September 11, 2012 – The Colorado Lagoon re-opened on August 23 after completion of an $8.5 million restoration project that included repairing the local ecosystem, improving water quality and enhancing recreation facilities. The lagoon is part of the greater Los Cerritos Wetlands. Future planned improvements (pictured in the rendering) include building an open channel between the lagoon and Marine Stadium and constructing a walking trail around the lagoon and open channel. These are subject to appropriate funding. Several local officials attended the ribbon cutting of the lagoon’s re-opening. The Port of Long Beach contributed about $2 million in funding for studies and construction work. It also saved the project approximately $2 million in dredge disposal costs by accepting dredged contaminated sediments from the lagoon. Pictured, from left, are: Frank Colonna, chair of the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy; Doug Drummond, Port of Long Beach harbor commissioner; Frances Spivy-Weber, member of the California Water Boards; Dave Pirazzi of the Friends of the Colorado Lagoon; Long Beach Councilman Gary DeLong; Mayor Bob Foster; Congressman Dana Rohrabacher; and Col. Mark Toy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Photograph by the Business Journal’s Thomas McConville)