Additional opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed business park near Los Cerritos Wetlands.

Additional opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed business park near Los Cerritos Wetlands.

View of the current tank farm property located at 6701 E 2nd Street.
The proposed project site encompasses approximately 53 acres.
A new development is being proposed for the soon-to-be-former tank farm on Studebaker Road and 6701 E 2nd Street. While I am glad the ugly and toxic storage tanks are coming down, the question is what should go in that spot that will balance landowner needs while protecting the nearby fragile Los Cerritos Wetlands ecosystem. As you can see in the above image, the proposed Sares Regis Group’s “Sea Ranch” development would be located in a particularly environmentally sensitive location that straddles the Los Cerritos Wetlands and the San Gabriel River.


Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), environmental projects are analyzed by producing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The first step in that process is a Notice of Preparation (NOP), which included a public meeting that was held on Wednesday, May 13th. However, the City is re-issuing this NOP to reflect revisions to the project address and Assessor Parcel Number. Thus, there will be an additional opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed development on Monday, June 11th at 6:00 PM. If you would like to attend the meeting (and I hope you will), details and a link to join the meeting are below.


Meeting Information (Virtual)
Date: June 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Pacific via Zoom
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://longbeach-gov.zoom.us/j/91862732533?pwd=qP9QShLgN3zhaK8PxtJTLXnZbFlTaa.1
OR
Meeting ID:
918 6273 2533
Passcode: 766254


Part of the NOP process is to suggest to the City and the development proponents issues that should be studied in the EIR. I encourage you to send in your suggestions for issues to be studied or bring them up at the meeting. This development will be located near publicly owned wetlands (your wetlands), and your voice should be heard. Further details can be found in the Revised Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Sea Ranch Business Park. See you at the (virtual) meeting, I hope!
Attend our Raptor Ramble nature walks before they are paused due to the restoration of the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands.

Attend our Raptor Ramble nature walks before they are paused due to the restoration of the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands.

Raptor Ramble/Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Nature Walk.
Join us on Saturday, July 5 or August 2 to learn about the upcoming restoration of Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands and the important raptor habitat.
 
These special tours will be led by knowledgeable ecologists who helped design the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands restoration project, which is expected to break ground in Fall 2025. Our curated Raptor Ramble tours are the public’s final opportunity to view this land before the restoration begins. Tour attendees will learn about plans for hydrological connections, earth moving, public access, and large-scale plantings of native habitats while observing the current condition of the land. In addition to learning about the restoration design details, participants will look for raptors (birds of prey) and other charismatic species that forage and nest in the area. Participants will likely see rare bird species that will benefit from the improved habitat. The final portion of the tour will spend time along the Heron Pointe Cultural Trail, where attendees will learn about the native people who lived on the land, how they utilized its resources, and how the Tribal Advisory Group and local Native American tribal members contributed to the restoration’s final design.
 
Our walk leaders possess extensive knowledge about the restoration project, site history, and local wildlife. Bring binoculars if you have them; we will observe many fascinating species. Don’t miss this opportunity to access this land before the restoration project begins!


To learn more or to sign up for one or more of the upcoming nature walks,
use this link.
credit: Kevin Mendoza
photo by Kevin Mendoza
Additional opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed business park near Los Cerritos Wetlands.

New development proposed for SE Long Beach. Wednesday, May 14th, will be your first opportunity to give the City feedback.

View of the current tank farm property located at 6801 E 2nd Street, Long Beach, California.
The proposed project site encompasses approximately 53 acres.
Sadly, the vast majority of southern California coastal open space has been lost to development and infrastructure. With so few open spaces left, we must restore and protect what remains while, at the same time, fighting back against harmful development.


A new development is being proposed for the soon-to-be-former tank farm on Studebaker just north of Westminster at 6801 E 2nd Street. While I am glad the ugly and toxic storage tanks are coming down, the question is what should go in that spot that will balance landowner needs while protecting the nearby fragile Los Cerritos Wetlands ecosystem. As you can see in the above image, the proposed Sares Regis Group’s “Sea Ranch” development would be located in a particularly important and environmentally sensitive location that straddles the Los Cerritos Wetlands and the San Gabriel River.


Thanks to updated zoning for the area, there will be some good things about the proposed development (required bird safe lighting and native plant palette), but can more be done to protect the fragile wildlife that depends on this area? That’s what the environmental review process, required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), is designed to do: inform us about development alternatives, including a no-build alternative. We are so fortunate in California to have CEQA, which at its most basic level provides information that promotes informed decisions. CEQA, which for decades has protected human health, as well as the environment, is now sadly under attack….see the section below and take action.


Under CEQA, environmental projects are analyzed by producing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The first step in that process is a Notice of Preparation (NOP), which includes a public meeting. The meeting for the Sea Ranch development is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13th. The City has provided the following details:


“The City of Long Beach will conduct a virtual public Scoping Meeting to present the proposed project and environmental process and to receive public comments and suggestions regarding the proposed project. All interested parties are invited to attend the scoping meeting to assist in identifying issues to be addressed in the Draft EIR. The Scoping Meeting will include a presentation about the proposed Sea Ranch project, the required environmental review process, and the schedule. After the presentation, public comments will be accepted either orally or in writing via the chat function. The Scoping Meeting will be held via web conference at the following date and time:
Meeting Information (Virtual)
Date: May 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Pacific via Zoom
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.


Click here to join the meeting


We will be there to share our comments both at the virtual scoping meeting and subsequently in a formal letter to be submitted by the deadline of June 2nd. We encourage you to participate too. Make your voice heard! Perhaps talk about the importance of robust buffers to protect fragile wildlife from the hubbub of urban life. Or share your concerns that traffic impacts be fully studied and problems addressed. For a good read on the importance of buffers and sensitive lighting next to open space, check out this memo written by our advisor, Travis Longcore. Any development adjacent to the wetlands should, at the very least, have science-based, robust protective buffers and a plan to keep invasive lighting and noise away from fragile wetlands. More details about the proposed development can be found in the official NOP Scoping hearing notice, released by the City last week. Hope to see you at the meeting! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me.


Sincerely,


Elizabeth Lambe
Executive Director
Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust


The Sares Regis Group’s Sea Ranch project (depicted below) proposes 10 light industrial buildings ranging in size from 67,472 square feet (sf) to 124,265 sf, for a total of 938,681 sf. The project would include 200,000 sf of office space and 738,681 sf of light industrial space.
Protect CEQA, send a quick note to your representative. Ask them to oppose SB 607. Please do it today!

Protect CEQA, send a quick note to your representative. Ask them to oppose SB 607. Please do it today!

TAKE ACTION – Help Stop SB 607!
An Undermining of California’s Environmental Bill of Rights


Senator Scott Wiener has a bill before the California Legislature (SB 607) that threatens to undermine California’s most significant environmental law. The California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, is a bedrock law that ensures that harm to the natural world is fully accounted for when decisions about proposed developments are made. Now, using the deception of helping infill housing, SB 607 would severely limit or even eliminate CEQA review for development affecting wildlife. The bill weakens environmental review requirements for nearly all private and government development proposals, including freeways, airports, dams, railyards, shopping centers, sports complexes, power plants, prisons, and mining operations. 


Without appropriate review, how can we know the impacts on our community, air, and water of proposed development projects?


Please contact your legislator and ask them to vote NO on Senate Bill 607.


Click here to find your Senator.
Enter your address and then click on the locate button.
Follow the links on the form to your Senator’s webpage and click on their contact tab.
You can call their district office and/or use their online contact form and ask them to:


Oppose SB 607 (Wiener), which weakens environmental protections for nearly all private and government projects in California. SB 607 applies to most new development and would result in less transparent environmental review, agency confusion, and more litigation. CEQA acts as an environmental bill of rights, giving Californians access to critical information that affects their communities. At a time when environmental protections, especially those at the federal level, are under assault, California environmental laws must stay intact.


For further details about the problems with SB 607, please click here.


To view the sign-on letter in opposition to SB 607 (signed by over 100 California environmental groups, including the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust please click here.


Thank you for doing your part to protect our planet.
Reminder, if you missed our screening of “To Save Our Coast,” you can watch it online.

Reminder, if you missed our screening of “To Save Our Coast,” you can watch it online.

Attendees enjoying “To Save Our Coast” at the lovely Long Beach Art Theatre. We were honored to have special guests at the screening, including former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer and former California Coastal Commission Chair and Long Beach resident, Mel Nutter.
Many thanks to all who attended our screening of To Save Our Coast. Great crowd, great special guests, and most importantly, great film! To Save Our Coast tells the story of how ordinary citizens came together to save the California Coast from overdevelopment and exploitation. We owe them a debt of gratitude, that is for sure!


If you couldn’t attend in person, you can watch the film online. Of course, nothing beats the wonderful setting of the Art Theatre, but don’t miss seeing this inspiring and compelling movie.


Without the Coastal Act, California’s coast would look very different from what it does today, with far less public access. Our coast would be dotted with private beaches and who knows what kind of gigantic structures (think Miami Beach).


Click the image below to view the film.
Two Spring Kayak Tours coming up!

Two Spring Kayak Tours coming up!

Sign up now to reserve your spot

Our Spring kayaking trips are available now (and they usually sell out!) We will kayak through Steamshovel Slough of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, which is only viewable via kayak.

Our kayaking dates and times are scheduled for
Saturday, March 15th at 9 am
Saturday, April 12th at 9 am

Each kayak trip takes about 2 hours.


Reserve your spot via Eventbrite now!


We meet at Mother’s Beach near the children’s playground. Street and metered parking is available but can fill up on weekends, so plan on arriving early so you have enough time to find a place to park. 


The cost to kayak with us is $40 (an amazing deal!) to help cover the rental expenses of kayaks, paddles, life-vests, and for the tour leaders who guide the trips. Tour leaders will be experienced kayakers from LA River Expeditions and environmental educator Katy Dressendorfer.


Hope to see you out on the water with us! You will have an awesome time. Please email if you have any questions.


You can check out a great article in the Long Beach Post about our wetlands kayaking program here.

Rules for kayaking: You must be able to swim. You must be in decent shape to handle about 2 hours of kayaking (with some breaks). It is recommended that you have been kayaking before, of course, novice kayakers are welcome to join us. Wear proper attire for kayaking; you will get splashed (no jeans and tennis shoes). If you are a minor 12 years of age (or older) you are welcome to join us as long as you meet the above requirements and are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Long Beach Gives 2024 was a huge success!

Long Beach Gives 2024 was a huge success!

A heartfelt thank you to all of our donors during Long Beach Gives 🧡

We raised more than our goal of $4,000….$4,664 exactly! 

Your donations make our field trips, nature walks, water testing, & wetlands advocacy possible!


Vote for Prop. 4 which will be on the upcoming California November 5th ballot

Vote for Prop. 4 which will be on the upcoming California November 5th ballot

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust endorses Proposition 4, a vital measure that will protect our environment, enhance safe drinking water, prevent devastating wildfires, and safeguard our natural landscapes from the threats posed by climate change.


Proposition 4 is a crucial investment in our natural resources and climate resilience, authorizing the state to issue a $10 billion bond aimed at addressing urgent environmental needs. Proposition 4 will help us make significant strides in these key areas:


Coastal Protection: With rising sea levels threatening our coastal regions, Proposition 4 allocates $1.2 billion for restoration efforts and the protection of vulnerable shorelines.


Water Supply and Flood Management: Nearly $3.8 billion is earmarked to enhance both the quality and quantity of our water, repair vital infrastructure, and mitigate flooding risks.


Wildfire Prevention: A dedicated $1.5 billion will focus on improving forest health, protecting our ecosystems, and reinforcing safety measures for communities at risk from wildfires.


Parks and Recreational Areas: An investment of $700 million will enhance recreational opportunities, allowing expansion and renovation of our parks while addressing the impacts of climate change.
 
These funding allocations highlight a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship, with direct benefits to California’s wetlands, including the Los Cerritos Wetlands. We urge you to vote early and to vote yes for Proposition 4.


Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Annual Meeting

Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Annual Meeting

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. 


LOCATION: Belmont Heights United Methodist Church
(outdoor courtyard)
317 Termino Ave, Long Beach, CA 90814


All are welcome to attend.


Special Guest Speakers: Joe Geever and Ben Harris


Joe Geever is a water policy expert and former staffer for the Surfrider Foundation. Joe’s expertise includes coastal zone management, marine living resource management, and marine protected areas.


Ben Harris is Senior Staff Attorney, Regulatory Affairs and Legal Policy for Los Angeles Waterkeeper. Prior to joining LA Waterkeeper, Ben spent two years as a fellow at the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at UCLA School of Law, where he represented clients in their pursuit of environmental advocacy and co-taught the environmental law clinic.


Now that the Notice of Preparation of the proposed pumps for the circulation project for Alamitos Bay has been released, we’re taking a deeper dive into what is being proposed, what the process is, and what impact this proposal could have on the plan to restore Los Cerritos Wetlands.


Some of the topics our speakers will cover include an overview of the basics about the Clean Water Act (specifically in the context of Alamitos Bay and the San Gabriel River). What is non-source point pollution? Where is the pollution in Alamitos Bay coming from? How are those non-source point pollution regulated? What is the role of the Regional Water Quality Control Board and what is their role in addressing water pollution? What is currently in the works to resolve water quality and water pollution problems in our watershed (for example the Clean Safe Water program).


Why is the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust interested in Alamitos Bay pollution abatement issues? How could the pump for circulation proposal impact the potential restoration of Los Cerritos Wetlands? How could the current plan, which possibly removes marine life (plants and animals) from Alamitos Bay impact the proposed restoration of Los Cerritos Wetlands? Are there creative solutions that deal with the pollution nearer the source while simultaneously maximizing the outcomes of the wetlands restoration?


Learn more at our annual member meeting — all are invited to attend. In addition to hearing from our guest speakers, Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust members will be voting on Board of Directors nominations. It should be a great meeting and we hope you will attend.


For further details or to RSVP, send an email to Elizabeth.


P.S. Perhaps you received our recent newsletter in the mail. If you didn’t, I encourage you to check it out. It’s full of the latest news about what is happening with Los Cerritos Wetlands.