Wetlands Effort Falling $15 Million Short

A modest shortfall in funding is threatening to derail a nationally significant plan to acquire and restore the largest and most important remaining wetlands complex in Southern California.

After two years of negotiations, 10 local, state and federal agencies have agreed on a plan to acquire and restore 880 acres of the Bolsa Chica wetlands in Huntington Beach.

Bolsa Chica, which means little purse in Spanish, contains a diamond-in-the-rough that has the potential to be one of the crown jewels of the California coastline. Although less than 10% of Bolsa Chica has been set aside in a State Ecological Reserve, the restored area bears witness to the multitude of birds and biological richness that historically characterized Southern California’s coast.

The area’s key value is as a resting, nesting, breeding or wintering grounds for more than 200 species of birds. Many of these birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway, where loss of wetlands has severely reduced essential habitats. When restored, Bolsa Chica also will provide critical spawning grounds for more than 60 species of fish, including California halibut, surf perch, spotfin croaker and several species of sand bass.

Bolsa Chica’s fate must be viewed in the context of threatened wetlands all over the nation.

Wetlands are nature’s way of absorbing storm waters, filtering contaminants from water before it reaches the sea, and giving birds and fish nesting and spawning grounds.

Ten agencies participated in the development of an agreement and concept plan for the restoration. Under the concept plan, 75% of the remaining original wetlands would be acquired, with title passing to the California State Lands Commission. The environmental review process will identify the appropriate agency to restore and manage the wetlands.

While a total of $74 million has been committed to the project--mostly from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles--a shortfall of $15 million threatens to undo the agreement. The ports and the owner of the land--the Koll Co.--have indicated they will exercise an escape clause on Dec. 31 if the additional funding is not in hand.

The ports, needing to secure “mitigation credits” to make up for the loss of marine habitat caused by the filling of areas of San Pedro Bay, will look elsewhere to contribute restoration monies and garner credits.

The Koll Co. will build 900 homes in the wetlands, setting a dangerous precedent for wetlands across the state. For this reason, American Oceans Campaign and the League for Coastal Protection filed a lawsuit challenging the California Coastal Commission’s approval of the project. The suit may become moot, however, if financing is committed to close the gap, saving Bolsa Chica from development.

An unprecedented level of cooperation among many individuals and agencies has brought us to the brink of success in reclaiming this coastal gem. It would be tragic if we faltered so close to the goal.