Dunes among top water trouble spots in county

Paul Clinton

In a survey of last year’s beach postings and closures, the Newport

Dunes Waterfront Resort shows up as one of a handful of Orange County’s

most troubled spots.

The resort clocked 15 separate postings during that calendar year. At

least a part of the resort’s lagoon was posted for 144 days of the year,

or nearly 40% of the time.

The report, issued by the National Resources Defense Council, also

singled out 43rd Street beach, Harbor Marina and the 33rd Street Channel

as other trouble spots. Warning signs were posted at those three areas

the entire year.

During 2000, Newport Beach led the county in postings and closings

with 73. Huntington Beach followed with 49. Third place went to Laguna

Beach with 19.

“There’s a problem,” said Defend the Bay founder Bob Caustin. “People

don’t realize how often the beaches are closed in Newport.”

Postings countywide jumped 75% from the year before to 881 during

2000. Three-quarters of the postings were caused by elevated bacteria

levels from unknown sources, according to the report.

When bacteria levels exceed the state’s standards for appropriate

levels, the Orange County Health Care Agency hammers warning signs into

the sands at the affected beaches and recreation areas.

At the Dunes on Thursday, children frolicked in the water around a

fake blue whale in the resort’s swimming area. The signs nearby read:

“Ocean water contact may cause illness. Bacteria levels exceed health

standards.”

When reached on his cellular phone Thursday, Tim Quinn, the project

manager for the Dunes, said he had not seen the report and couldn’t

respond.

“I can’t really comment,” Quinn said.

Other calls to Dunes’ management went unreturned, including calls to

General Manager Andrew Theodorou.

The current warning has been in effect since July 25. The bacteria is

thought to be found in animal and human waste, caused by urban runoff

from storm drains leading into the lagoon.

Many of the visitors to the resort said they were angered about not

being told about the postings.

Ron Dabe of Temecula said he has been coming to the resort for five

years. He said he was frustrated at Dunes’ management for failing to

inform him and adequately address the problem.

“We found out after we arrived that the beaches were down,” Dabe said.

“The management has been very political. They’ve avoided the issue.”

Dabe said he is being charged $120 a day to rent a space at the

resort, which he had to reserve a year in advance.

Teri Bauer, who arrived on Thursday from Las Vegas, was also disturbed

by the news.

“It’s a little troubling,” Bauer said. “We weren’t informed of that.”

Newport Beach has begun work on investigating the source of the

pollution. In a study about to be launched, the city will monitor

bacteria levels at various parts of the bay to determine whether swimmers

are contributing to the problem.

The vacationers could themselves be at fault, said Dave Kiff, Newport

Beach’s assistant city manager.

“Arguably, if they’re dumping their [sewer systems], that’s one of the

contributions to the watershed problem,” Kiff said. “They may be fouling

the area they’re swimming in.”