EL MORRO BY:
-A COMING OF CHANGE-
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HISTORY OF THE BEACH• 300 trailers sit on this site
(75 on the beach)• Once privately owned,
bought by Irvine Co. in 1979 as part of C.C. State Park
• $32.5 million in tax dollars (most expensive purchase at time…)
• 20 year extension (takes 25 years)
• Fights on both sides
Residents kicked outdec 31 2004
• The residents of El Morro have taken superb of the beach (claimed private ownership)
• Trash/Crowds etc..• Current fear that
having it open to the public will cause the beach to loose its beauty (lesser sense of responsibility)
THE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION
• LAGUNA BEACH CHAPTER
• Trailers will be transformed into something that is environmentally sensitive and available to all the public.
• Everything will be removed from the beach, including not only the 75 trailers but a lot of associated wooded, concrete and metal reinforcing in front of and underneath the trailers.
• The Moro Creek valley area will be restored after removal of the trailers, with a lot of paving removed and a day-use parking area added. The "terrace" above the valley will become a 60-unit campground.
Information thanks toRick Wilson
Surfrider Foundation949-492-8170
IMPROVEMENTS• Environmental restoration• Water quality improvements
(less impervious surfaces, decreased density of use; elimination of septic tank/ leach field system for sewage)
• Increased public access• Removal of structures and
coastal armoring on the beach (deposition – beach profile will see changes)
CONCLUSION• Join at
www.surfrider.org/join
• Next meeting – 21st
Tidewater “docent”
Training involves the 2.5 to 3 hr class and an on-the-job shift at the tidepools with one of our experienced docent trainers