After reading the recent article about the sprinkler system in the newly “restored” Malibu Lagoon we, (several Anti-Lagoon Restoration Greenshirts), feel compelled to respond with what might be looked upon as a “told you so” reflection on this ill-conceived and wasteful project, which clearly has failed.
This State Parks project, in conjunction with the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission Foundation, should have taken the very obvious water shortage into consideration before they used clean drinking water bond money to water replanted native plants smack dab in the middle of an epic drought. The plants in question have been planted several times within the past year, as they are not taking hold in their new and denuded environment.
These agencies practice a closed door policy which does not allow the public and the rate payers to see their books on how much they are spending on these “improvements” to our town. Instead, these people shout at those opposed that they are scientists and ostensibly know what they are doing. Anyone can see this is not true by going down and having a look at the “new” Malibu Lagoon debacle.
One year later, we still have a landscape of dead plants and a wasteland, artificial lake, with a sprinkler system watering away. If this is not the height of absurdity and wastefulness, what is?
This project very obviously need not have happened and the former wild and verdant wetlands, full of mature growth and life of all kinds, should have been well left alone.
Alden Marin, Greenshirt