CCC Gives Green Light to Conservancy Camping Plans.

• No Local Opposition Attended Meeting Despite Earlier Loud Protests

BY SUZANNE GULDIMANN

The California Coastal Commission, at its meeting on Oct. 8 in Oceanside, voted to adopt revised findings in a plan to incorporate camping at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s Malibu Bluffs Park Open Space as part of SMMC’s proposed Malibu Local Coastal Program Amendment.
The City of Malibu attempted, unsuccessfully, to challenge the plan in court and earlier hearings met with opposition from Malibu residents concerned that public camp grounds would increase the potential for fire danger in area canyons.
There was no opposition to the proposed revision during public comment at the Oceanside meeting, and the coastal agency received only two letters opposing the revision—one from the City of Malibu, the other from the Ramirez Preservation Fund.
At an earlier commission hearing on June 10 in Marina Del Rey, the commission reviewed an amendment request by the SMMC to “override” the City of Malibu’s Local Coastal Program and create a master plan, or overlay, for public park areas within the city, “adding policies and standards to enhance public access and recreation opportunities to and within existing parklands and recreation areas subject to the overlay,” according to the staff report.
During public comment at the earlier meeting, Malibu Bluffs Park, an 84-acre open space parcel adjacent to the City of Malibu’s Bluffs Park, overlooking the ocean on the bluff above Malibu Road, was suggested as a potential alternative location for campsites that are proposed for three SMMC properties in the Malibu area.
Joe Edmiston, the executive director of the SMMC, agreed that the area was appropriate for camping, but instead of adopting the suggestion to use the park as an alternative, he requested instead that the revisions incorporate camping at this location in addition to the camping for conservancy land in Ramirez, Escondido and Corral canyon parks.
A campground is also proposed for a small parcel of land in Latigo Canyon that is owned by the SMMC’s sister organization, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, although that plan is not mentioned in the commission report.
According to the staff report for last week’s meeting, “the overlay policies further identified specific actions necessary to implement improvements intended to enhance public access and recreation opportunities throughout the area.”
The plan includes creation of an interconnected system of parks, open space, trails, and habitats, as well as improving trailheads, signs, access and providing camping, including ADA facilities for disabled park visitors.
In an effort to allay fire fears, the SMMC has proposed a number of fire control regulations, including a cold camping designation that includes a prohibition on open fire of any kind, a ban on kerosene and white gas lanterns and on all cooking apparatus except for self-contained propane and flameless cook-stoves.
Fire protection apparatus would also be provided and maintained, including fire extinguishers, “a dependable water supply for fire protection at each proposed camp area,” and “A portable and air-powered quick attack firefighting system to be provided at each camp facility, according to the report. In addition, all parks included in the overlay would be closed during red flag days.
The revised amendment found “Malibu Bluffs Park to be a feasible location for the sorts of low impact development at issue in this amendment.” It concluded that “failure to approve an amendment designed to satisfy the needs at issue would adversely affect the public welfare.”
The commissioners evidently agreed, passing the revision unanimously, without comment.
The current conservancy plan includes a new parking area on Kanan Dume Road and three hike-in campsites in the meadow area at Ramirez Canyon Park; 13 campsites (12 standard and one ADA accessible) in Escondido Canyon Park; one ADA and four regular campsites at the MRCA Latigo property; 14 regular and two ADA campsites at the Corral Canyon Park; and 32 campsites at Bluffs Park, including four tent cabins and six ADA sites. The Bluffs Park plan currently also includes two entrances on PCH and three parking areas.
Although the overlay overrides the City of Malibu’s authority, public input will be part of the Environment Impact Report process and each portion of the plan must meet CEQA requirements.