OXNARD : Developer Stops Pumping of Wetlands

After receiving a stop order from a state regulator, a developer that wants to build 5,000 houses at Oxnard’s Ormond Beach has stopped pumping water out of a wetlands area where several endangered species are flourishing.

California Coastal Commission officials delivered a cease-and-desist order to the Baldwin Co. Wednesday, charging that the developer was violating the California Coastal Act by pumping water from 30 acres of inundated property that have been designated as wetlands for decades.

Despite the order, the Orange County-based homebuilder continued pumping water from its property until noon Thursday. The site is where California least terns and other endangered wildlife have recently been found in unusually high numbers.

“We stopped pumping around midday (Thursday) because we basically pumped all of the water off of our property,” said Louis Malone, president of the company division that includes Ventura County. “If our property begins flooding again, we may have to start pumping again.”

Baldwin owner James Baldwin said his company has obtained pumping permits from the only agencies that have jurisdiction: the Ventura County Flood Control District and Oxnard.

But Coastal Commission officials say commission permits are required to pump water from wetlands, and that Baldwin Co. is flouting environmental law.

Chris Kern, the commission’s enforcement analyst, said violations will not be taken lightly, and that the state attorney general’s office may take action on the commission’s behalf.