Camping Issue to Air at SMMC Meeting

• Public Comment on Project’s Draft EIR Is Being Solicited

BY BILL KOENEKER

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s executive director announced this week that the Draft Final Environmental Impact Report for the public works plan that includes overnight camping at several locations in Malibu has been completed.

In an email sent to Malibu City Manager Jim Thorsen and City Attorney Christi Hogin, Joe Edmiston, who is the head of the SMMC, wrote that he was aware of the city’s workshop this week and consequently, the document was being posted on several sites.

“We have now posted the Draft Final Public Access Enhancement Plan—Public Works Plan on the web. You are free to publicize this as you see fit so that persons attending the workshop can be better informed as to what is actually being proposed at this time,” Edmiston wrote.

The SMMC and the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority are conducting a joint meeting on Aug. 23, Monday night at 5 p.m. Public comment is encouraged.

Edmiston, who also formally announced the hearing date, is also executive officer of the MRCA.

The meeting will be held at the Temescal Canyon Retreat and Conference center at 25601 Sunset Boulevard.

The draft document can be found at www.smmc.ca.gov or www.mrca.ca.gov

The plan is described by SMMC officials as “a comprehensive set of policies and implementation measures, and identifies certain actions and park improvements, intended to enhance the public access and recreation opportunism for specific park properties and recreation areas within the City of Malibu and Los Angeles County.”

The properties included in the plan are Ramirez Canyon Park, Escondido Canyon Park, the Latigo Trailhead property, Solstice Canyon Park, Corral Canyon Park and Malibu Bluffs Park, according to Malibu municipal officials.