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Arcata followed up immediately by coaxing California's Coastal Conservancy into constructing three full-size freshwater marsh ponds, so that a full-size wetlands would be ready by 1981, when the pilot project proved them right. And it worked. The combined marsh and disposal plant finally opened in 1985, costing $3 million less than Arcata's share of the megasystem's original budget. "We declared victory and withdrew from the war," recalls Hauser. Since wars require monuments, the sanctuary has ponds named Hauser, Allen and Gearheart. A saltwater slough where pelicans and cormorants gather is called Klopp Lake. Mount Trashmore has evolved into a wildflower-rich meadow. Standing by his pond, Allen recalls that first day he and Gearheart tramped through the mud with the idea exploding in their minds. "We flushed a deer out of that spot," he says. "It seemed like a good omen." An uncommon one, at least.