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
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