LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Supervisors Delay Decision on Taking Over Beaches
Los Angeles County supervisors have delayed making a decision on taking over ownership of several state beaches from San Pedro to Point Dume.
County and state officials have haggled for several years over funding. Although the state owns the beaches, the county has paid for lifeguard service and maintenance.
The county must decide by April 1 whether it will continue to provide lifeguards at state beaches. If the county misses the deadline, it will have to continue providing lifeguards and maintenance for another year because of notification requirements.
The supervisors asked the state on Tuesday to extend that deadline until May 2 because they want more time to work out a transfer.
“I think we need to keep their feet to the fire on this,” said Supervisor Gloria Molina, who wants to see the transfer occur. The proposed deal would involve no exchange of money.
If the state does not grant the extension by next week, the supervisors will decide the issue of terminating lifeguard service at state beaches as of April 1, said Judy Hammond, a county spokeswoman.
County officials want to take over ownership of the beaches because they see the property as a potential source of revenue to supplement state funding for beach maintenance. But some state legislators have expressed concern about the county’s plans.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
