Malibu Lagoon ‘Restoration’ Plan Hearing Is Postponed by the Coastal Commission

• Project Controversy Continues to Grow

BY BILL KOENEKER

The California Coastal Commission at its meeting last week postponed a hearing to grant a permit for the “restoration” of Malibu Lagoon.

The controversial request by the state Department of Parks and Recreation has come under increasing fire as more information was revealed before the commission hearing.

The plans call for “recontouring/reconfiguring slopes and drainages to increase the hydrologic flow by excavating 51,200 cubic yards of muddy wetlands and grading 37,500 cubic yards of fill,” the staff report states.

The restoration also involves “revegetating with native wetland and upland plant species and removal of non-native plant species, the construction of a public access trail around the lagoon with new interpretive public informational and educational improvements and implementation of a long-term lagoon monitoring plan.”

Critics claim the restoration project is too invasive and will destroy existing habitat and put species at risk.

Commission staff had recommended approval of the proposal with 16 special conditions.

In other commission news, the coastal panel approved a one year extension sought by the CCC staff to extend the time limit for action on the City of Malibu's request to amend its Local Coastal Program to allow for the utilization of off-site view corridors and public benefits in lieu of required on-site view corridors.

The commission also agreed to postpone an appeal by the Malibu Coalition for Slow Growth to a permit granted by the City of Malibu to WFS Seastar Company LLC for the demolition of an abandoned gas station and construction of 2388 square feet of commercial office building with rooftop parking, vehicular ramp, landscaping and 1270 cubic yards of grading on Pacific Coast Highway near the Malibu Pier.