When the City postponed tidal wetland habitat restoration in the summer of 2019 and allowed the existing development to continue in the northeast corner of Mission Bay, deferring but not defeating ReWild, the Campland organization estimated 24 months to complete all the proposed De Anza changes in their 4-year lease. Now, nearly 3 years later, Campland finally got their Coastal Development Permit this week to begin to remove the empty mobile homes on the De Anza Peninsula. This improvement to our public park, the only one that benefits the public and not just their business (they fixed the onsite pool and game room over a year ago), should get underway in the safest and most efficient way possible.
We call on Campland to finally remove those dilapidated mobile homes from our park safely and quickly!
The Coastal Commission approved Campland’s needed permit after years of negotiating and stalling. The Coastal Commission listened to our calls for improved information about water quality problems in Rose Creek, requiring more Public Access signs in the plan, improving the language about native plants and invasive plant removal, and putting lids on all the garbage cans. Kudos to the Coastal Commission for taking those improvements and for requiring the addition of several stormwater protection measures. We all need to stay informed about the real water quality problems in this area for swimmers and boaters and to be sure that the mobile home removal doesn’t contaminate the soil.
More information about Campland’s coastal development permit to remove the abandoned mobile homes and create 147 temporary camping spaces can be found in this article. San Diego Audubon celebrates the much-needed removal of the mobile homes, but will continue to push for a final City plan that prioritizes sea level rise resiliency, carbon sequestration in the face of the worsening climate crisis, and a truly accessible coastline for underserved and Indigenous communities.
We’re excited that the Mission Bay momentum is on our side. With our over 65-organization ReWild Coalition, our advocacy is moving this City forward, combatting our Climate crisis for birds and for humans. With our help, the City’s Climate Action Plan Review Committee just told the City Council that salt marsh restoration needs to begin as soon as possible, and the Mayor has committed to restoring 700 acres of tidal wetlands in the draft Climate Action Plan. Removing the empty trailers will be a win for all of us and the Park, and is one step towards getting our Wildest dreams!
For even more reading on the topic, check out these articles as well: