Saving the Ballona Wetlands Essay -- California Nature Environmental E

Before development exploded in calcium, the state contained about 5 million soil of wetland habitat. Unfortunately, everywhere the years California has been willing to social function with 91 percent of its wetlands, Southern California having lost 95 percent. Los Angeles County has only one wetland remaining. This existence the Ballona Wetlands located between Marina del Rey and the Westchester bluffs, it was once a major part of Californias natural wetland systems. Before development, Ballona wetlands natural habitat covered 2002 acres. This area, 800 to special K acres, referred to as Playa Vista by its owners is made up of salt marsh freshwater marsh and part upland and dune areas. It is considered Los Angeles largest wetland ecosystem. Although degraded over the years it still functions as a normal natural wetland - providing full of life services. A major function it provides is that it filters out toxic wastes and pollutants from stormwater runoff originally they rea ch the Santa Monica Bay. It is a coastal excess, and acts as a flood plain for the surrounding area (FOBW Information cusp 1998 point Sheet). Ballona is an integral part of the Pacific flyaway, providing vital feeding and nesting habitat for over 185 species of birds, including some on the federal endangered species list. The southwestern willow flycatcher, an endangered species, was just belatedly seen by developers in an area cleared for construction. Ballona is no doubt a welcomed refuge to all species, both flora and fauna, from the industrial landscape of Los Angeles. The Friends of Ballona Wetlands get under ones skin said it is a spawning ground for commercial and sport fish, and a vital source of nutrients for the entire coastal marine environment (FOBW Information folder 1998 20 years of C... ...na Wetlands. http//eco.bio.lmu.edu/www.ballona/fbw.htm. 22 Jan. 98. Friends of Ballona Wetlands Information Folder. Friends of Ballona Wetlands 20 years of Commitment, Fact S heet, Mission Statement Friends of Ballona Wetlands 1998. Helgeson, Rubell. Commentary. A Phony War to Save the Ballona Wetlands. Los Angeles time 6 Dec. 1996 B10. Lynch, Glen. Interview. The Ballona Free Press. Westchester May. 1997 2. Tagawa, Rick. History of the Ballona Valley. The Ballona Free Press. Westchester Nov. 1997 2. Additional References not cited Ballona bring Trust Mission Statement http//www.life.net/wetlands/bmission.html Effort To Protect Ballona Wetland Moves Forward http//www.house.gov/harman/flapgate.htm Protestors backside Spielberg, Lost World http//www.channel2000.com/news/stories/news-970520-202436.html