Ormond Beach Wetlands

GENERAL

Source

Site Ormond Beach Wetlands

Map Oxnard USGS 7.5' quadrangle.

Location Ormond Beach wetlands are located in the City of Oxnard east of Port Hueneme and west of Mugu Lagoon. These ten fragmented sites extend from the wastewater treatment facility adjacent to Port Hueneme, including the beach lagoon within the coastal dune zone, and down coast to southeast of the Southern California Edison electrical generation plant.

Contacts City of Oxnard - Department of Community Development; 805-385-7857

Southern California Edison - Environmental Services; 818-302-9562

Approximate Wetland Habitat Acreage 217 acres in ten fragmented sites along a one mile stretch of the coast.
5

Approximate Historic Acreage More than 500 acres as a part of the wetlands complex of the Oxnard plain behind the historical coastal dunes extending from the current harbor at Port Hueneme to Mugu Lagoon.
3

Ownership Owner Acres Source

Southern California Edison 350 6

City of Oxnard Wastewater Treatment Plant 17 6

Private 381 6

LAND USE

Source

Land Use Designation City of Oxnard's Coastal Zone Ordinance designations for the area are: Visitor-serving Commerical, Resource Protection, Coastal Dependent Industry, and Coastal Energy Facility.
5

Onsite Use The site contains energy production facilities, a wastewater treatment plant, heavy manufacturing facilities, roads, railroad tracks, flood control channels and drainage ditches. The wetlands are on several parcels ranging in size from less than one acre to over 134 acres.
3

Historic Use In the early 1900's Port Hueneme was constructed in one of the larger lagoons, agriculture fields intruded into the wetlands in the 1920's and extensive drainage canals were constructed in the 1930's. In the 1950's and 60's heavy industrial facilities were sited within the wetlands
3

Adjacent Use The urban center of the City of Oxnard is situated to the northwest, manufacturing facilities and cultivated agricultural fields abut the wetlands to the northeast, Mugu Lagoon is adjacent to the east, and the Pacific Ocean is to the west.
1

Adjacent Historic Use Native Americans occupied the site through the early 1800's. European settlers began developing agricultural fields on the Oxnard plain in the 1840's along with a commerical shipping wharf in Hueneme in 1874. Commerical and sport fishing began at Mugu Lagoon in the 1930's, and from World War II on, the area around the present City of Oxnard was rapidly urbanized.
3

HYDROLOGY

Source

Tidal Influence The majority of wetlands at Ormond Beach are not directly tidally connected, but historically they were probably connected to Mugu Lagoon through channels and sloughs, which provided limited tidal influence. The beach lagoon and drainage channels are tidally influenced for short periods of time when the beach berm is breached. Southeast of the Southern California Edison generating station, the drainage channel receives some tidal water from leaking flap gates connected to Mugu Lagoon.
1, 13

Watershed Area Diversion of creeks and construction of drainage and flood control channels have mostly eliminated the Oxnard Plain watershed as a source of water to the wetlands.
3

Tributaries and Flow Tributary Flow Source

None

Dams None

Other Sources The primary source of water to the wetlands is direct precipitation, with high ground water, an artesian well, and leakage from the drainage channels also provide a limited amount of water.
3

WATER QUALITY

Source

General The beach lagoon, wetlands, and drainage chanels are not included on the RWQCB's 303(d) List. Beneficial Uses designated for the Oxnard Beach Wetland (beach lagoon) and they are: REC1, REC2, EST, WILD, RARE, and WET. 1991 - monitoring of surface water in the adjacent flood control and drainage channels indicated that sulfate, nitrate, chloride and TDS concentrations were above EPA Primary and/or Secondary Drinking Water Standards. Sampling of marsh surface water and Bubbling Springs (an artesian well) found concentrations of phenols, ammonia and cyanide which were lower than RWQCB's designated levels.
2, 9, 10

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Not specified.

Water Salinity Once yearly sampling1989 through 1993 in June - Oxnard Drain: 9 ppt and electrical conductivity (EC) of 14.7umhos/cm; EC for ponded water at nine sites on the SCE property ranged from 59.9 to 111.2 umhos/cm and average EC was 81.6 umhos/cm.
1

Sedimentation Wind blown beach and dune sand is deposited in the marshes; amounts are not specified. The wetlands are cut off from the drainage and flood control channels' sediment load.
3

SOIL

Source

Soil Marsh area soils consist of coastal beach sand, Pacheco silty clay loam, and fill.
2

Habitat Acres Vegetation

Palustrine emergent seasonal marsh (coastal salt marsh) 100 1985, 1991, & 1993 - dominated by pickleweed and saltgrass; alkali heath, marsh jaumea, Australian saltbush*, and marsh rosemary were also present; with isolated areas of salt marsh bird's-beak+. Ac 5 Plants 2,3,5

Palustrine seasonal flats (mud flats) 10 1991 - predominantly barren, with some pickleweed present. 5

Salt pannes 73 1991 - mostly barren with limited amounts of pickleweed and saltgrass. 5

Intermittently flooded subtidal flat (brackish/ freshwater marsh) 18 1985, 1991, & 1993 - plants include rushes, sedges, cattails, mulefat, willows and introduced species. Ac 5 Plants 2,3,5

Uplands 16 This area is made up of back-dune habitat with saltgrass and pickleweed present; levees, roads and filled areas with ruderal plants; and coastal bluff scrub areas. Ac 5 Plants 2,3,5

ANIMAL USE

Source

Birds Surveys in the Fall of 1994 and Spring 1995, primarily for aquatic species, identified 41 species, of which 39 were water related including five special status species and the California least tern#. Biweekly surveys from June 1991 to Spring 1992 - identified two additional special status species
7, 10

Fish 1994 report (from the Oxnard Drain) - most abundant are the mosquitofish*, goldfish*, and longjaw mudsuckers; sampling method not specified. Sampling in the fall of 1994 using beach seines and dip nets in the beach lagoon and Oxnard Industrial Drain found the Tidewater goby+.
1, 10

Benthic Invertebrates 1994 report - invertebrates in the drainage channels and ponded water included isopods, mollusks, brine shrimp, and amphipods; sampling method not specified.
1

Insect A one time visual search at the So. California Edison property in July 1993 found the globose dune beetle+ and the salt marsh skipper+.
2

Other Wildlife 1994 report - mammals included the Audubon's (desert) cottontail, black-tailed jack rabbit, California ground squirrel, Botta's pocket gopher, striped skunk, and raccoon; 1985 report - Virginia opossum*, bats, shrews, mice, pocket mice, rats*, coyote and fox. Survey methods not specified. 1994 report - amphibian and reptiles included side-blotched lizard, western fence lizard, southern alligator lizard, San Diego coast horned lizard, western rattle snake, gopher snake, ringnecked snake, toads, and bullfrog. Survey methods not specified.
1, 2, 3

Special Status Species 1994 report - California least tern#, western snowy plover, California brown pelican, elegant tern, double-crested cormorant, and California gull. June 1991 to Spring 1992 - Belding's Savannah sparrow and American peregrine falcon. 1994 report - insects: globose dune beetle and salt marsh skipper; plants: salt marsh bird's-beak; 1996 - fish: tidewater goby.
2, 7, 11

OUTLOOK

Source

Enhancement Status A restoration and management program for the wetlands was developed by the City of Oxnard in 1985. This plan proposed restoring and creating a variety of salt and brackish water habitats. It has not been implemented due to a lack of funding. In 1994 a restoration and enhancement plan was prepared for SCE's undeveloped property at South Ormond Beach. This multi-phased plan called for establishing a hydrologic connection to Mugu Lagoon and other water sources at Ormond Beach. Implementation of the plan is awaiting funding as of Spring 1997. The City of Oxnard has purchased privately held beach lots, subdivided in the early 1900's, in the vicinity of the beach lagoon for inclusion in the Resource Protection Zone. Spring 1997 - a proposal to provide a year round source of brine water to the western drainage channels, and in the future to the wetlands adjacent to these channels, is under study by the city.
2, 7, 11

Watershed Management Not specified.

Pressure Poor water quality in the adjacent drainage channels and possible contaminated ground water from proximate industrial facilities contribute to the degraded status of the wetlands. Use of off road vehicles along the beach and dunes area is a major disturbance to wildlife. Pressure to convert farm lands north of the wetlands to urban uses could increase the amount of non-point source contaminants entering the marsh areas.
1, 2, 4, 12

Comments Although these fragmented wetlands are for the most part highly degraded, they are still providing valuable wildlife habitat, and have a high potential for restoration.
6

SOURCES

1 Jones and Stokes Associates, Inc., for the City of Oxnard. 1994. Final draft South Ormond Beach Wetland Restoration & Management Plan. (JSA 94-080) Sacramento, CA. ~70 pp., plus Appendices. This enhancement plan is for the 141 acre coastal Southern California Edison (SCE) site at Ormond Beach. The plan describes a detailed restoration and enhancement plan to create a self-sustaining wetland habitat for special status species. The plan summarizes existing conditions at the site and analyzes constraints and opportunities for the restoration effort. Included in the appendices are species lists for the flora and fauna of the subject wetlands.

2 BioSystems Analysis, Inc. for Southern California Edison. 1993. Biological resource surveys for Southern California Edison's Ormond Beach generating Station: final report. ~57 pp., plus appendices. The report summarizes both field and existing literature information regarding sensitive species and habitats at Southern California Edison's Ormond Beach property. Detailed maps of habitat areas, and nesting and foraging areas for species of special concern are provided. Specific locations of listed species sightings are shown on the habitat maps. Species lists for flora and fauna are included along with an extensive bibliography.

3 McClelland Engineers, Inc., for the City of Oxnard. 1985. Ormond Beach wetland restoration and management program. ~67 pp., plus appendices. This study was performed to identify those wetland areas within the Redevelopment Area that are viable for restoration and long-term maintenance. Ten sites were identified for possible restoration. The proposed optimum configuration would consolidate some of the smaller areas with the larger units, and include both brackish water ponds and salt marshes. The appendices provide soil and water quality data for the Halaco industrial site and extensive flora and fauna species lists.

4 Ecology and Environment, Inc. 1992. Expanded site (Halaco property) inspection - summary report. 16 pp. The primary objective of the investigation at the Halaco Engineering site was to determine if hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants were present in wastes within Halaco's settling pond and waste disposal area. The study found fourteen analytes that were significantly above background concentrations. Additionally, water samples collected from the Oxnard Industrial Drain did not show increased concentrations of any analytes downstream from Halaco.

5 MEC Analytical Systems, Inc. 1991. Ecological Descriptions and Evaluation of proposed enhancement/restoration for eight southern California wetlands. Final Report. Prepared for Southern California Edison. 300 pp. and appendices. This document describes the characteristics of eight wetland sites in Southern California and provides an assessment of their relative value as candidates for biological enhancement and restoration required as compensatory mitigation. The assessment is organized into four parts: historical acreage and present ecological condition; proposed enhancements and restorations; evaluations of proposed enhancements and restorations based on biology; and evaluation of the eight wetland sites in relation to the objectives and minimum standards of the California Coastal Comission. Appendix A describes each wetland site in detail. A variety of existing documents are incorporated into the study.

6 Furrer, M. L. 1993. Conceptual management plan for Ormond Beach. Thesis Environmental Studies Program UCSB. 188 pp. This thesis investigates the 'operating ecosystem' surrounding the Ormond Beach area in order to propose a set of management policies for enhancement of the wetlands and general development of the area. The physical environment is described, regulatory agencies with jurisdiction are identified, regional landuse issues are reviewed and wetland habitat resources characterized.

7 Impact Sciences, Inc., for the City of Oxnard. 1995. Technical Background Report for Ormond Beach; draft of EIR, Vol. No. 2, unpublished. ~250 pp. This unfinished draft of Volume 2 - Existing Conditions - of the EIR for the Ormond Beach Specific Plan is intended to describe the environment in the vicinity of Ormond Beach. The stated purpose of this information is to establish a baseline from which the magnitude of impacts associated with the Specific Plan can be measured. It contains the following sections: Environmental Setting; Biological, Water, Geological and other resources; and Public Policy and Planning issues. Original field surveys of the biota were conducted for the report, but only summary infomation is provided in the draft.

8 City of Oxnard, Community Development Department. 1982 (Rev. 88). Oxnard Coastal Plan. 70 pp., plus appendices. The Oxnard Coastal Plan was developed in response to the requirements of the Coastal Act of 1976. The Plan contains a summary of the Coastal Act, land use maps of the coastal zone, and policies affecting development within the Coastal Zone. The Policy Section includes information on: agriculture, habitat areas, diking and dredging, general development and coastal access among others. The appendices provide maps of Ormond Beach wetlands and other areas of coastal development.

9 California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region. 1994. Water quality control plan Los Angeles Region (4). 187 pp., plus appendices. The Los Angeles Regional Board's Basin Plan is designed to preserve and enhance the water quality and protect the beneficial uses of all regional waters. The plan designates beneficial uses and associated water quality objectives for inland surface waters, ground waters, coastal waters, and wetlands for the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. It includes a discussion of applicable policies and statutory requirements and identifies measures for achieving water quality objectives. It also describes ongoing monitoring and assessment programs.

10 Engle, J. M., K. D. Lafferty, J. E. Dugan, D. L. Martin, N. Mode, R. F. Ambrose, and P. T. Raimondi. 1995. Second year study plan for inventory of coastal ecological resources of the Northern Channel Islands and Ventura/Los Angeles Counties. Prepared for the California Coastal Commission. 45 pp. A report on the progress and proposed plans for the second year of a monitoring program surveying selected rocky intertidal, soft bottom subtidal, sandy beach, and wetland areas of coastal Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, and the Northern Channel Islands. The discussion emphasizes program design and methods with some analysis of first year results. The LA/Ventura portion focuses on wetlands, with fish, invertebrate, and bird surveys to be conducted at: Ventura and Santa Clara River estuaries, Ormond Beach, Mugu Lagoon Malibu Lagoon and Ballona wetlands. Other habitats will be characterized by samples at 20-30 additional sites. The study is being undertaken to enable an assessment of impacts in the event of an oil spill.

11 Ambrose, R. F.; Environmental Science & Engineering Program, UCLA. January 1997. Personal communication.

12 Nevins, T.; California State Coastal Conservancy. April 1997. Personal communication.

Webmaster: wetlands@resources.ca.gov

GENERAL			Source
Site	Ormond Beach Wetlands
Map	Oxnard USGS 7.5' quadrangle.
Location	Ormond Beach wetlands are located in the City of Oxnard east of Port Hueneme and west of Mugu Lagoon. These ten fragmented sites extend from the wastewater treatment facility adjacent to Port Hueneme, including the beach lagoon within the coastal dune zone, and down coast to southeast of the Southern California Edison electrical generation plant.
Contacts	City of Oxnard - Department of Community Development; 805-385-7857
	Southern California Edison - Environmental Services; 818-302-9562
Approximate Wetland Habitat Acreage	217 acres in ten fragmented sites along a one mile stretch of the coast.		5
Approximate Historic Acreage	More than 500 acres as a part of the wetlands complex of the Oxnard plain behind the historical coastal dunes extending from the current harbor at Port Hueneme to Mugu Lagoon.		3
Ownership	Owner	Acres	Source
	Southern California Edison	350	6
	City of Oxnard Wastewater Treatment Plant	17	6
	Private	381	6


LAND USE			Source
Land Use Designation	City of Oxnard's Coastal Zone Ordinance designations for the area are: Visitor-serving Commerical, Resource Protection, Coastal Dependent Industry, and Coastal Energy Facility.		5
Onsite Use	The site contains energy production facilities, a wastewater treatment plant, heavy manufacturing facilities, roads, railroad tracks, flood control channels and drainage ditches. The wetlands are on several parcels ranging in size from less than one acre to over 134 acres.		3
Historic Use	In the early 1900's Port Hueneme was constructed in one of the larger lagoons, agriculture fields intruded into the wetlands in the 1920's and extensive drainage canals were constructed in the 1930's. In the 1950's and 60's heavy industrial facilities were sited within the wetlands		3
Adjacent Use	The urban center of the City of Oxnard is situated to the northwest, manufacturing facilities and cultivated agricultural fields abut the wetlands to the northeast, Mugu Lagoon is adjacent to the east, and the Pacific Ocean is to the west.		1
Adjacent Historic Use	Native Americans occupied the site through the early 1800's. European settlers began developing agricultural fields on the Oxnard plain in the 1840's along with a commerical shipping wharf in Hueneme in 1874. Commerical and sport fishing began at Mugu Lagoon in the 1930's, and from World War II on, the area around the present City of Oxnard was rapidly urbanized.		3


HYDROLOGY			Source
Tidal Influence	The majority of wetlands at Ormond Beach are not directly tidally connected, but historically they were probably connected to Mugu Lagoon through channels and sloughs, which provided limited tidal influence. The beach lagoon and drainage channels are tidally influenced for short periods of time when the beach berm is breached. Southeast of the Southern California Edison generating station, the drainage channel receives some tidal water from leaking flap gates connected to Mugu Lagoon.		1, 13
Watershed Area	Diversion of creeks and construction of drainage and flood control channels have mostly eliminated the Oxnard Plain watershed as a source of water to the wetlands.		3
Tributaries and Flow	Tributary	Flow	Source
	None
Dams	None
Other Sources	The primary source of water to the wetlands is direct precipitation, with high ground water, an artesian well, and leakage from the drainage channels also provide a limited amount of water.		3


WATER QUALITY			Source
General	The beach lagoon, wetlands, and drainage chanels are not included on the RWQCB's 303(d) List. Beneficial Uses designated for the Oxnard Beach Wetland (beach lagoon) and they are: REC1, REC2, EST, WILD, RARE, and WET. 1991 - monitoring of surface water in the adjacent flood control and drainage channels indicated that sulfate, nitrate, chloride and TDS concentrations were above EPA Primary and/or Secondary Drinking Water Standards. Sampling of marsh surface water and Bubbling Springs (an artesian well) found concentrations of phenols, ammonia and cyanide which were lower than RWQCB's designated levels.		2, 9, 10
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)	Not specified.
Water Salinity	Once yearly sampling1989 through 1993 in June - Oxnard Drain: 9 ppt and electrical conductivity (EC) of 14.7umhos/cm; EC for ponded water at nine sites on the SCE property ranged from 59.9 to 111.2 umhos/cm and average EC was 81.6 umhos/cm.		1
Sedimentation	Wind blown beach and dune sand is deposited in the marshes; amounts are not specified. The wetlands are cut off from the drainage and flood control channels' sediment load.		3


SOIL			Source
Soil	Marsh area soils consist of coastal beach sand, Pacheco silty clay loam, and fill.		2
Habitat	Acres	Vegetation
Palustrine emergent seasonal marsh (coastal salt marsh)	100	1985, 1991, & 1993 - dominated by pickleweed and saltgrass; alkali heath, marsh jaumea, Australian saltbush*, and marsh rosemary were also present; with isolated areas of salt marsh bird's-beak+.	Ac 5 Plants 2,3,5
Palustrine seasonal flats (mud flats)	10	1991 - predominantly barren, with some pickleweed present.	5
Salt pannes	73	1991 - mostly barren with limited amounts of pickleweed and saltgrass.	5
Intermittently flooded subtidal flat (brackish/ freshwater marsh)	18	1985, 1991, & 1993 - plants include rushes, sedges, cattails, mulefat, willows and introduced species.	Ac 5 Plants 2,3,5
Uplands	16	This area is made up of back-dune habitat with saltgrass and pickleweed present; levees, roads and filled areas with ruderal plants; and coastal bluff scrub areas.	Ac 5 Plants 2,3,5


ANIMAL USE			Source
Birds	Surveys in the Fall of 1994 and Spring 1995, primarily for aquatic species, identified 41 species, of which 39 were water related including five special status species and the California least tern#. Biweekly surveys from June 1991 to Spring 1992 - identified two additional special status species		7, 10
Fish	1994 report (from the Oxnard Drain) - most abundant are the mosquitofish, goldfish, and longjaw mudsuckers; sampling method not specified. Sampling in the fall of 1994 using beach seines and dip nets in the beach lagoon and Oxnard Industrial Drain found the Tidewater goby+.		1, 10
Benthic Invertebrates	1994 report - invertebrates in the drainage channels and ponded water included isopods, mollusks, brine shrimp, and amphipods; sampling method not specified.		1
Insect	A one time visual search at the So. California Edison property in July 1993 found the globose dune beetle+ and the salt marsh skipper+.		2
Other Wildlife	1994 report - mammals included the Audubon's (desert) cottontail, black-tailed jack rabbit, California ground squirrel, Botta's pocket gopher, striped skunk, and raccoon; 1985 report - Virginia opossum, bats, shrews, mice, pocket mice, rats, coyote and fox. Survey methods not specified. 1994 report - amphibian and reptiles included side-blotched lizard, western fence lizard, southern alligator lizard, San Diego coast horned lizard, western rattle snake, gopher snake, ringnecked snake, toads, and bullfrog. Survey methods not specified.		1, 2, 3
Special Status Species	1994 report - California least tern#, western snowy plover, California brown pelican, elegant tern, double-crested cormorant, and California gull. June 1991 to Spring 1992 - Belding's Savannah sparrow and American peregrine falcon. 1994 report - insects: globose dune beetle and salt marsh skipper; plants: salt marsh bird's-beak; 1996 - fish: tidewater goby.		2, 7, 11


OUTLOOK			Source
Enhancement Status	A restoration and management program for the wetlands was developed by the City of Oxnard in 1985. This plan proposed restoring and creating a variety of salt and brackish water habitats. It has not been implemented due to a lack of funding. In 1994 a restoration and enhancement plan was prepared for SCE's undeveloped property at South Ormond Beach. This multi-phased plan called for establishing a hydrologic connection to Mugu Lagoon and other water sources at Ormond Beach. Implementation of the plan is awaiting funding as of Spring 1997. The City of Oxnard has purchased privately held beach lots, subdivided in the early 1900's, in the vicinity of the beach lagoon for inclusion in the Resource Protection Zone. Spring 1997 - a proposal to provide a year round source of brine water to the western drainage channels, and in the future to the wetlands adjacent to these channels, is under study by the city.		2, 7, 11
Watershed Management	Not specified.
Pressure	Poor water quality in the adjacent drainage channels and possible contaminated ground water from proximate industrial facilities contribute to the degraded status of the wetlands. Use of off road vehicles along the beach and dunes area is a major disturbance to wildlife. Pressure to convert farm lands north of the wetlands to urban uses could increase the amount of non-point source contaminants entering the marsh areas.		1, 2, 4, 12
Comments	Although these fragmented wetlands are for the most part highly degraded, they are still providing valuable wildlife habitat, and have a high potential for restoration.		6


SOURCES
1	Jones and Stokes Associates, Inc., for the City of Oxnard. 1994. Final draft South Ormond Beach Wetland Restoration & Management Plan. (JSA 94-080) Sacramento, CA. ~70 pp., plus Appendices. This enhancement plan is for the 141 acre coastal Southern California Edison (SCE) site at Ormond Beach. The plan describes a detailed restoration and enhancement plan to create a self-sustaining wetland habitat for special status species. The plan summarizes existing conditions at the site and analyzes constraints and opportunities for the restoration effort. Included in the appendices are species lists for the flora and fauna of the subject wetlands.
2	BioSystems Analysis, Inc. for Southern California Edison. 1993. Biological resource surveys for Southern California Edison's Ormond Beach generating Station: final report. ~57 pp., plus appendices. The report summarizes both field and existing literature information regarding sensitive species and habitats at Southern California Edison's Ormond Beach property. Detailed maps of habitat areas, and nesting and foraging areas for species of special concern are provided. Specific locations of listed species sightings are shown on the habitat maps. Species lists for flora and fauna are included along with an extensive bibliography.
3	McClelland Engineers, Inc., for the City of Oxnard. 1985. Ormond Beach wetland restoration and management program. ~67 pp., plus appendices. This study was performed to identify those wetland areas within the Redevelopment Area that are viable for restoration and long-term maintenance. Ten sites were identified for possible restoration. The proposed optimum configuration would consolidate some of the smaller areas with the larger units, and include both brackish water ponds and salt marshes. The appendices provide soil and water quality data for the Halaco industrial site and extensive flora and fauna species lists.
4	Ecology and Environment, Inc. 1992. Expanded site (Halaco property) inspection - summary report. 16 pp. The primary objective of the investigation at the Halaco Engineering site was to determine if hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants were present in wastes within Halaco's settling pond and waste disposal area. The study found fourteen analytes that were significantly above background concentrations. Additionally, water samples collected from the Oxnard Industrial Drain did not show increased concentrations of any analytes downstream from Halaco.
5	MEC Analytical Systems, Inc. 1991. Ecological Descriptions and Evaluation of proposed enhancement/restoration for eight southern California wetlands. Final Report. Prepared for Southern California Edison. 300 pp. and appendices. This document describes the characteristics of eight wetland sites in Southern California and provides an assessment of their relative value as candidates for biological enhancement and restoration required as compensatory mitigation. The assessment is organized into four parts: historical acreage and present ecological condition; proposed enhancements and restorations; evaluations of proposed enhancements and restorations based on biology; and evaluation of the eight wetland sites in relation to the objectives and minimum standards of the California Coastal Comission. Appendix A describes each wetland site in detail. A variety of existing documents are incorporated into the study.
6	Furrer, M. L. 1993. Conceptual management plan for Ormond Beach. Thesis Environmental Studies Program UCSB. 188 pp. This thesis investigates the 'operating ecosystem' surrounding the Ormond Beach area in order to propose a set of management policies for enhancement of the wetlands and general development of the area. The physical environment is described, regulatory agencies with jurisdiction are identified, regional landuse issues are reviewed and wetland habitat resources characterized.
7	Impact Sciences, Inc., for the City of Oxnard. 1995. Technical Background Report for Ormond Beach; draft of EIR, Vol. No. 2, unpublished. ~250 pp. This unfinished draft of Volume 2 - Existing Conditions - of the EIR for the Ormond Beach Specific Plan is intended to describe the environment in the vicinity of Ormond Beach. The stated purpose of this information is to establish a baseline from which the magnitude of impacts associated with the Specific Plan can be measured. It contains the following sections: Environmental Setting; Biological, Water, Geological and other resources; and Public Policy and Planning issues. Original field surveys of the biota were conducted for the report, but only summary infomation is provided in the draft.
8	City of Oxnard, Community Development Department. 1982 (Rev. 88). Oxnard Coastal Plan. 70 pp., plus appendices. The Oxnard Coastal Plan was developed in response to the requirements of the Coastal Act of 1976. The Plan contains a summary of the Coastal Act, land use maps of the coastal zone, and policies affecting development within the Coastal Zone. The Policy Section includes information on: agriculture, habitat areas, diking and dredging, general development and coastal access among others. The appendices provide maps of Ormond Beach wetlands and other areas of coastal development.
9	California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region. 1994. Water quality control plan Los Angeles Region (4). 187 pp., plus appendices. The Los Angeles Regional Board's Basin Plan is designed to preserve and enhance the water quality and protect the beneficial uses of all regional waters. The plan designates beneficial uses and associated water quality objectives for inland surface waters, ground waters, coastal waters, and wetlands for the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. It includes a discussion of applicable policies and statutory requirements and identifies measures for achieving water quality objectives. It also describes ongoing monitoring and assessment programs.
10	Engle, J. M., K. D. Lafferty, J. E. Dugan, D. L. Martin, N. Mode, R. F. Ambrose, and P. T. Raimondi. 1995. Second year study plan for inventory of coastal ecological resources of the Northern Channel Islands and Ventura/Los Angeles Counties. Prepared for the California Coastal Commission. 45 pp. A report on the progress and proposed plans for the second year of a monitoring program surveying selected rocky intertidal, soft bottom subtidal, sandy beach, and wetland areas of coastal Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, and the Northern Channel Islands. The discussion emphasizes program design and methods with some analysis of first year results. The LA/Ventura portion focuses on wetlands, with fish, invertebrate, and bird surveys to be conducted at: Ventura and Santa Clara River estuaries, Ormond Beach, Mugu Lagoon Malibu Lagoon and Ballona wetlands. Other habitats will be characterized by samples at 20-30 additional sites. The study is being undertaken to enable an assessment of impacts in the event of an oil spill.
11	Ambrose, R. F.; Environmental Science & Engineering Program, UCLA. January 1997. Personal communication.
12	Nevins, T.; California State Coastal Conservancy. April 1997. Personal communication.