OPINION: Huntington Beach Desalination Plant Can Be More Than a Water Supply Project

This week marks the 10-year anniversary of the man-made opening of the Bolsa Chica wetlands to the Pacific Ocean. Wetlands are an essential part of coastal ecosystems. They improve water quality by filtering sediment, nutrients and pesticides, recharge groundwater, protect shorelines by increasing resistance to erosion, provide bird flyways and most importantly are incubators for a wide variety of fish. California has lost 91 percent of its wetlands, more than any other state.