The approval is part of a plan to enable Beach Oil Mineral Partners (BOMP/Synergy Oil) to transfer its 150+ acre eyesore oil field (PCH to Studebaker north of 2nd St.) to public ownership for public access, remove its current eyesore surface oil drilling pipes and tanks and restore the land to its natural beauty as revitalized Los Cerritos wetlands.

Supporters (including the non-profit Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust) say the plan is historic, previously unimaginable, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Opponents (who also favor wetlands restoration but have no immediate way to implement it) argued that approving the 120 slant drilled wells makes the plan basically an oil drilling expansion, risks oil spills and pipeline breaks adjacent to the seismically active Newport-Inglewood earthquake fault that bisects the wetlands and promotes the use of fossil fuels and global warming.

The Commission's Aug. 8 vote on the Local Coastal Plan amendment didn't approve the ambitious wetlands restoration plan that, as currently envisioned, could stretch over roughly 40 years. One Coastal Commissioner, Effie Turnbull-Sanders, signaled her concern with the envisioned 40 year timeline and tried to make an amending motion to address the issue but was told she should await the future Commission item.

[Scroll down for further.]

LBREPORT.com provides salient written comments below and an on-demand a VIDEO link here to the August 8 Coastal Commission meeting (agenda item begins at 2:00:15.)

Sponsor

Sponsor

On January 16, 2018, the Long Beach City Council voted 7-2 (Gonzalez, Pearce dissenting) to approve an entire package of etitlements for the project but Coastal Commission approval required two separate agenda items. The Aug. 8 item approved a Local Coastal Plan Amendment to allow 120 slant drilled oil wells on the Pumpkin Patch and LCWA parcels. A future Coastal Commission agenda item will address the Coastal Development Permit for the restoration pland and land swap.

In the August 8 Coastal Commission proceeding, a Commission staff cited shortcomings in the City-submitted materials but offered modifications it said addressed the issues), Long Beach city officials and representatives of other electeds spoke. Councilwoman Suzie Price, City Planning Officer Carrie Tai, a field rep for Assemblyman Patrick O'Donnell (and following a lunch break), Mayor Robert Garcia and a field representative for Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D, LB-west OC.) all urged approval of the agendized oil drilling item (with Garcia focusing on the benefits of the future swap, which wasn't agendized.)

Sponsor

Two minute public speakers followed (with Commission chair Dayna Bochco instructing the public to stick to the agendized issues.) Speakers in support included Elizabeth Lambe (Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Exec. Dir) and John Fries (LCWLT President); Andrew Salas (Tribal Chair of Gabrielino Band of Mission Indians); a representative of Beach Oil Minerals (ultimate land swap proponent); a representative of Kizh native Americans; Rob Hamilton (Hamilton Biological) representing El Dorado Audubon; SE LB resident [also LB Parks & Rec Comm'r] Ben Goldberg; Eric Zahn (Tidal Influence, LLC) representing Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority; Michelle Black (LCWLT); Trust for Public Land; Meghan Wolf (former Los Cerritos wetlands volunteer), Lucy Johnson and Daniel North (LCWLA).

Speakers in opposition included representatives of the Tongva native nation (one speaker said multiple native nations have histories with the area); Anna Christensen (co-founder Protect Los Cerritos Wetlands); Steve Brothers (Answer Coalition), Ann Cantrell (Citizens About Responsible Planning/CARP); Melinda Cotton; Marshall Blesofsky (LB Area Peace Network);

The City was also allowed an opportunity for rebuttal, provided by Christopher Koontz (City Planning Mgr.)

Sponsor

Sponsor

Coastal Commissioner Roberto Uranga -- who is LB's 7th dist. Councilmember and voted in January 2018 to approve the land swap entitlements and also sits on the governing board of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority that approved the transaction -- said "what we're talking about here is restoration, preservation, consolidation and public access."

In Commission discussion, Commissioner Turnbull-Sanders said that when the City's Coastal Development Permit (for the land swap) reaches the Commission, she "doesn't want to see a timeline [for clean-up and public access] that's stretched out for 40 years." At the same time, she acknowledged that without the swap, the oil company could continue its current oil drilling [with its eyesore equipment and fewer modern safety protections] while current oil drilling with seismic and oil spill risks continue. Commissioner Steve Padilla likewise indicated he doesn't like oil drilling anywhere in the Coastal Zone, but said the proposal offers an opportunity to achieve what otherwise couldn't be achieved.

Following Commission discussion, Commissioner Uranga made a motion to approve the Local Coastal Plan as modified by Commission staff.. It carried 10-1 (with alternate Linda Escalante dissenting, citing concerns with climate emissions and earthquake risks.)

The Commission agenda item included 396 pages of emailed and written comments. Below are some excerpts.

• Lucy Johnson: ...In an ideal world, we would no longer need fossil fuels. However, we all know we do not live in an ideal world...From what I saw and learned about the project...this is a tremendous opportunity for all parties: the City of Long Beach, the general public and the LCWA...This is a tremendous opportunity to ensure the future of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, and one that the California Coastal Commission cannot afford to pass up. I therefore urge the members of the Commission to unanimously approve your staff's recommendations for the Amendment to the Local Coastal Plan in front of you now.

• Melinda Cotton: I'm a longtime member of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust. I understand that the LCWLT Board and others are optimistic that the proposed BOMP Project - allowing 120 new additional oil wells in exchange for proposed wetlands restoration- will ultimately work out. But I remain skeptical...There are just too many dangers, nearly all of which are mentioned in the Staff Report. The danger of a major earthquake along the immediately adjacent Newport-Inglewood Fault, the prospect of damage to tribal resources, the danger of floods, tsunamis, ongoing climate change and the expected sea level rise that will likely inundate the Wetlands in some 40 years...If our dreams and hopes for solar, wind and new, non-polluting energy sources come to pass- the price of oil may plummet-- to a point where the new wells and restoration will be financially infeasible. Would we then be left with a worst mess?...Another concern of Coastal Commission Staff and many of us is the near permanency of the Oil Drilling Rigs themselves. The EIR approved by the City allows the oil operators to install 160 foot tall and 120 tall Drilling Rigs that will be positioned on both the Pumpkin Patch site and the LCWA site for up to 14 years (and the 120 foot drilling rigs for subsequent years)...And these two new drilling sites are at "Gateway" entrances to the City of Long Beach:..The City has long extolled the importance of beautifying and improving these "Gateways" - yet every day thousands of tourists and travelers from all over will see these oil drilling rigs as tall as 12 and 16 story buildings towering over the Wetlands, San Gabriel River and ocean portals... I understand that the promise of Wetlands restoration is driving today's hearing and the pressure to approve the modified LCP document before you. But is this tradeoff, the proper answer or the best answer? I don't think so.

  Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust (non-profit): ...We support this Project because it includes comprehensive wetlands and habitat restoration, provides unique public access opportunities, consolidates oil operations offsite, and will transfer ownership of a substantial portion of Los Cerritos Wetlands into the public domain. These are all things for which the Land Trust has long advocated. Our review process -- of both the proposed oil consolidation and restoration aspects of the Project -- has been diligent and thoughtful. We formed a dedicated committee of Board members who did a great deal of their own research and reviewed all relevant information regarding the proposed project...BOM has been a transparent and integral partner in our review process, responding promptly to our many detailed questions and providing our committee with the answers they needed to understand the Project. In addition, as this Project is implemented, BOM has committed to involving the Land Trust in order to ensure we are fully updated and involved as the Project moves through the regulatory review process.. The Project offers tangible conservation benefits. The Project will reduce the footprint of oil operations to approximately 10 acres from approximately 187 acres, accelerating and funding a transformation of this highly degraded landscape to a restored functioning wetlands and uplands. The Project maintains environmental integrity. As a result of our conversations with the BOM team and advice from our soil and water consultant, BOM has committed to a thorough and transparent process regarding the assessment and removal of onsite hazards and contamination. This will ensure there will be no site contamination of Los Cerritos Wetlands as the land transitions from oil operations to conservation. The Project could offer conservation benefits sooner. Through conversations with BOM, we know they are committed to accelerating the transition to conservation if at all feasible. Our watchdog role is integral. This process is ongoing and BOM has agreed to full communication with us, including information regarding production numbers so we will know if BOM adheres to its well abandonment phase-out obligations which will allow for the transition from oil operations to restored wetlands... We consider BOM a partner and look forward to an enduring relationship with them. We hope this will serve as a model for other projects that will impact Los Cerritos Wetlands. For all of these reasons, our Board has voted unanimously to support the BOM's wetlands consolidation and restoration Project and we look forward to a continuing partnership with them, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, and other conservation groups in order to see through this joint commitment to transition from oil to conservation. [bold face in original]

• Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (government body) ...The Los Cerritos Wetlands Oil Consolidation and Restoration Project will support the LCWA with achieving its mission since it will result in the acquisition of 154-acres of wetlands property that will be set aside for conservation into perpetuity. The project is also consistent with the goals and objectives of the LCWA's Conceptual Restoration Plan as it involves the restoration and expansion of tidal wetlands and will remove numerous constraints to habitat restoration through the consolidation of existing oil operation infrastructure...LCWA staff has been impressed by the responsiveness of the applicant to our concerns and even more impressed by the applicant's coordination with Los Cerritos Wetlands stakeholders. The applicant has met with El Dorado Audubon and Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust on a consistent basis throughout the project. These two organizations have identified themselves as the most significant proponents for the conservation of Los Cerritos Wetlands and their perspectives on this proposed project are crucial to be acknowledged. Outside of these specific organizations the applicant has presented their project at all the major homeowner groups that surround the proposed project. Lastly, for the public at-large, the LCWA was impressed by the applicant's 3-day open house event that was held in October 2017. This event showcased the applicant's dedication to informing the community and their commitment to a transparent project planning process. The LCWA has been afforded the opportunity to review all technical documents created for this project including the wetlands restoration plan. We hired several consulting firms to perform peer reviews of documents that most pertain to the LCWA's interests in the project and we provided the applicant with constructive feedback on how to improve these reports, often in advance of them being submitted...[W]e do not foresee a greater opportunity to conserve Los Cerritos Wetlands than what is being proposed by this project...The Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority fully supports the approval of the proposed Local Coastal Program amendment for the City of Long Beach with the modifications suggested by Coastal Commission staff as it is a crucial step towards the realization of this project.

• Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands ...[T]he main objective of the City of Long Beach is to add the two new drilling sites proposed in The Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration and Oil Consolidation Project and the City's only rationale is the "wetlands restoration" promised by the project proponents...This Amendment to the Local Coastal Program and Oil Code of the City of Long Beach would violate the rights of California Indians and other tribal peoples to protect coastal sacred sites and a traditional tribal landscape and to maintain tribal cultural practices; violate environmental justice policies of the Coastal Act by failing to outreach to and involve marginalized communities in the decision making process; violate environmental justice policies of the Coastal Act by failing to address the impacts of expanded fossil fuel extraction on marginalized frontline communities in Seal Beach, Long Beach, and the South Bay; employ "unconventional" and "enhanced" drilling methods posing risks and having consequences to public health, the environment, and tribal culture that cannot be mitigated; establish new oil operations on and adjacent to wetlands and ESHA habitat, across and adjacent to an active fault, near proposed residential development and marine habitat; have unavoidable negative environmental impacts on the ecosystems of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, Alamitos Bay, Colorado Lagoon, San Gabriel River, and Coastline...The proposed "wetlands restoration"...is a sales pitch that leaves it up to the buyer to beware of the risks and consequences of adding new drilling sites adjacent to protected wetlands bisected by the Newport Inglewood Fault...Additionally, should directional drilling and new pipelines connected these sites be allowed, "the well site" could extend across the both the wetlands and the fault and extend in all directions for up to 7 miles from each drilling platform...The addition of the Pumpkin Patch and the LCWA sites does not include any "consolidation" of existing oil operations for 40 years. The term itself, like "produced water" is misleading. While surface wells may be sealed, the area from which oil is extracted is not reduced but greatly expanded. The "produced" water is wastewater from water flooding, possibly fracking operations, that must, in this case, be re-injected to prevent subsidence. The adverse environmental consequences include increased seismic activity, contamination of groundwater, wetlands, waterways, and beaches due to spills and leaks, Air pollution due to increased production and processing activities...

• Ann Cantrell on behalf of boards of Citizens About Responsible Planning and Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands ... Please follow the Coastal Act Section 30121, which allows mineral extraction except in environmentally sensitive areas...[T]here is no argument that the Los Cerritos Wetlands, the San Gabriel River, Alamitos Bay and the Pacific Ocean could be damaged beyond repair by an oil spill from these new wells. Monitoring, sensors and shut-off values will have little use in a large earthquake. Please do not put the best salt marsh in California at risk...Don May of Earth Corps, the former owner of the 5 acres at Studebaker and 2nd, states that when SC Edison conveyed this property to Earth Corps as settlement for the damage done to marine life at San Onofre, the court ordered that the property was to be used to further the restoration of the estuary of the San Gabriel River. On August 31 , 2017, when asked if this was still the case, Don wrote: "Yes, it is still valid and binding, in as much as I am still signatory and have never been contacted as to any change"...[O]il drilling will be disrupting habitat values. The Pumpkin Patch contains wetland obligate plant and animal species which will be permanently destroyed by both drilling and industrial uses...Most people do not consider 160 foot drilling rigs and foot block walls as scenic or visual qualities...Both of these proposed drilling areas are near the Newport/Inglewood earthquake fault, in a tsunami and flood zone. In recent years there have been fires in the Los Cerritos Wetlands. The best way to minimize risks to life and property in these areas is to not allow oil drilling or further building...It will be impossible to drill hundreds of feet down next to an earthquake fault, extract oil and then force water back into the void and guarantee geologic stability...No new oil drilling should be allowed in SEADIP. The dangers to the environment and human health and safety are not worth the returns. Please, just say no to any new drilling, on or off of our coast...[letter signed by] Ann Cantrell, CARP Treasurer, Board Member Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Joe Weinstein, CARP President; Corliss Lee, CARP Secretary; Rae Gabelich, CARP Director; Melinda Cotton, CARP Director; Susan Miller, CARP Director; Renee Lawler, CARP Director; Tami Bennett, CARP Director; Anna Christensen, Chair Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Tahesha K. Christensen, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Rebeca Robles, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Patricia Martz, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Charles Moore, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Steve Brothers, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Anthony Morales, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Angela Mooney D'Arcy, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands; Alfred Cruz, Protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands

• Steve Brothers: [T]he LCWA site is merely 200 ft outside the technical parameters of the fault zone, and the ewportInglewood fault does bisect the project area and they do plan to run a pipeline over it...In addition to the fault bisecting the project site...the entire [map shaded] area, which comprises all subject properties, is a liquefaction zone, which obviously increases instability and danger...

• Cindy Crawford: ...I support Staff's recommendation to deny the amendment request as submitted, and support Staffs recommendations to certify the land use plan with the requested modifications. For over 50 years I have lived just north of the proposed project. I strongly feel left as is, the current oil operations pose an environmental hazard...Although some very loud newcomers to this project are protesting this amendment, and the restoration of Los Cerritos Wetlands unless all oil operations cease to exist, this is not a feasible goal now or anytime in the near future. The ecological value of wetlands can't be stated enough and to leave as is and wait 50 years or more for "the end of oil" is simply not environmentally responsible.

  Mary Parsell, El Dorado Audubon Society President: ...We support the implementation of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Conceptual Restoration Plan created by the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA)...The project the city approved in January 2018 included our requested modifications to the basic project...El Dorado Audubon and our membership are excited at the prospect of seeing this large, degraded oil-field site restored to a fully functioning coastal wetland; it is an Audubon California Important Bird Area...

• Bolsa Chica Land Trust: ..The relocation of the oil infrastructure is imperative to a successful restoration plan, and we believe that BOM in cooperation with the Los Cerritos Land Trust and partners have developed a plan that could benefit all interests involved. We support this project and eagerly look forward to watching these precious wetlands reach their potential.

• Banning Ranch Conservancy: ...While the Banning Ranch Conservancy is currently exploring purchasing surface land rights at Banning Ranch, the Los Cerritos Wetland Restoration Plan, negotiated between the City of Long Beach, Beach Oil Mineral Partners (BOMP) and other parties, is particularly well-suited for the area, given the land ownership history of the site. The Banning Ranch Conservancy supports City of Long Beach LCP Amendment...(by Terry Welsh, M.D. President, Banning Ranch Conservancy

• Los Angeles Waterkeeper: Overall, LAW supports the LCP Amendments despite our concern with a missed opportunity on GHG [greenhouse gases] emissions because ecological restoration of the Los Cerritos wetlands is urgently needed, and the LCP Amendments will greatly facilitate such restoration.

• Orange County Coastkeeper: We are writing in support of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Oil Consolidation and Restoration Project...We would request that special consideration be provided to the appropriate tribal nation during the wetland restoration process, much like the plan that was instituted in the restoration of Playa Vista wetlands to respect and protect native burial sites and remains. Coastkeeper is committed to the eventual elimination of dependency on fossil fuels and supports transitioning to clean energy technologies. This project consolidates the footprint of the oil drilling operation and removes drilling related material from the 77 acres of the Los Cerritos Wetlands...

• Tongva Ancestral Territorial Tribal Nation: The proposed CLB [City of LB] LCP Amendment should be rejected and sent back to CLB to have their EIR corrected/amended accordingly.

• Gabrielino Band of Mission Indians, Kizhnation: We, the governing body of the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians Kizh Nation, are writing to express our support for the Los Cerritos Wetland restoration project...

Support really independent news in Long Beach. No one in LBREPORT.com's ownership, reporting or editorial decision-making has ties to incumbent Long Beach officials, development interests, advocacy groups or other special interests; or is seeking or receiving benefits of City development-related decisions; or holds a City Hall appointive position; or has contributed sums to political campaigns for Long Beach incumbents or challengers. LBREPORT.com isn't part of an out of town corporate cluster and no one its ownership, editorial or publishing decisionmaking has been part of the governing board of any City government body or other entity on whose policies we report. LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. You can help keep really independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.