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 he US Fish and Wildlife Service has released
a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) proposing the creation of the long-awaited
South Bay Unit (SBU) of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The area
stretches west from the 24th Street Channel to just north of Crown Cove,
south around the salt ponds and then northward along the bay's edge. It
covers portions of the cities of Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Coronado,
National City and San Diego.
 Historically, San Diego Bay was once
one of the richest wildlife resources along the California/Baja coast. The
Bay was host to a wealth of native wildlife including osprey, halibut, mussels,
lobster, and whales. Most of the original habitat is gone to filling and
development and wintering waterfowl have dwindled by up to 90 percent. While
it is too late to restore the bay to its original abundance, we can preserve
what is left.
All habitats left in south San Diego
Bay are at risk and will continue to deteriorate if not protected soon.
San Diego Bay's shallow water, eelgrass, mudflats and salt marshes the most
biologically productive habitats have virtually been eliminated elsewhere
in the Bay. Protection and enhancement of habitat in South Bay is the last
remaining hope for many of these species: they need professional management
by qualified agencies. |
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As the swallows returning to San
Juan Capistrano and the blooming flowers of Anza Borrego draw tourists (and
their dollars), so, too, is there a significant market that has yet to be
"exploited" in South Bay. Ecotourism is the fastest growing segment
of the tourism industry, increasing at a rate of 30 percent per year. A
National Survey on Recreation and the Environment showed a significant increase
in passive recreation: walking up 42 percent, hiking up 93 percent and bird
watching 155 percent.
Birding is a sport that is enjoyed
by people of all ages and from all demographic and economic backgrounds.
San Diego County has over 480 bird species more than any other county in
the continental United States. Our county and the South Bay in particular
has abundant natural riches to offer nature lovers and travelers. By protecting
critical habitat and promoting compatible use of the resources, we can develop
our economic base and, at the same time, protect our unique natural treasures
for future generations. |
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In addition to successful salt production,
the salt ponds of South Bay provide irreplaceable habitat for many bird
species. Each year, these birds use the ponds to nest, feed, and roost.
It is one of the few large areas remaining along the highly urbanized southern
California Coast where large populations can gather. In 1994, the salt ponds
were used by 522,553 birds including 312,000 shorebirds, 70,000 waterfowl,
and 64,000 seabirds.
The open water also provides critical
wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl. In the winter, South Bay is heavily
used by migrating and wintering birds including: 79,000 waterfowl such as
surf scoters and scaup; 10,000 seabirds (such as gulls and terns); and populations
of brown pelicans and brant geese. Without South Bay, these birds have few
options for areas in which to rest, feed and prepare for migration. |
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Now is our chance to insure that
San Diego Bay's natural community can thrive into the next century.
The Preferred Alternative:
- Will protect 4,772 acres of South San Diego Baynearly
all of the last remaining shallow water, mudflats, and salt marshes in
San Diego Bay.
- Is important for nesting and migrating waterbirds.
- Offers permanent protection managed by professional wildlife
managers.
- Offers opportunities to restore some degraded habitats
in the Bay.
- Is home to 562 species of animals, plants and invertebrates,
including eight federally protected species: light-footed clapper rail,
brown pelican, California least tern, Western snowy plover, green sea turtle,
Peregrine falcon, salt-marsh bird's beak, bald eagle.
- Will enhance important juvenile fish nursery and spawning
areas.
- Will protect 90 percent of the remaining eelgrass beds
in San Diego Bay.
The Preferred Alternative will not:
- Affect the boat navigation channels in the South Bay.
- Add additional restrictions on adjacent development.
- Condemn any land.
- Require funds from local governments.
- Impact SDG&E, Salt Works, Coronado Cays, Chula Vista
Marina, or Silver Strand State Beach.
All too often habitat protection
and open space preservation has been focused in more affluent North County
areas. The establishment of the SBU completes a major corridor of natural
and open spaces including the Otay Lakes, Vernal Pools units of the SDNWR
and the Otay River Valley Regional Park for people in the South County.
Together these projects will ensure that the residents in the South County
will have beautiful, natural open spaces to enjoy into the next century.
The development of a refuge and park
side-by-side is part of what creates the marvelous opportunity for ecotourism
development in the South Bay. This "natural infrastructure" will
ensure that the resources and natural areas that people will travel to South
County to see will be there permanently.
Many of the most recent developments
in and around San Diego Bay have focused on the affluent tourist or conventioneer.
This refuge will provide easy access, educational, and interpretive opportunities
for all who live locally. Where else is there a refuge that is easily and
directly accessible by mass transit? The SBU has significant potential to
serve communities in Barrio Logan, National City, Chula Vista, and Imperial
Beach. It is adjacent to or in close proximity to several schools.
Fish and wildlife habitats in the
North San Diego Bay are largely destroyed. The massive dredging and filling
of wetlands for airports, industry, and commercial and naval facilities
on the Bayfront occurred many years ago and was never mitigated. This caused
a significant net loss of wetlands and habitat for fish and wildlife. Seventy-five
percent of the wetlands along the entire San Diego coastline have disappeared
since the 1800s. South San Diego Bay contains 84 percent of San Diego's
remaining 76 acres of wetlands.
The creation of this refuge in San
Diego Bay constitutes both a historic and visionary action. Historic, because
it is the first meaningful habitat protection action since the creation
of the Sweetwater National Wildlife Refuge and visionary because it will
ensure that the natural resources will endure into the next century. Through
this action, US Fish and Wildlife Service is giving a tremendous gift to
the next generations of San Diegans. |
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Now is our chance to make history
for San Diego Bay.
Letters of Support are due by April 10, 1998. Comments may be emailed to: r1planning_guest fws.gov (type South Bay in the subject line) or mailed to Director Michael Spear, USFWS 911 NE 11th Avenue Portland, OR 97232, or faxed to: (503) 231-6161. The full text is available on the internet at www.r1.fws.gov/planning/plnhome.html.
Also send your comments to: Supervisor Greg Cox, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101; fax (619) 557-4025; email greg-coxco.san-diego.ca.us.  |
