Kelp plan gets OK

The California Coastal Commission gave the go-ahead Tuesday for a

local environmental group to begin replanting kelp in the waters off

Crystal Cove State Beach.

The commission unanimously approved the project at its meeting in

Santa Barbara.

Orange County CoastKeeper divers are set to begin planting the kelp in

May. They’ll attach it to tiny, ceramic tiles and place it on the ocean

floor. Once the kelp grow to an adult stage, they will be transplanted

onto reefs.

The statewide CoastKeeper received a $480,000 federal grant last year

that it will partially use to fund the project.

The kelp, which grew plentifully off the cove decades ago, has almost

disappeared. It is a vital source of nutrients for fish and other

wildlife.