Malibu Lagoon Restoration

Malibu City Council plans to take an official position on the controversial Lagoon Restoration project prior to the city’s election day. The project, which begins work June 1, will aim to create a healthier lagoon environment.

The restoration is supported by environmental groups such as Heal the Bay, who are in favor of plans to restore oxygen to the Lagoon. However, many opponents believe that the use of bulldozers to reshape the waterways will disturb both locals and native animals — unnecessary given their belief that the Lagoon should repair itself in time.

Photo Credit: http://www.parks.ca.gov/

In 2010, the California Coastal Commission approved the restoration. Though Malibu has no legal power to step in, they may lengthen the process through debate. With the allocated $25, 000, the state has approved a research study on the Lagoon that will determine the location’s overall condition and provide the council with necessary facts.

The Council’s Outlook

While most councilmembers are waiting to receive more information on the health of the Lagoon and logistics regarding the project, some like local candidate and surfer Andy Lyon are violently opposed. The project may alter wave shape at the beloved Surfrider Beach.

With information about the project being dispersed, The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project funded a “restore Malibu Lagoon” research study to compile information about the health of the Lagoon.

Currently, the 31-acre area provides a critical habitat for not only local wildlife but also migrating birds. The Lagoon is impaired to the degree that the State Water Board Environmental Protection Agency required by law that it be improved.

Excess sediment has created poor circulation in the water “choking the Lagoon” with a lack of oxygen for its plants and animals, creating an overgrowth of algae. The levels of oxygen are approximately zero percent.

The site has previously been used in the 1950s as a dumping zone for Cal Trans, the Pacific Coast Highway bridge dissection.  The site was later filled and used for a baseball field in the 1970s. This human activity, along with increased urbanization has severely diminished water quality.

The Santa Monica Bay Restoration deems this project “a unique opportunity to restore a viable wetland.”

Plans to improve the site include bulldozing the area — a method that has been implemented in wetland restorations: Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beach. Opponents of the project worry that bulldozers will disturb local habitats, however, the 1930s filling of the Lagoon employed mechanized materials.

Another concern raised is that construction will disturb migrating birds that come through the area.

Council candidate Hans Laetz expressed a need to make up for what previous councils did not take action on. This project has been a long-time in the making, since the 1983 restoration.

Step Forward

In a 2011 article in the Malibu Surfside News locals voiced their concerns about the project.

“The Malibu Lagoon is a magical place for me,” said Save Malibu Lagoon spokesperson Marcia Hanscom.“There are more birds and animals every year. I love it so much. I can’t bear to see it bulldozed.”

Photo Credit: http://bosako-work.blogspot.com/

“A lot of people say you have to have a plan, we have a plan,” opponent Athena Shlien said. “It’s not about stopping restoration, it’s about using kindness, care and love, because life is precious.”

Many believe that the development will restore the Lagoon to the functioning ecosystem it once was.

An article by the LA Times indicated that the restoration offers the city a unique prospect. “Opportunities to restore and increase […] tidal wetlands in Southern California are extremely rare,” said Coastal Commission staff ecologist Jonna Engel. “And when they arise, such as here at Malibu Lagoon, we should pursue them.”

Malibu Library ReOpening

Following months of construction, the Malibu Library will reopen to the public April 22, with a newly enhanced sustainable design. This remodel is the City’s first to be certified by the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) standards, a “green” structure evaluating system.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the dedication ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., and will feature over 3,000 volumes of AAC’s Arkel Erb Memorial Collection of books. The day includes “children’s activities, interactive exhibits, art projects, local authors, story time and entertainment.” Special guests include Pierce Brosnan and Dick Van Dyke.

Photo Credit: http://barefootandvintage.wordpress.com

In order to pay for the $5.7 million project, the council used excess funds from property taxes, not previously spent on the Library, and set them aside yearly to account for $5 million of the total amount. The other approximate funds of $500,000 were achieved from a donations drive, launched by the Malibu Library Fundraising Task Force.

Virtual Tour

When visitors first enter the structure, they will see a replica of the Adamson House title rug, in addition to a photographic exhibit showcasing historical images of Malibu. Other artistic features include an equestrian-inspired community room, and a porcelain tile art piece designed by artist Christine Nguyen.

Inside the newly renovated facility, there will be a children’s and teen’s area, study rooms and Friends of the Library Book Store; as well as a community space and lobby, which are redesigned and contain decorative Malibu tiles.

The structure, designed by LPA, Inc., will house murals that recount the history of the City, as well as other beach-themed elements like surfboards that will hang from the ceiling of the teen center. An outdoor patio will provide a reading and relaxing experience, as visitors get a front row view to Malibu’s own Legacy Park — a pathway will connect the two.

Aiming Upward

Collectively, the council has high hopes for the facility’s revised services. Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich, an advocate and spearhead of the project, explained at a council meeting held in February that by using materials specific to the City within the building, the improved library would provide residents with a real Malibu experience.

The project began as the result of a County of Los Angeles Public Library evaluation in 2004-2005 by the Community Library Needs Assessment (CLNA). Results indicated from focus groups, surveys and meetings that the services, structure and inventory of the Library needed updating.

Councilwoman Conley Ulich recommended the use community discussion to improve the Library’s services and dollars contributed to services ratio. In 2004, Conley Ulich and former councilmember Sharon Barovsky began their analyses.

Issues like an increased need for self-service technology, publicity for library events and an improved merchandising system surfaced in the findings. Initial construction began in September 2010, after developing a concrete plan of action in 2009.

A Malibu Community Library Building Program in 2009, compiled by consultant Linda Demmers, indicated that the new design should “inject some excitement into the interiors and address the facility issues outlined in the CLNA.”

“We believe that this building has good bones, a good location, and a long future of excellent service to the residents of Malibu,” Demmers wrote.

The plan allocated 36 percent of the library’s space to book collections, 23 percent to reader seating, 15 percent for staff space and 18 percent divided between technologies and meeting locations.

A Local Perspective

As an effort to promote community usage, the enriched library will be a place for locals and visitors to study, learn and spend time.

Residents of Santa Monica, Julie and Eric Treibatch and their son Jake plan to enjoy the library’s children’s services.

Photo Credit: addins.whig.com

“Definitely, we will take advantage of story time,” Julie said.

Visitors from the Topanga area, Michele and Philip D’arbanville, expressed their enthusiasm for a library to parallel their local library. The Topanga library was recently opened in January, a $19 million project.

“It’s the most incredible thing to have a library be a vital part of your community,” Philip said.

Michele agreed. “I believe that the culture of Malibu is so important to the community of Malibu. This community loves arts and culture. With the art, they’re going to take that [outlook] right into the Library.”

She continued. “A library is about learning. Because when you are in your own community and you’re in your library — you see children in the community, and people you didn’t expect to see. You feel humanity.”

Students at Pepperdine as well plan to make use of the newly renovated library. Junior Ashley Coaston explained that the building provides a good excuse to escape from the hustle and bustle of college life.

“It’s nice to try and get off campus, especially when there is so much stress on campus,” Coaston said.

As the result of a council vote in February 2012, the library will be open to the public 50 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

Highlights

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