A proposed deal between Orange County and two water districts with rights at the lake would allow some recreation; boating would likely have to wait
After three years of weeds growing unchecked at the fenced-off Irvine Lake and a Grand Jury report critical of how it got that way, Orange County has reached a tentative deal with two water districts to put the lake back into action as a public recreation spot.
Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner said Friday, June 21, that if his colleagues agree on Tuesday, the county is prepared to start cleaning up the property and readying it for shoreline fishing by midsummer, potentially reopening the lake sometime in July.
Irvine Lake, a man-made reservoir that encompasses about 750 surface acres when it’s full, was long a popular place to fish and picnic, but a dispute over recreation rights and revenue led to its closure in 2016.
Now, Wagner believes he’s worked out a compromise between the county, which was recently gifted 29 acres of lakefront land by the Irvine Company, and the Serrano and Irvine Ranch water districts, which draw drinking water from the lake. Serrano also has some say over what recreation is allowed there.
The new one-year agreement will “allow for the county to offer shoreline fishing to the community once they complete remedial work that will allow for a safe and enjoyable fishing experience,” Serrano General Manager Jerry Vilander wrote in an email.
On Tuesday, June 25, the board of supervisors will vote on whether to allow Gary James – who already has a contract to operate a special events venue and an RV storage lot next to the lake – to run a bait shop and manage fishing along the south shore for the next year.
If the fishing plan is approved, the county would quickly begin work to clear overgrown weeds, repair cracked asphalt and rutted roads, and install lighting, fences and signs. Officials said there’s likely enough money in the parks budget to cover the work, which would be included in James’ $526,120 fishing contract.
Boating would not be allowed until more details are worked out between the county and water districts. Boating was discontinued several years ago after two drowning incidents. Because the lake stores potable water, body-contact sports – swimming in particular – are prohibited.
Local anglers will be glad they can fish again, Wagner said while standing lakeside Friday, but “nobody believes that this is all you’re going to see here.”
“The longer term vision is to restore this to the county attraction it had been for years.”
Now overtaken by water-loving birds such as Western grebes and snowy egrets, the lake is a serene natural spot on the edge of the paved urban landscape of Orange County.
Future amenities could include camping, and even when the lake’s water level runs low, the surrounding property offers access to existing and planned hiking trails, OC Parks Director Stacy Blackwood said.
“It’s a tremendous launch point to the entire surrounding region,” she said.
Wagner said he hopes the short-term agreement to reopen Irvine Lake will lead the way to a long-term accord between the parties. For now, the county will pay Serrano about $4,500 a month for fishing rights, and future discussions could involve who gets a share of parking and other fees, and how long the RV storage will continue.
Vilander wrote that it’s too early to comment on a long-term deal, but he and his board of directors want to “celebrate the wonderful new collaborative working relationship we have with the county. Dust off your fishing poles.”
June 21, 2019
The Orange County Register
By Alicia Robinson
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