To offset the environmental impacts of freeway improvements and improve overall water quality in Orange County from transportation-related pollution, OCTA seeks feedback and guidance from two committees. The Board recently approved new members for both.
The 12-member Environmental Oversight Committee (EOC) makes funding allocation recommendations to assist OCTA in acquiring land and restoring habitats in exchange for streamlined project approvals for the 13 M2 freeway improvement projects. Senior environmental planner Charles Baker will be the new Caltrans representative, Land Agent John Walsh will represent the Wildlife Conservation Board, and the vacant public member seat will be filled by David Chapel, Director of the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society.
The 14-member Environmental Cleanup Allocation Committee (ECP) makes recommendations on the allocation of revenues for transportation-related water quality programs. Seal Beach City Manager, Jill Ingram, will represent the Second Supervisorial District, Anaheim Principal Civil Engineer, Keith Linker, will serve as the committee member for the Fourth District, and University of California, Irvine Assistant Professor of Planning, Policy, and Design, Doug Houston, will act as the scientific/academic member. New regional water quality control board representatives include Laurie Walsh, Professional Engineer – Water Resources from San Diego, and Stephen Mayville, Senior Water Resources Control Engineer, from Santa Ana.
Existing members of both committees have chosen to serve for an additional three years.
