Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Chapter 4
City of Seal Beach exceed the design capacity of the road (City of Seal Beach 2003), resulting in
congestion during peak hours, as well as during some non-peak hours. The Seal Beach General
Plan indicates that as a primary highway (4 lanes divided), there is insufficient capacity on Pacific
Coast Highway to accommodate existing, as well as future traffic volumes.
From these regional corridors, visitors would likely use Seal Beach Boulevard or Westminster
Avenue to get to approved parking areas on NWSSB. Both Seal Beach Boulevard and
Westminster Avenue in the vicinity of the Refuge, currently experience traffic volumes below
existing design capacity and therefore operate within acceptable Levels of Service even during
peak travel periods.
One of two entrances is available for controlled public access onto the Refuge at any one time. The
first, located at the intersection of Seal Beach Boulevard and Forrestal Avenue, includes a parking
lot that is located outside the entry gate to NWSSB. The second, located off Westminster Avenue
at Kitts Highway, has controlled parking available inside the entry gate. Both entrances are
accessed via signalized intersections.
4.5.4 Public Utilities/Easements
A number of public utilities, including electrical lines, sewer lines, and storm drain facilities, are
located within the Refuge boundary. Electrical power lines, maintained by Southern California
Edison, consist primarily of 12 kilovolt electrical power lines and associated utility poles that
extend east/west along the south side of Bolsa Avenue, and on the north side of Bolsa Avenue to
the east of the Bolsa Cell. An underground power line with associated manholes also extends from
the north into the Bolsa Cell, just to the east of Forrestal Pond. The northern boundary of the
disturbed upland area to the north of Case Road Pond supports an electrical power line and
telephone communications line. A sewer line also cuts across the northwest corner of this
disturbed upland area. A water line extends along the southern edge of Case Road Pond.
A sewer line extends east/west from Kitts Highway via Forrestal Avenue than along the south
edge of the Case Road Pond to Bolsa Avenue where it exits the Refuge and extends further onto
Navy land. Another sewer line and an adjacent water line extend along the west side of Kitts
Highway and power lines and communication lines extend along the east side of Kitts Highway, all
outside of the Refuge boundary.
4.5.5 Vectors and Odors
As described in Section 4.3.4.4, a number of mosquito species have been documented on the
Refuge. All mosquitoes are generally considered vectors, and require some level of monitoring and
possible control. Mosquito monitoring and control on the Refuge is implemented by the County of
Orange in accordance with conditions included in a Special Use Permit issued to the County by the
Refuge Manager (details regarding mosquito management on the Refuge is provided in Section
3.4.3.1). The County actively works with NWSSB and Refuge staff to monitor and when necessary
control mosquito larvae on Refuge lands.
Given Anaheim Bay’s status as a reasonably well-flushed coastal salt marsh, with healthy levels of
dissolved oxygen, odors have not been a problem for nearby residents and visitors.
4.5.6 Economics/Employment
The Refuge is situated in the northwestern-most corner of Orange County near the Orange
County/Los Angeles County border. Recent studies conducted by the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG) regarding the regional economy for this area include the
greater Southern California area of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, and
4-88 Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge