The following was addressed to Gov. Brown.
The board of the Malibu Democratic Club has voted unanimously to oppose the Malibu Lagoon Restoration and Enhancement Plan, Phase 2 (Malibu Lagoon Project) as it is currently designed.
Does draining, dredging and bulldozing through a unique ecosystem for fish and birds make sense? The MDC Board and many of our members do not think so. Many other Malibu residents, biologists, naturalists and environmental experts do not think so either.
On June 1, contractors will begin bulldozing, re-engineering, and reshaping, the structure of the lagoon itself, during the breeding season for the endangered tidewater goby, which has proliferated in the lagoon. Bulldozers and heavy equipment will tear up what has become home to great blue herons, least terns, green herons and black crowned herons as well as snowy plovers and several endangered and threatened animals.
As thousands of beachgoers are travelling along Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu and West Valley residents are making their daily commute, heavy equipment and trucks carrying 88,000 cubic yards of earth, vegetation, and water life will be on PCH during the height of the summer beach season. The fact that the lagoon and the proposed work will be clearly visible from PCH will add to the gridlock.
Improving water quality in the lagoon is very important but doing so without considering all the facts as to the source of the contamination and alternatives that would limit the impact on existing wildlife is wrong. A plan that many feel will not solve the problem just as 27 years ago taxpayer money was spent on a plan that did not solve the problem is wrong. Failing to take in to consideration the impact on Malibu residents, business owners and beachgoers is wrong.
That is what the California Coastal Commission and California State Parks have done in approving the $10 million dollar project. Taking a myopic stand after conducting an approval process that limited input from concerned individuals and groups, the California Coastal Commission approved this ill conceived and potentially disastrous plan.
The Malibu Lagoon Project needs to be put on hold. Alternatives need to be considered and a plan that will solve the water quality problem while limiting impact on existing wildlife and people needs to be adopted. Thank you for safeguarding this valuable California and environmental asset.
Jean T. Goodman, President, Malibu Democratic Club