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Click on image to view larger version
Batiquitos Lagoon is a coastal lagoon located in southern California, in the City of Carlsbad, north of San Diego County. On December 7, 1996, the mouth of Batiquitos Lagoon was opened as the final step in the restoration of this failing coastal embayment. Planning for the project had begun 7 years earlier, construction took nearly 3 years, and more than $57 million were spent on the project. While December 7, 1996, represented the completion of the construction portion of the project, the natural processes set in motion on that day continue to contribute to the restoration of the lagoon. Today, the Port of Los Angeles, which, in partnership with the City of Carlsbad, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), the California State Lands Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is responsible for the restoration project, can proudly say that the restoration of the lagoon has been very successful. Many more species of marine fish are using the lagoon for shelter, feeding, and as a nursery. Habitats and communities that had not been seen in the lagoon for years are now thriving. And many species of birds, including special-status species, are continuing to use the lagoon for foraging and nesting. Please visit the Ecological Story to read more about the species and habitats that are present in Batiquitos Lagoon. 
View of a large intertidal shoal in the Central Basin
At the recommendation of the resource agencies, the Port of Los Angeles began the project to restore Batiquitos Lagoon to mitigate for the loss of deepwater fish habitat; this loss was caused by channel improvements and construction of land for cargo terminals in the Outer Los Angeles Harbor, in San Pedro Bay. The mitigation project was a monumental undertaking that exceeded in scope many major Port development projects. The Port is proud to say that the rewards of 10 years of careful planning, environmental review, design, and construction are clearly evident: the restoration has been biologically successful and the construction of new land and cargo terminals at the Port of Los Angeles has been economically beneficial. The Port provided all funding for the project, as well as staff to manage the project in cooperation with the City of Carlsbad. Funding included consultant services for environmental documentation, design, construction management, construction, construction monitoring, land acquisition, legal support, public outreach, permits, special biological and physical studies, perpetual maintenance, and biological monitoring. The Port also put together a project team, with various members taking the lead for the Port, depending on the phase of project development. This team either carried out the work or supervised work by consultants. During preliminary design, final design, and permitting, a Port engineer was the lead team member. During the environmental documentation and monitoring, an environmental scientist from the Port's Environmental Management Division was the Port's project manager. Environmental Management staff members also were involved throughout the project in a liaison role with the various cooperating agencies. During construction, a construction manager was jointly supervised by the Port and the City of Carlsbad. 
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