DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE
ACTION REGARDING THE LOS
ANGELES COASTAL SPECIAL
RESOURCES STUDY
City Manager’s Office
May 12, 2026
OUTLINE
1. Background
• Legislation
• Los Angeles Coastal Special Resources Study
2. City Participation & Response
• Draft Resolution
3. Next Steps
4. Recommendation
2 BACKGROUND: LEGISLATION
• 2019: Congress passed the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act (H.R. 1487) • Directed National Park Service to study whether the Santa Monica Bay watershed should be added to the Santa Monica Mountains NRA or become a new recreation area
• Study area: Venice Beach → Torrance Beach, Ballona Wetlands, Ballona Creek, Baldwin Hills, San Pedro Coastline
• 2023: Congress expands scope through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Section 634)
• Creates the Los Angeles County Special Resources Study • Broader evaluation of whether segments of LA County
coastline meet criteria for inclusion in the National Park System 3 BACKGROUND: STUDY
• The Study DOES:
• Gather information on coastal resources, recreation,
environmental conditions, and cultural assets
• Evaluate whether areas meet federal criteria:
• (1) National significance, (2) Suitability, (3) Feasibility, (4) Need for NPS management
• Consider alternative management models
• The Study DOES NOT:
• Change local land use authority
• Impose new regulations
• Transfer ownership of City property
• Automatically create a national park
4 BACKGROUND: STUDY
NPS has asked the City to provide input on:
1. Ownership and management of coastal properties
2. Current uses, events, and public access
3. Interest in participating in historical significance analysis
4. Interest in being included in a future national park unit
5. Concerns about historical interpretation
6. Concerns about maintaining physical appearance or historic features
7. Willingness to donate or sell property (voluntary only) 5 CITY PARTICIPATION & RESPONSE
• Redondo Beach’s waterfront is a major public resource • The City has longstanding administration over land use, operations, and planning
• Community priorities emphasize:
• Local decision-making
• Equitable and safe coastal access
• Preservation of cultural and historic features
• Enhancing recreational amenities
• Participation ensures the City’s values are represented in the federal study
6 DRAFT RESOLUTION
• Reaffirms the importance of municipal management and control of waterfront and coastal resources
• Highlights the public value of the waterfront
• Emphasizes the City’s responsibility for:
• Operations
• Maintenance
• Long-term planning
• Expresses willingness to collaborate with regional, state, and federal partners
• Clarifies that local management and control must remain intact 7 NEXT STEPS
• Council provides direction on the draft Resolution
• Final Resolution to be presented for approval on May 19, 2026
• Submit approved Resolution during the NPS public
comment period (Deadline: May 23, 2026)
8 RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction on the draft resolution.
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