EHC's current efforts in South San Diego: (short description of goal with link to expanded info)
Community Planning – insure that the Bayfront Master Plan is implemented
Green Energy/Green Jobs – make certain that the bayfront development utilizes the maximum renewable energy and the highest green building standards
History:
Prior to the 1900's, San Diego Bay was a fertile, shallow bay supporting great biodiversity in its open water, salt marshes and mud flats. Dredging and filling of the Bay, along with development have eliminated over 90% of the mudflats and 78% of the salt marshes. Those that remain are found mostly in South San Diego Bay.
Most of the land surrounding San Diego Bay is controlled by the San Diego Unified Port District or the U.S. military. The last remaining piece of privately owned bayfront property was 125 acres between the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge and a marina/commercial development on Port controlled land to the South. When developers proposed dense commercial and residential development at this site, environmentalists and South Bay residents objected. (read more>)
Sweetwater Marsh Unit of SDNWR: In the late 1970's/early 1980's two projects were proposed that would severely threaten these remaining wetlands habitats: a combined highway/flood control channel along the Sweetwater River that separates National City and Chula Vista, and construction of a 440-room hotel at Gunpowder Point along with high rise residential complexes on the D-Street Fill.
A multi-year legal battle, led by the Sierra Club and League for Coastal Protection, ensued. In 1987 a District Court judge issued a permanent injunction to stop all work, and in 1988 the 315.8-acre Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge was created. It is now home to the Chula Vista Nature Center.
South San Diego Bay Unit of SDNWR: The water and land at the far south of the Bay was still unprotected
Pollution Burden:
Pollution in South San Diego Bay has come from the South Bay Power Plant, bayside industries such as Rohr Industries, the nearby Interstate 5, and urban runoff.
EHC's West Chula Vista Leadership Team (links to bio)
Laura Hunter, Associate Director – Clean Bay Campaign
Kayla Race, Policy Advocate, Green Energy/Green Jobs Campaing
West Chula Vista Community Action Team
Relationships to other EHC Efforts (links to other areas of the website)
Regional Transportation
San Diego Port District
San Diego Bay