees at 30 sites across Southern California on Make a Difference Day. As an initiative of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, The Great Clean Air Tree Planting Project will be the largest single-day urban tree planting effort in the history of the South Coast Air Basin. The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency will be co-sponsoring the tree planting effort being staged at the Live Oak Plaza conservation site – at the intersection of El Toro Road and Live Oak Canyon Road in South Orange County. For more information, please click here or call The Toll Roads at (949) 754-3417.

ReadyOC Emergency Preparedness

The ReadyOC emergency preparedness campaign has launched ReadyOC Kids, a family-focused extension of ReadyOC, the largest countywide public education initiative aimed at encouraging public preparedness for emergencies caused by natural and man-made disasters. The youth campaign is aimed at giving Orange County children an educational resource which can be shared with their family. As a part of the kids’ campaign, there is also a dedicated webpage for kids which features many fun facts and educational activities. For more information, please click here.

Food Protection Program

The County’s Environmental Health Food Protection Program has initiated an incentive program for food establishments which identifies and awards a certificate to food establishments that routinely exhibit excellent food safety and sanitation practices. Food establishments included in the Award of Excellence Program are restaurants, catering establishments, meat & seafood markets, retail bakeries, supermarkets & markets. For information on 2006 award winning restaurants in your community, please click here.

Operation Interdependence

Operation Interdependence is a Civilian-to-Military Delivery System that provides communities the opportunity to support our service men and women stationed overseas. The most treasured item deployed forces receive is a note from you so they are never left out at mail call, but they also appreciate a few little treats such as holiday cards, letters, candy, gum, hot cocoa, instant oatmeal, power bars, and tube socks. If you would like to participate in this worthy endeavor, please visit www.oidelivers.org or contact Orange County Managers Pat & Kel Lach at kelandpatlach@lachteam.com or call (949) 495-1010.

Fifth District Wrap-Up

Among my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:

• Met with Laguna Niguel city officials to discuss Measure M project opportunities
• Met with the head of the County’s Health Care Agency to discuss MediCal
• Met with constituents from Fifth District unincorporated areas to discuss County services
• Met with representatives of the Municipal Water District of Orange County to discuss South County water issues
• Hosted an Open House in the Fifth District Office
• Presented a Certificate of Recognition in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Fluidmaster, Inc.
• Was an official judge at the Dogue Vogue event in Ladera Ranch. To see photos, please click here.
• Presented a Certificate of Recognition to OC Nutrition of Laguna Niguel on the occasion of their Grand Opening
• Met with Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower Foundation representatives to discuss regional community service needs
• Adjourned the October 10 Board meeting in memory of Megan Myers.
• Adjourned the October 10 Board meeting in memory of Andy Westerfield.

My office also:

• Met with OCSD representatives to discuss law enforcement issues in Fifth District unincorporated areas
• Met with representatives of the City of San Juan Capistrano to discuss sustainability initiatives
• Attended a Senior Summit event hosted by Laguna Beach Seniors, Inc.

My staff and I look forward to continually providing you updated information in our Fifth District Newsletter and website.

Please feel free to contact my office with your concerns, comments or questions at (714) 834-3550.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's Fabulous Fifth District.

Thank you so much for your support!