Where did the money for restoration come from?
The bulk of it, $102 million, came from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as mitigation for their filling tidelands for expanding the ports. The balance came from bond money and interest. Has the restoration been successful? While it is too early to fully assess the restoration, preliminary signs point to a winning project. Almost immediately after the ocean inlet was opened, fish and birds were seen exploring the full tidal basin. Scientists have begun extensive monitoring of the wetland to assess its biological health. Because of the very dry weather over the last two years, attempts to establish native plants along the levees and overlooks of the restored area have been disappointing. Are there plans for additional public trails in the wetland? A number of considerations must be recognized before public access beyond what is now allowed can be made. First of all, the reserve is primarily a wildlife refuge, meaning the wildlife must be protected from disturbances. This is espec
