TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into a right-of-entry permit with Orange County Coastkeeper, and/or its agents, to enter Jack Dunster Marine Biological Reserve for the purpose of erecting an interpretive sign, from August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015, with one, one-year renewal option at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
On June 21, 2011, the Long Beach City Council authorized a right-of-entry permit to allow California State University Fullerton (CSUF) to enter Jack Dunster Marine Biological Reserve (Dunster) for a native Olympia oyster restoration project (Attachment). The Olympia oyster (ostrea lurida) is the only oyster native to California and has experienced substantial population declines throughout its historical range, from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. A single adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day consuming plankton, thereby allowing sunlight to penetrate and aquatic vegetation to flourish. By restoring the native oyster beds at Dunster, this project will improve the integrity and resilience of the area’s ecosystem through water quality enhancement. The project, which is still in progress, has restored a 30-meter by two-meter “community” oyster bed at Dunster. Orange County Coastkeeper (Coastkeeper), which has partnered with CSUF, provides an educational component of the project to local junior and high school students.
In order to continue to enhance the ecological, educational, and socioeconomic benefits of oyster and wetland habitat in Long Beach, Coastkeeper proposes to install a 26-inch by 36-inch interpretive sign at Dunster. The sign will include details on the biology, life history, ecological, and economic importance of the Olympia oyster, and will feature key elements of the restoration project. Currently, there are several other interpretive signs located at Dunster that provide public education regarding the flor...
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