Harmony Along the River

Contrary to statements made in your Nov. 18 article on the Santa Ana River Project, there has been absolutely no quarreling among Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties on sharing the local costs for the project.

In 1982, the Corps of Engineers reported to the assistant secretary of the Army on the possible breakdown of local costs among the three counties based on the value of the benefits each would receive. The results of this report are now out of date due to changes in the project. The proposed Mentone Dam has been replaced by the Seven Oaks Dam, the level of protection for Orange County reduced from 200 years to 180 years and the distribution of benefits altered.

In 1983, the Board of Supervisors of each county recommended to the assistant secretary of the Army that “the first unit(s) of construction with appurtenant mitigation measures provide, upon completion, a 100-year or greater level of protection for Orange County from Santa Ana River floods so that the occupants of the existing flood plain will be freed from federal flood insurance requirements.”

It is now expected that the Corps of Engineers will identify units of construction for first priority to achieve the above and will update its report on the benefits to be received by each county to be used for devising an agreement on sharing the local costs.

GEORGE OSBORNE

Executive Director,

Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency