Health & Fitness
Oxford Basin Restoration Approved
Last week the Coastal Commission approved the County's plan to refurbish the Oxford Flood Control Basin. The plans include native habitat creation and limited public access.
On June 12th the Coastal Commission approved the County's Plans to refurbish the 10.7-acre Oxford Flood Control Basin, a project which will add public open space viewing of wetland habitat to a previously off-limits piece of drainage infrastructure (1). The basin was originally constructed in the 1960s, coincident with Marina Del Rey completion, to serve a dual purpose as flood control infrastructure and as a refuge for migratory birds. Birds have variously foraged and a few nested in the basin area over the years, though they tend toward many other more attractive nesting and foraging areas in the region.
The approved project will remove accumulated sediment in the basin and replace all non-native plants and trees with native species more attractive to nesting birds and other wildlife; small mammals, reptiles and insects. For people, the project will provide interpretive signs and viewing areas from both Washington Blvd. and the Admiralty Way Bike Path. The signage will educate the public about native plants and animals, flood control infrastructure and ocean tidal activity.
While the additional public open space is small, the viewing areas and educational elements will give passers-by a taste of the massive open space habitat benefits that will come to us all with a comprehensive Ballona Wetlands Restoration.
Enjoy your Ballona Wetlands!
www.ballonafriends.org
(1) Staff Report to the California Coastal Commission. Oxford Basin Project. http://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2014/6/F10b-6-2014.pdf
