Department of the Interior

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Office of the Secretary
CONTACT: Joan Moody 202-208-3280
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 6, 2004
Jane Hendron - 760/431-9440 ext. 205
 
Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett Breaks Ground for Bolsa Chica Wetlands Restoration Project
 

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA. - Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget Lynn Scarlett today joined California Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, other federal and state partners and more than 200 invited guests in breaking ground for the $63 million Bolsa Chica wetlands restoration project.

Hailed as the largest wetlands restoration effort ever undertaken in southern California, the Bolsa Chica project in the Huntington Beach area will restore more than 584 acres of tidal areas and upland habitats to support fish and shorebird populations.

"Today's groundbreaking for the Bolsa Chica wetlands restoration project demonstrates how partnerships build bridges-both literally and symbolically," Assistant Secretary Scarlett said. "It is an example of the kind of environmental progress that can be accomplished when federal, state and private parties work together. At the Interior Department, we call this the 4C's-communication, consultation and cooperation all in the service of conservation."

Restoration of the Bolsa Chica wetlands is a complex undertaking, requiring the recreation of an ocean inlet; installation of a groundwater interception barrier to protect homes along the eastern edge of the property; deconstruction and removal of 98,000 linear feet of oil pipelines and 64 wells and movement of 2.7 million cubic yards of fill material to build containment berms and nesting areas. A new bridge will be built over the ocean inlet, allowing travelers continued access along Pacific Coast Highway.

In addition to Assistant Secretary Scarlett and Lt. Governor Bustamante, other partners at the groundbreaking ceremony included Rodney McInnis, Regional Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service; Alexis Strauss, Director of the Water Division, Environmental Protection Agency - Region IX; Colonel Leonardo Flor, Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - South Pacific Division; Steve Westly, California State Controller; Mike Chrisman, Chairman of the California Resources Agency; Eugene Voiland, President and CEO of Aera Energy; and Herb Chatterton, Founding President of Amigos de Bolsa Chica.


 

 

 

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