Laguna Beach Environmental Sustainability Committee
December 8, 2025
Re: Item #14 - Environmental Sustainability Committee’s Support to Proceed with Environmental Impact Report for Proposed Aliso Estuary Restoration Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
The Environmental Sustainability Committee submits this letter to advise the City Council of action taken at its regular meeting on November 17, 2025. During that meeting, the Committee received a presentation from the Laguna Ocean Foundation regarding its Aliso Estuary restoration concept. The presentation described the scientific basis for the proposed restoration, the anticipated ecological benefits, and the preliminary findings from technical studies completed to date.
Following the presentation, the Committee deliberated on the value of initiating formal environmental review. The Committee voted unanimously to support staff’s recommendation to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. The Committee reached this decision because the California Environmental Quality Act process will produce a comprehensive scientific record concerning hydrology, coastal processes, habitat conditions, utilities, public access, and recreational implications. This information will provide the community and policymakers with a credible and transparent foundation from which to consider future decisions regarding the estuary, Aliso Beach Park, and adjacent public resources.
The Committee offers this recommendation in recognition that the Environmental Impact Report does not commit the City to construction or implementation of any specific design. Instead, it furnishes objective analysis that will allow the City Council and the public to evaluate alternatives, understand potential impacts, and identify mitigation measures consistent with the City’s long term environmental and coastal resilience goals.
The Environmental Sustainability Committee appreciates the opportunity to provide this recommendation and stands ready to support the Council as the environmental review proceeds.
Respectfully Submitted,
Environmental Sustainability Committee
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Estuary
From: Susan Whitin
Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 10:15 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Fwd: Estuary
Re: Support for Initiating the CEQA process for the Aliso Estuary Restoration Project - Consent Calendar #14
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my support for Council to authorize the initiation of the CEQA process for the Aliso Estuary Restoration project. This is an essential next step forward for a project with environmental and community benefits.
Restoring the Aliso Estuary represents an opportunity to heal a degraded natural system and to recreate a vibrant ecological system.
The restored estuary will become a critical link between our city’s Bluebelt and Greenbelt — an integrated system connecting water, habitat, and public open space. By allowing tidal flow, native vegetation, and wildlife to return, the project promises to re-establish natural functions that have been suppressed for decades.
The alternative—leaving the estuary in its present condition—is a continuation of a dismal legacy. The site today reflects neglect rather than stewardship, and retaining the status quo would only perpetuate environmental degradation.
In contrast, the restoration would showcase our community’s commitment to ecological responsibility, offering a healthy and functioning estuary as a model for future environmental leadership.
The site plan accompanying this effort further strengthens its value. With an enhanced multi-modal mobility hub, the project will encourage safe and sustainable access by foot, bicycle, and transit. Its ecological orientation and low-key amenities—designed for viewing, learning about, and experiencing the estuary—ensure that public access is compatible with conservation. The improved park will be centered on the natural ecosystem, offering educational and recreational opportunities while prioritizing habitat restoration and protection.
2 It is also worth noting that during the Concept Review, Planning Commission unanimously expressed strong support for the project. Their endorsement reflects both the quality of the proposal and the community’s recognition of its many benefits.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the stewardship of our natural resources.
Susan Whitin
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Proposed Aliso Estuary Restoration Project
From: Deb
Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2025 8:35 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>; Kiff, Dave CM <[email protected]> Subject: Proposed Aliso Estuary Restoration Project
Dear Mayor, City Council members and City Manager, Mr. Kiff, Item # 14 on this coming weeks agenda for the City Council Meeting is regarding the proposed Aliso Estuary Restoration project.
As neighbors who are fortunate to overlook Aliso Creek and its estuary, we are very much in favor of proceeding with an Environmental Impact Report on the proposed project. This important CEQA review will address many of the concerns that the City Council and Laguna Beach residents, especially close neighbors, may have regarding this project.
We urge you all to please vote in favor of proceeding with this Environmental Impact Report on the restoration of the Aliso Creek Estuary.
Sincerely,
Debbie and Paul Naudé
McKay
, Ann Marie CC
Subject:
Attachments:
12/3-4/2025 - Important Aliso Creek Update
Video_ 1.mov; Video_ 1.mov
From: Greg Viviani
Date: December 4, 2025 at 7:31 :13 PM PST
To: City Council <[email protected]>, Kiff Dave CM <[email protected]>
Cc: McKay Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>, Alex Rounaghi <[email protected]>, Sue Kempf Mayor Laguna Beach <[email protected]>, Mark Orgill <[email protected]>, Bob Whalen <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Joanne McMahon, Tracy L, Abbas, Kerry Cunning , "Jeffrey S. Haber", jeffrey facter, Blair Contratto, fiauto , Kai Bond
<[email protected]>, mkdillow, [email protected]
Subject: 12/3-4/2025 - Important Aliso Creek Update
Good evening,
I wanted to confirm this morning the Aliso Beach Creek Mouth drained and the sand berm was breached by itself. Just like it did yesterday and has been doing regularly since the rain storm and these "king tides." This also happens without rain or king tides, because of the constant Urban Runoff coming down from up stream. This back and forth water movement filling and flushing in and out of the creek mouth is critical to a clean and safe creek and ocean. Also to prevent flooding, bacteria from growing, mosquitoes breeding, property damage, and meandering. (Which I have been documenting for a very long time) another video shows how much water actually pours out of this creek mouth during and after a rain storm.
I wanted to confirm that we have created a YouTube Channel specifically about this creek mouth to give day to day information on this specific area. So far 242 Videos from different days Documenting as often as possible how frequently the creek drains by itself, or if the city public works does it, or if the wave riding community breaches the sand berm. The majority being by itself believe it or not, we have the documentation and videos to show. 1