… Coastal wetlands essentially act as natural sponges, sopping up extra water from stormwater runoff or high tides and reducing the impacts of flooding. But these natural sponges had a major drawback: They were located right along prime oceanfront real estate. … Restoration could finally be on the way for the Ballona Wetlands, the largest remaining wetland habitat in Los Angeles County. … A long-awaited restoration project would enhance these wetlands and upland habitat on 566 of the reserve’s 577 acres, “restoring ecological function to currently degraded wetlands and providing a critical buffer against the effects of sea level rise,” according to the department. A revised environmental impact report for that project was released in September and remains open to public comments through Dec. 7. 

Other wetland news:

• The Center Square: Bay-Delta program could cost Californians almost $3 billion
• Maven’s Notebook: Blog: The Sacramento Valley’s river-wetland past: Insights for a more resilient landscape