State releases El Moro report

Mary A. Castillo

The California Department of Parks and Recreation approved the

final environmental report for the El Moro conversion project.

The project proposes to convert the 237-unit mobile home park into

a public campground and day use area. In addition to park facilities,

a new entrance road and better pedestrian access to Pacific Coast

Highway, improvements to the existing site will include restoring

native vegetation and El Moro Creek as well as installing a new sewer

system and storm run-off.

According to the report that was approved and made available to

the public on Aug. 13, the conversion will not significantly harm the

environment. It determines that only 32 acres of the 2,800-acre site

will be affected by demolition, stream restoration, on-site

re-vegetation, landscaping and the construction of new camp and

day-use facilities. The report also acknowledges that impacts to

public service, schools, traffic, aesthetics, historical resources,

air quality, noise, water quality, release of hazardous substances

are insignificant.

In June the City Council reviewed an earlier draft of the report

and delivered several concerns for the project, said Mayor Wayne

Baglin. Those concerns focused on the creation of a distinct boundary

between the campground and El Morro Elementary School, as well as

criticism of the proposed pedestrian crossing across Pacific Coast

Highway.

Baglin had not read the final report but did stress his skepticism

of the objectivity of the state’s report.

“Usually these reports are done by the advocates of these projects

who pay for it and determine its scope and how it is put together,”

he said.

Representatives of the department of parks and recreation were not

available for comment by press time.

If the project goes through as it is outlined in the report, it

will add 2,800 acres of dedicated open space to the existing 12,000

acres that make up the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, the Marine Life

Refuge and nearby established parks.

Furthermore the state hopes that it will create a more effective

emergency response, cleaner water and alleviate the demands for

camping and recreation at state parks. The conversion will be funded

by the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal

Protection Bond Act of 2000.

The report and supplemental materials are available at the Laguna

Beach Public Library, 363 Glenneyre St.