Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project

Contact

Wendy Hall
Special Projects Liaison
916.574.0994
Bolsa.Chica@slc.ca.gov

The Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project created or rehabilitated nearly 600 acres of marine and wetland habitat in Orange County, CA, restoring part of what had historically been a vast estuarine ecosystem. The project, the result of decades of planning and cooperation by the public and government agencies, is the largest wetland restoration in Southern California history. The design included mandatory maintenance of an open ocean inlet to ensure the wetland continues to function and to protect the biological benefits gained by the restoration investment.

Restoration culminated in 2006 when the new full tidal basin to the ocean opened. Post-restoration monitoring has shown that this basin has meaningfully increased the availability of bay habitat, improving southern California fishery resources. Nearly every fish species captured during the biological monitoring program was represented by juvenile size classes (and usually adults as well), demonstrating the role of the basin as nursery habitat for spawning or post-larval settlement and rearing. Commercially important species such as California halibut and white seabass are common in the Basin. The type and size of fish captured also reflect the extensive eelgrass meadows that now thrive there. These eelgrass meadows support resident fish species, provide egg-laying substrate, and protection for breeding species.

Bolsa Chica is a critical stop for migrating shorebirds on the Pacific Flyway. With the introduction of tidal influence, the mudflats created by the restoration provide a rich invertebrate community that is a food source to these birds. Over 10,000 shorebirds have been observed on the restored mudflats during a single survey. The project also created three nesting sites for the threatened western snowy plover and endangered California least tern. These sites are intensively maintained and monitored and provide critical additional habitat for these species.

Nearly all of the biological benefits of the restoration are a result of introducing daily tidal influence from the ocean. As with most human-made wetlands, the inlet requires maintenance to ensure connectivity with the ocean. Sand that naturally flows down the coastline is continually pulled into the Basin by the waves and tide. Without regularly removing sand from the inlet, the Basin would become closed off from the ocean, causing degradation of water quality death of the biota in the basin, damage to intertidal plant communities, and loss of an important food source for nesting birds. It is critical that the tremendous investment of time and money, and resulting biological successes, be protected by continuing inlet maintenance, water control, and adaptive management.

The initial $15 million set aside for ongoing maintenance is inadequate to meet the long term needs and Bolsa Chica is facing a critical funding deficiency. This situation is seen regionally, as most major coastal wetland restoration projects in southern California move into the long-term maintenance phase. Continued maintenance is critical to the sustained success of all these restoration projects.

Previous Staff Reports

meeting date	Item and link	description
6/23/2020	35	Bolsa Chica Conservancy - Acceptance of a lease quitclaim deed and issuance of a general lease - other
8/17/2017	84	Consider a Memorandum of Agreement between the Commission and the Bolsa Chica Land Trust relating to the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
12/6/2016	66	Consider a Memorandum of Intent between thet Commission and the Port of Los Angeles relating to the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project.
10/13/2016	58	Consider delegating authority to the Executive Officer to execute agreements and authorize expenditures from Kapiloff Land Bank Funds for the Management of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project for budget fiscal year 2016-2017
8/9/2016	58	Consider adoption of a resolution commemorating the Amigos de Bolsa Chica for 40 years of advocacy to save, preserve, and restore the Bolsa Chica Wetlands; and an informational report on the 10-year anniversary celebration of the ocean inlet opening at the Bolsa Chica Lowlads Restoratio Project in Orange County
6/28/2016	65	Bolsa Chica Conservancy - General lease - other
8/19/2015	84	Informational report on the status of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project near the city of Huntington Beach, Orange County
6/29/2015	70	City of Huntington Beach - General Lease - Public Agency Use. Sovereign lands within the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project area
4/23/2015	116	Multi-Year report update on the biological, physical, and beach monitoring for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project, near Huntington Beach, Orange County, for years 4 through 7 (2010-2013)
12/2/2013	107	Consider expenditure from the Kapiloff Land Bank Fund by the California State Lands Commission, in its capacity as the Kapiloff Land Bank Trustee, authorizing payment of $105,806.51 to Aera Energy LLC for non-oil contamination remediation for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
4/26/2013	99	Request authority for the Executive Officer to execute agreements and authorize expenditures from Kapiloff Land Bank Funds for the management of Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project for Budget Fiscal Year 2013-2014
5/24/2012	78	Third Report Update on the Biological, Physical, and Beach Monitoring for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project near Huntington Beach
9/1/2011	41	Consider acceptance of a quitclaim deed for an approximately 25- acre parcel for the surface and that portion of the subsurface extending downwards to a depth of 500 feet for the pocket area of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands, Orange County
9/1/2011	77	Consider authorizing the Executive Officer or his designee to apply for a $25,000 environmental enhancement fund grant for the purpose of developing an Enhanced EBB Flushing Process at Bolsa Chica, Orange County
8/20/2010	7	County of Orange - General lease - Public Agency Use. Public trust lands in the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project (BCLRP) area
8/20/2010	48	Second-Year Report Update on the Biological, Physical, and Beach Monitoring for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project near Huntington Beach
6/28/2010	21	Aera Energy LLC - General Permit - Sand Removal Use. Sovereign lands in the Bolsa Chica tidal inlet, near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Seapoint Avenue
4/6/2010	46	Request authority for the Executive Officer to execute Interagency Agreement for Management of Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project and expenditure of Kapiloff Land Bank funds
10/16/2008	58	First-Year Report Update on the Biological, Physical, and Beach Monitoring for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project near Huntington Beach
3/25/2008	18	California Department of Fish and Game - Amendment of Leases. 327.5 acres, more or less, of public trust lands in Bolsa Chica, city of Huntington Beach
2/5/2007	12	Consider authorizing the acceptance of a quitclaim deed from Aera Energy LLC for the surface and that portion of the subsurface extending downwards to a depth of 500 feet for the full tidal area of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
12/14/2006	42	City of Huntington Beach - General lease - Public Agency Use. State sovereign lands in and adjacent to Warner Avenue, within the boundaries of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, city of Huntington Beach
11/21/2006	47	Authorization by the California State Lands Commission, in its capacity as the Kapiloff Land Bank Trustee, for Executive Officer to execute agreement for monitoring, reporting, and remediating biological and physical aspects of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
8/24/2006	18	Consider execution of an Interagency Agreement, issuance of General Lease - Public Agency Use, and expenditure of Kapiloff Funds
6/26/2006	26	The Bolsa Chica Conservancy - General Lease - non-commercial use. 6.12 acres, more or less, of sovereign lands at Bolsa Chica, City of Huntington Beach
4/17/2006	58	Consider acceptance of a transfer of jurisdiction for the future tidal inlet channel and a permanent easement for beach nourishment adjacent to the inlet channel for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project from the Department Of Parks And Recreation, and authorize the Executive Officer to execute documents to carry out these transactions
12/8/2005	56	Orange County Water District - General Lease - Public Agency Use. Public Trust lands in the Bolsa Chica Lowlands, Huntington Beach
12/8/2005	67	Authorization for Executive Officer to solicit statements of interest for monitoring, reporting, and remediating biological and physical aspects of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
8/8/2005	53	Consider accepting funds not to exceed $25 million into the Kapiloff Land Bank Fund, by the California State Lands Commission, in its capacity as the Kapiloff Land Bank Trustee, from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project in return for additional mitigation credits necessary for port projects; and, request authority for the Executive Officer to execute an amendment to the 1996 agreement between the California State Lands Commission, the California Department of Fish and Game, the California Coastal Conservancy, the California Resources Agency, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Harbor Commissions of the cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles to accept the funds and provide for mitigation credits.
6/20/2005	49	Consider accepting a grant not to exceed $10 million into the Kapiloff Land Bank Fund by the California State Lands Commission, in its capacity as the Kapiloff Land Bank Trustee, from the California Coastal Conservancy and request authority for the Executive Officer to execute an interagency agreement with the Conservancy to receive the grant for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
12/9/2004	44	Consider approval of an agreement to compensate Aera Energy LLC for impacts to its oil and gas operations from the construction of the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge as part of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project and authorize the Executive Officer to sign and implement the agreement
10/6/2004	47	Consider ratification of minor amendments concerning acquisition and transfer of rights of way for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
8/17/2004	60	Consider accepting an amount not to exceed $85,000 into the Kapiloff Land Bank Fund by the California State Lands Commission, in its capacity as the Kapiloff Land Bank Trustee, from the city of Carson, for mitigation purposes as described in the settlement agreement CWA-SPL-2004-1 between the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers and the city of Carson; and authorize the Executive Officer to execute agreements
8/17/2004	61	Consider a transfer of jurisdiction of right of way parcels necessary for the new bridge and approach roadway for Pacific Coast Highway to the California Department of Transportation to accommodate the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project and authorize the Executive Officer to execute agreements to implement the transfer of jurisdiction
6/7/2004	48	Consider purchase of a land bank parcel by the California State Lands Commission, in its capacity as the Kapiloff Land Bank Trustee, at no more than fair market value, of approximately 43 acres known as the Fieldstone property, situated in Orange County, from the Hearthside Residential Corp. For inclusion in the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
6/7/2004	49	Consideration of purchasing a temporary easement from Hearthside Residential Corp. The item was approved with the other consent items but the Executive Officer orally amended the cap from $250,000 to $75,000.
6/7/2004	50	Consider acceptance of an easement for the future tidal inlet and construction staging area for the inlet, a transfer of jurisdiction for right of way needed for the future Pacific Coast Highway bridge across the tidal inlet from the Department of Parks And Recreation, and subsequent transfer of the right of way area to the California Department of Transportation under Section 101.5 of the Streets And Highways Code, to accommodate the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project using project mitigation funds
4/5/2004	59	Briefing on past progress, present status and future schedule for restoration of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and related habitat, Orange County
4/5/2004	60	General Lease - Public Agency Use to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for construction of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
4/5/2004	61	Consider certification of the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration and a General Lease - Public Agency Use for the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Line 1228 Relocation Project
4/5/2004	62	California Department of Transportation - General Lease - Public Agency Use. Pursuant to Section 101.5 of the Streets And Highways Code
1/30/2002	49	Consider certification Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project Final EIR and adoption of the proposed project.
6/14/1999	75	Consider accepting up to $1,500,000 from the Coastal Conservancy into the Kapiloff Land Bank Fund for the acquisition of the Fieldstone property, Bolsa Chica, Orange County, California and related pre-acquisition and restoration expenses
2/12/1997	89	Consideration of the acceptance of a dedication of an approximately 25-acre parcel from the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, or its nominee, in order to complete the Bolsa Chica Lowlands acquisition.
2/12/1997	90	Consideration of the purchase by the California State Lands Commission, in its capacity as the Kapiloff Land Bank Trustee, of approximately 880 acres of the Bolsa Chica Lowlands situated in Orange County California from the Signal Bolsa Corporation, a subsidiary of Koll Real Estate Group for a purchase price of twenty five million dollars. Once acquired a portion of the property will be transformed into a full tidal basin with the remainder eventually restored as wetlands. Funds for the purchase and restoration will come primarily from the ports of los Angeles and Long Beach in return for mitigation credits necessary for port expansion
8/21/1996	90	Authorization for the Executive Officer to execute an agreement between the California State Lands Commission, the California Department of Fish and Game, the California Coastal Conservancy, the California Resources Agency, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Army Corps oEngineers, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Harbor Commissions of the cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles for facilitation of wetlands acquisition and restoration at the Bolsa Chica Lowlands In Orange County, California
5/9/1996	65	Authorization for the Executive Officer to enter into interagency agreements and memoranda of understanding with state, federal and local agencies, and private parties, for the financing and supervision of an environmental assessment at Bolsa Chica, Orange County
12/12/1989	42	Approve entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in conjunction with Orange County's Specific Plan/Local Coastal Program and Implementation of a Wetlands Restoration Plan for Bolsa Chica.
12/12/1989	43	Approve Commission membershit and designate its representative to the boad of directors of the newly formed Bolsa Chica Conservancy.
5/31/1989	30	Authorize a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the United States Army Corps of Engineers for conducting environmental studies at Bolsa Chica, Orange County
5/31/1989	31	Consideration of the Bolsa Chica Planning Coalition Bolsa Chica Concept Plan
12/13/1988	64	Bolsa Chica Planning Coalition - item pulled from the agenda
10/21/1987	39	Consideration of a Reimbursement Agreement and Authorization to Contract for an appraisal at Bolsa Chica
6/30/1987	22	Consideration of positions of city of Huntington Beach and Orange County on the Bolsa Chica Project
3/26/1987	32	Approve the execution and recordation of Memorandum of Agreement
3/26/1987	49	Approve the execution of Memorandum of Agreement
2/17/1987	24	Approval of Reimbursement Agreement
11/20/1986	36	Approve the execution and recordation of Memorandum of Agreement
6/26/1986	20	Authorization to extract a maximum of twelve soil core samples for the purpose of geotechnical study in Orange Couny
11/29/1984	46	Extension of the right of entry under the May 17, 1983 "Agreement Regarding the Sunset Harbor Study" relating to the boundary settlement and land exchange agreement with Signal Companies, Orange County
5/31/1983	26	Authorize thte execution and recordation of a document extending the term of "The Lease of Right of User and Option to Acquire Real Property" of thte "Boundary Settlement and Land Exchange Agreement with Signal Properties"
10/28/1982	18	Dredging Permit
3/23/1982	43	First amendment of Minute Item 14 of the January 26, 1973 State Lands Commission Meeting Boundary Settlement and Land Exchange Agreement with Signal Companies, Orange County - item pulled from the agenda
7/29/1981	13	Ratification of Right-of-Entry
12/16/1980	47	Amigos de Bolsa Chica et al. v. Signal Properties Inc., et al.
10/29/1979	Litigation Status	Amigos de Bolsa Chica et al. v. Signal Properties Inc., et al.
4/27/1978	33	Authorization to execute a Memorandum of Understanding
8/25/1977	33	Authorization for purchase of certain land in Bolsa Chica area in Orange County
10/28/1976	45	Consent of State Lands Commission as landowners to the proposed annexation to city of Huntington Beach
8/26/1976	32	Proposed annexation of adjacent tide and submerged lands to the city of Huntington Beach, Orange County
1/26/1973	14	Boundary Settlement and Land Agreement with Signal Companies