----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 1:31 PM
Subject: Heart Park Update - May 2005
Hello Everybody,
Did you know that the AES power plant site is a
landmark, that $10 billion is being spent in California for projects like Heart
Park, that we're traveling to Sacramento next week to get in-line for the next
bond, that Tuesday is election day, and that there is a barbeque/party in 8
days you should attend??? Read on...
California State Landmark Number
373, the Old Salt Lake, is located in Redondo
Beach.
This article focuses mostly on the commercial
aspect of the salt mining that used to occur here, but it also touches on
the unique geological characteristics of this site, such as the shallow fresh
water aquifers.
Many in the South Bay are unaware of the
'natural' history of this site, and how important it was to the native
Tongva, and later the european settlers. In past winters when the
tide was high and the surf was large enough, the ocean would wash over the sand
dunes and fill-up this Lake. The rest of the year the salt water
would evaporate and deposit the valuable minerals from the sea.
Old-timers have told many of us about the homes that were built on
these dunes in the summer, only to be washed away when this phenomenon occurred
months later (before the breakwater of course). Apparently this was great
entertainment for the locals.
What an opportunity we have right here on our
doorstep, to restore a piece of our 'natural history' and provide an area where
we can relax and enjoy our community - a respite from our hurried
lives. Lord knows we need it.
Past Heart Park updates have profiled how other
areas have done just this, or are in the process currently. All have
taken advantage of the generosity of Californians to provide funding for
these types of projects through bond measures and other available
funds. In the last 5 years, Californians have approved 4 propositions
totaling $10 billion (Props. 12,13,40,50) to increase open space, clean-up
our water, restore wetlands and build parks. With 64,000 people living in
Redondo Beach and 38 million in California, this means over $17
million has left Redondo Beach for parks and open space
elsewhere. And just this week the EPA announced $75 million
in funding for communities in 44 states to clean-up polluted sites,
known as 'brownfields.' Gardena received $400,000 just to identify
and asses potential properties. Redondo? Zippo.
Don Vangeloff and myself will be traveling to
Sacramento next week to speak with some legislators who are authoring the next
$3 billion park bond. We want to make sure funding for
organizations such as the State Coastal Conservancy is provided for in their
bill, and that this type of restoration is consistent with the text
of any new proposition. Basically, we are expending our own time and
money to be sure Heart Park is on the right radar screens. Wish us
luck. I'll write about our visit in the coming weeks.
Attached is a photo of the South Bay Parkland
Conservancy at the Sea Lab on Earth Day (thanks to Dean Francois for
organizing this). Many people signed-up to join this organization and it
will serve an important purpose/function going forward.
Next Saturday, the 21st of May, at 2 p.m.,
there will be a barbeque/party at Jim and Pat Light's to thank all his
supporters, win or lose next Tuesday, and to thank all the Heart Park supporters
as well. We've tossed around the idea of holding our own celebration
and gathering of everyone that have done so much for the Heart Park
movement, but we've been too busy campaigning for Jim, Dave and all the other
more important things we've had to do. Please come join us for some fun
and camaraderie. A big bonus to all that we've done is the friends we've
made. Don't miss it! Come make some more friends.
DON'T FORGET to VOTE this
TUESDAY! Jim Light for District 1 City Council, Dave Wiggins for City
Attorney, and Mike Gin for Mayor.
That's all for now.
Bill Brand
310-374-4001
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Last month's update -
Hello Everyone,
We're moving forward!
When the State Coastal Conservancy came to Redondo
a year ago to assist our humble little citizens' group with a presentation
before the Planning Commission, they said 2 things had to happen before they
could assist Redondo with any restoration efforts:
1. The City had decide for itself what the
zoning is in this area (our coastal zone).
2. The City had to invite the
Coastal Conservancy in to help with restoring this site.
After nothing happened on these two fronts
for over a year, these two criteria have been addressed in less
than a month since our victory on March 8th!
First, shortly after our victory Chris Cagle, the
councilman in this district, spoke with Peter Brand, senior project manager at
the Coastal Conservancy and invited them down to begin the process of
looking into the Heart Park vision. When a date and format is set, I'll
let everyone know.
Then, last Tuesday night, or should I say
Wednesday morning at 2 a.m. to be accurate, the council directed staff to begin
the process of reinstating the old zoning which would allow for parkland on the
AES site, as well as the Edison right of way. See this link:
Councilman Szerlip commented that they had heard
the citizens 'loud and clear', and that they would be doing all they can to make
the Heart Park vision happen.
Remember, AES assumed the clean-up costs and bought
the 22 acre tank farm from Edison International for $4 million (the tanks
in attached photo). The clean-up costs were assumed to be $6
million. So AES bought this polluted land, zoned for industrial uses, and
assumed the clean-up costs for approximately $10 million. That's right, 22
acres for $10 million.
I mention this tank farm because it is nearly
identical to the 20-acre tank farm in Huntington Beach purchased by the Coastal
Conservancy from AES for $975,000 - and it too sits on a former
wetland. The tank farm in our coastal zone has not been used for
at least 10 years, and it's purchase could be phase 1 in a phased approach to
purchasing the entire site for public use.
We have to both raise the money to purchase this
land, and incentivize AES to sell. Neither will be easy without the other,
but in the meantime, we can make it quite clear to AES that the surrounding
communities, including Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes and
Manhattan Beach will oppose re-powering their plant in the future. There
are 10,000 residents per square mile surrounding this plant, and it sits on
top of a former wetland in an area (Santa Monica Bay) where over 90% of the
wetlands have been destroyed. Given the health and quality of life
impacts, this is no longer a suitable site for a power plant.
As for raising the money, most of you have heard
of, and some have joined, the new non-profit public benefit
organization called the South Bay Parkland Conservancy. Their mission "...
dedicated to the restoration, preservation and public use of coastal
land resources in the South Bay region" is tailored to making
Heart Park a reality. If you haven't joined yet, please consider
it. They need all the support they can get.
Regular membership is $25/year, Family $40 and
Patron $250.
South Bay Parkland
Conservancy
PO Box 7000-408
Redondo Beach,
CA 90277
For some interesting reading on how the Coastal
Conservancy is restoring open space and wetlands in Ormond Beach in Ventura -
where they bought another 65 acre tank farm on a wetland - see this
link:
On another note, for those of you who have not
heard, the hand recount of the Mayoral race was completed on April
1. Gerard Bisignano won the runoff position by one vote over Ellen
Allan - 2359 to 2358 - and will face Mike Gin. This should serve as a reminder to everyone to vote on May
17th. There are still 2 candidates who have supported the Park from the
very beginning, Jim Light for City Council in District 1, and Dave Wiggins for
City Attorney.
Thanks for staying informed and reading this
far! Nothing is more valuable than YOU taking the time to learn what's
happening in your community, and then passing it on to family and
friends.
Bill Brand
310-374-4001