Kuehl Comes Out On Edmiston’s Side In Camping Battle
Written by 991KBU on May 8, 2019
Local county supervisor Sheila Kuehl says she supports limited camping in the Santa Monica Mountains … with conditions.
The supervisor’s office tells KBUU News that she will work with the California Coastal Commission .. and Malibu residents … to find middle ground on the controversial camping issue.
Some Malibu residents are trying everything they can to block overnight camping in the mountains above Malibu … which creates fire danger and trespassing issues.
This comes as the Coastal Commission and L-A County are amending the Local Coastal Plan … the official document that controls land use.
Ramirez Canyon residents … above Paradise Cove … had won a court order blocking a planned campground there.
Joe Edmiston and his M R C A … the Mountain Recreation Conservation Authority … have proposed building a campground in the canyon.
But that area is a mapped ESHA … an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area.
The judge said … no camping in an ESHA.
So .. Coastal wants L A County to change the rules … and allow camping in Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas.
Residents met with Kuehl’s office last week.
Afterwards … Kuehl issued this statement to KBUU voiced by a KBUU reporter.
NEWSCART 75099 KUEHL CAMPING QQQ AMENDMENT BY BOTH PARTIES
“While I support limited camping in the Santa Monica Mountains, it must avoid impacting sensitive habitat and be carried out in a manner that is safe, responsible and with appropriate management and oversight.
“I am committed to working with my constituents and the California Coastal Commission to find some middle ground and advance an amendment that can be supported by both parties.”
County supervisor Sheila Kuehl … voiced by a KBUU reporter.
Residents in many Malibu neighborhoods are dead set against camping …. and infuriated by M R C A land grabs.
The semi-public state agency has purchased a few vacant lots in the foothills… which are accessible only by a series of interconnected private driveways.
M R C A has plans to use these once-private easements as public trails into the new campgrounds.
And M R CA plans to do that without improving the narrow drive
