Lawsuit Says MRCA Hikers Are Trampling Sensitive Habitat

The 257-page complaint alleges that MRCA's management has resulted in environmental damage to sensitive coastal resources, and that the agency fails to comply with the requirements of the California Coastal Act.

Not enough trash removal. Failure to enforce boundaries protecting public open space.

In a press release, the city said Malibu remains committed to open-space preservation, public trail access, and collaborative stewardship of the Santa Monica Mountains.

"Commencement of this legal action does not change that commitment; it reaffirms it," the city said.

The lawsuit seeks quiet title — an order by the court transferring ownership or any interest in the trails from the county and the MRCA to the city.

This is the second lawsuit filed by Malibu against the MRCA. A February lawsuit blames the parks agency for failing to perform adequate brush clearance on its parkland holdings in eastern Malibu. That helped the Palisades Fire destroy the eastern end of the city, Malibu claims.