Last Ditch Effort By Malibu Lagoon Opponents Receives Final Rejection

May 26, 2012 - PRLog -- The Real Malibu 411 is relieved to learn “the petition is denied.” which was the decision handed down by the first appellate district in the case of the Wetlands Defense Fund et al vs. California Coastal Commission et al on May 24, 2012.

The obstructionists campaign of Marcia Hanscom and her Wetlands Defense Fund were dealt an initial setback last fall in their efforts to stop the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project and suffered a final blow yesterday.

“They have not demonstrated that the appeal presents an exceptional situation presenting a substantial issue on appeal that, even facially has merit.” – First Appellate District- CA Court.

Malibu resident Skip Saenger said,  “The Opposition would have gotten more of their needs met by working with the process during the study period, which went on for years, instead of working against it”.

As the project is set to begin, recent discoveries regarding the City of Malibu have come to public’s attention.

The contractor scheduled to perform the dewatering in the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project, Pure Effect, Inc., is in fact the same company that did the dewatering for the Malibu Lumber Yard construction project, a development owned by the City of Malibu and is also currently dewatering at a residential construction project at 108 Malibu Colony Rd.
 
The City of Malibu showed no opposition to the process of the dewatering of these major development projects, however were unanimously opposed to stop the lagoon restoration in it's current state. Pure Effect was approved to dewater 108 Colony Road with no public information or debate. In this project, the disinfected leech field water is being discharged to the beach, in the same manner and through remarkably similar water quality monitoring required by permits as it will be for the Lagoon Restoration. In contrast, for the Lagoon project, extensive additional monitoring that is not in the permit requirements will be conducted to ensure healthy water for people and aquatic life.


Steve Woods, a Malibu local wonders, "Why was there approval of a dewatering project when it is enabling development, but then an objection to the same dewatering filtration process when it is participating with a wetlands restoration?"

Additionally, veteran Surfer Fred Roberts adds “For the life of me, I cannot figure out why those who oppose the project would not want to see the lagoon’s water quality improved and the overall health of it brought back to a healthy natural state. I challenged those that oppose to read the facts and not just follow a few black sheep out there leading the charge.”

The Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project is scheduled to begin June 1st.

The Real Malibu 411 is an alternative perspective on events happening in our local community. We look forward to entertaining discussion and investigation of future projects that will be making local headlines, including the support of the removal of Rindge Dam, Malibu’s F grade water quality as a result of leaking septics and an open discussion about the benefits and option of a sewer in the Colony/Civic center area.

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