Doheny Visitor’s Center closed by mold

[Guest guest]

Doheny Visitor's Center closed by mold

August 8th, 2007

Orange County Register, CA*

Posted by lconnelly

http://beach.freedomblogging.com/2007/08/08/doheny-visitors-center-

closed-by-mold/

The Doheny State Beach Visitor's Center has been closed to the

public because of a mold problem.

Each year, nearly 80,000 people visit the center, which houses a 500-

gallon indoor tide pool with critters such as grunion and pink

abalone, and several aquariums with a variety of marine life such as

lobsters.

State parks officials will be removing the mold and evaluating the

structure, said State Parks District Superintendent Rich Rozzelle.

" This closure is required to protect the health and welfare of the

public, park employees and volunteers, " said Rozzelle.

The mold was found in three locations. Most of it was by the

tidepools. More was found by the aquariums, and in a back room that

holds water pumps.

Officials first found the mold in June. Both the public and

employees are now restricted from going in, except for workers who

care for the animals still inside. Those employees will wear masks

to protect themselves.

Many of the animals cannot be returned to the ocean because they

have spent their entire lives in captivity.

" We'll keep them in there as long as possible, " Rozzelle said.

Other animals may be transferred to another aquarium.