Newsom wrongly claims state expanded Point Dume marine protections Play

California Governor Gavin Newsom put out a press release Wednesday proclaiming that the state has approved increasing the size of the Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area. That's the official designation for the beach from Zuma Creek down to Point Dume, where it is illegal to put sand or rocks like what's being placed there to try to save Westward Beach Road.

If the governor's press release were correct, it would restrict sand replenishment, road construction, or the placement of rocks to protect or rebuild the beach at Westward Beach, Zuma Beach, and Broad Beach. But the governor was wrong.

Sources at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife tell KBUU there was a mistake made by the governor's office. There has been no action taken on the status of the beaches and the ocean at Zuma Beach.

What happened was that a petition was filed by some Chumash Native Americans asking for the marine conservation area between the Point and Zuma Creek to be expanded, possibly west all the way to Lechuza Point. There were 20 petitions like that filed up and down the state. The state Fish and Game Commission two weeks ago agreed to begin a lengthy review and study of 15 of those requests.

Included in those studies is possibly extending the Point Dume Marine Protected Area west to include Zuma, Trancas, and Broad Beaches. That could possibly prohibit sand replacement projects or artificial reefs, though that's not clear yet.

City Councilmember Haylynn Conrad Wednesday night asked the Fish and Game Commission for details. She noted that the governor proclaimed that three years of outreach and discussion had been going on with coastal cities — but that didn't happen in Malibu.

She asked the state for details on how this would affect Malibu's ability to study or pursue restoration and erosion-protection projects on Zuma Beach. Seventeen million people per year visit Zuma Beach from Malibu and elsewhere.

Under the current state rules, no sand protection or replenishment can be done east of Zuma Creek down to Point Dume. The proposed changes could extend that prohibition to Zuma, Trancas, and Broad Beaches, but the state has not approved that petition as the governor announced.

The governor's press people have refused to give reporters any way to contact them by phone or email, so we have no comment from them on this glaring mistake.