Redondo Beach: Power Plant to Park Acquisition and Planning

The City of Redondo Beach is pursuing an acquisition of approximately 30 acres within the City’s coastal zone, including 25 acres located within the AES Power Plant site and an adjacent 5.29 acre parcel of Southern California Edison (SCE)-owned property. The project area is comprised of industrial hardscape from power plant operations, wetlands, and disturbed upland habitat. As a part of the project, the City will conduct a planning effort that will analyze opportunities to maximize native habitat restoration and open space for public access and recreation. The City intends to restore approximately 10 acres of coastal non-tidal wetlands and will evaluate the remaining 20 acres for public access opportunities and habitat restoration to provide connectivity for wildlife. The City will utilize the results of technical studies to inform the appropriate restoration activities based on the soil and hydrologic conditions at the site, and may include restoration of foredune, backdune, salt flat and coastal prairie in addition to coastal wetlands. These adjacent transitional and upland habitats would serve as a buffer and as habitat connectors within the larger landscape.

The AES Power Plant site is predominately unvegetated industrial hardscape, due to the power plant facilities and associated infrastructure. The site has been at least partially developed for industrial uses since the 1800’s. On the northeast side of the property, there is a non-tidal wetland or saline lake, known as Old Salt Lake, which was created by a spring-fed lagoon and was historically used for salt harvesting. Despite a century of industrial development, part of the site continues to exhibit wetland characteristics, including hydric soils, wetland-indicator species, and hydrology. There remains 6.55 acres of existing wetlands, as a designated by the California Coastal Commission.

The SCE site is located just east of the Redondo Beach Generating Station. The majority of the site is vacant, consisting of highly degraded upland habitat, with the exception of four large power poles, associated power lines, underground pipelines, soil retaining structures, and parking areas. Although the site is degraded, it is utilized by several bird species, including the burrowing owl, which is listed as a CDFW Species of Special Concern.  In June 2022, the City entered into a 5-year license agreement with SCE for this site, with the goal of installing a passive park including trail access, a native plant demonstration garden and educational signage.  This park is intended as an intermediate placeholder, allowing the City to assess and activate the space prior to the AES Power Plant retiring and the SCE power lines coming down.

The 30-acre acquisition and subsequent planning effort will catalyze future implementation projects that will restore coastal non-tidal wetlands, transitional and upland habitat, and provide open space for local residents.