Judge rules city must comply with order to dredge Children’s Pool

A cove in La Jolla known as the Children’s Pool that has become a nesting area for harbor seals should be restored to its 1931 configuration as a beach for humans, a judge ruled Friday.

Judge Yuri Hoffman denied the city of San Diego’s request for more time to comply with a court order initially made by Judge William Pate in 2005 that prohibited the city from putting up a rope barrier to keep people away from the seals.

Pate’s 2005 ruling ordered the city to restore the area to its “pre-seal’’ condition within six months by removing sand buildup and cleaning up the water.

Feces from the seals polluted the water and the beach, making them unhealthy for humans.

Today, Hoffman ordered the city to find out what permits are needed to comply with the order to begin dredging. A further hearing was scheduled for Oct. 24.