The creation of a park and preserve is not only about habitats and endangered species who have names we can barely pronounce--it is about quality of life for the residents of Orange County, especially those living in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley and Santa Ana.

Water Quality:
1) Pollution on Banning Ranch has the potential to harm neighboring residents and the government has taken steps to improve the situation
2) Urban runoff needs a healthy wetlands and mesa ecosystem to support natural habitats that filter the water and improve coastal water quality. The degraded wetlands and urban runoff with poor maintenance and conservation makes the Banning Ranch/Newport Slough area one of the greatest health risks in Orange County based on Newport Slough readings taken regularly at Lancaster Street by the OC Health Care Agency. Environmental Health Division.
3) Orange Coast River Park is coordinating the creation of pond habitats in the area to improve water quality as part of a joint effort with Surfriders and the Wetlands Recovery Project. This is small example of what is possible if we work together on conservation efforts for Banning Ranch

Traffic Congestion:
One of the biggest concerns in this part of Orange County is traffic congestion. Choosing to create a park and preserve on Banning Ranch will go a long way to extending our already limited transportation resources in the area.

Air Quality:
Air Quality is improved in two ways--by avoiding congestion and traffic and by providing green open space with vegetation and habitat for plankton and other microscopic life that plays a role in ecosystems that improve air quality.

Open Space for relaxation, education and recreation.
Banning Ranch/Orange Coast River Park is the first green node of the Santa Ana River. The most densely populated area of Orange County needs open space that can be accessed in a reasonable amount of time and with minimum effort.