Laguna Beach OKs expansion, water recycling plans proposed by Marine Mammal Center
Despite being completely landlocked, Laguna Beach’s nonprofit Pacific Marine Mammal Center — which coordinates the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill or injured seals and sea lions — is the second largest consumer of water in the city after the municipality itself.
The smallish Laguna Canyon Road facility uses up to 17,000 gallons of water each day in the maintenance of seven onsite pools, not to mention furnishing the needs of the many recuperating pinnipeds in residence there.
But an ambitious new expansion plan, key portions of which were unanimously approved Wednesday by members of the Laguna Beach Planning Commission, aims to cut that consumption by up to 90% with the installation of a new water reclamation facility.
Although plans are in the works for expanding educational and research areas that would be shared by PMMC and the neighboring Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, buffering up veterinary accommodations and adding three new animal pools, the water facility will be the crown jewel of the $8 million to $10 million project.
The addition of a drum filtration could save some 5.5 million gallons of water per year and help put the city of Laguna Beach on the map as a conservation leader, PMMC Board Chair Jeff Meberg told commissioners Wednesday.
“Make no mistake — this project is about water,” he said. “This project will make Laguna Beach the greatest municipality in the state of California, that’s how much you will reduce your water [consumption].
“No, this doesn’t lower our operating costs and, no, we don’t get a good return on investment on this. We won’t get a return for decades,” Meberg continued. “But it’s the right thing to do.”
Commissioners Wednesday considered a list of entitlements being sought in the execution of the plan, including coastal development and use permits for new construction and a few variances that would allow the site to maintain its unique infrastructure needs, at the risk of encroachment into city setbacks and volume capacities.
Senior planner Anthony Viera explained the work would include two-story additions at the shelter and Marine Mammal Center, as well as an elevated deck and walkway that would connect the two public uses that operate on the city-owned land.
The roughly 2,000-square-foot water reclamation facility would be built on a lot just south of the center’s pool area currently used for construction staging and municipal storage.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center Chief Executive Glenn Gray said Thursday talks about upgrading the site had been ongoing for the past several years. Along the way, water recycling became a key component of the proposal.
“That soon took center stage and kind of changed the planning and the focus and the architecture of the project,” he said of the plans, which were halted somewhat during the pandemic. “If you can imagine putting a pool in your backyard, this is that on steroids.”
A team of consultants including life support system planners (since that’s essentially the role of water at the treatment facility), worked tirelessly to create a plan that would fit the needs and footprint of the area, he added.
PMMC officials anticipate the water system will provide one more way to engage visitors to the center to not only think about the importance of marine wildlife and local ecosystems, but about the urgency of water conservation.
“The governor is challenging cities to do things, and Laguna is a Water-Wise city — now, we’re just taking it to the next level,” Gray said. “In terms of water conservation, we will be setting a standard.”
After a robust discussion about project particulars, including landscaping plans and the topographic and environmental scope of the work, commissioners voted 5-0 to move the project forward.
“The water savings is just jaw dropping,” said Commissioner Susan Whitin. “Congrats to the whole team and this nonprofit for putting us on the map in a new way.”
Commission Chair Pro Tem Jorg Dubin agreed.
“Having a project like this in our community is setting a really high bar for what needs to happen all over the western part of the United States, in terms of water management,” he said. “It’s an exciting project. I just hope people pay attention to what you’re doing.”
Having secured commission approval, PMMC leaders will work with the city’s building department ahead of a groundbreaking that could take place by summer 2023, according to Gray.
With about $6 million raised, Gray and associates plan to update budget projections and launch a public campaign to secure necessary remaining funding, while planning for the temporary relocation of care and operations during construction. Still, Wednesday’s approval is an important step in the process.
“People are floating through the building without touching the floor,” the chief executive said.
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