In a move that has ignited a firestorm of controversy, Orange County Public Works has announced plans to manage vegetation in San Juan and Trabuco creeks, starting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The decision has pitted local activists against county officials, with both sides presenting compelling arguments. The planned work, which will take place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the next 10 days, involves the removal of non-native plant species and cutting vegetation to ground level.
The announcement comes on the heels of a year-long campaign by activists to end the use of herbicides in the creeks, citing concerns about human health, endangered species, and the The activists’ efforts led to a successful vote by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to phase out herbicide use in the area. However, the recent plans by Public Works to remove vegetation have raised new questions and concerns among the community.
Activists Voice Strong Opposition
Brent Linas, founder of the Creek Team, has been at the forefront of the activism against herbicide use in the creeks. He expressed strong opposition to the latest plans by Public Works, stating that there is no scientific basis for the removal of all vegetation in the creek. Linas also criticized the county for not adhering to the pilot study approved by the Board of Supervisors just one month ago.
“Orange County Public Works once again proves that not only do they not care about the concerns of the community, but they also don’t care about the mandates of the Board of Supervisors,” Linas said. He shared an email from Supervisor Katrina Foley, indicating that the supervisors were not given prior notice about the plans, further fueling the controversy.
Supervisors Raise Concerns
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, the only county supervisor to respond to questions, also expressed surprise and concern over the plans. He stated that his understanding was that Public Works would pause the use of herbicides and study alternatives for safely managing the flood channels. Sarmiento was taken aback to learn that the agency would proceed with clearing the channels before conducting the necessary analysis and sharing the findings with the Board.
The public notice from the county stated that the vegetation management is necessary to maintain safe and effective channel operations. It also mentioned that a biological monitor would be on-site daily to ensure that nesting birds and other sensitive biological resources are not harmed during the maintenance. However, activists argue that the notice does not align with the public vote taken by county supervisors, which seemed to indicate that the creek would be left alone while studies were conducted.
Public Works Defends Its Plans
Despite the backlash, Orange County Public Works officials have defended their plans, stating that the proposed action had been reviewed and approved by state and federal regulatory agencies. The notice from the county emphasized that no herbicides would be used during the vegetation management, aligning with the county supervisors’ vote. However, the agency’s decision to remove vegetation from the creeks has not been well-received by the community.
Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were contacted for confirmation but did not offer a comment before publication. The controversy surrounding the vegetation management plans highlights the ongoing tensions between community activists and county officials over the best ways to protect and manage local waterways.
