Breakwater to receive maintenance work
Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, City Councilman Todd Loewenstein and city staff walked the King Harbor breakwater June 9 with representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers in preparation for a $10 million project to address storm damage.
The Army Corps is expected to deliver a report on the repairs in late summer or fall.
Loewenstein described the maintenance as needed from years of “violent wave action.”
The breakwater is federal property. The $10 million will come from a Congressional appropriation.
Pallet shelter resident thanks city
A 34-year old man named Remy came to the city council meeting June 20 to thank the council for funding the pallet shelter.
“It’s very fortunate and it’s a blessing. It doesn’t go in vain, it does help some individuals,” he said. “If you don’t have a place to sleep, to shower, it’s hard to keep a job.”
He had been living on the Pier before taking part in the city’s homeless court. He was assigned to the pallet shelter three months ago..
“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate you coming down here,” Mayor Bill Brand told him. The Mayor also thanked City Attorney Mike Webb, who spearheaded the homeless court and pallet shelter projects.
The crowd at city hall applauded as Remy left the podium.
Avenue I Fourth of July still on; just no fireworks
The Avenue I Fourth of July street activities are still on, despite cancellation of its annual fireworks-over-the-ocean finale. The day’s schedule features bands, including the former members of Oingo Boingo, food, beer and wine. Gates open at 2 p.m. The events are sponsored by Keep the Esplanade Beautiful
The fireworks were canceled, as was the annual City of Redondo Beach fireworks show in King Harbor because of the contractors’ concerns about new L.A. Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements for shooting fireworks over water.
Toxic algae bloom: public urged to stay away from sea lions and dolphins
Anyone spending time near the ocean is advised to be aware of aggressive sea lions due to the rapid growth of a harmful algae along parts of the Southern California Coast.
The Marine Mammal Care Center (a San Pedro non-profit) has rescued 47 animals in the past two weeks suffering from its effects.
The algae produces a neurotoxin that accumulates in fish, and is then transferred up the food chain to sea lions – causing seizures, aggressive behavior, lethargic unresponsiveness, and even death.
People in and around the water are asked to look out for marine mammals with unusual side-to-side head movements or holding their heads back for long periods.
“It is important for the public to know that animals who have ingested domoic acid (DA) pose a very serious public health and safety risk,” said John Warner, CEO of Marine Mammal Care Center. “Adult seals and sea lions with DA can present in unpredictable ways. Please keep your distance from animals you see on the beach, and immediately call us if you suspect one is in distress.”
As another symptom, female sea lions may give birth in public places, far from where pups would normally be born.
“The Center is dealing with an enormous increase in reports of animals in distress each day,” said Warner. “We are doing the best we can to keep up with the intense pace, and, if history is any indication, we can expect to see anywhere from 75 to 150 animals in need of rescue over the next four to six weeks.”
To report a sick and injured marine mammal to the Center, call 1-800-39-WHALE. ER
