On Saturday, Oct. 18, Friends of Ballona Wetlands celebrated former California Governor Gray Davis for his actions as both controller and governor, which brought the Ballona Wetlands ultimately into public ownership. The grand occasion was the Friends’ ninth annual “Moonlight on the Marsh,” held at the rooftop ballroom of the Marina del Rey Marriott which overlooking the wetlands. More than 200 members and supporters of the Friends gathered to honor Governor Davis for his many environmental achievements while in office.
In his remarks, Governor Davis noted that it was the first time that he has accepted an award from any organization since he left office in 2003.
The Friends’ current President, Andy Henderson, told the audience that the long overdue recognition of Davis’s role in preserving the Ballona Wetlands comes at a time when the State is readying a draft environmental impact report presenting alternatives for the potential restoration of Ballona. The Friends strongly advocate for a robust restoration of the wetland, which are all that remains of a former 2,000-acre marsh.
Throughout his long career, Governor Davis consistently worked to preserve California’s remaining wild lands and urban ecological refuges, especially the Ballona Wetlands. As State Controller in the 1980s, he negotiated an agreement with the Ballona Wetlands’ landowner, Playa Vista, which enabled the creation of the freshwater marsh west of Lincoln Boulevard and south of Jefferson Boulevard, previously slated for development. When Davis was governor, his administration committed $140 million dollars of voter-approved bond funds for the creation of the 600- acre Ballona Wetlands Ecological Preserve. It was the largest expenditure of Prop 50 bond funds in the state.
Fran Diamond, a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, introduced State Controller John Chiang, who in turn introduced Governor Davis, and praised his many environmental accomplishments and his commitment to balancing economic and environmental stewardship. Daniel Tamm, West Area Representative with Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office, gave Governor Gray a congratulations certificate from the City of Los Angeles.
The Friends’ recognition of Governor Davis was not limited to his role in preserving Ballona. In a moving video presentation in which interviewees described working first with Controller Davis and later Governor Davis, the Friends showcased Davis’s work on the Ballona Wetlands and throughout the state of California, listing an astonishing number of ecological reserves the governor saved for the public throughout his term.
In the Friends’ video presentation, available on YouTube at http://youtu.be/W6OGsc3LUcs, Judge Bob Hight, the former Executive Officer of State Lands Commission, stated, “It was a very momentous day when we purchased the area; and it could not have been done but for the foresight and the dedication of Governor Davis.”
Reed Holderman, Former Sr. Vice President of Trust for Public Land, noted, “This will go down as one of the most important nature projects in the history of California because of how many people it will affect.
Ruth Galanter, former Los Angeles City Councilwoman for the area that included Ballona, said, “We would not have had either of these deals [with Playa Vista’s developers – protecting and ultimately acquiring the wetlands] had we had a less supportive person in office; and we all owe Gray Davis for his steadfast support of the preservation effort here at Playa Vista and Ballona.”
Mary Nichols, former Secretary of the Resources Agency, was the Davis appointment who led much of the 2003 State purchase effort. “My role was to be the one who would say to the various factions, and stakeholders, and interest groups, when they wanted to go off or walk away if they didn’t get the deal done exactly the way they wanted it …, ‘Folks, … this is a really good deal.’ – and to get people nodding their heads around the table saying, ‘Let’s get this done.’ I’m amazed by what we were able to do, actually.”
In the video Ruth Lansford, the Founder and President Emeritus of the Friends, asked the audience to focus on the work that still remains to be done. “Now we are into the future, and the future is restoration.” Lansford concluded with special praise for Governor Davis. “The Ballona Wetlands has a lot of wonderful friends these days; but you [Davis] are a very special friend to the Ballona Wetlands. In fact you are a BFF, a best friend forever!”
The Friends’ Executive Director Lisa Fimiani emphasized that the public process for shaping the wetlands restoration plans will soon give all who are interested an opportunity to enhance Gray Davis’ legacy. “We’d like everyone to join in our efforts to see the Ballona Wetlands teaming with nature.”
