FACTS ABOUT THE BALLONA WETLANDS
Overview
The Ballona Wetlands once encompassed an area of over 2,000 acres covering much of today's Venice, Marina del Rey and parts of West Los Angeles. Over the years the wetlands have been degraded and reduced by human activity and urban development (especially the development of Marina del Rey and the channeling of Ballona Creek in the 1930’s) to less than 190 acres.
Restoration Overview
The planned restoration will increase wetland habitat to 249.6 acres plus an additional 99.5 acres of native terrestrial habitat (dunes, scrub, transitional freshwater marsh, transitional saltmarsh, native grassland and a plant nursery) for a total of approximately 340 acres.
Thus the Ballona Wetlands system will be comprised of five basic components:
1) The Saltmarsh
2) The Freshwater marsh
3) The Riparian corridor
4) The Bluffs and other uplands
5) The Dunes
Freshwater Marsh Overview
The Freshwater marsh, located south of Jefferson Boulevard and west of Lincoln Boulevard, will be in an area that was historically freshwater marsh (see Phase I EIS/EIR - Biological Resource Section - Henrickson).
The three functions of the freshwater marsh will be:
1) Wildlife habitat
2) Management of stormwater flows, and
3) Water quality improvement
These are all classic functions of a marsh.
The freshwater component is necessary in order to create the brackish element (a mixture of salt and freshwater) that is a vital part of a healthy, functioning wetland system. Because the freshwater marsh will be fed mainly by urban runoff and treated groundwater, the following three conditions are attached to its permits, which ensure that the wetlands functions as it should:
1) The new system must create habitat superior to what existed previously.
2) The habitat must be maintained in perpetuity.
3) If the system is found incompatible with the restored saltmarsh, it must be reconfigured at the developer's expense until it does conform.
Freshwater Marsh Runoff
Runoff from the freshwater marsh will be controlled so that, when necessary, fresh water will enter the salt marsh (to create the appropriate brackish conditions and replenish the salt marsh with fresh water) and, when there is too much fresh water (as during times of heavy rainfall), it can be diverted into Ballona Creek.
Polluted runoff now runs unchecked into the Ballona Wetlands. A sophisticated Best Management Practices system will treat runoff from not only Playa Vista, but the surrounding communities as well, before it enters the wetlands.
Water will be cleansed before it enters the wetland and before it enters Ballona Creek or the Santa Monica Bay. Now it is not. Under the completed system, cleansed stormwater from the Playa Vista site that enters Santa Monica Bay, including the water that originates off the Playa Vista site, will be cleaner than the water that currently enters the Bay.
Saltmarsh Overview
The salt marsh restoration plan devised by the Ballona Wetlands Foundation is a “mixed tidal plan” which includes:
1) muted tidal areas (with limited tidal flow) that will encourage expansion of pickle weed and other native wetland vegetation; and
2) areas of deeper tidal action plus upland, dune, scrub, and native grassland habitat.
However this plan is not the final design for the salt marsh. The restoration plan must go through a public comment process, which will include the examination of many alternatives. It is possible that due to public comment a different plan may result.
No Endangered Species
Currently, no federal endangered species and only one state endangered subspecies (Belding’s savannah sparrow) reside at the Ballona wetlands. No endangered species or subspecies reside in the areas planned for development. The sparrow lives in the pickleweed areas that will be expanded with restoration.
At one time, The California least tern resided and nested in the salt flats at Ballona. It no longer does. A least tern nesting island is planned for the restoration. The expanded willow groves and the planting of native vegetation will provide potential habitat for such endangered birds as the Southwestern willow flycatcher. Moreover, if cord grass proves viable at Ballona, we may even see the return of the clapper rail. In the dune area, dune buckwheat may attract the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly. One of the primary goals of the restoration is to return the wetlands ecosystem to a condition more conducive for these and other once-native species to again inhabit the Ballona Wetlands.
The Bluffs
Bluff habitat is essential to many animals, including burrowing owls, raptors, and small mammals. The bluff is also critical to numerous native plants.
Non-native Predators
Non-native predators now thrive at the wetlands, decimating native wildlife, and threatening biodiversity. Restoring the wetlands will discourage these non-natives and help protect native animals.
Monitoring/Assessment District
There will be strict monitoring plans with all permits. There is no monitoring now. There will be an assessment district created to ensure continuing maintenance and monitoring of the newly restored wetland ecosystem.
The Ballona Wetlands Foundation
The Ballona Wetlands Foundation is a non-profit organization created to preserve and protect the Ballona Wetlands. It is the only organization legally mandated to oversee the restoration and management of the wetlands. Along with implementing and managing a comprehensive restoration plan for the Ballona Wetlands, the Ballona Wetlands Foundation oversees educational programs and activities focused on enhancing the public's appreciation of the wetlands. The Ballona Wetlands Foundation is unique in that its Board of Directors, brought together by court action, demonstrates that divergent factions working together can achieve a common goal-a healthy, vibrant, restored wetland.
The Ballona Wetlands Foundation is comprised of individuals appointed by the State of California, The City of Los Angeles, owners of the Playa Vista property, and the Friends of Ballona Wetlands.
