03/10/2024
AnEcoScape NPO
launches 3.6 M USD fundraising effort to begin detailed design and launch Santa Monica Project to replace and expand natural substrates that are the physical foundation and anchor for the kelp forests that are so vastly missing in many areas along the coast, particulary in the exposed coast area known as SANTA MONICA BAY. Most of the kelp is gone in part to the loss of the structure of ROCK and ROCK REEFS. Other organisms also have depleated populations because of loss of proper substrate such as rock and gravel and mixed substrate areas with compacted sediments combined with rock such as found at the far west area near shore along Little Point Dume' to Paradise Cove. This area is as close at the "bay" gets to being a real bay, but it still experiences significant wave action in south swells, mostly during the summer. This area is adjacent to BKR Reef, aka
Big Kelp Reef which has been declared a protected area.
Providing additional structures throughout the exposed coast of Santa Monica Bay can provide a huge boost to the economy of Los Angeles County and the cities in the county, by increasing the current 877,000 jobs (county estimate) by significant amounts, and taxable revenues by the economic activity caused by increased biological productivity and harvest potential, as well as the economic boost caused by increasing tourism from outside visitors and domestic tourism and entertainment and recreational activities as well as the normal business of hospitality, transportation, and hostels. The county should run the program and direct the cooperation of all participating agencies on behalf of the public it serves. Data collection of all types will be housed and maintained by LA County, and use and records should be transparent and available. This is a project to be sustained by TQ Management and Public Stakeholder participation as originally designed and suggested by Rimmon Fay, Ph.D, in his publication from 1966 that he delivered at a conference in Italy that defined a method to numericise stakeholder input and comment to influence outcome on behalf of all stakeholders. However, this is a public project. Owned by the public, and operated by the County for the benefit of the public.