LETTERS
Report Card on OC Infrastructure
Not many people give much thought to our infrastructure, unless it doesn’t work. We recently have had some graphic examples of what happens when we do not pay attention to, and most importantly, do not invest in our infrastructure. Rolling blackouts in our homes and offices, parks that are not maintained, contaminated beaches closed along our shores, overcrowding of schools, long waits at the airports, potholes that seem to remain forever, and commutes that in some cases seem to last a lifetime.
So, who pays for infrastructure? Historically, the Federal government has played a large role in financing infrastructure improvements, but recently its role is diminishing and more and more of the cost is becoming the responsibility of state and local governments through bonds, sales taxes or general tax revenues. The real answer is that we all pay for infrastructure, because we’re the ones who pay these unpopular taxes and use fees. We must recognize that the cost of our public works is an investment in public assets that will determine the success of our county.
Where do we go from here? I believe we need to raise awareness regarding the importance of infrastructure and its impact at all levels. We need to insure that it receives adequate support and funding for the construction, maintenance and operation of all infrastructure systems now and in the future.
The University of California, Irvine’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Affiliates has recently stepped forward and taken on the task of preparing and publicizing the Orange County Infrastructure Report Card, with the coordinated efforts of the American Society of Civil Engineers, California Rebuild America Coalition, American Public Works Association, Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors of California, the Orange County Business Council and the Center for the New Orange County. This consortium of concerned professionals in both private and public practice will provide an in-depth analysis of the county’s infrastructure.
The report card will focus on eight areas: aviation, transportation, schools, water supply, wastewater, solid waste, parks and recreation, and storm water. Working groups of professionals have been organized to research the public records to determine the infrastructure condition in each area. After the working groups have completed their research, an advisory panel of technical experts in each category will analyze the data and its interpretation and determine the final letter grades.
The report card will be released at the UCI CEE Affiliates Infrastructure Congress that is set for Oct. 10. Then the real work begins. The results of the report card must be brought to the attention of the policy makers and the citizens of Orange County. Whether an individual community has existed for 150 years or just 10, whether the report card grades seem to apply or not apply to a specific community, all of the citizens must recognize that only by working together on our overall infrastructure needs can we ensure the county’s economic and environmental future.
Fixing a leaking sewer pipe or repairing deteriorating roads has far less political appeal than dedicating a new park. Some also say we cannot afford to take proper care of all of our infrastructure needs. But what we really can’t afford is a patchwork approach that leaves us with gridlock and crumbling infrastructure that cannot support a healthy economy and a rewarding quality of life that has always been the trademark of Orange County.
Bob Bein
(Bein is founder and CEO of Irvine-based engineering firm RBF Consulting. He is also a vice chairman of the Orange County Business Council and the executive committee chairman of the Orange County Infrastructure Report Card project.)
El Toro, Cont’d
Re your July 29 editorial on “Great Park” winners and losers:
Congressman Agran, eh? That has a rather nice ring to it, kind of like, oh, Congressman Condit or Congressman Trafficant. Who knows if Agran’s park proposal will ever be financially feasible?
However, in 2006 there is one goal he will be able to say he has accomplished,the unlimited expansion of John Wayne Airport. In 1985, he and the other Irvine city council members attempted to sue in federal court to remove the caps and curfews at John Wayne. Twenty-one years later, the mission will be accomplished.
Sure there may be some blowback to western Irvine from this. But what does it matter, that population is mostly 20-something “transient” UCI students who don’t vote.
Rex Ricks
Huntington Beach
Len Kranser, writing from the gated community of Monarch Bay, says in his Aug. 19 letter that South Orange County accounted for a full 20% of Orange County’s load on LAX nine years ago. Perhaps it is higher today. At least we know the rest of South County pretty much uses John Wayne Airport because it is more convenient. No doubt it will use El Toro, too.
Michael Smith, whom Kranser defended, complained about Assembly Bill 2333, which may reward Orange County by opening the planned El Toro International Airport to meet the Southern California Association of Government’s 30 million annual-passenger forecast for El Toro by 2020. The forecast includes some transfers, which is required for a large airport.
AB2333 is a good bill which will bring environmental justice to air travel. A state Senate committee has passed this bill which has already passed in the full Assembly. North County’s state senator Joe Dunn voted against the bill in committee, but that shouldn’t matter, and it won’t hurt North County either if the bill becomes law.
Donald Nyre
Newport Beach
