California Coastal Commission To Restore Malibu Lagoon, Over Protests Of Environmental Activists

MALIBU (AP) — The California Coastal Commission will move ahead with the restoration of the polluted Malibu Lagoon, despite objections from environmental activists.

The commission voted Wednesday to deny a request to revoke the restoration permit granted to California State Parks.

Commission Executive Director Charles Lester says the request is indisputably without merit.

Craig Sap, superintendent of the Angeles district for California State Parks, says the restoration will repair decades of pollution damage to the lagoon wetlands and create a clean water ecosystem that will support plant and animal life.

But a group of environmentalists, local residents and surfers say the restoration will harm wildlife and waves at nearby Surfrider Beach, a popular surfing spot.

Under way since June, the restoration has riled the beachside community north of Los Angeles for a decade.

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