State Parks attempts to fine-tune a 2-year interim management plan for the Lower Topanga area, but unruly Topanga residents harangue parks officials about relocation concerns.
By Matthew L. Nestel/Special to The Malibu Times
What was intended to be a constructive brainstorming session broke down into disarray as California State Parks officials attempted to fine-tune an interim management plan for the Lower Topanga area.
As State Parks representatives attempted to discuss issues ranging from dumping of waste, public usage, traffic and historical significance of structures, residents suffering from relocation angst harangued officials.
State Parks purchased 1,659 acres of land in the Lower Topanga area last year with the intention of turning it into parkland. Residents must relocate by July 1, while most businesses will be allowed to operate for at least two more years.
Clay Phillips, chief of the Southern Service Center of California State Parks, in spite of constant ranting by Topanga residents, once again set out to constructively lay out the issues.
Traffic is a concern of many, including Malibu residents, since Pacific Coast Highway is the main artery in and out of town. The possible reintroduction of wetlands and rerouting of the bridge over Topanga Creek could cause nightmares for commuters.
Phillips responded to an audience member’s grim vision of vehicular gridlock, saying, “We are not looking at 75,000 people going through Topanga Canyon. We do hope that the phasing [of the project] that can happen will minimize the traffic problems.”
Moreover, according to Phillips, the forthcoming environmental impact report (EIR) will include a traffic impact assessment. When questioned about the amount of time the project’s goals face, Phillips said, “I don’t anticipate that it will take 15 years, but who knows?”
Considering the potential gargantuan increase in public visitors once the park is officially open, concern about the well-being of the environment becomes tantamount. Knowing fully well the demands his team faces, Phillips answered with underlying caution.
“With this plan, all we’ve said is during the two years we’re going to strive to study canyon restoration, not implementation,” said Phillips.
The lagoon also plays a significant part in the State Parks initiative. Phillips said, “Whatever happens, we have not decided what is in store for lagoon restoration, but we will have to go through and review the process.”
In order to restore the lagoon and streambeds along the canyon, there will need to be a removal of “invasive exotic plants such as Arundo, Tree of Heaven and Cape Ivy,” said Phillips.
This is all in hopes of bringing back the natural habitat zone, putting in place the territory’s native plants. All fencing, structures and debris, or any other manmade intrusion would also be eliminated if the plan as now proposed were to go forward.
The eyesore of dumping waste in upper Topanga Canyon was on the minds of many in the audience. Phillips could not say what alternatives would be implemented nor was there a representative from Caltrans to comment.
State Parks is also ruling out the once proposed notions for RV use and overnight camping. Phillips contends his team and his administration are trying to make viable this enriched stretch of land.
“The state of California purchased that property. We’re not spending $44 million dollars to be mean to people,” said Phillips, referring to residents’ mistrust of State Parks officials’ intentions.
The start of the meeting covered the issues until the Q-and-A turned into a free-for-all.
Asked whether State Parks had another agenda rather than to restore the park to its original state, Phillips countered, “We’re not trying to be ghostly. We acquired this property in late August through the State Parks bond. The citizens of California all feel 10 to 11 months [for relocation] is not fast-tracked. We are planning for usage and natural restoration … we are not kicking you out now.”
Many locals also became infuriated by the way in which they were being depicted from dilapidated images projected in a slide show. Said Craig Collins, a longtime Topanga resident, “Why are you projecting us as living in squatter trailers? You make it as if we’re living in lean-tos.”
Geographically, much of the housing on the grounds has been considered to be a cause of alarm. The residents took offense and demanded proof. Phillips maintains, “When we look at the flood plain and the rodeo grounds, some of those houses are below the level of the creek. If you remove that levy, it would expand greatly.”
A preferred plan amendment will be offered for public scrutiny in February. State Parks has promised that the plan, its goals and actions will be available in its entirety at its Web site, www.parks.ca.gov. Future official meetings are not in the works by the state.