Purpose
The wetlands in the Los Cerritos Complex have been sought by public agencies and environmentalists for habitat conservation for over 20 years. Since this site is one of the few remaining opportunities in southern California for restoration of estuarine habitat, the acquisition of these properties is a top priority regionally.
The properties proposed
for acquisition and restoration total approximately 500 acres, straddle the Counties
of Los Angeles and Orange, and include portions of
the Cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach. Click
here to download a map of the wetlands area (906 kb PDF file).
Governance
One obstacle to completing these acquisitions had
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 had 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
by 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 has the ability to acquire and own real property,
but it does not have the power of eminent domain.
A second major purpose of the Authority is to
conduct restoration planning and implement that restoration.
Key Achievements
A brochure was prepared which gives a brief description of the Wetlands Authority and the wetlands. Click here to download the 2-page PDF file which includes the following achievements:
- LCWA formed February 2006
- 66 acres of former Bryant Property acquired June 2006
- 5 acres of former Edison property acquired Fall 2007
- Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewardship Program adopted Fall 2009
- 100 acres of former Hellman Properties, LLC acquired Winter 2010