Time to get the shovels

As the cliche goes, “we’ve heard it all before.”

Then again, after hearing the equestrian trail riders of Santa Ana

Heights trot out the argument, with a straight face, that they should

not have to clean up after their horses because, well, horse manure

is not as bad as other manure, maybe we haven’t heard it all before.

But we have heard enough.

The residents of Santa Ana Heights need to face reality that the

reins have tightened on their lifestyle. For years, they lived under

the auspices of a laissez-faire county government that allowed them

to have horse stables and, apparently, let their horses do their

business with abandon.

Many, however, weren’t happy with that arrangement, and the

majority of residents of Santa Ana Heights lobbied successfully,

albeit for many years, to be taken into the ever-growing Newport

Beach stable.

With that now a reality, and residents of Santa Ana Heights

enjoying the benefits of Newport Beach residency -- higher property

values, localized police and fire services and trash pickup -- it’s

time they also abide by the same rules.

And that means cleaning up after your horse, thank you very much.

The horse owners are saying nay, but the real concern of city

officials here is water quality and the effect on humans. Littering

the trails along the Upper Newport Bay with horse droppings is not

beneficial to either, and the equine owners of Santa Ana Heights

would be wise to discontinue the arguments that somehow horse dung is

good for the environment.

That’s highly debatable and a moot point.

What matters most is the cleanliness of the water in the nearby

estuary, a state nature preserve that is home to hundreds of

waterfowl and other wildlife and which directly feeds into Newport

Bay, where it is used for swimming and other recreation by humans.

Their health and safety shouldn’t be left to the debates over the

biodegradability of horse manure.

We agree with Newport Beach Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff that

there is a solution in the offing and the horse owners should be

looking to make that happen.

Meanwhile, we urge city officials to corral these defiant horse

owners and demand that the trails remain free of manure or face the

$100 fines.