Laguna Beach OKs expansion, water recycling plans proposed by Marine Mammal Center
Despite being completely landlocked, Laguna Beach’s nonprofit Pacific Marine Mammal Center — which coordinates the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill or injured seals and sea lions — is the second largest consumer of water in the city after the municipality itself. The smallish Laguna Canyon Road facility uses up to 17,000 gallons of water each day in the maintenance of seven onsite pools, not to mention furnishing the needs of the many recuperating pinnipeds in residence there. But an ambitious new expansion plan, key portions of which were unanimously approved Wednesday by members of the Laguna Beach Planning Commission, aims to cut that consumption by up to 90% with the installation of a new water reclamation facility.