July 15, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Santa Monica Mountains May Soon Be Rat-Poison Free

Malibu City Council’s anticoagulant rodenticide ban faces possible legal challenges

By Sam Catanzaro

Following a string of mountain lion deaths at the hand of rat poison, a large portion of the Santa Monica Mountains may soon be poison-free after Malibu lawmakers banned anticoagulant rodenticides in the face of a state law prohibiting them from doing so.

At a meeting last month, Malibu City Council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Land Use Plan to include the prohibition of pesticides, including anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poison).

According to a recent study, 17 of 18 local mountain lions had rat poison compounds in their system. In September, two GPS-tracked mountain lions were found dead due to anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning.

Many of the pesticides included in the Malibu ban are already prohibited in the Santa Monica Mountains on land under Los Angeles County jurisdiction. For years, however, activists led by Poison Free Malibu have been fighting for the ban of rat poison in the heavily populated Coastal Zone of the Santa Monica Mountains within the city of Malibu.

Before it can take effect, Malibu’s ban must first survive a likely legal battle. California state law prohibits cities from banning such pesticides but environmental attorneys representing organizations fighting for the ban say that the Coastal Act gives cities the right to ban pesticides within the Coastal Zone. Despite Coastal Act protections, Malibu City Attorney Christi Hogin said at the December meeting that the move may attract legal challenges from pesticide companies. Concern over lawsuits forced an earlier Malibu City Council to delay enacting a citywide prohibition on pesticides, choosing instead to limit the ban to public parks and buildings. Now, however, city leaders are ready to face potential legal action.

“This has to happen,” said Malibu City Councilmember Mikke Pierson speaking at the December meeting. “If it ends up in some sort of lawsuit or whatever, let’s go there because this is so immoral.”

At the state level, a bill is moving through the legislature that would ban the use of any pesticide or rodenticide for the eradication of nonnative invasive species in California. The bill, AB1788, would abolish the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in California, with exceptions for agricultural activities, while also banning first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides on state-owned lands.

in News
Related Posts

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

UCLA Student Researchers Face Funding Uncertainty, Student Newspaper Reports

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The Trump administration’s plan to slash $4.7 billion from the National Science Foundation, eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Home of Douglas Emmett Realty Co-Founder Becomes Brentwood’s Priciest on Market: REPORT

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The new listing surpasses Brentwood’s previous top-priced property at 11740 Crescenda Street, which is listed at $54.9 million A Brentwood...

Chinese Bakery Hi Bake to Open First U.S. Store in Beverly Hills: REPORT

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Hi Bake will offer a fusion of French and Asian pastries, including croissants filled with molten chocolate or wagyu beef...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...