I can’t believe they’re still studying removing the Malibu dam. The Army Corps of Engineers wants to spend at least $3.6 million on studying the absolutely ridiculous idea that tearing the dam down will bring the steelhead trout back. The projected cost of $40 million will balloon just like the study has. $60 million? $80 million? Who’s pocket does that come out of? Does it make sense to spend $100 million to try and save a few trout? Sure, if you’re an environmental group that gloms onto federally endangered species funding and dupes the public for a paycheck.
Here are some facts I don’t hear explained: How is the water quality, or lack of, going to be improved? Unlike coyotes or raccoons that have adapted to urban coexistence, steelhead trout are referred to as an “indicator species” of environmental purity. Well, don’t think for a second that the water in Malibu Creek today is better than it was 40 years ago. I caught many trout in Malibu Creek in the ’60’s, and as soon as the Tapia treatment plant started discharging semi-treated water, the brown foam, excessive moss from additional nitrogen and phosphorus, and rising water temperature turned most steelhead belly-up. Steelhead swim out of the lagoon (which would have to be open all the time), live in the sea for several years and return to spawn. If surfers are getting infections from the polluted water, you think that the trout are immune? Would you swim in the lagoon? There may be a few trout still hanging on, but are they healthy and able to reproduce?
How will that enormous dam be removed? There are thousands of tons of concrete that will have to be blasted, broken down and trucked out. The location is at the narrowest, steepest spot in the canyon. Dump trucks will have to stop, load up, and slowly creep thru the canyon. The same single-lane road that is bumper to bumper with commuters. How’s that work?
The concrete and demolition debris will silt up the creek bed to the ocean creating a worse environmental problem than before. Not to mention the damage of heavy diesel equipment to an already fragile area. How’s that mess cleaned up? Additional costs? You bet, big time.
Tearing dams down is a very popular environmental issue, and some dams are definitely deserving. But if you want to bring the steelhead trout back to Malibu, get rid of the housing tracts and mansions, golf courses, lawns, horses, dogs, people.
You get one or the other, but you don’t get both.
Scott Winner