Publications:
Fact Cards
Santa
Monica Bay
is one of
the country's
most important
natural resources,
providing
the two million-plus
humans who
live in its
watershed
with a mild
climate, aesthetic
beauty, recreation,
food, fresh
oxygen, and
commercial
opportunities.
It teems with
life, serving
as home to
over 5000
species of
birds, fish,
mammals, plants
and other
wildlife-some
of the largest
and smallest
organisms
on Earth.
Its 50 miles
of coastline
provide recreational
opportunities
for an estimated
45 million
visitors each
year-more
than 500,000
a day at the
height of
summer. Santa
Monica Bay's
natural boundaries
extend from
Point Dume
to Palos Verdes
Point.
Facts About
the Estuary
- The
bay generates
$1.08
billion
annually
for the
economy
of Southern
California.
- Nearly
10 million
people
live within
an hour's
drive
of Santa
Monica
Bay.
- Santa
Monica
Bay beaches
average
40-50
million
visits
per year.
- As
many as
5.5 million
sport
fishing
trips
are made
annually
in bay
waters.
- The
bay boasts
the world's
largest
man-made
small
craft
harbor,
the 6,000
slip
Marina
del Rey.
Health
of the Estuary
- Over
5,000
different
species
of plants
and animals
call the
bay home
including
the southernmost
run of
endangered
steelhead
trout.
- Tumors
and other
diseases
once commonly
found
on animals
are now
rarely
observed.
- Recreational
fishing
industries
remain
stable,
although
the catch
has declined
since
1980.
- Average
concentration
of DDT
and PCBs
in most
seafood
species
have fallen
to near
or below
the level
of concern
for human
consumption.
- The
number
of days
per year
during
which
at least
one beach
is closed
due to
sewage
spills
has greatly
decreased.
- Development
has destroyed
more than
95 percent
of the
bay's
historic
coastal
wetlands
and degraded
the remaining
5 percent,
putting
some species
in danger
of local
extinction.
Accomplishments
of the Estuary
Program
- Completed
an epidemiological
study
to assess
the human
health
risks
of swimming
in runoff-contaminated
waters.
- Helped
develop
municipal
storm
water
permits
for Los
Angeles
County
and its
85 cities.
- Provided
more than
$450,000
to community
groups,
local
governments,
and schools
to educate
and inspire
people
of all
ages to
appreciate
and take
care of
Santa
Monica
Bay.
- Developed
an integrated,
comprehensive
bay-wide
monitoring
program
and funded
an in-depth
study
to assess
the loading
of toxic
air pollutants
to the
watershed.
- Spearheaded
efforts
to restore
the Zuma
Lagoon
and Wetland,
the first
coastal
freshwater
wetland
restoration
project
in the
area.
- Secured
$25 million
in bond
financing
from the
state
to implement
the Bay
Restoration
Plan.
For
Viewing and Printing:
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Estuary Program files,
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