After 25 Years, Marshland Plan Approved in Long Beach

Consensus on how to use three acres of marshland in eastern Long Beach has finally been achieved after more than 25 years of indecision.

The state Coastal Commission has approved a plan to develop the mouth of the Los Cerritos Channel at Marine Stadium into a wetlands biological preserve with floating docks to provide educational access to schoolchildren.

Several options were discussed, some of which were eventually ruled out by the commission and other state agencies. A proposal to fill much of the area with rock to stem shoreline erosion was abandoned.

The City Council approved the plan in 1992 and named the area Jack Dunster Marine Biological Preserve, in honor of the late activist who helped shape the compromise. The plan then had to be approved by several other agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers.

One of the last issues to be resolved was a protective floating breakwater that had been opposed by rowers who work out at the Marine Stadium. They agreed to the breakwater, however, after receiving assurances that it would not affect their rowing, Long Beach parks manager Phil Hester said.

Councilman Doug Drummond, whose district encompasses the project, praised the project as a unique educational opportunity for children. He said he also was grateful for an end to the quarreling over proposals.

Work for the preserve is expected to cost about $800,000 and will include walkways and a restroom. Most of that money will come from the city’s tidelands fund, which is supported mainly by oil drilling in the city.

Landscaping for the habitat is expected to include marine grasses and underwater plant life.

“We’re reintroducing marine habitat. . .which hopefully will bring more marine life into the area,” Hester said.