SUCCESS FOR CONSERVATION ON POND 20

A balanced vision for Pond 20 will increase habitat, facilitate beautification and create economic revenue south San Diego County.

Aerial View of south Bay Salt Ponds, the Otay Valley Regional Park and the South San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

In July, the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners voted to designate 70-80 acres of Pond 20, a 95-acre parcel of Port tidelands in the south San Diego Bay, as a mitigation bank and leave additional upland parcels open for low impact development. This salt pond has been at the forefront of balancing development, recreation and conservation in the south San Diego Bay.

WILDCOAST, along with other organizations and agencies, has advocated for restoration of Pond 20 and played a crucial role over the past few years in the community engagement and public outreach on behalf of this initiative.  Working with the Port, stakeholders were able to craft a balanced vision for Pond 20 that will create revenue for the cities of Imperial Beach and San Diego while expanding south San Diego Bay habitat through a mitigation bank.

In the words of Dan Malcolm, chair of the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, “this is a win win win for everyone involved.”  With the instillation of an improved fence last year (see image below) along Palm Avenue, which runs adjacent to Pond 20, the Port set the stage for a longer term effort to beautify this area, increase habitat and act as a true steward of public tidelands.

Pond 20 Fence design options that the Port used in the public outreach process.

WILDCOAST is thrilled the Port carried out an extensive public outreach process leading up to this exciting decision.  This will not only increase tidal wetland habitat, but also create the necessary revenue for public amenities and community beautification in the area.

For more information contact: John Holder @ john@wildcoast.net