The Malibu Lagoon, the wetlands at the base of Malibu Creek, is an ecosystem home to plants, fish, birds and mammals and a place we can visit and celebrate nature. The California State Parks system is planning to bulldoze and dredge the lagoon to "restore" it: they want to fix what they perceive as broken. They plan to commence June 1, during bird nesting season.
Many of us see the Malibu lagoon as a thriving nature habitat that needs to be nurtured and protected. We all want the Lagoon to be healthy, but we can help it thrive without disrupting the things living in it. Tell California officials not to destroy Malibu Lagoon in an attempt to save it!
1. Use low impact methods to protect the lagoon habitat, without disrupting the life forms in this ecosystem, including endangered and threatened species.
2. Be fiscally responsible: the current plan will cost taxpayers at least $8.5 million.
3. Stop upstream contamination of the creek that runs into the Lagoon.
4. Don't create a discharge pipe between the lagoon and the ocean. Massive movement of water will also disrupt the sand exposing surfers and swimmers to microbes causing infections such as MRSA.
5. Don't use taxpayer's money in a way that could potentially ruin the legendary wave break at Surfrider Beach forever.
6. Admit we don't really know how to "fix" nature. The current plan calls on "restoring" the lagoon. It is in its current condition based on the last such "restoration."
Dear [Decision Maker],
The Malibu Lagoon, the wetlands at the base of Malibu Creek, is an ecosystem that is home to plants, fish, birds, and mammals. It is a place we can visit and celebrate nature. We agree that the lagoon should be maintained in a healthy condition. We do not think that bringing bulldozers into an environmentally sensitive area is a smart way to execute this mission.
The radical dredging is planed to commence June 1, 2012 during bird nesting season. Many of us see the Malibu Lagoon as a thriving nature habitat that needs to be nurtured and protected. This small area is home to federally listed endangered and threatened animals. Before any lagoon management actions occur we must address the negative effects caused by the upstream contaminants including septic systems, a sewage plant, and illegal dumping.
The Malibu City Council voted unanimously to write a letter expressing concerns about this project, requesting additional information and research into possible alternatives. With a price tag of over 8.5 million dollars this project is very expensive. At a time when California is financially struggling why would we proceed with a project that will harm myriad resident flora and fauna and could result in exposure of surfers and swimmers to microbes causing infections such as MRSA?
Malibu has an international reputation as a surfing mecca. There are conflicting reports that this project may forever ruin the wave break at Surfrider Beach, affecting the culture of the community, and the ability for many tourism dependent residents to make a living. We all agree that we want Malibu Lagoon to thrive and be healthy. We just do not want to destroy Malibu Lagoon in our attempt to save it.
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