Visitors to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve cross the footbridge at the start of a trail along the wetlands in Huntington Beach on Thursday, January 18, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
By GREG MELLEN | [email protected] | Orange County Register
HUNTINGTON BEACH — On any given day, the Bolsa Chica wetlands are a haven to birds of many feather, both avian and human.
The human kind includes runners, hikers and birdwatchers who travel to the wetlands from across the globe to view the avian show. More than 300 bird species have been spotted in the habitat, including those passing through on their migrations or nesting.
Until now, the 1,550-acre ecological reserve has been open and free to visitors. But that changes Thursday, Feb. 1 when the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will require visitors either have a hunting or fishing license, or purchase a daily or annual State Lands Pass.
The policy, according to Julie Horenstein, ecological reserve coordinator with Fish and Wildlife, stems from 1988 legislation which expanded in 2012, but has rarely been implemented.
The cost will be $4.32 for a daily pass, and $25.10 for the annual pass. The kicker is the passes cannot be purchased on-site unless a visitor has a smartphone that can scan a square, or QR, barcode. Otherwise, passes must be purchased in advance at participating sporting goods stores, online or by phone.
Passes aren’t even available at the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, which maintains an office on the property.
According to Horenstein, the department does not have the resources to hire personnel to collect fees on-site.