Current Issues
San Dieguito River Park Finances
posted 03/24/2010
This letter was sent to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders on February
28, 2010, to express FSDRV's concerns about the future of the River
Park. Click here.
SB 1177: Senator Kehoe
posted 03/24/2010
The Friends of San Dieguito River Valley wrote to State Senator Kehoe a letter of support for SB 1177.
SB 1177 would require a greenway zone to be dedicated for the permanent use and enjoyment of the public on the South side of the Fairgrounds, along the north bank of the San Dieguito River. If the 22nd DAA ceases to exist or if a part or all the property is sold, the greenway and public access trail would remain.
We stressed the importance of preserving public access and passive recreational uses along the river on this unique piece of state property. With a minimum 100-foot buffer, the vegetation in the area will begin to recover, as is seen in the surrounding river valley open space.
San Dieguito River Park
posted 02/25/2010
San Diego’s decision to drop its assessment payment under the 1989 Joint Powers agreement with San Diego County, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Escondido and Poway has placed the existence of the JPA in jeopardy. San Diego’s share represents 36% of the operating budget. A reduction of this size impacts staff, rangers , trail maintenance, Sikes Farmstead operation, invasive species removal and watershed management amongst the many responsibilities of the JPA.
The Board made a 14% cut in salaries last year and voted for a once a month furlough for employees this year. There are 5 staff members and 6 rangers.
San Diego councilmembers DeMaio and Lightner are negotiating with Mayor Sanders to try to find a way out of this impasse.
Please write to the
Mayor JerrySanders@sandiego.gov
and to Councilmembers DeMaio carldemaio@sandiego.gov
and Sherri Lightner sherrilightner@sandiego.gov
of San Diego Council Districts 5 and 1 to express support for the River Park.
JPA Projects
The Sikes Adobe Farmstead was destroyed by the 2007 Witch Creek fire. It is now being rebuilt and nearing completion. A grand re-opening is scheduled for June 26, 2010.
The San Dieguito River Park Headquarters was also destroyed by the fire. The building is now under reconstruction. (photograph below: 02/2010)
City of San Diego projects
El Camino Real Road and Bridge Widening project
In July 2006 the San Diego Development Services Department issued a Draft Environmental Impact report for replacing and widening the El Camino Real Bridge over the San Dieguito River. At present, during a 100-year flood the water level would rise to the bottom of the bridge and there is no adequate room to allow debris to pass underneath. The bridge is also structurally inadequate for local seismic conditions.
In 2006 the project received sufficient public criticism that the City of San Diego decided to revise the plan. This revised plan is now being presented to various Planning board and to the JPA Citizens Advisory Committee meeting of March 5, 2010, at the Hope Methodist Church 16550 Bernardo Heights Parkway, Rancho Bernardo.
Money Matters
On December 28, 2009, the City of San Diego sent an invoice to the Fairbanks Country Club for $169,000.00. This amount is for arrears in rent.
Southern California Edison
Opening of the San Dieguito River inlet is now scheduled for later this year. Three major projects remain to be undertaken and completed before the San Dieguito Lagoon Restoration is completed.
• All permits secured, the pilings of the railroad bridge must be strengthened.
• The inlet must be dredged increasing the tidal flow.
• A revetment must be constructed to protect the southwestern bank of the San Dieguito river where its course makes a sharp westward turn toward the ocean.
When the nesting and tourist seasons are over, the appropriate time to undertake these major tasks will be after Labor Day 2010.
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