Other Regional Summaries

In 1994, the Coastal Commission commissioned development of a database that identifies sources of survey and monitoring data for 25 Southern California coastal wetlands. The purpose of the effort was to determine the extent and quality of existing data that could provide a basis for evaluating the progress of restoration projects at similar habitats. The database briefly describes the nature of the data available for each site, listing: the habitat sampled and parameters, the sample frequency and duration of the program, sample method, spatial replication, the type of document in which data are reported and where the reference can be found. The database does not report the results of the sampling.

Zedler, J.B. 1982. The ecology of southern California coastal salt marshes: a community profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Services Program, Washington, D.C. FWS/OBS-81/54. 110 pp.

Describes the structure and functioning of California's coastal salt marshes south of Pt. Conception. Summarizes the physiographic, hydrological, and climatic setting, the resulting vegetative communities and their roles in overall marsh functioning. Faunal communities are also described. Discussion includes analysis of research data from specific sites and forwards conceptual models of marsh functioning.

MEC. 1993. San Dieguito Lagoon restoration project regional coastal lagoon resources summary. 56 pp plus an appendix. Prepared for Southern California Edison.

This report provides a 1-2 page summary of habitat types, fish, bird and benthic invertebrate populations at each of 16 coastal wetlands in San Diego and Orange Counties. It is primarily a synopsis of existing information; sources used in identifying and quantifying habitat types include aerial photographs taken in early 1993. The report considers habitat restoration at San Dieguito Lagoon in light of present and historic conditions of other coastal wetlands in the region. The sites summarized are: Tijuana Estuary, Sweetwater River Wetland Complex, Mission Bay Complex, Los Penasquitos Lagoon, San Dieguito Lagoon, San Elijo Lagoon, Batiquitos Lagoon, Agua Hedionda Lagoon, Buena Vista Lagoon, San Luis Rey River, Santa Margarita River Estuary, Las Flores Marsh, San Mateo Marsh, Upper Newport Bay, Bolsa Chica, and Anaheim Bay.

Saint, Prem K., Ted L. Hanes, and William J. Lloyd. 1993. Waterbodies, wetlands and their Beneficial Uses in the Los Angeles Region (4). Volume 2: wetlands and their Beneficial Uses. 200 pp.

This report provides brief narrative descriptions of 78 wetland areas associated with estuaries, lakes and riparian corridors within Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. All summaries address basic hydrological conditions and identify vegetative communities, and contain a map and color photograph; many also include information on historical conditions, bird and fish species observed and evaluations regarding the degree of ecological disturbance. The study was conducted to provide the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board with a basis for determining which waterbodies should have Wetland as a designated Beneficial Use. All sites were also ranked according to seven functions attributed to wetlands. Coastal wetlands described are: Ventura River Estuary, Santa Clara River Estuary, McGrath Lake, Ormond Beach, Mugu Lagoon, Dume Creek Lagoon, Malibu Lagoon, Topanga Lagoon, Ballona and Del Ray Lagoons, Ballona Wetlands, and Los Cerritos Wetlands.

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 wetlands in Southern California and provides an assessment of their relative value as candidates for biological enhancement and restoration required as compensatory mitigation. The sites are: Ormond Beach Wetlands, Ballona Creek, Los Cerritos, Anaheim Bay, Huntington Beach Wetland, Santa Ana River Mouth, San Dieguito River Valley and Tijuana River Estuary. 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 evaluations of proposed restorations and enhancements based on Coastal Commission objectives and standards. Appendix A describes each wetland site in detail. Data from a variety of existing documents are incorporated into the report.

Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. 1990. Port of Los Angeles local wetland mitigation program. Approximately 80 pp.

This report, prepared for the Port of Los Angeles, provides 3-5 page descriptions of 13 sites in coastal LA County in terms of their physical attributes, habitat quality, and opportunities and constraints for enhancement. The following sites are included: Zuma Beach, Malibu Lagoon, Topanga Canyon, Oxford Flood Control Basin, Venice Canals, Ballona Lagoon, Ballona Wetlands, Del Rey Lagoon, El Segundo Dunes (<1 acres wetland), Madrona Marsh, Sanitary District Wetland, Machado Lake, Cabrillo Tidal Salt Marsh. In addition, slightly expanded (7-8 pp) evaluations of enhancement opportunities and feasibility are provided for three sites; Del Ray Lagoon, Machado Lake, and Zuma Beach.

State Coastal Conservancy. 1989. The coastal wetlands of San Diego County. 64 pp.

This public education booklet describes ecological concepts and dynamics of San Diego County salt marshes. The discussion includes watershed processes, littoral and tidal influences, habitat types, significance to migratory birds, and the effects of urban development. In addition, summaries of the history, current values and problems, protection efforts and public access opportunities are provided for 11 wetland areas. The areas described are: Tijuana Estuary, San Diego Bay complex, Mission Bay complex, Los Penasquitos Lagoon, San Dieguito Lagoon, San Elijo Lagoon, Batiquitos Lagoon, Agua Hedionda Lagoon, Buena Vista Lagoon, San Luis Rey River and the Santa Margarita River and Estuary.

State Coastal Conservancy. 1982. Regional wetland restoration study: Los Angeles & Orange Counties.

To facilitate more coherent planning for restoration and enhancement of coastal wetlands in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, the California Coastal Conservancy commissioned an analysis of management needs and opportunities in the region. The study provides a regional assessment of wetland values, identifies regional restoration goals, forwards site-specific criteria that would result in a high likelihood of project success, and describes 10 sites in the region that met the site-specific criteria. Those sites are: Zuma Beach, Malibu Lagoon, the confluence of the San Gabriel River and Coyote Creek, Anaheim Bay, Wintersburg Channel, Huntington Channel Extension, Fairview Park, Talbert Park, Beeco Oil Field, and San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh. In addition, the appendices include fish and bird use summaries and habitat acreage for each site (based on existing information) as well as proposed improvements to the USFWS wetlands classification system.