Letter of the Week

Unpermitted development, unperformed studies, ocean dumping, beach

erosion, infected fish, poisonous tires, plastic debris ... this is the

description that the California Coastal Commission has fabricated to

destroy the experimental marine habitat of the Marine Forests Society.

The reality is quite different; you will see it if you dive on the

site or ask for the documentation which exists in video and is available

to all. The project was developed with a permit from the California

Department of Fish and Game and approval by the City of Newport Beach,

which owns the submersed land.

During 14 years, volunteers dove, scientists studied and

philanthropists paid for the discovery of how seaweed and shellfish can

be planted on a sandy bottom. It resulted in three major innovations to

plant kelp and mussels. It created a new marine ecosystem which cleanses

the waters and where fish find food, shelter and spawning grounds.

Not government agents, but people from the community were able to

achieve this.

What is wrong with the California Coastal Commission? Their excessive

power, their incompetence or their scheme for monopolizing the business

of environmental marine restoration? It is all of that and even more, say

the Marine Forests Society. And, they say it to the Superior Court of

California in Sacramento.

Hopefully, it will only take a small environmental project for both

environment and justice to be served.

RODOLPHE STREICHENBERGER

Marine Forests Society