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Ballona Wetlands Restoration
In 2004, the State of California took title to 600-acres of the remaining Ballona Wetlands in Los Angeles. The property is owned by two state agencies, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the State Lands Commission. The State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) has funding for planning and restoring the property. Together, the three agencies are working with stakeholders and other agencies to develop a plan for restoration of this extraordinary resource. The Conservancy is providing funds for the planning effort and manages the work plan, budget, and schedule. As the landowner, DFG will be the applicant for any permits needed for the restoration project and the lead agencies for purposes of CEQA. A restoration plan will be developed for all of the lands owned by the state. Planning is being conducted within the landscape and watershed context, incorporating adjacent and ecologically related resources.
The agencies and stakeholder have established restoration goals, which include:
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Restore and enhance salt-water influenced wetland habitats to benefit Endangered and Threatened species, migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, seabirds, and coastal fish and aquatic species. Restoration of seasonal ponds, riparian and freshwater wetlands, and upland habitats will be considered where beneficial to other project goals or biological and habitat diversity;
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Provide for wildlife-dependent public access and recreation opportunities compatible with the habitats, fish and wildlife conservation;
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Identify and implement a cost-effective, ecologically beneficial, and sustainable (low maintenance) habitat restoration alternative.
In addition to restoration goals, guiding principles for the restoration planning process have been established, and include: The planning process will, be based on the best available science, developed with technical and scientific expertise; be transparent and will allow all stakeholders input; respect the decision-making bodies of each of the State Agencies.
photo provided courtesy Jonathan Coffin
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