Topanga Lagoon Restoration Boosted By $4.9M State Grant

MALIBU, CA – The state Wildlife Conservation Board has awarded a $4.9 million grant for the restoration of Topanga Lagoon.

The grant, to the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, was awarded last month, according to a news release.

The multi-agency project aims to protect and enhance the lagoon’s biological, cultural and recreational resources. Early plans call for an expansion of the lagoon from its current 1 acre to 7-10 acres, reconstructing the existing Pacific Coast Highway bridge over the body of water and improve visitor services and coastal access, according to the state Department of Parks and Recreation.

Located at the mouth of Topanga Creek, the lagoon has been reduced in size as part of the development of buildings and hardscape infrastructure. The creek drains from a watershed in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The lagoon supports 20 native amphibians and a population of endangered tidewater goby and Southern California steelhead, according to the parks department.

The grant will fund technical studies, environmental review and outreach for the project, which is being completed through a partnership between the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the state Coastal Conservancy, State Parks, Santa Monica Mountains conservation district and Caltrans.