Purpose
The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and others have long sought to acquire the former Los Cerritos Wetlands for the purposes of preserving and restoring coastal wetland habitat. The properties that are proposed for acquisition and restoration straddle the Counties of Los Angeles and Orange, and include portions of the Cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach. Click to view a map of the wetlands area.

Governance
One obstacle to completing these acquisitions has been the need for an entity that can take title to the property and manage it while it is being restored. No single local entity has jurisdiction over the entire historic wetland complex, and no entity had been willing to take on ownership and management of all of these properties during the restoration phase.
   
In February 2006 a joint powers agreement was adopted among the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, State Coastal Conservancy, City of Long Beach, and City of Seal Beach. The agreement established the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority. The purpose of the Authority is to provide for a comprehensive program of acquisition, protection, conservation, restoration, maintenance and operation and environmental enhancement of the Los Cerritos Wetlands area consistent with the goals of flood protection, habitat protection and restoration, and improved water supply, water quality, groundwater recharge and water conservation. The Authority would have the ability to acquire and own real property, although it would not have the power of eminent domain. A second major purpose of the Authority would be to conduct restoration planning and implement that restoration.