|
August
2008 | by Liz
Dernetz
 Predating
the Coastal Act
of 1976, the 22nd
District Agricultural
Association (Ag
District) has
used well-documented
wetlands at the
southern and southeastern
edges of its property
for overflow parking.
Now that the District
has undertaken
major redevelopment
plans for the
property, the
environmental
community wants
the District to
comply with the
Coastal Act and
relinquish these
wetlands.
A
boardwalk with
interpretive signs
follows the edge
of the southern
wetland, borders
the river and
ends at a viewing
platform. A second
trail section,
just completed
by Del Mar Rotarians
and many volunteers,
transitions from
boardwalk to trail
as it continues
east towards the
freeway. A stroll
along the boardwalk
and new trail
affords easterly
views of coastal
birds, salt marsh
and jumping mullet.
But to the west
and north, it
borders the Ag
District's South
Overflow Lot (South
Lot) and East
Overflow Lot (
East Lot ); instead
of bountiful nature,
golf balls from
the driving range
pepper the site.
Why these eyesores
so near the $86
million Southern
California Edison
wetland restoration
project?
In
1993, the Army
Corps of Engineers
officially
designated the
South Lot and
part of the
East Lot as
wetland; in
response, the
Ag District
undertook additional
surveys in 1996
and 1999; their
findings significantly
reduced the
percentage of
wetland. Nevertheless,
the Coastal
Commission and
California Department
of Fish and
Game have supported
the Corps'
findings and
stated that
both lots “....serve
as a buffer between
the existing more
intense uses....and
the sensitive
habitat within
the San Dieguito
River Valley.” Use
of the lots as
overflow parking
was authorized
for just two
annual events:
the fair and the
races. Yet the
Ag District employs
them for numerous
other events as
well.
In
2003, a Coastal
Commission ruling
authorized, among
other things,
expansion of the
grandstand structure
on condition that
the Ag District
restore the South
Lot . The expansion
was completed
timely while the
South Lot has
yet to be restored.
Now
the East Lot has
been earmarked
by the Ag District
for construction
of a permanent
parking lot, according
to their recent
Notice of Preparation
of an Environmental
Impact Report.
Should the Ag
District be allowed
to pave the East
Lot , protections
of the Coastal
Act would diminish,
thereby leading
to further development
in the future.
The
San Dieguito
Lagoon is the "gateway" to
San Dieguito
River Park.
This coastal
area has vital
importance
for the ecology
of the region
-- for birds
as a stop on
the Pacific
Flyway, as nesting
and foraging
areas for endangered
species, and
as a fish hatchery.
It is also
a significant
scenic resource
for residents
and visitors.
It must be
protected from
further development
at all costs
by continued
implementation
of the Coastal
Act.
© 2007-08
Del Mar Community
Alliance, Inc. All
rights reserved. |
