Conservation Matters

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

Since the April 20th blowout of the Deepwater Horizon oil well, and tragic loss of human life, oil continues to spill into the Gulf of Mexico. Some scientists are saying that it has the potential to bring environmental ruin to this treasured coastline. The well is situated at a depth of 5,000 feet and, although initial reports indicated that oil is discharging from the well at 5,000 barrels per day, that estimate is now being challenged suggesting that the actual discharge rate could be much higher, ranging from 20,000 up to 100,000 barrels per day. Since there appears to have been no adequate backup system, and no emergency plan to deal with it once it occurred, there is no way of knowing when the oil flow will be stopped and the ultimate extent of the environmental damage.

Sensitive coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida are all vulnerable to the growing spill which is occurring in a season when shrimp, alligators, and other marshland animals bear their young. Also, this time of year large numbers of birds converge on the marshes and beaches, some stopping to recharge after long flights over the Gulf from South America, while others remain and prepare to raise their young in nests on the marshes and beaches. There are 25 recognized Important Bird Areas that line the gulf coast, and it was just reported that oil has reached at least one of these, the Chandeleur Islands, a breeding habitat for Sandwich and Royal Terns, and Brown Pelicans. News photos have already documented oil-soaked birds and oil washing into Louisiana cordgrass marshes which could hold onto toxins for years.

When the spill is ultimately contained, there are many questions that must be asked. Why weren’t precautions taken by BP to prevent the accident and where was the government oversight that is expected by the public? Why didn’t the Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service require a functioning backup shutdown system? Where was BP’s plan to deal with a major spill and was an environmental analysis conducted prior to issuance of permits? Although accidents may be infrequent, if the risk of environmental damage is so high when one occurs, should we be permitting deep sea oil drilling? Why isn’t there more emphasis by our government on energy conservation? We need answers and assurances that this doesn’t happen again. National Audubon and the American Birding Association are organizing their staff and volunteers, and are taking donations, to assist with wildlife recovery efforts. See their websites for more information. (www.audubon.org and www.aba.org)

-Joan Herskowitz

Local Issues

In April, BVAS Conservation Chair Joan Herskowitz submitted comment letters on two projects in our community with potentially significant environmental impacts.

Final EIR and Amended South Coast Quarry Reclamation Plan

The final EIR and amended plan for this project has been improved over earlier versions, but BVAS identifies a number of continuing concerns in the design of the reclamation plan. Although severely degraded by many years of sand mining, the site is still considered a prime candidate for restoration and conservation. It is the site of El Salto Falls, contains the natural course of Buena Vista Creek, holds several fresh water springs and ponds, hosts a mix of coastal sage scrub, mixed chaparral, and riparian plant communities, and is a critical wildlife corridor. Read the full comment letter here.

Draft EIR for the Melrose Ave. Extension Project

Various road alignments being considered under this project plan would result in the loss of between 3.5 and 8.5 acres of Guajome County Park. In addition to the loss of dedicated parkland, there would be additional wetland and sensitive upland habitat loss from this growth-inducing project. BVAS believes these impacts are inadequately addressed in the EIR, and project alternatives with less impact should be considered. Read the full comment letter here.

Moving Forward on Habitat Protection in Oceanside

The City of Oceanside is moving forward on developing its specific plan to fulfill its commitment under the approved Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan (MHCP) for North County. The MHCP was adopted by the County and North County cities in 2003. It identifies environmentally sensitive undeveloped land throughout North County, and sets goals for its preservation. The MHCP process was developed as a means for achieving land conservation goals while streamlining environmental review and development permitting on non-sensitive lands. Following approval of the overall MHCP, each city was required to develop its individual “Sub-Area Conservation Plan” (SAP), detailing how the city would fulfill its particular obligations for conserving MHCP-designated lands within its borders.

The City of Carlsbad was the first city to create its subregional plan several years ago. BVAS is very pleased that Oceanside’s SAP and permit process is now moving forward and that approval of this second of the subregional plans will result in triggering improved regional coordination as specified in the MHCP. This revised version has addressed many issues raised with the prior drafts of the Oceanside plan as well as those identified through four years of implementation experience with the the Carlsbad HMP. Of particular note, the biological resource survey data has been updated, guidelines for the SDG&E corridors are much clearer and better protect the function of the corridors, and the San Luis Rey River Flood Control program has been integrated into this document. BVAS is committed to working cooperatively with the City of Oceanside toward a final approved and implemented SAP that will protect the environment and secure a high quality of life for existing and future residents.

BVAS, along with nine other conservation groups, has signed on to a comprehensive comment letter on the Oceanside SAP.

State Parks Funding Initiative

Audubon California is supporting a November ballot initiative to provide dependable funding for our state parks, 50 of which include Audubon Important Bird Areas. The initiative would increase vehicle license fees by $18, but, in exchange, Californians would no longer be charged state park access fees. It would generate $500 million in annual funding for state parks, wildlife areas, and marine reserves.

Report on Climate Change and Birds

Audubon has released its 2010 “State of the Birds” report. The report updates the 2009 study that dealt with the impacts of climate change and its influence on bird populations and their habitats. The report shows how climate change represents a new threat to migratory birds that could dramatically alter their required habitat and food supply and push many species toward extinction. Go to this website for more details, a summary of the report, and a link to the full report www.stateofthebirds.org