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South San Diego Bay Unit
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, California

A Haven for Wildlife
In one of the nation’s busiest urban areas, South San Diego Bay remains a vital link in the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds. South Bay is an important wintering area for waterfowl, such as surf scoter, scaup, brant, and bufflehead, and for shorebirds, such as northern phalarope and red knot. It is also an important breeding ground for seabirds, including black skimmer and several species of tern. South Bay provides habitat for six species of birds protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act .

As the area around San Diego Bay has become more urbanized, South Bay habitats have become increasingly essential for wildlife. Much of the area’s best remaining mudflats, salt marshes, and eelgrass beds are found here.

The salt ponds and surrounding shallow waters provide habitat for large numbers of seabirds and shorebirds. A 1994 study recorded more than half a million bird sightings in the salt ponds alone in a single year.

Yet most wildlife in San Diego Bay receives only indirect protection. Wildlife and habitats are threatened by encroaching development. It is often difficult for people to view the birds without disturbing them or trespassing on private property. 

Establishing a new refuge unit in South Bay would give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service a chance to protect and restore the small portion of the Bay where native habitats remain. No new or additional zoning or land-use regulations would be created by the Service within the approved refuge acquisition boundary; land-use designations and zoning would remain the responsibility of local jurisdictions. The proposed unit would be dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat, and available for the quiet enjoyment for people who come to see the birds of South San Diego Bay.

For More Information
The publications below provide information on the proposed establishment of the South San Diego Bay Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. If you are unfamiliar with this project, you may want to read the planning update before reading the more lengthy draft environmental assessment and land protection plan. Planning Updates offer useful summaries of the proposals and the current stage of the planning process. The draft environmental assessment, which has been developed with extensive public involvement, analyzes the effects of the habitat protection proposals on the natural and human environment. The draft land protection plan identifies lands for potential willing-seller acquisition and also describes other methods of providing protection.

Comment Period
Please note that the comment period on the draft documents is now open. The comment period has been extended to May 11, 1998, so please make sure that we receive your comments before that date. You may use the comment form provided on this website, or you may write a letter, send a fax, or send an e-mail message.

Mailed Comments: Send to Charles Houghten, Chief, Planning Branch, ARW/RE, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181.

E-mail Comments: Send to r1planning_guest@fws.gov .

Faxed Comments: Send to (503) 231-6161.

Publications
Note: To read any Adobe Portable Document Format publications, you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• Planning Update, November 1997--Text only
• Planning Update, November 1997--Adobe Portable Document Format
• Planning Update, February 1998 --Adobe Portable Document Format
• Planning Update, April 1998 --Text only
• Planning Update, April 1998 --Adobe Portable Document Format
• News Release --U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Invites Public Comments On Draft Proposal For South San Diego Bay Refuge Unit; Public Workshops Announced
• Draft Environmental Assessment --Adobe Portable Document Format
• Draft Land Protection Plan --Adobe Portable Document Format
• News Release -- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Extends Public Comment Period on Draft Proposal for South San Diego Bay Refuge Unit

Links to Related Information

• Western Snowy Plover Breeding and Wintering Areas
• North American Breeding Bird Survey
  • Brown Pelican
  • Clapper Rail
  • Savannah Sparrow
• California Wetlands Information System
• California Coastal Resources: Coastal Salt Marshes
• Service Presentation about Proposed South Bay Refuge, Imperial Beach City Council Meeting Minutes (see item 7)

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