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Public comments due July 11!

Weren’t able to join the crowds of ReWild supporters on June 20th to stand up for wetlands? Have more to say to the City?

You still have time to make your voice heard! Written comments on the City of San Diego’s NOP (Notice of Preparation) of a Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for their flawed De Anza plans are due by July 11. We need to let the City know that their plans are develop De Anza Cove are unacceptable!

TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
By email: submit comments with subject line “De Anza Cove Amendment to the Mission Bay Park Master Plan” to PlanningCEQA@sandiego.gov 
By mail: send them to Sara Osborn, Environmental Planner, City of San Diego Planning Department, 9485 Aero Drive, MS 413, San Diego, CA 92123.

 

The City’s plans will not restore sustainable wetlands for future generations and jeopardize the existence of the endangered species that rely on the marsh. We encourage all of you to email the City with your thoughts about this NOP. Messages as simple as “I support ReWild Mission Bay” are incredibly helpful, but if you want to dig into the details more, consider asking the City the these questions and highlighting these key points:

1. Are you using the results of the ReWild Mission Bay study in plans for De Anza Point? 
  • Incorporate ReWild habitat areas into the De Anza EIR preferred alternative.
  • Analyze all three ReWild plans as alternatives in the De Anza EIR.
2. Will you make sure wetlands restoration happens too – not just development?
  • Implement wetlands restoration at the same time as any redevelopment and leaseholds at De Anza Point.
  • The way the NOP is currently written, development could move forward and the wetlands could be left behind. The City should write the EIR and planning documents so that can’t happen.
3. How are you planning for sea level rise?
  • Protect and restore at least 200 acres of wetlands today so 120 acres of wetlands will persist by the year 2100 (or 5.5 feet of sea level rise).
  • Keep buildings far back from the water’s edge.
  • Provide space for wetlands to migrate upslope as oceans rise.
  • As part of the EIR, analyze how many acres of wetlands and buffer areas will be left under various sea level rise scenarios, as well as how much habitat will be left for endangered species.
4. Are coastal-dependent land uses, like wetlands, the priority above activities that could be placed elsewhere?
  • Not all the uses included in the draft De Anza plans need to be on the coast. Some, like wetlands, do. Prioritize coastal wetlands when dividing up limited space.
We are at a crucial point in the battle to protect Mission Bay’s wetlands, we’re asking to you please submit your comments on the City’s NOP by next Wednesday, July 11th. Future generations are depending on US to protect this endangered habitat.