SMMC Optimistic About Future of Bluffs Park Campground

• Tour Before Board Vote on City LCP Amendment Offers Closer Look at Planned Improvements

BY SUZANNE GULDIMANN

Members of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority board and the public had an opportunity to visit the Conservancy's Bluffs Park property and learn more about the plans that include two small campgrounds, three coastal accessways, a picnic area and restrooms.

Paul Edelman, the Deputy Director of Natural Resources and Planning for the SMMC was not discouraged by a July 7 legal ruling that threw out California Coastal Commission approval for the project, which includes an ambitious new network of trails, and camping facilities at Bluffs Park and Corral Canyon.

The conservancy already filed an appeal and was voting later that evening to apply to the City of Malibu for a Local Coastal Amendment for the project.

The project cannot proceed only the litigation is concluded, but Edelman is confident that the  the issue can be resolved and the plan will move forward.

Bluffs Park campground plan includes two clusters of walk-in campsites with firefighting gear and electrical outlets instead of fire pits or BBQ grills; two parking areas that will be restricted for campers only, self-contained vault-style toilets, a picnic area and improvements to existing trails.

"Our plans are detailed down to the last hose bib and plug," Edelman said. The Coastal Commission said we could [put some of the proposed improvements] in ESHA, but we didn't need to."