Tag Archive for: habitat protection

Over 250 different species of flora and fauna, and more than 25 special status species are found in the San Miguel Habitat Management Area, a a 240-acre biological reserve owned and maintained by the Otay Water District. Photo: Otay Water District

Otay Water District Habitat Management Preserves Biodiversity, Water Quality

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The Otay Water District’s efforts to preserve local habitat contribute to the region’s biodiversity and support healthy ecosystems, which are crucial for maintaining water quality for its customers and throughout San Diego County.

The San Miguel Habitat Management Area (HMA) is a 240-acre biological reserve owned and maintained by the Otay Water District. It is located within the City of Chula Vista and lies at the base of Mount Miguel and the San Miguel Mountains, surrounded by water reservoirs and the former Salt Creek Golf Course.

Otay Environmental Compliance Specialist Juliana Luengas works to help preserve local habitat which contributes to the region’s biodiversity and supports healthy ecosystems, which are crucial for maintaining water quality. Photo: Otay Water District

Otay Environmental Compliance Specialist Juliana Luengas works to help preserve local habitat which contributes to the region’s biodiversity and supports healthy ecosystems, which are crucial for maintaining water quality. Photo: Otay Water District

The HMA was established in 1994 under a joint agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, fulfilling requirements established by the Endangered Species Act.

The HMA is comprised of wetlands, coastal sage scrub, and native grasslands. Over 250 different species of flora and fauna, and more than 25 special status species were found within the HMA in a 2022 survey. Some of these species include the coastal California gnatcatcher, the least Bell’s vireo, the Quino checkerspot butterfly, the burrowing owl, the coastal cactus wren, the Otay tarplant, and the variegated dudleya.

Mountain bluebirds are one of the bird species found in the San Miguel Habitat Management Area. Photo: Otay Water District

Mountain bluebirds are one of the bird species found in the San Miguel Habitat Management Area. Photo: Otay Water District

“The San Miguel Habitat Management Area reflects Otay’s commitment to protecting native species and preserving natural resources while delivering safe, reliable water to our community,” says Otay Environmental Compliance Specialist Juliana Luengas.

Habitat Preservation Helps Maintain Water Quality

Water agencies preserve habitat to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply for current and future needs, while also supporting healthy ecosystems and communities. Habitat preservation is crucial for maintaining water quality, regulating water flow, and providing valuable ecosystem services. Healthy habitats also support biodiversity, protect endangered species, and enhance recreational opportunities.

Flower of the Otay tarplant, a species within the San Miguel Habitat Management area. Photo: Otay Water District

In 2023, the Otay Water District was awarded a grant through the SANDAG TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program for Threat Reduction in the HMA. This program has allocated $4 million annually to help maintain the biological integrity of San Diego County.

Ongoing activities within the San Miguel HMA include updating wildlife surveys and site maintenance.

Public Help Needed To Prevent Trespassing Damage to Habitat

Posted signs remind the public about the need for habitat preservation by avoiding trespassing in the San Miguel HMA. Photo: Otay Water District

Posted signs remind the public about the need for habitat preservation by avoiding trespassing in the San Miguel HMA. Photo: Otay Water District

Recently, the Otay Water District has been using these funds to combat the increased threat of illegal trespassing. The HMA has experienced increased illegal entrance and the creation of trails, which have caused severe damage to native habitats and sensitive species it was created to protect.

The District aims to reduce the number of recreational trespassers, including mountain bikers, hikers, dirt bikers, and ATV riders along the perimeter fencing, and reduce disturbance to habitats throughout the HMA.

Members of the community are reminded that the San Miguel HMA is private property, and recreational use or any trespassing, such as hiking or biking, is not permitted. The public is asked to refrain from feeding wildlife or littering.

Violations will result in arrests, fines, vehicle confiscation, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Residents are asked to report any trespassing by calling the City of Chula Vista Police at (619) 691-5151.

More information about the San Miguel HMA can be found at otaywater.gov/HMA.

Naturalists Paige DeCino (left) and Karen Merrill survey South Lake Reservoir. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Volunteers Offer Birds Eye View at South Lake Reservoir

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For decades, it was a source of drinking water for the San Marcos area. Today, the South Lake Reservoir has new life as a local wildlife habitat.

South Lake was built with an earthen dam and provided drinking water to the Lake San Marcos area, most of downtown San Marcos, and the Coronado Hills area. Updates to potable water treatment had detrimental effects on the lake ecology, so the Vallecitos Water District stopped using the lake as a drinking water source in 1984, although it remained an emergency water supply for another decade.

South Lake Reservoir is home to freshwater fish and abundant aquatic plant life, waterfowl, quail, doves, deer, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, bobcats, and coyotes. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

South Lake Reservoir is home to freshwater fish and abundant aquatic plant life, waterfowl, quail, doves, deer, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, bobcats, and coyotes. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Now, South Lake provides a thriving ecosystem within and around the facility. The lake is home to freshwater fish and abundant aquatic plant life. Waterfowl such as coots, gallinules, grebes, various species of ducks, and cormorants frequent the lake throughout the year. The property is filled with quail, doves, deer, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, bobcats, and coyotes.

Volunteers help identify habitat and wildlife at South Lake

Vallecitos Water District staff recently surveyed the area to look for animal tracks and other signs of wildlife, and to catalog plant and animal species.

Certified California naturalists Paige DeCino and Karen Merrill from Preserve Calavera assisted Vallecitos public information representative Alicia Yerman, who is also a certified naturalist. The team spent three days exploring the lake and the 1.4-mile trail. Merrill and DeCino host the volunteer UC Naturalist certification program. The program is currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Wildlife cameras at South Lake Reservoir captured this visiting bobcat at night. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Wildlife cameras at South Lake Reservoir captured this visiting bobcat at night. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Two wildlife cameras were set up at South Lake to capture wildlife activity over a two-week period. Lisa Urabe, a University of California trained Master Gardener and Vallecitos public information representative, asked the Buena Vista Audubon Society to conduct a bird survey. The BVAS volunteers identified 36 species in mid-February and created a YouTube video showcasing some of the species.

BVAS volunteers were enthusiastic about surveying the birds in an area set aside as wildlife habitat. With increased habitat fragmentation, BVAS hopes the area will remain primarily an area for wildlife.

Buena Vista Audubon Society volunteers including Karen Merrill andd Paig DeCino identified 36 species in mid-February and created a YouTube video showcasing some of the species seen. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Buena Vista Audubon Society volunteers including Karen Merrill andd Paige DeCino identified 36 species in mid-February and created a YouTube video showing some of species. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“What you have at South Lake is a gem of the healthy functioning habitat— flora, fauna, and it is just a complete picture of what we hope our open spaces and natural lands to be,” said Karen Merrill. “It is something we should treasure now and into the future. It is one of a kind here on coastal San Diego County.”

Vallecitos employees take pride in the lake and its surrounding ecosystem and strive to keep the habitat intact for generations to come.

Vallecitos Water District staff including maintenance operator Marcelino Sanchez help maintain the lake and habitat. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Vallecitos Water District staff, including water distribution operator Marcelino Sanchez, help maintain the lake and habitat. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Firefighting helicopters can pull water from the lake

In addition to its value as local wildlife habitat, South Lake is available for fire suppression. Firefighting helicopters can pull water from the lake during wildfire events. The lake may be used as part of the City of San Marcos’ park system in the future.

Water quality within South Lake is monitored daily by water distribution operators, and the condition of the dam’s integrity is recorded weekly. Recently, an environmentally-sound ultrasonic technology made by LG Sonic was placed on the lake to reduce algae blooms and to improve water quality.

Wildlife Protected for New Underground Reservoir Project

/in , , /by /Water News Networkby Kristiene Gong Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

One by one, small mammals and amphibians living within a construction zone in Mission Trails Regional Park are being relocated to safe areas. Protecting sensitive species is one part of the Mission Trails Project.

A team of biologists from the San Diego County Water Authority, AECOM, and the San Diego Natural History Museum began surveying for and relocating the wildlife in preparation for a new underground reservoir. The reservoir will be constructed in the western portion of the park. The habitat surveys and wildlife relocation program span 15 acres of the park and are designed to protect sensitive species in the project area from construction activities.

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