State Plans To Dig Out Topanga Lagoon, Possibly Relocate PCH Towards Ocean

Here we go again.

California State Parks and another state agency are planning to dig out Topanga Lagoon … and recreate a critically-important coastal fish nursery.

A meeting is planned in three weeks to describe the project … listen to suggested design elements … and complete necessary environmental documentation.

All this happened 10 years ago at Malibu Lagoon … when some locals vociferously objected to a similar lagoon reconstruction.

The Malibu Lagoon project was an unqualified success from a biological standpoint … but some locals are still furious that the Malibu Lagoon project diod nothing to restore sand flow to the world heritage surf break.

Also … ripping out tons of accumulated dirt meant losing a beloved set of bridges across the lagoon.

The Malibu Lagoon project attracted the attention of some activist biologists … who used sketchy science that was ultimately shot down by the Coastal Commission. 

At Topanga Creek … the lagoon there used to cover 90 acres .. but nearly all of it was filled in by Caltrans in 1934.

18 years ago … a feasibility study proposed building a 15 acre lagoon …

The state-owned land now rented out to the Rosenthal wine store … Wileys Bait Shop and other businesses would be scooped out.

Under that plan … PCH would be moved onto a new … longer bridge closer to the ocean.

State officials say their goals for the restoration include restoring the Topanga Lagoon without impacting the surf break.

Also .. build pedestrian underpasses below PCH to provide a natural gateway into Topanga State Park.

And a big part will conclude doing something with the old Topanga Ranch Motel.

Those old tourist cabins are historically significant … but they are in an arrested state of falling apart.

The first meeting on the project will be Saturday February 29th in Santa Monica.

It’s a long process …. planning and designing the Topanga Lagoon restoration will take three or four years … state officials say.