Special Meeting of the Board of Supervisors

In place of its regularly scheduled meeting, the Board of Supervisors this week held a Special Meeting to conduct interviews of candidates for the position of Sheriff-Coroner. To view the names and resumes of the nine candidates interviewed by the Board, please click here. To see the Interview Schedule of the Special Meeting, please click here. To view the live Internet broadcast of the Special Meeting, please click here.

The Board expects to make a decision on the new Sheriff before the end of June. The individual selected for Sheriff-Coroner will finish the remaining term of office left vacant when former Sheriff Michael Carona resigned. The current Sheriff-Coroner term will continue through January, 2011. If the chosen candidate wishes to continue as Orange County Sheriff, he or she will have to run for election in the November, 2010 General Election.

Federal Agency Urges Override of Vote against 241 Toll Road

The Acting Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommended in a recent letter that the Secretary of Commerce override the California Coastal Commission’s February 6 decision. The Federal agency said the 241 Toll Road is essential to regional congestion relief, adheres to the Clean Air Act, and provides national security benefits. FHWA is the lead Federal agency for the 16-mile project.

The FHWA letter noted that “no reasonable alternative is available” that would meet the requirements of the Coastal Zone Management Program. The letter also emphasized “the national interest in a safe and efficient transportation system; the critical importance of Southern California’s transportation viability and air quality improvement; the orderly process undertaken for this project; and the commitment to minimize and mitigate adverse effects." For more information, please click here.

OCTA Bicycle Plan Survey

Orange County's favorable climate and recreational attractions make it an ideal environment for bicycling. Over 800 miles of bikeways provide many opportunities to travel by bicycle throughout the County.

The Orange County Bikeways Map depicts local and regional bikeways existing as of June, 2008. OCTA welcomes your suggestions regarding ways to improve the map or bikeway system. For more information, please click here.

Health Alert: Mussel Quarantine

The County of Orange Health Care Agency reminds shellfish consumers that the Annual Mussel Quarantine in California took effect on May 1 and will continue through October 31, 2008. Sport harvesting of mussels for human consumption is prohibited along the entire California coastline. The purpose of the quarantine is to protect the public from deadly poisons that may be present in bivalve mollusks, such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops.

The greatest hazard is poisoning from mussels because they develop high levels of toxin more quickly than other mollusks and are eaten whole without removal of digestive organs. Moreover, cooking does not destroy the toxins, as they are relatively heat resistant. The safest guideline to follow is: Do not eat mussels from California coastal waters collected by sports harvesters until after October 31. For more information, please click here.

On May 22, I co-chaired the monthly meeting of the Orange County Coastal Coalition at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, where guest speakers provided updates on the regional Trash and Debris Task Force as well as three water conservation bills.

Beatrice Musacchia of OC Watersheds updated us on current activities of the Trash and Debris Task Force, which was formed in 2004 to develop regional strategies for reducing trash in our creeks and ocean. The presentation highlighted the Fullerton Creek Trash and Debris Demonstration Project. This project took a strategic approach that embraced an increased public education effort, targeting schools, community centers and businesses in proximity to Fullerton Creek. In addition to outreach efforts, programs were developed and included student leadership, trash assessment training, creek visits, and coordination with local chambers and cities. To view Ms. Musacchia’s presentation, please click here.

One of the goals of Coastal Coalition is to provide a neutral forum for discussion of pending legislation; although as a group, we do not advocate specific positions. However, we are constantly tracking legislative initiatives and will gladly bring forward those bills that might be of interest to Coastal Coalition participants.

Don Hughes from the County’s OC Public Works Department led the discussion on three water conservation-related bills. To see a synopsis of these bills, please click here. To view Mr. Hughes presentation, please click here.

Please join me at our next Coastal Coalition meeting on Thursday, June 26 at the Newport Beach Library for a special Environmental Education Fair. If your organization provides educational programs and would like to participate in this special event, or to be placed on the email distribution list for upcoming Coastal Coalition meetings, please send your email address to betty.martinez@rdmd.ocgov.com.

Guided Hikes in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Explore the trails and learn about the flora, fauna, geology and history of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists and OC Parks staff! Below are a few of the opportunities that are being offered. For more information, please click here.

• Saturday, May 31
  Fitness, Flora, Fauna and Fun
  8-11:30 a.m.
  Exercise your mind and body with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Dan Carreras and Dave Terrack on this 3.5-mile hike. Bring plenty of water and binoculars. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road). Reservations suggested: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.
  
  
• Thursday, May 1
  Fitness Hike
  9-11 a.m.
  Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 3.5- to 5-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Helen Flanagan. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, west side, just south of El Toro Road intersection). Reservations suggested: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.
  
  
• Saturday, May 3
  Canyon to Canyon Hike
  8-11:30 a.m.
  Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Kathleen Farinacci leads this 7-mile, strenuous, interpretive hike from Little Sycamore Canyon to Willow Canyon via Laurel Canyon. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, west side, just south of El Toro Road intersection) to carpool to Little Sycamore Canyon. Reservations suggested: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.
  
  
• Saturday, May 3
  Dr. Sue's Insect and Arthropod Zoo
  1-4 p.m.
  See Sue Van Vorhis Key's "zoo" full of live insects and arthropods, from walking sticks to scorpions. Then learn about arthropods by making your own. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Nix Nature Center, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.
  
  
• Sunday, May 4
  Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride
  9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  Enjoy ocean and canyon views on this 8- to 15-mile ride led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists and mountain bike trail assistants. RESERVATIONS AND HELMETS REQUIRED. Call 949-923-2235. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Big Bend Staging Area (ask for directions when making reservation). Parking: $3.
  
  

June 3 is Election Day!

The 2008 Statewide Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, June 3, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Please remember to vote! To find your polling place and/or download sample ballot information, please click here. To view live election results after the polls close, please click here.

• Attended a Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony to present a Certificate of Recognition in honor of the grand opening of Comerica Bank in Mission Viejo.
• Attended a Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony to present a Certificate of Recognition in honor of the grand opening of A La Carte Gourmet in Newport Beach.
• Participated in the ongoing series of County Budget Briefings in preparation for the public Budget Hearings in June