Local marsh to get funds

A dream has now become a reality for local environmentalists.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Tuesday that the restoration of the Magnolia Marsh is one of 50 projects nationwide selected for funding as part of a federal economic stimulus package.

NOAA announced at the Huntington Beach site that it will give $3.3 million for the project, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Magnolia Marsh is along Pacific Coast Highway between Magnolia Street and the AES Power Plant. The project will restore more than 41 acres of the urban tidal marsh, expanding rearing habitat for many species of marine and coastal fish, NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco said.

In total, $167 million will be given to projects nationwide that are shovel-ready and will create jobs while boosting coastal health.

After receiving the federal funding in February, NOAA asked agencies around the country to submit proposals on how to spend it.

The proposal to restore the wetlands rose to the top of more than 800 proposals NOAA received, Lubchenco said.

“This is a wonderful project,” she said.

“For us, the Magnolia Marsh restoration project here in Huntington Beach is the culmination of years of work,” said Gordon Smith, chairman of the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy.

“Today, an estimated 90% of California’s coastal wetlands have been lost to development,” Smith said. He described their conversion over time to dumping grounds and urban development as a “tragic history.”

Along with the Magnolia Marsh, the conservancy either owns, operates or is seeking ownership rights to five wetlands parcels in the city along Pacific Coast Highway.

The Talbert Marsh, fully owned by the conservancy, has already been restored. The conservancy manages the Waterfront Wetlands site at Beach Boulevard for the city. Restoration of the Brookhurst Marsh began late last year. The conservancy is seeking to purchase the Newland Marsh from CalTrans.

Plans for the Magnolia Marsh include removing dirt, recreating a natural system of water channels and adding native vegetation to the site. Work on the marsh is expected to be complete in a year.

“I will be very excited to visit this place again in five years,” Lubchenco said.