In March 1998, the Coastal Conservancy authorized $3 million to the city of San Diego for the purchase of 200 acres of wildlife habitat in the Otay River Valley. The habitat will be permanently protected and improved, and trails and other recreational improvements will be developed consistent with habitat needs.

"Protecting habitat in the Otay River Valley is particularly important because the valley links neighboring habitats of the coast and the inland hills and lakes," said Robert Kirkwood, chair of the Coastal Conservancy. "When habitats are separated from each other, the survival of many species that depend on those habitats becomes much more difficult. The benefits of protecting the valley, therefore, will extend far beyond the valley itself."

The project is possible because in 1997, responding to Governor Wilson's recommendation and a strong effort by Assemblywoman Denise Ducheny, the state legislature appropriated $3 million to the Conservancy for the Otay River Valley from bond funds authorized by Proposition 204, the Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Act of 1996.

The Otay River Valley contains sixteen habitat types that are home to several rare and endangered plant and animal species, including Orcutt's bird's beak (a plant), San Diego barrel cactus, Otay tar weed, California gnat catcher, least Bell's vireo, and southwestern pond turtle. The habitats and natural resources of the valley have been damaged, and continue to be threatened, by encroaching development, pollution, and uncontrolled public use. The parcels to be purchased lie in the wide, thickly vegetated river flood plain between highways I-5 and I-805, and are bordered by heavily urbanized land in the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista. The habitat will be a critical part of the city of San Diego's Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP), through which the city plans to establish a 172,000-acre wildlife preserve in southwestern San Diego County.

In addition to the Conservancy's purchases, the city of Chula Vista will spend over $867,000 to purchase adjacent parcels that lie within its boundaries.

The city's MSCP program is one of a number of sub-regional plans in San Diego County that make up the county's portion of the state's Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) program. The NCCP program is intended to protect endangered habitats and species and promote continued regional biodiversity by creating a network of large, interconnected habitat preserves throughout southern California.

The Coastal Conservancy has been working with local agencies and citizens to protect and restore the Otay River Valley for the past decade, and previously provided over $1,700,000 for planning, appraisals, and property acquisitions

An extensive cleanup project is slowly restoring the Otay River Valley open space and habitat of herons, egrets, quails, hawks, hummingbirds, burrowing owls, bobcats, squirrels, and rabbits. Hikers will soon use its trails to enjoy the tranquility of the area. In the meantime, trash and homeless encampments continue to be removed on three days f each month.

Since October 1999, almost 9,000 volunteer, prisoner and commercial labor hours have been spent removing homeless encampments, old drug dens, and 767 tons of trash. It has taken 140 trips to the Otay Landfill to begin clearing the area of abandoned vehicles, tires, household, yard and industrial waste.

Four objectives of the cleanup project are:

• Remove massive accumulation of debris in the Otay River Valley fro Otay Valley Road/Heritage Road west to Nestor Creek.
• Encourage the homeless living in unsanitary encampments to leave the area in order to protect sensitive habitat and create safe surroundings.
• Improve security by installing fencing along sidewalks and streets.
• Clear a path for the proposed Otay Valley Regional Park trail system.

Teamwork

The cleanup project owes its sucess to the teamwork of community crews from Donovan Prison in Otay Mesa, commercial businesses, Chula Vista and San Diego Public Works, police employees, non-profit groups, CAC members, planning staff from Chula Vista, San Diego and San Diego Parks, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services and the San Diego URBAN Corp and San Diego ALPHA project.

Protecting the area

Over 4.300 feet of chainlink fencing has been installed along Beyer Boulevard and Beyer Way. Police street teams and cleanup project volunteers periodically patrol the area. Outreach has been extended to community residents, informing them of the cleanup and asking them to help protect the area from further trash dumping and undesirable uses.

Where to Look

The Otay Valley Regional Park (OVRP) lies in the Otay River Valley. A multi-jurisdictional planning effort among the County of San Diego and the Cities of Chula Vista and San Diego has resulted in planning, acquiring land, and designing a regional park. The Concept Plan approved in 2001, forms the basis for creation of the regional park. It provided the protection of natural resources and recreation, including playing fields and picnic areas. Joint management by the jurisdictions will preserve and protect cultural and biological resources while permitting alternatives for recreational, maintenance andland use in the future.

In April 2001, the City of San Diego initiated the development of the Western Otay Valley Regional Park Natural Resources Mangement Plan. Encompassing the land west of Otay Valley/Heritage Road to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge west of I-5, it will guide the present and future maintenance and mangement of the biological and cultural resources of the area.

Further efforts

In addition to contiued cleanup, future work will concentrate on developing the following:

1. A sports park in the recreational area west of I-5, including a skateboard park.
2. Trail corridors withing the park, connecting to regional and local trails outside the park.
3. An overlook behind Finney Elementary School on the south rim of the valley.

Volunteers Plant 500 Native Trees

Beautifying the environment brought together 187 volunteers from the Cities of Chula Vista and San Diego, and from the County of San Diego on Saturday, October 26, 2002. Combined, they worked 970 hours, planting 500 native trees in the Otay Valley Regional Park. As the Coast Live Oak, Western Cottonwood, Western Sycamore, Toyon (Christmas Berry) and Mexican Elderberry trees grow, they will improve the Otay River Valley¹s image and the quality of life for the birds and animals that inhabit it. The trees planted were purchased through a grant from PG&E, Calpine, and the County of San Diego (District 1). They were planted on the west side of Beyer Blvd., south of the Otay River, below the homes on Subol Court, on the south side of the Otay River, adjacent to the south side of Fenton Pond. Others were planted near Hollister Pond, home also to a large number of water birds. Hollister Pond lies east of I-5 and west of Hollister Street, two blocks north of the Palm Avenue Trolley Station. Efforts were coordinated by co-chairs John Willett, Chairperson of the Otay Valley Regional Park Citizens Advisory Committee, Bill Lawrence, Senior Ranger City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, Robert Rushlow, San Diego County Parks Department and Frank Herrera-A, City of Chula Vista. Participants represented a variety of groups, all of whose help contributed to making the project a success: Mar Vista High School¹s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Eastlake High School¹s Key Club, Montgomery High School¹s Environmental classes, Privates Grove Club, Southwestern College¹s Environmental classes, Chula Vista Elementary School District, Chula Vista Veterans Organizations, Church of Christ, Chula Vista, Sierra Club South County, Bonita Optimist Club, Otay Mesa / Nestor Planning Committee, Otay Real Estate Company, Otay Land Company, San Diego Environmental Services, O¹Neill Construction, Hansen Aggregates, Otay Lakes Park Ranger Staff, South Bay Fence Company, San Diego URBAN Corps, Otay Valley Regional Park Citizens Advisory Committee, Friends of the Park, City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, City of Chula Vista, County of San Diego, and area residents interested in improving the habitat of the Otay Valley Regional Park. Two weeks prior to the tree planting, Donovan Prison Community Crews cleared the area of concrete, asphalt shingles, household trash, and two homeless camps. In just three days, four trips to the Otay Landfill were needed to remove 18 tons of trash. Once the area was cleaned, City of San Diego Senior Park Ranger Lawrence supervised machine-driven augurs in drilling 500 holes. Fertilizer was added to the holes, which were then covered up until the day of planting and watering. Five hundred trees! What a difference they make in improving the Otay Valley Regional Park! John Willett, Chair, Otay Valley Regional Park Citizens Advsory Committee and CO-Chair Otay Valley Regional Park Tree Planting Project 11/1/02

LARGE SWATH OF OPEN SPACE ADDED TO OTAY VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

(SAN DIEGO, Calif. - November 24, 1997) County Supervisor Greg Cox and San Diego City Councilman Juan Vargas today announced a major land swap between the city and H.G. Fenton Material Co. that will double the size of Otay Valley Regional Park. Under the agreement, Fenton will turn over to the city and county 75 acres of biologically-sensitive land it owns in the Otay Valley in exchange for 3 acres of city-owned land located on a bluff just north of Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley. Unlike the Otay Valley property, which is located just west of Interstate 805, the Mission Valley acreage can be developed and likely will be over time. "We've been working since the late 1980s on this park, and now we are finally beginning to see the rewards of our efforts," said Cox, who initiated the park effort several years ago while Mayor of Chula Vista. "Otay Valley Regional Park will be for South County what the San Dieguito River Park is for North County, and what Mission Trails Regional Park is for central San Diego" a massive open space area with an array of recreational opportunities. "I'm thrilled with the deal," said Vargas, who along with Cox and Chula Vista Mayor Shirley Horton make up the Otay Valley Regional Park Policy Committee. "This is a major addition to the park." Years in the making, the park's draft Concept Plan was approved on July 18, 1997 by the park's Policy Committee. The plan has since been forwarded to each jurisdiction for hearings on its adoption. The draft plan calls for an open space core that spans 13 miles along the Otay Valley from the southern tip of San Diego Bay all the way to Otay Lakes. The park will include recreational trails, interpretive centers, viewpoints and staging areas to provide opportunities for enjoyment of the park's natural resources. The park, which will eventually include more than 3,000 acres, began to take shape in 1994 when San Diego and Chula Vista purchased 78 acres of riparian habitat and wetlands with a $1.5 million grant from the California Coastal Conservancy. Also included in the park is the recently re-opened Otay Lakes County Park, which will serve as the regional park's eastern gateway. The park had been closed since 1991 due to major maintenance problems that, at the time, were too expensive to repair. Additional land will be acquired with $3 million that was earmarked in the state budget.

Lawmakers Peace, Ducheny secure $16 million for local community projects

Two of San Diego's most powerful lawmakers helped steer more than $16 million in State funding towards local projects, ranging from $70,000 for a Tijuana River Valley Ballpark to $6.5 million for three parkland purchases that will help create a greenbelt along the Otay and Tijuana rivers. Senator Steve Peace, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and Assemblywoman Denise Moreno Ducheny, Chairwoman of the Assembly Budget Committee, made a strong case for projects in their districts winning the governor's approval. The state budget includes $1.75 million for San Diego's Recycled Water for Industry Project, $250,000 for the Sweetwater Summit Park and Campground, and $2 million on several parcels of land along the Tijuana River. The budget provides $3.25 million to purchase 150 acres of land to add to the Otay Valley Regional Park. The County of San Diego and the cities of Chula Vista and San Diego are working together to establish an Otay Valley Regional Park that links Otay Lakes with San Diego Bay. For 13 miles along the Otay River, the park will provide recreational opportunities ranging from playing fields and picnic areas to hiking, biking and horse trails. The park will cover more than 3,000 acres and will protect open space, wildlife, historical and archaeological sites, and agricultural resources. "We must preserve this special place," said Ducheny. "Today many areas of the Otay Valley have become dumping places for illegal refuse and havens for crime and drug abuse. Soon this will be a place where families can relax and where wildlife will be protected for those who come after us." Senator Peace said the establishment of a greenbelt along the Tijuana and Otay rivers is a critical part of an overall strategy to protect San Diego's quality of life by preventing the sort of urban sprawl which is characteristic of Los Angeles. Senator Steve Peace

Entertainment/Recreation/Tourism Facilities in Chula Vista

The City of Chula Vista extends from the shore of the San Diego Bay east to the San Miguel Mountains, through the fertile valleys that once made the region famous for being the Lemon Capital of the world. World-class sports, entertainment and recreation facilities, as well as community parks and two wildlife refuges, give the City its personality and make it an enjoyable place to live, work and play. Chula Vista offers an abundance of opportunities for individuals looking for leisure and fun-time activities and for businesses that cater to this market.

ARCO OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER - Estimated Annual Attendance: 40,000+ Only year-round U.S. Olympic Training Center in the U.S.; athletes currently train in seven Olympic sports, including archery, field hockey, canoe/kayak, rowing, Chula Vista Yacht Harbor and soccer Homeport to the State's official tall ship, The Californian; site of the Chula Vista Yacht Club, two marinas with 900 slips for pleasure craft, restaurants and bayside parks

COORS AMPHITHEATRE - Annual Attendance: 200,000+San Diego County's only major outdoor amphitheater - seats 20,000; features world-renowned entertainers for a regional audience ranging from Elton John to Santana, Jimmy Buffet and Spice Girls

KNOTT'S SOAK CITY USA - Estimated Annual Attendance: 200,000+Only major water theme park in San Diego County, featuring various attractions including speed slides, wave pools and body flumes; includes ball fields, volleyball courts, and picnic areas

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES - Sweetwater Marsh includes 316 acres of salt marsh and coastal uplands as habitat for light-footed clapper rail and California least tern; 2,209-acre South San Diego Bay [newly designated] refuge includes mudflats, salt marshes, eel grass beds and salt ponds; opportunities for wildlife observation and environmental education available at both refuges

CHULA VISTA NATURE CENTER - Annual Attendance: 50,000+Located in the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, one of the few remaining salt marsh habitats on the Pacific Coast; offers the public a rare view into the natural history and ecology of California wetlands including new aviary exhibit

OTAY VALLEY REGIONAL PARK - The Otay Valley Regional Park, an open space corridor linking San Diego Bay with the Otay Lakes through southern Chula Vista; recently expanded park to a total of more than 150 acres; will eventually become the San Diego region's centerpiece for recreation, eco-tourism and habitat conservation Available Sites and Buildings in Chula Vista for Entertainment/Recreation/Tourism Firms The City of Chula Vista has a variety of locations appropriate for entertainment / recreation / tourism-based facilities, including po-tential sites from 8 acres to 100 acres+. Because of the unique land use requirements of such facilities, the City's Economic Devel-opment staff can assist in determining ideal locations for entertainment / recreation / tourism firms on request.

Creating Parks Where People Live

With a population of 3 million, San Diego is adding more new residents every year than any other county in California except Los Angeles. San Diego's fast-growing communities need new parks, and The Trust For Public Land (TPL) is working to create them.

Saving Room for Nature - San Diego's seashore, rivers, savannahs, forests, mountains, and deserts contain more biological diversity than anywhere else in the United States. But a booming population, and the development that comes with it, are jeopardizing San Diego's unique natural heritage. TPL is working to save room for nature amidst growth.

Preserving Major Landscapes - Major landscapes such as the coastline, the interior mountains, and the desert have defined San Diego's history, culture, and economy. TPL is working to preserve these distinctive landscapes, not only for their significance to the past but also for their importance to future San Diegans.

Projects And Progress - TPL has acquired and protected more than 20,350 acres in San Diego, thanks to effective partnerships with public agencies, elected officials, other conservation organizations, community groups, and individuals.

· In the Otay River Valley TPL is helping local residents fulfill a bold vision - a regional park stretching 13 miles from lake to bay. Since 1998 TPL has acquired 285 acres of parkland in the heavily urbanized area near Interstates 5 and 805. Meanwhile, TPL has helped secure over $11,800,000 in state funds for future purchases. When Otay Valley Regional Park is completed, urban neighborhoods in the south county area will have a new 3,000-acre backyard in which to hike, bike, picnic, and play.

· Since 1996, TPL has acquired 5,000 acres for the new 44,000-acre San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge will provide a safe haven for dozens of species, including the threatened California gnatcatcher and the Quino checkerspot butterfly. Time and again, TPL's ability to act quickly in San Diego's hot real estate market has meant the difference between habitat and development.

· In the past 7 years, TPL has marshaled almost $17.5 million in federal, state, and local funds to acquire 8,500 acres at Volcan Mountain near the historic mining town of Julian. The mountain's 5,350-foot crest offers dramatic views that span the county and crowns a 14,000-acre tract that links the forests, rivers, and savannahs to the west with the desert to the east.

· Recently, TPL acquired 1,350 acres at Otay Mountain just north of the Mexican border. TPL's work is helping to protect the scenic and biological integrity of this prominent regional landmark.

Partnerships - Lands acquired by TPL in San Diego are now owned and managed for long-term stewardship by the following public agencies:

International Boundary and Water Commission; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; California Department of Fish and Game; California Department of Parks and Recreation; San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation; San Dieguito River Park; City of Chula Vista; City of Escondido; City of San Diego; Julian Community Services District; For more information on this program, contact Bob.Flewelling@tpl.org

Restoring Scenic Proctor Valley

Proctor Valley was once used by early settlers for cattle grazing and star-gazing. The cattle operation ceased roughly two years ago when the local rancher, Jerry Adams, tired of fighting to feed his herd during multiple drought years. Since his retirement to an Idaho Ranch, there has been no one in the area acting as a responsible steward of the land and the area has turned into a lawless mess. Without someone to run-off trespassers testing their off-road capabilities or those wanting to shoot their guns and even others who treat this area as their personal dumping site, this picturesque valley has turned into a messy degraded area in the middle of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Recently, the Friends of Otay Valley Regional Park have filled in as a responsible steward for this area. Proctor Valley is at the north end of the Otay Valley Regional Park and is headwaters to the Otay River. With the combined help of the County of San Diego, City of San Diego, McMillin Communities, Otay Land Company, Hanson Agreggates, Pacific Waste and the Otay Ranch Company we have cleaned a large portion of trash that has been dumped over the last two years. In addition, we will be placing rock barriers and new signs on Proctor Valley Road to keep trespassers from driving through and trashing the preserve system. This area does not allow off-road activity and new enforcement efforts are under way with the Sheriff's Off-Road Enforcement Team. This team has been going out each week citing those who off-road on private/public property. The problem was so bad just a month ago that they had 195 interactions with those trespassing, off-road riding and firing guns. One of the trends we are seeing are construction companies that are working on landscaping the many new homes in the area, dumping excess rock, concrete and dirt in this area. Please make sure that you demand your contractors send excess material and trash to the dump. This will help curb this activity before the trash is dropped. The "Friends of OVRP" are trying to save this area so fishing, hiking and biking activities can occur in a pristine environment. If you would like to join the "Friends" efforts to clean up our environment and provide recreational activities for everyone, call Frank Ohrmund at 619-397-5300 or go to www.ovrp.org for more information and our calendar of monthly events.