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Allan Beek
2007 Highland Drive
Newport Beach CA 92660
abeek@flash.net
November 23, 2008
Re: Newport Coast dewatering
Mayor and City Council
3300 Newport Blvd.
Newport Beach CA 92663
Honorable Mayor and Council:
Summary This is a request for the City to spend a quarter of a million dollars to solve
a problem no one wants to acknowledge, for fear they may have to solve it. Bob Stein
is familiar with this matter. Ground movements of unknown size will probably occur if
no remedial action is taken, possibly requiring reconstruction of Coast Highway.
Description The golf course and subdivisions on the Newport Coast have been
designed with meticulous attention to preventing runoff. These design efforts have
been successful. Lush landscaping is maintained with no water carrying fertilizers or
pesticides into the natural watercourses in the area. Irrigation water either soaks in
or is captured and recycled.
As the Friends of the Newport Coast have called to the City's attention, the
"soaks in" part of this has turned out to be a problem. The water table under the
Coast has risen thirty feet. Springs and moisture - dependent vegetation are appearing
in the canyons and along the bluff where they have never been seen before. It is
evident that the soil is becoming saturated, and we all know how soil- saturated
hillsides and bluffs behave.
A string of 24 pumps along the inside of Coast Highway, with wells going down
to sea level, could eliminate danger by lowering the water table back to its original
depth. The water, very pure after its filtering trip through the earth, could be recycled,
or discharged to the sanitary sewer. At times of sewer overload, the pumps could be
turned off - -- for months at a time, if need be.
In other parts of the state, producing wells can be drilled for 20 to 25 dollars per
foot. Allowing for the expensive nature of Orange County, let us estimate $100 per
foot. So 24 wells 100 feet deep would cost just under a quarter of a million.
The Friends of the Newport Coast request that you agendize this matter and ask
Bob Stein to make a report.
Sincerely, tite -y� ev< /�
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