Kristina Duggan at the ground breaking of a 105-acre wetlands restoration project in Seal Beach as Chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority
Highlights
- Chaired the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority and led projects opening more than 250 acres of restored public land, including the Los Cerritos Wetlands land exchange that retires low-producing oil wells early and marks the largest expansion of open space since El Dorado Park
- Led efforts to strengthen Water Board regulations to reduce trash in the Los Angeles River before it reaches Long Beach
- Authored a sewage spill impact and cost study to position Long Beach to hold upstream polluters accountable
- Championed the City’s Trash Capture Project to reduce debris entering local waterways
- Helped secure a 106,000-acre expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
The Approach Behind the Work
A Focus on Improving our Local Environment
The health of our local environment has always been deeply important to me. When I joined the City Council, I saw that the greatest impact we could make was by bringing outside resources into Long Beach to restore our coastline, improve water quality, and expand access to open space.
Protecting our shoreline requires leadership locally and upstream, along with partnerships that extend beyond city boundaries.
Restoring Low Producing Oil Fields into Restored Wetlands
As Chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, I helped lead two major projects that will open more than 250 acres of new public land for habitat restoration, education, and recreation. One of my proudest achievements was negotiating the Los Cerritos Wetlands land exchange, which retires low-performing oil wells early and marks the largest expansion of open space since El Dorado Park. Together, these projects are a generational investment in cleaner water, restored wetlands, and public access to one of Long Beach’s most important natural resources.
The health of our local environment has always been deeply important to me. When I joined the City Council, I saw that the greatest impact we could make was by bringing outside resources into Long Beach to restore our coastline, improve water quality, and expand access to open space.
Protecting our shoreline requires leadership locally and upstream, along with partnerships that extend beyond city boundaries.
Restoring Low Producing Oil Fields into Restored Wetlands
As Chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, I helped lead two major projects that will open more than 250 acres of new public land for habitat restoration, education, and recreation. One of my proudest achievements was negotiating the Los Cerritos Wetlands land exchange, which retires low-performing oil wells early and marks the largest expansion of open space since El Dorado Park. Together, these projects are a generational investment in cleaner water, restored wetlands, and public access to one of Long Beach’s most important natural resources.
Kristina Duggan breaking ground on a 154-acre oil field to wetlands restoration project in District 3, as Chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority
Cleaning Up Our Waterways
Protecting Long Beach’s coastline also means addressing pollution before it reaches us.
I led efforts to strengthen Water Board regulations to reduce trash in the Los Angeles River before it reaches our beaches and coastal waters. At its annual retreat, the Water Board stated that it would be shifting from encouraging compliance to actively enforcing regulations. Strengthening upstream enforcement is critical to reducing pollution at the source and ensuring jurisdictions meet their responsibilities.
In addition to regulatory reform, I championed the City’s Trash Capture Project, working to bring additional trash capture systems to river outfalls where most debris enters our waterways. These systems intercept trash before it reaches the ocean and complement broader upstream enforcement efforts.
Protecting Long Beach’s coastline also means addressing pollution before it reaches us.
I led efforts to strengthen Water Board regulations to reduce trash in the Los Angeles River before it reaches our beaches and coastal waters. At its annual retreat, the Water Board stated that it would be shifting from encouraging compliance to actively enforcing regulations. Strengthening upstream enforcement is critical to reducing pollution at the source and ensuring jurisdictions meet their responsibilities.
In addition to regulatory reform, I championed the City’s Trash Capture Project, working to bring additional trash capture systems to river outfalls where most debris enters our waterways. These systems intercept trash before it reaches the ocean and complement broader upstream enforcement efforts.
Kristina Duggan touring the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River with a representative of The Ocean Cleanup and Seal Beach Councilmember Joe Kalmick.
To further improve accountability, I authored an item directing city staff to conduct a sewage spill impact and cost study. This positions Long Beach to hold upstream jurisdictions and polluters accountable when our residents and businesses bear the financial and environmental costs of cleanup.
I also serve on the San Gabriel River Task Force to advance options that reduce trash flowing from the river into our coastal waters.
As a Council, we also helped secure a 106,000 acre expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, protecting critical open space and habitats for generations to come.
I also serve on the San Gabriel River Task Force to advance options that reduce trash flowing from the river into our coastal waters.
As a Council, we also helped secure a 106,000 acre expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, protecting critical open space and habitats for generations to come.
Kristina Duggan is part of the San Gabriel River Task Force to bring options to reduce trash from the San Gabriel River.
The health of our environment and waterways is central to Long Beach’s identity and future. I will continue working to advance policies that protect our environment, expand access to open space, and make it possible for every family to safely enjoy the water that defines our community.
My focus moving forward will be:
My focus moving forward will be:
- Eliminating trash, sewage, and pollution from the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers
- Holding polluters accountable and securing Long Beach’s fair share of mitigation dollars
- Supporting a just transition from oil production that keeps Long Beach whole
Kristina in the News About Our Environment
Long Beach to push for tighter rules on LA River trash, try to catch more garbage floating downstream - October 29, 2025, The Long Beach Post
In Photos: After decades of advocacy, Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project breaks ground - October 28, 2025, Signal Hill Tribune
150 acres of wetlands to be restored sooner than expected under revised land-swap deal - February 16, 2024, The Long Beach Post
Long Beach may look for ways to hold upriver areas accountable when sewage spoils beaches - May 8, 2023, The Long Beach Post
In Photos: After decades of advocacy, Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project breaks ground - October 28, 2025, Signal Hill Tribune
150 acres of wetlands to be restored sooner than expected under revised land-swap deal - February 16, 2024, The Long Beach Post
Long Beach may look for ways to hold upriver areas accountable when sewage spoils beaches - May 8, 2023, The Long Beach Post