Coveted oceanfront land in Ventura County will become a nature preserve to protect the unique habitat from development. The land at the north end of Point Mugu State Park and the south end of Point Mugu State Marine Reserve will be renamed Covet State Park in April, the Friends of Point Mugu announced Tuesday.
Ventura County and the Friends of Point Mugu have worked together to protect the unique coastal habitat for as long as the park existed. As the land has been converted to other uses, the organization has been working to keep it a unique place.
“Our goal has always been the preservation of the wild habitat, which includes coastal redwoods, coastal mixed evergreen forests, and salt marsh habitats that are threatened by development, urbanization and other activities,” said Amy Pulsifer, Friends of Point Mugu president and board member.
“We love Point Mugu, and this land is a part of Point Mugu.”
The Friends of Point Mugu and Ventura County have already developed a five-year master plan to protect and restore the unique coastal habitats, Pulsifer said.
Developers plan to build 1,000 new residential units in Point Mugu, and they want to build a few more.
They would like to use the land as a golf course, a hotel or some other use not approved by the California Coastal Commission.
The Friends of Point Mugu supports the county’s plan to sell the land for the purchase of privately-owned land and the preservation of a public beach.
The land will be used to protect the nature reserve and a public beach will be created.
“We are really excited about it,” Pulsifer said. “We are going to develop a master plan that looks great for the wildlife, for the people in Point Mugu and the beaches.”
In response to the Friends of Point Mugu announcement, developer Steve Wieck, who owns the nearby Harbor Lights golf resort, commented: “The developer will do what it can to protect this beautiful coastline.
“We support the county and believe in preserving the natural environment for our citizens.”
“The more time goes by, the less desirable the site becomes.”
The Friends of Point Mugu has proposed two alternatives for the land
