U.S. Agency Seeks Delay in Review of Wetlands Plan
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday asked a state agency to delay for two months its review of a controversial development plan for the Bolsa Chica wetlands in Huntington Beach.
The California Coastal Commission had been scheduled to debate the issue today.
Because of the shutdown of the federal government, Fish and Wildlife Service officials said they would be unable to appear before the commission to present their restoration plan for the wetlands.
The commission is expected to grant the delay, since it received a similar request from Orange County last week.
The county has approved a plan by the Koll Real Estate Group to construct 3,300 homes near the wetlands, mostly on a nearby mesa. However, the commission staff has recommended against building 900 homes on the wetlands.
Orange County officials, joined by Koll, asked for the commission to delay its review of the development plan until January to prepare a response to the commission staff’s recommendation.
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.
