LOS ANGELES DISTRICT

APPLICANT: California Department of Fish and Game (Corps Regulatory file no. SPL-2010-1155)

AREA: The study area encompasses the Ballona Wetlands and adjacent lands within Los Angeles County, California.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Rep. Janice Hahn (CA-36)

DESCRIPTION: The study area is located in Los Angeles County, California. The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (SMBRC), working in partnership with the California Coastal Conservancy and the California Dept. of Fish and Game (CDFG, landowner), is seeking to restore lands within the area currently known as the "Ballona Wetlands". This area contains degraded wetlands, as well as adjacent, undeveloped uplands, located south of Ballona Creek just below Marina del Rey. SMBRC originally signed a cost-sharing agreement with the Corps and initiated the feasibility study in 2005 (F3 milestone pending). Under the applicant’s proposed project design, the levees along Ballona Creek would be subject to major modification (realignment around restoration area).

STATUS: SMBRC has applied for authorization from the Corps through its Section 404 (for discharges of fill under the Clean Water Act) and anticipates Los Angeles County (local sponsor) to apply for authorization under Section 408 (for modification to public facilities under Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act) in order to construct the project without federal funding. A Notice of Intent has been submitted to Regulatory Headquarters and is expected to be published in the federal register approximately July 25, 2012. A scoping meeting will be held on August 16, 2012 at the restoration site. The DEIS/EIR is expected to be published and circulated in late 2012.

UPDATED: 18 July 2012

Regulatory Program Goals:

- To provide strong protection of the nation's aquatic environment, including wetlands.

- To ensure that the Corps provides the regulated public with fair and reasonable decisions.

- To enhance the efficiency of the Corps’ administration of its regulatory program.