On March 20, environmentalists were outraged when the new owner of a parcel of wetlands on the Los Cerritos Channel near Loynes Drive and Studebaker Road bulldozed the property.
The owner says he was complying with a weed abatement order, while city officials say the property is zoned for open space and shouldn't have been touched without local and state Coastal Commission approval.
Tonight, the monthly Beer & Politics discussion will focus on this issue, with 4th District City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell and Assistant City Manager Suzanne Frick providing some answers. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Gallagher's Pub & Grill, 2751 E. Broadway. It's free, open to the public, and always a lively dialogue.
The owner says he was complying with a weed abatement order, while city officials say the property is zoned for open space and shouldn't have been touched without local and state Coastal Commission approval.
Tonight, the monthly Beer & Politics discussion will focus on this issue, with 4th District City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell and Assistant City Manager Suzanne Frick providing some answers. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Gallagher's Pub & Grill, 2751 E. Broadway. It's free, open to the public, and always a lively dialogue.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
It is so tiring to hear how "environmentalists" are the only ones outraged on this issue, not true. This was a dig into a landfill removing the protective cap and releasing toxins. It was covered for a reason. There are laws protecting us from this type of hazard which were blatantly ignored. I don't consider myself an "environmentalist", same with my mother, my sister, my grown sons, our friends and some neighbors. However we like the natural features of the coast of which wetlands is one of them. My son fishes, my sister and I hike and walk the coastlines, we enjoy bird watching and wildlife--stress busting, healthy recreational activities for which we are running out of places to do these things because of overdevelopment so we need to protect and restore. And under no circumstances should irresponsible construction posing a public health and safety threat be allowed, performed illegally or unpunished either. Call it "environmentalism" if you wish but if you really stop and think about it all, it is just plain common sense, next time you see "environmentalists" thank them, they protect your world. Cleanup the toxic mess that has been created, hold those responsible accountable for their actions and turn that land over for NATURAL restoration, people who want city parks and places to play ball already have a very huge El Dorado Park which all sections combined is approximately 965 acres complete with golf, ball fields of all kinds, paved bike trails, etc. and that is not enough city park, people still cry for more? In comparison to our only NATURAL place on this side of LB east of CSULB, El Dorado Nature Center which is a mere 100 acres! Uh, 965 vs 100...There is clearly a shortage of nature areas and a shortage of wetlands in the entire state since 90% of them have been filled and paved over! This land was wetlands before landfills and can be restored. You can't just put coastal wetlands anywhere. Build your soccer fields somewhere else. Restore our wetlands now! Stop wrecking our coast...Long BEACH, why in the world do people think wetlands and ocean waves are a bad thing here?