Funds Go to Expand Parks, Preserve Habitat

The state Coastal Conservancy, its budget enriched by voter-approved bonds, doled out $11 million to expand parkland and preserve wildlife habitat along California’s coastline, Gov. Gray Davis announced Friday.

“This funding will support the purchase of more than 1,000 acres of wildlife habitat and parklands, reduce water pollution and improve parks,” the governor said.

Among other projects receiving the funding, $3 million will add 700 acres to the Santa Clara River Parkway in Ventura County; $1.2 million will add 45 acres to a wetlands refuge in Huntington Beach; and $1 million will help clean up the polluted Malibu and Ballona creeks, which spill into Santa Monica Bay.