Groundbreaking set for environmental project that will benefit South Orange County

The City of Aliso Viejo on February 22 will break ground on an innovative environmental project that will naturally treat urban runoff from four South Orange County cities and significantly improve water quality in the region.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Dairy Fork Wetland and Habitat Restoration Project is at 10 a.m. on land at the southwest corner of Aliso Viejo and Moulton parkways. The site entrance is on Moulton Parkway south of Aliso Viejo Parkway.

The City of Aliso Viejo is the lead agency on this project that will treat urban runoff from 1,500 acres of mixed residential and commercial areas within Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods before it merges with Aliso Creek. The project will also restore natural habitat to the area.

In April 2014, the Orange County Transportation Authority approved funding for this project through its Measure M2 – Environmental Cleanup Program, which requires a 35 percent local match from the participating cities. Most recently, the State Department of Water Resources approved an additional $500,000 in funding from Proposition 84 grant money. The funding dramatically lowers the out-of-pocket costs for all four cities — with Aliso Viejo reducing its share from $150,000 to $24,000.

The wetland project, which is part of the South Orange County Watershed Management Area plan, involves building a series of ponds and planting native, ecosystem-friendly plants. When construction is complete this summer, the wetland will have the ability to reduce pollutants in the water by as much as 99 percent.

The groundbreaking ceremony will feature a host of elected officials, staff members and representatives from participating agencies.