We are writing to set the record straight on the Proposed Phase Two of the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project, which is the fruition of a comprehensive planning effort that began over two decades ago. Understanding the importance of Malibu Lagoon, California State Parks undertook its initial restoration in 1983 and removed baseball fields located on artificially filled historic wetlands, created three tidal channels, planted salt marsh and other native vegetation.
Since the initial restoration effort, wetland restoration science has advanced, and numerous studies have identified ongoing problems at the lagoon. Specifically, there is very low species richness and a low diversity of benthic invertebrates, bivalves (clams and mussels), crustaceans (crabs) and fish, compared to other Southern California coastal estuaries. Malibu Lagoon suffers from extremely high algae levels and excess nutrients, resulting in critically low levels of dissolved oxygen in the lagoon and subsequent fish die-offs. The lagoon is on the State’s 303rd list of impaired water bodies for benthic invertebrates, nutrients and eutrophication, and suffers from the invasion of exotic weeds that crowd out valuable and rare native wetland species.
These conditions are caused in large part by the artificially raised topography of the lagoon, resulting from historic Department of Transportation fill, and the limited tidal flushing and circulation into the lagoon channels due to their alignment and “pinching” of the channels by the pedestrian bridges. The artificially high topography and poor flushing have caused the western channels to accumulate sediment. If left in the current configuration, the western channels will become entirely filled with sediment and no longer be subject to tidal flows.
The proposed Malibu Lagoon Restoration Plan addresses these challenges to the long-term health of the lagoon by dramatically improving tidal influence and circulation by adapting the three existing, poorly functioning, tidal channels into a single meandering one, more typical of Southern California coastal estuaries. The resulting increased tidal inundation, flushing, and circulation will improve dissolved oxygen levels for fish and vegetation and will allow more effective flushing of fine sediments. The net result is improved habitat for shellfish and other invertebrates that live on the bottom of the lagoon, and the wildlife that feed upon them. The lagoon restoration is expected to increase the species richness and diversity of benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, fish and vegetation to levels comparable to other similarly sized Southern California estuaries. An additional two acres of wetland habitat will also be created onsite.
The restoration will also enhance visitor access to the lagoon. The enhanced public access will incorporate a series of unique interpretive elements that will enrich the visitor experience by allowing the public to interact with and learn about tidal lagoons, local flora and fauna, and cultural resources. Specific elements to enhance the numerous educational programs that already occur onsite and include: new educational displays covering the cultural, history and wildlife resources; a beach access path; a bird blind; a topographic model of the Malibu Creek watershed; and replacement of the mismatched fencing along the southern boundary with a masonry wall with embedded tile and rock elements that ties in with the architecture of the historic Adamson House.
The goals and design of the lagoon restoration plan grew out of a collaborative stakeholder process led by the Malibu Lagoon Task Force and included a diverse group of over 85 members that included local residents, businesses, agencies and environmental groups. It was the consensus of these groups that the restoration of the wetland habitat at Malibu Lagoon was the highest priority short-term project. The subsequent lagoon restoration design was led by a panel of renowned wetland experts and vetted by California State Parks experts.
Short-term impacts to the lagoon will be avoided to the maximum extent feasible by keeping to a 45-day grading period outside of steelhead spawning season. Extraordinary measures will be undertaken to avoid impacts to species, such as biological monitoring before and during construction, relocation of wildlife in the project area, and filtration and disinfection of polluted water to protect the health of wildlife and beach users during construction. Prior to construction, important native plant species will be carefully harvested for replanting later.
The Lagoon Restoration and Enhancement Project is desperately needed and has been carefully designed by a panel of scientific experts and concerned stakeholders to result in long-term improvement to the environmental health of the lagoon and its denizens.
Suzanne Goode
Senior Environmental Scientist
California State Parks, Angeles District