BRIEFS

Legislation aimed at preserving the Bolsa Chica flew through a State

Assembly committee Tuesday, bringing it one step closer to reality.

The bill, penned by Assemblyman Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach), was

passed unanimously by the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and now

moves on to the Appropriations Committee.

If ultimately approved, Harman’s bill would require the state’s

Department of Parks and Recreation to conduct a study on the possible

purchase of the Bolsa Chica, a 1,700-acre parcel of wetlands, both fresh

and saltwater, bluffs and mesas located along Pacific Coast Highway

beginning at Warner Avenue.

The state acquired 300 acres of wetlands for preservation in 1993, and

followed up with 880 in 1997.

The area’s mesa, however, about 210 acres of upland wildlife habitat,

is still planned to make way for development, officials with Harman’s

office said.

Harman has said that the bill would provide a foundation for future

negotiations with developer Hearthside Homes, which plans to build up to

1,235 houses on the mesa.

Linda Moon, president of the city’s wetlands group Amigos de Bolsa

Chica said her organization is happy about the bill, and hopes it will

result in a successful effort to acquire the remaining privately held

lane for the public.