On Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission has the opportunity to substantially enhance one of the most important ecological habitats in Southern California. Their decision is whether or not to approve Poseidon Resources’ preliminary mitigation site plan to create 66 acres of new tidelands at the mouth of the Otay River.
The site is part of the larger San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, envisioned by the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association in 1978 and established in 1999, under jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The proposed restoration site will mitigate the effects of the Carlsbad water-desalinization facility. No matter how one feels about the desalinization plant, the fact of the matter is that the project was approved in 2007, and now there is a tremendous opportunity to use significant mitigation resources to create critical tidelands in South Bay.
Historically, the Otay River floodplain consisted of intertidal mudflats and salt marsh, but was later filled-in for agricultural use. Currently, the site consists largely of disturbed lands with little to no habitat value. This is the critical missing component that ties the Otay River riparian corridor to the river delta, the bay and the ocean.
The refuge is one of the few remaining undeveloped tidelands in the region and one of the most important ecological habitats in Southern California, and is dependent upon the linkages to maintain viability. It is a sanctuary for thousands of migratory birds and fish species, and provides a regional amenity that includes stunning views and important environmental protection.
We greet any effort to restore this critical area to its natural habitat with open arms.
Despite clear evidence that the Otay River floodplain is the best, most preferred site for mitigation, the Coastal Commission voted last October to delay its approval based on four concerns: 1) continued operation of the South Bay Power Plant, 2) lack of a “back-up” site in case the South Bay Power Plant continued operations, 3) an interest in further evaluating sites closer to Poseidon’s desalinization facility in North County, and 4) land ownership issues at the Otay River site.
On October 15, 2010, the California Independent System Operator made its decision to decommission the unpopular South Bay Power Plant, thus eliminating the Commission’s first two concerns.
We appreciate the Commission’s desire for a mitigation site in North County. After all, mitigation often occurs closer to the project for which mitigation is required. However the mitigation guidelines approved by the Commission in August 2008 were tough and clear. It is simply the case that no site anywhere in North County meets the minimum standards and objectives.
Finally, all parties are working collaboratively together on a resolution to the land ownership issues. This is no reason to delay the preliminary approval of this site.
The Otay River floodplain is clearly the only site that meets or exceeds all criteria set forth and approved by the Coastal Commission, and provides maximum ecological benefit. It is the preferred site for Poseidon, and is supported by Coastal Commission staff, the Commission’s independent Scientific Advisory Panel, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board staff.
There is overwhelming community support from the original visionaries of the refuge, Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association and from WiLDCOAST, the San Diego Audubon Society, other environmental organizations and local elected officials, former coastal commission members and community leaders.
We must take advantage of this golden opportunity without delay. This mitigation project will bring millions of dollars in economic stimulus to the region, create jobs and provide critical investment for the environmental vitality of our region. It is good public policy, good for South Bay, and we respectfully encourage the Coastal Commission to approve.
