Federal, state and local officials joined Channelside Water Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to celebrate the completion of the second season of work on the Otay River Estuary Restoration Project. This is a joint effort to create, restore and enhance 125 acres of coastal wetlands and salt-inhabited march habitat within the South San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge to protect native fish, wildlife and plant species. More than 160,000 tons of soil has been replenished to date, which helps in creating new foraging, nesting and breeding habitats for colonial nesting birds, migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, and salt-marsh dependent species, including the endangered light-footed Ridgway’s rail.
“The Otay River Estuary Restoration Project is a massive undertaking and a clear testament to the steadfast commitment from all agency partners involved,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Project Leader Andy Yuen in a press release. “We’re thrilled about our progress so far and remain committed to restoring our coastal ecosystem’s rich biodiversity. Channelside has created some tremendous habitat here in south San Diego Bay.”
Other significant earthwork efforts completed to-date include the removal of 250,000 cubic yards of soil from the Otay River Flood Plains; the removal of 5,000 tons of hypersaline soil from Pond 15; and the supplementation of 60,000 pounds of gypsum, a mineral-based fertilizer, into the solar salt pond. The re-planting of native flora and fauna is expected to begin in February 2025.
The event concluded with Channelside presenting two donations to the South Bay YMCA and Living Coast Discovery Center that will support both organizations’ local STEM/STEAM programs.
“As responsible environmental stewards dedicated to serving our local communities, we value creating environmental educational opportunities for San Diego County youths,” stated Channelside Chief Executive Officer Greg Amparano. “Helping future generations connect with their local environment allows them to form lifelong habits that protect our natural resources for years to come.”
The Otay River Estuary Restoration Project is expected to be completed in approximately three years and fulfills Channelside’s commitment to mitigating environmental impacts from the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, which has delivered more than 90 billion gallons of fresh, desalinated drinking water since 2015.
