Wetlands Phase of Malibu Lagoon Project Wraps Up

With an earthen berm separating the main body of the Malibu Lagoon from the channels removed, work has wrapped up for the wetlands phase of the project, according to California State Parks.

Earlier this month, the contractor, Ford E.C., Inc., asked for an extension of a permit until Oct. 31 in order to finish reintroducing native plants to the channels, which have been the focus of the restoration work, said Craig Sap, District Supervisor for California State Parks Los Angeles District. The permit was initially scheduled to expire on Oct. 15.

"They're completely done with everything in the wetlands area," Sap said, adding that a turbidity curtain was removed Tuesday afternoon. The curtain protected the earthen berm from erosion. 

The lagoon, which now has several bird islands, mainly looks barren because the reintroduced plants are still small.

Sap said the project is still on schedule for a December finish, even though the contractor asked for more time to complete the wetlands work.

Now the work has shifted to completing several interpretive features, including an amphitheater, which will have a large enough seating area for a class of about 30 to 40 students, he said.