Douglas Fay next to Oxford Retention Basin sign that so states Bird Conservation Area.  Doug is holding proposal by DPW.

California Coastal Commission (CCC) will hear the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) proposal for the Oxford Retention Basin (Duck Pond) Friday, June 13 at 9 am at the Huntington Beach City Hall, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, 92648. It will be item 10.b. Contact Matt.Stone@coastal.ca.gov for more information. Item is as follows:

Application of Los Angeles County DPW to improve flood risk management, water quality, habitat quality, aesthetics, and recreational opportunities in Oxford Basin, including: 1) excavation of 2,900 cu.yds. of sediment; 2) in-kind replacement of 2 tide gates; 3) construct 2-ft. high parapet wall; 4) remove and replace existing vegetation with native vegetation; 5) excavate 6,700 cu.yds. of contaminated sediment; 6) construct circulation berm; 7) replace existing perimeter chain link fence with ornamental aluminum; 8) construct walking trail and 6 observation areas; and 9) install vegetated parkway buffer along Admiralty Way, located in unincorporated Marina del Rey, Los Angeles County. (MS-LB)

Douglas Fay, local environmentalist and candidate for county board of supervisors, said he tried to get hearing set for July to give one time to prepare after receiving the staff report, which is scheduled to come out today (27 May).

Fay is against the “duck pond” being used for any water retention program.  His claim is that it was always a duck pond and was dedicated as a bird sanctuary back in the 1960’s.

“When the Los Angeles County politicians decided to end the heydays of Venice of America and relocate the recreational area to what is now Marina Del Rey, they turned to the Federal government for funding their plan,” Fay wrote.

“The plan was to excavate 34 million cubic yards of Ballona marshlands and El Segundo sand dunes to build the harbor and increase sewage treatment and discharges into the Santa Monica Bay at Hyperion.

“The excavated material was deposited along 5.5 miles of coastline from El Segundo to Ocean Park to widen the beach 500 feet, effectively burying the fragile shoreline ecosystem.

“The only mitigation identified in the plan to offset the habitat loss was a bird refuge that was to be 800 feet by 2500 feet in size. Eventually the harbor was built and a downsized 300 feet by 900 feet, 10.7 acre Bird Conservation Area was dedicated in 1963.

“Now the 5 Supervisors want to increase flood control capacity and recreational uses within the bird refuge that was also referred to as the bird sanctuary. I firmly believe the wildlife that does not have a voice, that was promised refuge and sanctuary, has a right to this area being managed for them, not unworthy developers and politicians. Read recently published “Chinatown County the Sell-Out of Marina Del Rey” by Bruce Russell.

“I am encouraging all to attend the County’s Small Craft Harbor Commission’s

Visioning meeting at Burton Chase Park on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 from 6 to 9 p.m. Request that as promised, Marina Del Rey be for affordable recreation and the bird refuge be expanded and managed for wildlife, not flood control and recreation.

“This is in part why I filed as a candidate for 3rd District County Supervisor. The election is June 3, 2014. Vote for the Environmentalist. “