California's Largest Wetlands Project

A historic moment for the complex and ambitious Bolsa Chica restoration project.

1 minute read

August 30, 2006, 2:00 PM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"Once slated to be developed into an oceanfront housing tract, the wetlands were spared by environmentalists who lobbied for both money and political support to restore the marshland...The restoration project included scooping out 2 million cubic yards of sediment and building jetties, two bridges spanning the 360-foot-wide inlet, and several public viewing areas...

...Now linked to the ocean, the wetlands area along Pacific Coast Highway will rise and fall with the ebb and flow of the tide. The ocean water, biologists say, will be a fast-acting medicine, bringing marine life and additional migratory birds back to the wetlands.

The wetlands already are home to roughly 200 species of birds, including threatened ones, such as the California least tern and the light-footed clapper rail.

The restoration work undoes the effort of turn-of-the-century duck hunters who walled off the ocean in an effort to create ponds to make it easier to catch their prey...Now, wetlands are recognized as vital filters for urban runoff, stopovers for migrating birds and habitats for endangered species...

At one time, as many as 4,884 homes were proposed for the wetlands, which developers argued were so degraded they were beyond any restoration effort."

Friday, August 25, 2006 in The Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

3 hours ago - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

4 hours ago - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

5 hours ago - Arizona Republic