Marc Choquette
Perspectives Editor
In what is sure to be good news for outdoor enthusiasts, a landmark deal has been reached between the City of Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to make Malibu more accessible to overnight camping and hiking.
The plan would create overnight camping at Corral Canyon and in Charmlee Wilderness Park, which is located up Encinal Caynon Road near the Ventura County border. The plan could also increase accessibility by providing shuttles between beaches and parks and also allow camping in Ramirez Canyon, although the latter proposal has received much scrutiny from locals.
Overnight camping within Malibu’s borders has long been denied to the many who would love to spend a secluded night under the stars in Malibu’s seaside perfection. As the signs show upon entering the town on any road, however, overnight camping has been prohibited by the city.
The agreement would enable the SMMC to allow camping in and around areas that exist within city limits but would also limit the camping to just these places instead of opening it up for the entire town.
Perhaps Malibu mayor Ken Kearsley explains the agreement best, saying, “Basically, it’s a partnership. All this is going to preserve local control, and we’re all going to stand around singing ‘Kumbaya.’”
While camping already exists close to Malibu—Point Mugu State Beach and Leo Carrillo State Park to the north on PCH and Malibu Creek State Park through the canyon—campsite availability is often a problem, especially closer to the summer months as people flock from all over the world to enjoy the temperate conditions.
Allowing overnight tent camping will certainly bring more people and tourism money to an already bustling Malibu, and this is where some have a problem with what the SMMC is doing.
Residents of Ramirez Canyon, already peeved with the conservancy for having large events (complete with catering trucks and buses of people) held at their headquarters compound graciously donated by Barbara Streisand, oppose allowing camping in the area.
Neighbors say Ramirez Canyon is not suited for camping because of narrow streets, a dangerous intersection at Ramirez Canyon Drive and PCH, limited parking and fire danger. These concerns exist despite obvious improvements to the area that would have to be made by the SMCC if such a project were ever to get underway.
Marian Hall, local resident and author of “Malibu: California’s Most Famous Seaside Community,” believes hikers and campers have little respect for the area.
“The general public doesn’t respect the land and take care of it,” said Hall. “Most of them come here and think somebody else will pick up their trash.”
Yet all these reasons just seem to be a front for an all-too-familiar case of NIMBYism in a town obsessed with NIMBY issues. This ridiculous acronym stands for the “Not In My BackYard” sentiment among most residents when an outside entity tries to submit some sort of change on an area. All one needs to look to is the LNG proposal to see where NIMBYism lies.
Ask most Malibuites how they feel about a natural gas terminal off the coast and most would be up in arms, but ask them if its OK to put it in Long Beach and most would not have any problem with the idea.
And while it is important to have that NIMBY concern for issues such as having a giant LNG terminal offshore, concerns about tent camping seem unreasonable.
For the most part, tent campers and backpackers are very respectful of their surroundings and are familiar with handling fire and leaving no trace. In cases when they are not, restrictions can easily be placed to curb fire concerns. For example, Malibu Creek State Park does not allow fires but still allows tent camping.
While it is unfortunate that the rich and famous may have to share their general area with lowly tent campers, who come not with pollution and noise but tents and backpacks, the fact remains that these people own their property, not the area around their property.
What the conservancy wants to do with its property should not be stopped by outsiders, especially in a case like this when community impact is minimal.
The Santa Monica Mountains were set aside for the public to enjoy and to attempt to keep the natural beauty of Malibu intact. Allowing overnight tent camping will only encourage more to come enjoy the splendid beauty of our town, and negative effects will be minimal.
For those who want to explore the mountains past their allotted day hike, these new changes will provide long-overdue access to the scenic mountains and canyons that could only previously be explored in the light of day.
01-18-2007