In 2018, Coast Law Group stood up to protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands and our local community when a project that tied a so-called restoration to expanded oil drilling was embraced by the City of Long Beach, the CA Coastal Commission, and most local environmental groups. With their help we formed Puvunga Wetlands Protectors and sued the CA Coastal Commission for approving new oil drilling operations that would drill under the wetlands to expand output to 25,000 barrels (a 5000% increase) and release 70,000 tons of methane annually. While we did not win the lawsuit, it contributed to the project plans being drastically scaled back, and, 71/2 years later, new wells have yet to be drilled.
In 2021, Coast Law Group and the non-profit Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation were first to bring attention to the pollution of Alamitos Bay in Long Beach caused by the annual Big Bang on the Bay Fireworks Shows, suing the promoters for violating the Clean Water Act. Their efforts led to a 2023 decision by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to declare fireworks to be a pollutant that must be strictly regulated under the Clean Water Act. Puvunga Wetlands Protectors and Sierra Club's Los Cerritos Wetlands Task Force joined the effort to end this show due to its disastrous impacts on a coastal bird rookery in the Alamitos Bay Marina. This year, the Coastal Commission refused to overturn their 2025 decision, banning fireworks as part of this event, in spite of tremendous pressure to do so.
Although not all victories are won in a courtroom, the law can be a powerful tool for justice. We are especially grateful for the expertise of Attorney Liva Borak Beaudin, who has provided both legal counsel and practical advice. Coast Law Group can be counted on to represent and protect you, your community, and our shared coast.
Anna Christensen, Puvunga Wetlands Protectors read more
