Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Plan
Summary
SCH Number
2026010462
Lead Agency
City of Laguna Beach
Document Title
Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Plan
Document Type
NOP - Notice of Preparation of a Draft EIR
Received
Present Land Use
PRP - Public Recreation and Parks; REC - Recreation Zone
Document Description
The proposed Project would restore the Aliso Creek Estuary by removing artificial fill, widening the channelized watercourse, creating new functional wetland habitats, improving water quality, and returning the estuary to its natural “intermittently open” condition. These proposed restoration activities would include the demolition of the existing beach overflow parking lot, construction of a new multi-modal facilities, installation of landscaping, and reconstruction of the play area and tot lot.
The proposed Project would restore the Aliso Creek Estuary from its current condition to a healthy, functional ecosystem. In its existing state the estuary is a degraded lagoon, which stores urban runoff and provides no significant value as a natural habitat for native plants, fish, or wildlife. The proposed Project would restore a portion of the wetland habitat that historically occupied the Project site, by removing the existing surface parking lot and associated artificial fill, widening the channelized watercourse, and restoring the estuary’s natural connection to the ocean.
The Restoration Site Plan proposes new, upgraded park facilities designed to provide public opportunities to experience the restored ecosystem in a wilderness park setting. These features include an interpretive loop trail around the restored estuary with seating and viewing areas, a pedestrian bridge over the restored wetland habitat, and an overlook area suitable for guided educational visits (see Figure 3). The Public Access Plan emphasizes enhanced access to the site via multiple modes of transportation through a multi-modal mobility hub, consistent with citywide visitor mobility strategies (see Figure 3).
Contact Information
Name
Shaveta Sharma
Agency Name
Laguna Beach City
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Nick Meisinger
Agency Name
WSP USA, Inc.
Job Title
Vice President
Contact Types
Consulting Firm
Phone
Email
Name
Ed Almanza
Agency Name
Laguna Ocean Foundation
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Laguna Beach
Counties
Orange
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Country Club Drive and South Coast Highway
Zip
92651
Total Acres
10
Parcel #
056-012-18, 056-020-34, 056-020-33, 056-240-36, 056-240-35
State Highways
1
Schools
Sunshine School, Anneliese Schools
Waterways
Aliso Creek Estuary, Pacific Ocean
Other Location Info
The Aliso Creek Estuary is located at the mouth of Aliso Creek at the Pacific Ocean in southern Laguna Beach, Orange County, California.
Notice of Completion
State Review Period Start
State Review Period End
State Reviewing Agencies
California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Coastal Commission (CCC), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Region 7 (CDFW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 12 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Fish and Game Commission (CDFGC), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region 9 (RWQCB), California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Colorado River Board, Department of General Services (DGS), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 8, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, State Water Resources Control Board, Divison of Financial Assistance, University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
State Reviewing Agency Comments
California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
Development Types
Other (Habitat Restoration Plan)
Local Actions
Site Plan
Project Issues
Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Coastal Zone, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Economics/Jobs, Energy, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth Inducement, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mandatory Findings of Significance, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Septic System, Sewer Capacity, Solid Waste, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildfire
Public Review Period Start
Public Review Period End
Attachments
Draft Environmental Document [Draft IS, NOI_NOA_Public notices, OPR Summary Form, Appx,]
Notice of Completion [NOC] Transmittal form
State Comment Letters [Comments from State Reviewing Agency(ies)]
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