San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration project

For more than a year, commuters stuck in traffic on Interstate 5 have been watching a fleet of yellow earthmovers working in the San Dieguito River Valley north of San Diego. Most assume they're laying the groundwork for yet another massive condominium complex. In fact, they are carrying out an $86 million wetlands restoration project paid for by Southern California Edison to mitigate the environmental effects of its San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, which uses 2.5 billion gallons of seawater a day as coolant. More than 2 million cubic yards of earth will be moved during the three-year project. The river channel will be excavated to maintain tidal exchange and 150 acres of wetlands will be restored will native plants. In addition, five nesting sites will be built for migratory birds, including Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, Snowy Plover, the endangered California Least Tern and the Light Footed Clapper Rail. Wetlands are among the most productive of ecosystems worldwide, providing critical breeding habitat for thousands of species of birds, reptiles, mammals, fresh and saltwater fish. They also act as filters, cleaning urban and agricultural runoff before it flows into the ocean. More than half of the planet's wetlands have been lost to development, and only 5% remain in San Diego County.