‘It’s a big milestone’

The final portion of the Magnolia Marsh was reunited with the ocean after more than 100 years of separation as the final portions of the levee blocking the wetlands from the ocean were removed Friday.

The Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy has been working for more than a year to restore the third and final portion of the wetlands to its original state. The yellow Excavator scooped mud out of the earthen levee that used to separate the wetlands from the Huntington Beach channel, removing the last of the barrier north of Magnolia Street.

“It’s a big milestone for us,” said Gordon Smith, chairman of the conservancy.

The $3-million project was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The project was one of 50 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funded nationally.

The area had been dead and forlorn of any kind of wildlife for more than 100 years when development cut off the wetlands’ ocean connection, but not for long.

“There will be fish in there by the end of next week,” said David Witting, a fishery biologist for the administration.

The wetlands are filled with ocean water and small fish will start moving in, but it will take several years for the area to be fully inhabited by larger fish species, birds and vegetation, Witting said. The conservancy will soon begin re-vegetating the area to what it once was.

A portion of the $3 million will go toward a public observation deck and a boat dock, which are expected to be completed in about three months. The conservancy will also be turning part of the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center at Pacific Coast Highway and Newland Street into a visitor center to share the value of the wetlands with the community and serve an educational purpose, Smith said.

About 90% of the state’s wetlands have been lost to development. Huntington Beach’s almost 3,000 acres have been cut down to 180. The conservancy has been working for 25 years to restore and preserve the wetlands. The nonprofit restored the Talbert Marsh in 1989 and the Brookhurst Marsh last year.