2011 Environmental Highlights

OCTA acquired more than 950 acres of open space in the Trabuco Canyon area and in Brea as part of the Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program. This will allow higher-value environmental benefits, such as habitat protection, wildlife corridors and resource preservation in exchange for accelerated project approvals for the 13 M2 freeway projects (M2).

Approximately $5.5 million was allocated to restore approximately 180 acres of open space in Orange County. Five projects were funded to restore preserved open space lands to their native habitat and included the removal of invasive plant species (M2).

The Environmental Cleanup Program is a water quality program to supplement cities and the County of Orange in meeting Clean Water Act standards for controlling transportation-generated pollution. OCTA’s Board of Directors approved a two-tier grant funding approach for this program making available $57.5 million through fiscal year 2017 - 18 (M2 – Project X).

OCTA awarded more than $2.8 million to 23 cities and the county to provide funding for projects that will help eliminate litter and debris from oceans and waterways. A total of 34 projects were funded (M2 – Project X).

OCTA is developing a second water quality improvement funding source that will target regional, capital-intensive water quality improvement projects, including bioswales, constructed wetlands, and detention/infiltration basins. A countywide assessment began to identify water quality priority areas that would be eligible for M2 funding (M2 – Project X).