Month: July 2018

Malibu Lagoon Observations

Photo above: Volunteers helping Jayni Shuman gather netted fish for Rosi Dagit’s identification tray during this summers fish survey in the restored channels at the Malibu Lagoon.

Story and photos by Steve Woods

For those of you wanting to observe wildlife at one of our most popular local State Parks, the Malibu Lagoon will be that place. Since 2013, an increasing population of bird watchers have been observing a growing population of migrating birds, as well as an uptick in the diversity of bird species visiting and staying longer at the Malibu Lagoon and Wetlands.

Bird and fish biologists have both noticed that there has been very little to no eutrophication or algae buildup since the first year after the Malibu Lagoon restoration in 2012.

Improved water quality from wind and tidal circulation seems to have degraded previous historic concentrations of nitrogen and phosphate pollution.

A decrease in detrimental excessive algae blooms and higher Dissolved Oxygen levels  has improved the environmental health for fish, crab, shrimp crustacean, invertebrates barnacles and according to the Santa Monica Audubon Society, fishing bird populations are also increasing in the areas once deemed the lifeless ‘Dead Zones’ by the EPA.

Although there have been an increase in the local year around bird populations, large migrating bird flocks are usually not seen during the summer but in the coming months there will be a steady increase of birds that will stop in for a rest and eat the increasing fish populations that are on the menu in the lagoon.

Binocular toting  bird watchers excitedly tick off many birds on their survey check list and as hard as they look they have not seen the return of the Virginia Rail but experts believe that as the native reeds continue to expand that they will return.

Biologist are really excited about the first historic return since the 1940’s and the successful nesting by the endangered Snowy Plovers and endangered Least Terns.These birds have been seen nesting on the sand inside of the protective fencing that was set up to keep human activity out of the nesting sites near 3rd point.

One nest of eggs was protected from predator crows with a wire cage.

Biologist Rosi Dagit recently conducted a post-restoration fish survey of Malibu Lagoon on Tuesday 19 June 2018 by a team from the RCD of the Santa Monica Mountains with assistance from Santa Monica Bay Foundation staff and volunteers.

“This was the 10th post construction survey since January 2013. One of the restoration goals was to improve habitat conditions for native fish species, especially the federally endangered tidewater goby, and reduce the numbers of non-native species. Even during the drought years the newly planted  native vegetation has grown quicker than many had hoped for and with many different varieties taking hold the along the waters edge, millions of new born fish are using the plants as protective nursery hiding from the larger predator fish.

Malibu Lagoon has been closed to the ocean since late April 2018, with lagoon levels remaining relatively constant and deep. We were able to seine to depletion at all sites. High water levels contributed to emergent vegetation at the banks of all survey sites. Low tide was at 9:12 am (1.3’ elevation) and high tide was at 4:14 pm (6.2’ elevation). Due to closed conditions, tide did not affect depth levels in the lagoon during this survey. Site 4, established for monitoring in 2013, continued to be inaccessible. We therefore continued to use site (2a) to comply with the monitoring plan requirements. In addition, we conducted two spot surveys along the eastern end of the beach along the closed berm.

A total of 5 juvenile federally endangered tidewater gobies (Eucyclogobius newberryi) were captured during seining at Site 3 and Site 6. All individuals were subsequently released after identification and size classification. Striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) were observed jumping throughout the lagoon and were observed swimming away from sites as blocking nets were being positioned. The dominant species surveyed and identified was topsmelt (Atherinops affinis, larva = 3128, juveniles =15, adult = 2), followed by smelt larva that appeared to have recently hatched (Atherinops sp = 2400), and Oriental Shrimp (Palaemonetes spp. = 442). A total of 10 longjawed mudsucker larvae (Gillichthys mirabilis) and 1 adult were also observed. Additionally, 12 Staghorn sculpin (L. armatus) juveniles and 2 adults were observed

The majority of individuals collected were extremely young larval or juvenile fish, which suggests that Malibu Lagoon is currently serving as a nursery site for both lagoon species. It was great to see the continued dominance and recovery of native species.”

Species captured or observed during the June 2018 survey include:

Native Fish Species

Tidewater goby                                      Eucyclogobius newberryi

Topsmelt                                              Atherinops affinis

Staghorn sculpin                                  Leptocottus armatus

Striped mullet                                      Mugil cephalus

Longjawed mudsucker                         Gillithys mirabilis

Non-Native Fish Species

Mississippi Silversides                         Menidia beryllina

Mosquitofish                                       Gambusia affinis

Invertebrates

Oriental shrimp                                    Palaemonetes sp.

Hemigraspus crab

Water boatman juvenile

Damselfly nymph

Caddisfly larva

For a detailed account of current bird populations click here on the Santa Monica Audubon Society Blog Site

https://smbasblog.com/2018/07/25/fall-migration-begins-malibu-lagoon-22-july-2018/

Gadwell ducklings leading mom the way around the restored channels.

Whimbrels enjoying some quiet beach time on one of the islands.

The resident Great Blue Herons along with a growing number of Snowy Egrets don’t need to go anywhere else to find fish to eat.

Members of the fish survey team wade out to one of the monitoring stations on the Osprey Island to net fish samples.

July 30, 2018
P-55 Dies unexpectedly, Suspected Rodenticide Poisoning

By Steve Woods

A 3-year-old cougar named P-55 who made news recently during a visit to a residence in Westlake Village earlier this year, was found dead by biologists with the National Park Service’s Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area.

NPS spokeswoman Kate Kuykendall said; ” he was a beautiful animal who survived longer than most males in the Santa Monica Mountains, but ultimately met his end at a relatively young age,”

The mountain lion was also locally famous for successfully crossing the freeway last August for a second time, which hopefully won’t be necessary with the new Wildlife Bridge that is now in the design phase. The NPS shared a video showing P-55 rubbing his cheeks on rocks, not knowing he’s on hidden camera.

Unfortunately, it is not clear how P-55 died as his collar did not emit a “mortality signal” NPS spokesman Kuykendall said, adding that his remains were too decomposed when biologists finally found them. But researchers suspect the “seemingly healthy” puma could have been the victim of rodenticide poisoning.

Wildlife officials also said it’s possible he lost a fight with another male mountain lion, though there were no signs of a struggle in the area.

P-55’s home territory was on the northwestern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, Kuykendall said, “generally west of Las Virgenes Road and mostly north of Mulholland.”

There are an estimated 10 to 15 cougars in the Santa Monica Mountains, and the small population is rapidly becoming inbred, researchers say. Within 50 years, the local lion population could go extinct due to inbreeding, according to a 2016 UCLA study.

Malibu is still infested with poisonous rodenticide boxes being used by residents and businesses. professional extermination companies are using them as well and the danger of our pets coming in contact with them is growing if they are not banned quickly.

This practice must be to be stopped regionally, statewide and nationally.

Please Support Kian and Joel Schulman at Poison Free Malibu in their effort to push our city and state in the right direction

July 26, 2018
Malibu Creek State Park Shootings: Homicide Detectives Officially Reach Out to Monte Nido Community

Law enforcement officers were actively handing out flyers and taking information on their clipboards late Thursday afternoon near Piuma and Malibu Canyon (and surrounding areas) in an effort to gather information leading to the person or persons responsible for the death of Tristan Beaudette on June 22, as well as multiple shooting incidents in the area dating back as far as November 2016.

This was the first attempt by law enforcement to formally reach out to the community in person, although a first Nixle alert requesting information was sent out on Monday June 25th, there was a previous scheduled attempt to hand out flyers on Friday, June 29th at the same location, but was cancelled at the last minute, reason unknown.

Lost Hills SD handed out approximately 1500-2000 flyers.

Monte Nido residents and the surrounding area near Malibu Creek State Park were on edge again last week with not one, but two reports of shootings, both responded to by Lost Hills Sheriffs Department. The second shooting on Thursday July 12th prompted the closure of Malibu Canyon Road at Piuma and Lost Hills SD dispatching helicopter to aid sheriffs on the ground who were heavily armed with dogs searching the area.

The reward money and additional attempts to gather information by LASD could mean their current leads have run cold in the investigation.

Tristan Beaudette’s coroner’s report continues to remain sealed by homicide detectives without any release of information to the public as to why the report remains off limits to the press and the public.

The investigation is active and ongoing and Malibu Creek State Park remains closed to the public for camping.

July 20, 2018
Malibu Creek State Park Shootings Reward Reaches $15,000: Could Investigators Be At A Dead End?

L.A. County Supervisors, at the recommendation of Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, approved a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings and the death of Tristan Beaudette. Along with $5000 approved by Malibu City Council on July 9th, the total reward is now up $15,000.

With the timing of County stepping up with the reward, and limited to no information being released by investigators, this brings us to question… have investigators run out of leads? Could they be at a dead end?

Shortly after the murder, we heard rumblings of a description from sources and flyers being distributed by homicide detectives, the latter confirmed by L.A. Sheriffs Department, and was cancelled at the last minute. Rumors of additional sweeps of the area and another scheduled flyer handout to take place are on the table with no real dates confirmed, leading us to believe the monetary incentive being offered by the County was an essential move to assist investigators in bringing in more clues to catch the killer and/or persons responsible for the shootings terrorizing the area.

Area map of the campground where Tristan Beaudette was killed June 22, 2018. The campgrounds remain closed.

Witnesses posted about reports of two new shootings last on social media.

Two additional shooting incidents in the general vicinity and a suspicious fire in front of a trail leading to the campgrounds have left residents in Monte Nido and commuters through Malibu Canyon/Las Virgenes Rd. in a state of constant fear as the shooter or shooters have widened their timeframe for committing the crimes. What used to be a window of approximately 3 a.m. to sunrise is now closer to 10 p.m. to sunrise.

Commuters should be warned to use extreme caution traveling through that canyon after dark.

“The Sheriffs are turning traffic around at Piuma and Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Rd. Highly armed, including search dogs. Someone had called RE: shooter. That is the helicopter activity you can now hear. Shut and lock doors and windows, neighbors. Good night.” – Monte Nido resident post on social media

July 18, 2018
UPDATE: Shootings Continue in Malibu Canyon Keeping Law Enforcement Busy

Multiple reports of gunshots and a suspicious fire have continued to plague the area near Malibu Creek State Park and the Hindu Temple on Malibu Canyon/Las Virgenes Road.

At approximately 11 p.m. last night, July 12th, shots were reported on Malibu Canyon at Piuma prompting law enforcement to shut down Malibu Canyon and search the area with ground and air support.

Message from a resident in Monte Nido regarding last night’s reports of a shots fired.

Also, in the early morning hours of Monday morning at approximately 1 a.m., shots were reported by residents in the area behind the Hindu Temple on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road and a fire was reported in the early hours of July 7th in the same area.

The Malibu Canyon shootings gained national attention at the end of June when Irvine resident Tristan Beaudette was found murdered in his tent on Friday June 22nd at Malibu Creek State Park. Beaudette, who was camping with his two young daughters, was shot in the head at approximately 4:44 a.m. First responders arrived on scene and found multiple shots to the tent and, while Beaudette’s daughters were unharmed, they were covered in a substantial amount of blood prompting emergency personnel to check them thoroughly for bullet wounds.

Once the report of Beaudette’s murder hit the news channels, The Local received messages on our social media regarding at least one recent shooting only 4 days before the murder, and reports of multiple shootings over a two year period directly from victims who decided to come forward after hearing about the murder and seeing our posts.

On June 23rd, Melissa Tatangelo posted this on The Local Facebook page after seeing our report on the Tesla struck on Monday, June 18th.

Local and national media subsequently interviewed Tatangelo and James Rogers, as well as myself, who provided additional information regarding other incidents which included the car of a 17 year old female who was driving over Malibu Canyon to a surf contest in the early morning hours of June 6th 2017 when her car was riddled with bullets.

Vehicle driven by a 17 year old girl driving over Malibu Canyon in the early morning hours in June 2016 riddled with bullets holes.

What We Know Now:

The following shootings are being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department:

November 3 and 9, 2016

January 7, June 6, July 22, July 30, 2017

and most recently on June 18.

Incidents include James Rogers who was shot inside Malibu Creek State Park in 2016, and Melissa Tatangelo whose car was hit by a bullet while she was camping there with her boyfriend in January 2017.

The Local also received word of two other shootings occurring approximately 4-5 months ago from a source who was inside State Parks. We are investigating information we have received regarding those incidents.

LASD scheduled a flyer handout on June 29th around the area of the shootings and promptly cancelled. Reason unknown.

Since the murder, LASD and State Parks have been extremely tight lipped regarding these investigations, only releasing minimal information citing they believed the incidents were “unrelated”.

Both departments faced sharp criticism and backlash from the public for not informing citizens of the shootings in the area as a public safety precaution.

The coroner’s report of Beaudette’s murder has been sealed at the request of homicide detectives and my sources tell me one of the reasons could be because the caliber of bullet used.

A first report was released by LASD and was available to the press, a supplemental and/or second report was completed and is sealed.

Sources tell us the only known bullet wound to Beaudette was the fatal shot to the head, and that it could’ve been from a shotgun, potentially a longer range than investigators first thought because depending upon the size of the pellets in the shot gun, there could’ve been as many as 12 pallets size 32 caliber.

The physical investigation is still ongoing and active.

Some serious points and been brought up as to the number of issues affecting the investigations into these shootings including a number of different agencies overlapping in the same area, and with so many different entities involved, it’s easy to have evidence destroyed and or potentially tampered with.

Malibu Creek State Park is closed to campers indefinitely and sources tell us law enforcement is planning additional sweeps for evidence.

We have also been informed that homicide detectives are working on a new date/dates to hand out flyers Piuma and Malibu Canyon Rd. with talks of additional canvasing of the Monte Nido area in in Malibu Canyon.

A severe manpower shortage has decreased availability to get officers out into the field which means that this case (or cases) should take a lot longer to solve.

The shooter or shooters have stepped up their activities and time slots to commit the crimes which means that Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road is a dangerous stretch to drive after sundown.

What was a window of 3-7 a.m. for previous shootings has now expanded to 11 p.m. to sunrise.

Whether or not the shootings are related, they are still actively occurring. Use extreme precaution when traveling through the area.

July 13, 2018
Long Term Solutions for Short Term Rentals

By Steve Woods

Malibu’s Short Term Rental ordinance finally went through a fine tooth comb with Malibu City Council last night and addressed many issues brought forward by residents who packed City Hall presenting arguments on both sides of the issue.

After hours of deliberation, it was decided that the STR ordinance will pass a final council vote on September 11th, and will commence in March 2019.

The historic decision drew a huge crowd – and with that crowd, an abundance speaker slips – so many that Mayor Rick Mullen proposed to cut all speaker time in half to a minute, which was not well received by residents who took time to prepare for the meeting, and other council members, leaving Mayor Mullen deciding on 2 minutes max, unless time was donated from another speaker.

To Mullen’s credit, had he not cut the time per speaker, Public Comment alone would have taken 5 hours.

It was a fairly mixed crowd, for and against the regulation of Short Term Rentals, which got heated at times by those who were complaining about the nuisance of short term renters from neighbors in quiet family residential zones.

Understandably, these residents appealed to council not wanting transient commercial traffic in their neighborhoods which has been not only destroying their quality of life, it is also dismantling neighborhoods.

Many “hosts” spoke in front of council claiming they do not allow poorly behaved tenants, and have the right to earn extra income.

One of the biggest disagreements of the night among council members was concerning a septic inspection requirement in order to receive a permit to operate Short Term Rentals.

The “slate”, formerly known as “Team Malibu”, Skylar Peak, Rick Mullen and Jefferson Wagner finally made an appearance, and with the energy they exuded in the last campaign (which resulted in a record number of voters turning out to the polls). The septic issue, was led by Skylar Peak (double surprise!), and much to his credit, along with Mullen and Wagner agreeing, recommended that all permits should require a septic inspection.

On the other side of the coin – or should we say community – was Lou La Monte and Laura Rosenthal who represented the contingency of residents against an outright ban or strict restrictions on Short term Rentals and argued that the inspections would be costly.

Council member La Monte said the cost of his recent inspection cost him about $6,000 dollars and Rosenthal agreed that it would be too much a burden for home owners, but staff and council corrected LaMonte and put the cost more in the neighborhood (pun intended) of $500- $800 dollars. A significant difference to say the least.

Mullen and Wagner agreed with Peak regarding the hazards overloaded septic systems are creating for public health and the environment, and if permit seekers fail an inspection, the property owners may have to fix or replace a failing septic, a substantial cost that could go as high as $150,000

Both sides agreed some regulations and restrictions are required, and council agreed to avoid out of town corporations who are buying up properties at a record pace, without an on-site owner on the property.

Council agreed to hire weekend enforcement and have septic systems inspected as a requirement for a $1000 permit.

Other details and clarifications on restrictions, tip lines to report properties, hefty fines and penalties among other details will be finalized at the September 11th meeting. This will also include additional public comment.

Last night’s meeting was a step in the right direction for both sides, and had major restrictions and regulations not been implemented as directed by the Planning Commission earlier, an outright ban would have been the only recommendation by commissioners who sent the proposed ordinance back to the planning staff twice.

The meeting concluded at 12:10 a.m.

July 10, 2018