LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Country Extends Pact With State on Upkeep at Beaches

The county Board of Supervisors has agreed to extend for one month an arrangement with the state to provide lifeguard and maintenance crews at eight state beaches.

The pact had been scheduled to expire April 1, but both sides agreed Tuesday to the extension in order to advance negotiations over possible recovery from the state of some of the service costs.

The county has been deadlocked with the state and several beach cities for years over the issue, contending that it can no longer afford to bear the sole burden for upkeep and services.

But the state, citing its own weak financial condition, has offered to give the beaches to the county, arguing it cannot afford to share in the costs of their upkeep without severely hampering other critical state park services.

That plan, however, has drawn fire from some environmentalists and state officials who contend that the county may be more willing to exploit the commercial potential of the beaches.

While supervisors consider the state proposal, the county continues to negotiate with the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Avalon about increasing their contributions for beach maintenance.