Malibu

The Los Angeles City Council has passed a resolution supporting the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s efforts to purchase Zuma Canyon. The council also urged approval of state legislation to provide money for the project.

The conservancy reported that Zuma Canyon, across Pacific Coast Highway from Zuma Beach, is a sensitive ecological area that includes hiking and equestrian trails and a stream that flows all year.

Although Gov. George Deukmejian vetoed a proposal to spend $6 million for Zuma Canyon in July, ensuing negotiations resulted in the state agreeing to match $3 million in funds already available to the conservancy. Deukmejian, however, must still give final approval to the arrangement.

Zuma Canyon is the highest priority of the U.S. National Park Service, which is expected to purchase the canyon from the conservancy in three years, according to Joseph T. Edmiston, executive director of the conservancy.