Wetland Restoration At our April SEAC meeting we hosted Andrew Meyer of the ReWild Mission Bay wetlands restoration project which proposes to restore natural wetlands habitat in the northeast corner of Mission Bay. Originally known as False Bay, the entire area of what we now call Mission Bay was tidelands and marsh up to 1945. The Kumeyaay People used to live and fish around the Bay. Mission Bay is now a 4,600 acre aquatic recreational area as well as home to marine wildlife and native plant species. In addition to providing homes for the Least Tern, Ridgeways Rail and Nuttall’s Lotus, these coastal wetlands filter water flowing into the bay and help to keep it clean for swimmers. Salt water marshes are one of the most efficient ways to sequester carbon out of the air.
The ReWild Project proposes converting 94 acres of open water to mudflats and salt marshes on both sides of Rose Creek. The plan includes an interpretive center, observation deck and walking paths for greater community access.
Join us for our April 19th meeting at 1:00 pm as we continue our investigation and discussion of wetlands restoration with Jordan Moore of the Planning Department’s Environmental Policy Section and Scott Sandel, Landscape Architect & Park Planner for the City of San Diego Planning Department. They will speak with us about Mayor Gloria’s Mission Bay Revitalization Plan and the City’s plan for wetlands restoration.
The People’s Ordinance The Rules Committee of the San Diego City Council voted to draft a proposed ballot measure to amend the century old law called the People’s Ordinance. Originally enacted in 1919 when the population of San Diego was 70,000 people, today this ordinance is out of step in our city of over 1.3 million people. The People’s Ordinance prohibits the City from charging residents in single family homes a fee for trash collection while all other residents in apartments or condos must pay for trash hauling services. This year the total General Fund spending for the People’s Ordinance (or no fee trash pickup) will be 43 million dollars and it only serves 52% of San Diego residents.
The LWV San Diego believes that the government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation- that all residents should be treated equally. Pollution control and waste management should be considered a cost of providing a product or service. Consumers and taxpayers must expect to pay for these services. In order to meet the City’s Zero Waste Plan goals and implement the Climate Action Plan, the LWV San Diego supports policies to reduce the generation of solid waste and to promote reuse and recycling. A fee for trash pick-up, equally shared by all City residents, would incentivize citizens to generate less waste, recycle, repair or reuse. Money from the General Fund could then be used for services that benefit all community members equally.
Earth Fair Earth Fair is on Sunday, April 24 and we still need your help! If you can spare a couple of hours in the afternoon to staff the LWV booth, please do so! It is a fun opportunity to meet and work with other League members and have interesting conversations with community members about our local environmental issues. We have games, prizes and a ballot box and will train you on what to do! Please contact Peg at pegbengel@gmail.com or Ruth at ruths@lwvsandiego.org if you are able to help out.
Everyone is invited to attend SEAC meetings and engage in conversations about environmental issues in our community. Our actions matter and our voices count! Hope to see you at our April 19th meeting at 1:00pm.
Zero Waste Tips
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When planning a picnic or outing, use reusable plates, cups, and utensils that you already have rather than buying disposable items.
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Make your picnic drinks at home and pack your drinks in thermoses. Always carry your reusable water bottle.
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When planning a picnic at the park or a day at the beach, pre-pack your cooler with ice or ice packs from home to save time and fuel by avoiding an extra stop.
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Reduce your environmental footprint by using GPS technology or cell phones for directions rather than printing them on paper.
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Consider donating and purchasing used sporting equipment for growing children, seasonal items, or hobby-loving adults without spending an arm and a leg.
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Visit the City of San Diego Environmental Services website to read about the new requirements for SB1383 and recycling food waste