CITY OF SAN DIEGO AND THE SAN DIEGUITO RIVER PARK PARTNER TO CLEAN UP A LARGE DUMPSITE IN THE SAN PASQUAL VALLEY

The San Dieguito River Park (SDRP) cleaned up an 800 cubic yard dump site in the San Pasqual Valley with help from the City of San Diego Water Department and Environmental Services.  The first phase is completed and the second phase to restore the area back to native habitat will start this fall.

The site is located next to an agricultural lease and borders a major core natural resource area in the San Dieguito River Valley.  The East Raptor Ridge section of the San Pasqual Valley Trail is located approximately 150 feet from the dump site and looks down upon it as the trail travels along a steep hillside.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

The goal of the project was to remove all trash from the area and to restore the site to coastal sage scrub that mimics the plant composition of the area immediately adjacent to the clean up site. This clean up will benefit people and wildlife by: removing potential pollutants from the water shed, removing trash and debris from an area that is identified as important for wildlife, and greatly improving the viewshed of the San Pasqual Valley Trail.

Partnership

The unique structure of the San Dieguito River Park (SDRP) allowed for the project to occur. Bringing together different local agencies, the Park initiated the project because of a joint SDRP and San Diego County Weed Management Area (WMA) grant award. The majority of the grant award is being allocated for the control of invasive perennial pepper weed. But a small portion included funding for trail improvement and clean up. The dumpsite clean up and habitat restoration was the perfect project but would require some additional help. In the middle of the project, the River Park's contractor went out of business, but luckily the City of San Diego Water Department recognized the effort as an important project and worked with the Environmental Services Department to do the final major clean up work. Environmental Services made quick work of the remaining debris and prepared the site for upcoming habitat restoration work.

What's Next

Now that the majority of the trash is removed, hand crews will comb through the site to clean up the smaller pieces and prepare the soil for restoration. Rocks salvaged from the clean up process will then be distributed throughout the site. The rock will act as mulch and encourage the immediate movement of small wildlife and the natural movement of seed. The proximity to existing stands of native vegetation will also encourage seeding. Invasive plant species will be controlled with a sufficient buffer around the restoration site to discourage seeding. With the onset of winter rains, the site will be planted with native species and a temporary irrigation system installed. Some small areas may also be seeded.

Immediate maintenance will consist of weed control and watering. SDRP will work on this site for many years. The project would be complete when the restored plant community provides sustained biological diversity and erosion control.

Cleaning up the area has obvious immediate benefits but the transition into wildlife habitat will be dramatic. Keep an eye out for future volunteer restoration projects!

Back to Top of Page.