Coastal Panel Action Clears Way to Buy Ocean Meadows
Pismo Beach - 01/10/2013
The California Coastal Commission today approved subdividing the Upper Devereux Slough (Ocean Meadows) property, which will let The Trust for Public Land acquire 63 acres of the 70-acre property.
"The Trust for Public Land is pleased to have received this final approval from the California Coastal Commission, clearing the way to complete the acquisition of this property, which will trigger a major habitat restoration project and improve access for people to get to the beach," said Alex Size, Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the subdivision last August, making the Coastal Commission the last step in the permitting process.
The property, also known as Ocean Meadows, is located at the eastern gateway to the Gaviota Coast near the University of California at Santa Barbara, just north of the school's Coal Oil Point Reserve. It connects a complex of previously protected lands which contains a network of trails, including public access to the beach, along with environmentally sensitive habitat. Devereux Creek runs through the property, down to Devereux Slough and on to the Pacific Ocean, one-half mile away.
The $7 million to buy the land for permanent protection and public use has been approved by a variety of state, local and federal agencies and organizations, including a significant grant from the State Coastal Conservancy, one of the project's key partners.
"This approval brings us much closer to our goal of protecting the last part of 650 acres of coastal habitat," said Duncan Mellichamp of Santa Barbara, a member of The Trust for Public Land's California Advisory Board. "Along with protecting natural resources and opportunities for education and research, this spectacular area will offer more hiking trails for people who love nature." ...
http://www.tpl.org/news/press-releases/2013-press-releases/coastal-panel-action-ocean-meadows.html
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