Opponents Will Appeal Lagoon Project Ruling

over the state's plan to modify will soon enter a new stage. Marcia Hanscom, head of two of the three groups that sued to overturn the California Coastal Commission's approval of the project, said at Monday's meeting that an appeal will be filed on Tuesday of .

"We do feel that the issues were not addressed [in the judge's ruling], that the laws we felt the Coastal Commission broke in approving this project need to be addressed," Hanscom said. "And we think we will have a better hearing in the appeals court."

Judge Ernest H. Goldsmith in October rejected nearly all the claims by the Wetlands Defense Fund, Access for All and the Coastal Law Enforcement Action Network. He only sided with the groups on one technical issue.

Goldsmith said the Coastal Commission properly "analyzed all feasible alternatives to the project" and chose the one that was "least damaging to achieve the goals." He also said he was satisfied with the mitigation measures that would be taken to protect the lagoon's endangered species.

In addition, Goldsmith rejected the argument that removal of the lagoon's wooden bridges would be harmful to public access because there would still be a trail.

Called the Malibu Lagoon Restoration and Enhancement Plan, the California State Parks' project includes the replacement of vegetation and adjustments to slopes and channels in a 12-acre portion of the lagoon. Existing access bridges will be removed.

Proponents say the project will improve oxygen circulation and the general health of the lagoon. Opponents say it will harm the body of water and that species will die. They object to the use of bulldozers, the removal of bridges and other features.

Malibu Patch will have more information on this story soon.