According to Wetlands Defense Fund, the badly designed plan calls for bulldozers to arrive at the start of visitor season in June, 2011 to excavate and grade 88,700 cubic yards of mud and wetland habitat %u2013 killing or displacing most plants, fish and animals and removing shelter and food sources for those not otherwise harmed. In addition, contractors will dewater (drain) the entire lagoon west of the creek channel to transform the site from a series of environmentally-friendly marshy islands into an area with a more watery area, but less land, which serves as home and food for the animals.
Malibu Lagoon is a uniquely visitor-serving area, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors including thousands of low-income school children who lack access to wildlife and clean ocean air. The existing network of well-tended pathways and attractive bridges provides convenient and intimate access to a remarkable collection of plants, birds, fish and world-famous Surfrider Beach. More information is available at www.SaveMalibuLagoon.com including a compelling video. Much of the negotiations and progress of this project have taken place without sufficient public knowledge or participation. This is a request to table this item for at least six months until appropriate open public forums have had adequate opportunity and time to examine and discuss the project design and implementation plan and engage its originators. Thank you.
