Ballona Homeless: Help Wanted!

This satellite image shows a network of social trails and two of several homeless encampments in Areas A and C of the Ballona Wetlands State Ecological Reserve.  Other encampments occupy the space between the westbound Culver bridge and the Ballona Creek channel, as well as in the 90 Freeway median between Culver and Mindanao.

Libraries have been written about the plight of our city’s homeless citizens.  We seem to have many good ideas for solutions, but we’re not so good at funding or executing on our plans.  We need to do better.

Friends of Ballona Wetlands (www.ballonafriends.org) sent a letter dated August 15 to various city, county and resource agency directors, as well as elected representatives to raise awareness of the present homeless community in the Ballona, noting the rise in associated potential health and safety issues.  Among the concerns cited in the Friends’ letter are campfires in areas surrounded by flammable brush and eucalyptus trees, human waste and vermin, and fence and gate damage. 

Friends of Ballona Wetlands conducts educational tours and performs minor habitat restoration work in the Ecological Reserve under special permits from responsible agencies.  Friends’ volunteers and visitors have witnessed the negative impacts upon sensitive habitat areas and upon the Friends’ facilities, all funded through charitable donations.  Clearly, additional volunteer and government assistance is needed to address this issue.

In a few years (with any luck), our state will create or restore a variety of wetland and upland habitats in Areas A and C.  We’ll hear our state’s plans this fall, with publication of the project Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  The EIR draft is yet another public opportunity to comment on and critique our state’s plans, as well as offer alternatives for this state-funded project on state-owned land.  Whatever the ultimate restoration plan, execution will displace the long-standing homeless encampments in the Ecological Reserve.  No time like the present to begin thinking about how to accomplish this in a positive, caring way, and with a long term solution in mind.  The state project EIR should properly analyze project impacts to the homeless, and as required by law, propose thoughtful mitigation we can all stand behind and commit to execute.

Enjoy your Ballona Wetlands!

www.ballonafriends.org