Agencies Working Toward Peaceful Start to Malibu Lagoon Project

With emotions running high about the planned June 1 start of the overhaul of the Malibu Lagoon, California State Parks, the lead agency on the project, met with local law enforcement agencies Wednesday.

State Parks is working with the Los Angeles County sheriff's department, fire department, lifeguards, and supervisor's office, as well as the California Highway Patrol, National Parks, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and the city of Malibu "to help ensure a peaceful orderly, and safe project," according to a joint statement released by the groups.

The meeting was called by State Parks Wednesday to discuss the expected June 1 start of the lagoon project.

Several groups and the Malibu City Council have been working to delay the start date until all questions are answered about the project.

On Monday, the council sent a letter to the Coastal Commission to ask for some changes to a. An was filed earlier this month by three environmental groups in a lawsuit against the state's plan to modify the Malibu Lagoon.

If the attempts to halt the project fail, many residents and local environmental activists plan to protest on June 1.

Hamish Patterson, who plans to be at the protest, said he is advocating for a peaceful event.

"Anyone instigating violence is not welcome," Patterson said. "We're there to express our first amendment rights. Anyone promoting violence is out."

He added that he will do what it takes to stop the project, but that he will also work just as hard to keep the "energy from being violent."

Andy Lyon, who has also advocated for a stop to the Malibu Lagoon project, said he also hopes for a peaceful event.