The Irvine Company - PLANNING AHEAD, May 2001

Since development began in 1990 along the Newport Coast, between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar, The Irvine Company has worked with environmental groups and regulatory and government agencies to maintain offshore water quality. Foremost, of the 9,300 acres that comprise the Newport Coast, just 21 percent is allocated for residential use. The remaining 79 percent is being permanently preserved as open space or used for recreational activities. The preservation of the vast majority of the land is expected to go a long way toward maintaining the quality of offshore water.

In addition, Irvine Community Development Company has put in place a series of innovative systems designed to help maintain offshore water quality (see illustration).
These include:

Fitting storm drains with sophisticated filters that retain petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals, preventing them from being discharged into storm drain systems.

	Creating wetlands that slow runoff and cleanse it as it works its way down the hillside.
	Detention and filtration of approximately the first 3/4 inch of rainfall from development areas, which generally carries the bulk of any urban contaminants. First-flush water flow will be captured in specially designed detention basins for up to 40 hours to filter and reduce sediment and pollution flow into local creeks.
	Installing efficient irrigation systems within commonly owned landscape areas to minimize over-irrigation and runoff into creeks.
	In total, 15 manmade and natural systems will work together to help maintain water quality within the Muddy Canyon and Los Trancos Canyon watersheds. Nowhere in California have such comprehensive measures been taken, by new or older communities, to maintain nearby marine resources.

There are several simple - but extremely important and effective - steps you can take to help maintain offshore water quality:
	Be sure not to over-irrigate your yards.
	Have your vehicle inspected regularly for oil leaks, and take it to a car wash that uses recycled water instead of washing it yourself in the street.
	Never dump motor oil, paint products, car detergents and similar pollutants into storm drains: It is illegal to do so because the pollutants flow directly to the coast. Be sure to dispose of these types of materials properly. You can locate a disposal site near you by calling the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers, (714) 834-6752.
	If you hire contractors to work on your home or yard, make sure they follow the same rules relating to waste disposal and follow Best Management Practices with respect to erosion and sediment control. This is particularly important if your yard is being excavated for pools, foundations or other construction activities.

	Collect and dispose of pet waste immediately.
	Hire a professional to design your landscape and irrigation system. Professionals can design your landscape so that it reduces water usage and runoff, so be sure to ask them to incorporate these considerations into your home's plans.
	To prevent pollution of storm water runoff, minimize the amount of chemical fertilizer used on your landscape and don't over-fertilize your lawn and plants. Talk to your landscape architect about the use of nitrogen-fixing plants that help eliminate the need for supplemental fertilizers.
	Talk to your local nursery about biological means of controlling pests in your yard, or call the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at (800) 858-7378 for non-chemical pesticide recommendations.
	When you see litter, please collect and dispose of it immediately.
Protecting our area's important natural resources is a cooperative and continuing effort. With your help and the ongoing help of your homeowners' association, the Newport Coast will remain a remarkable place to live.

550 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
www.irvinecompany.com