San Dieguito Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area
This project is working to restore the San Dieguito Lagoon SMCA, an area that protects 70 acres of critical coastal wetland habitat. The main project goals include creating a new trail, enhancing and expanding riparian habitat, and converting former agricultural fields into tidal wetlands.
About This Project
Who is proposing this project?
Lead Organization: San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Website: https://www.sandag.org/
Supporting organizations:
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority (JPA)
What is proposed?
SANDAG and Caltrans, along with partner agency San Dieguito River Park JPA, are working to restore the San Dieguito Lagoon. Located in the San Dieguito watershed, the Lagoon protects 70 acres of important estuary habitat. While the water is protected from human interference as a State Marine Conservation Area, the wetlands surrounding the lagoon require restoration to protect a number of species that depend on our vanishing coastal wetlands.
The lagoon restoration focuses on converting around 84 acres of former farmland and other degraded land into tidal wetlands, which are an important part of biodiversity in our region. The project is also working to enhance and expand wetland habitat along the San Dieguito River by excavating over 1.1 million cubic yards of soil. In total, the project will restore 64 acres of tidal salt marsh, 15 acres of brackish wetlands (a mixture of saltwater and freshwater), and an additional 5 acres of riparian habitat.
The project also includes construction of a new trail connection from the Dust Devil Nature Trail to the Coast to Crest Trail.
Project Location
The San Dieguito Lagoon is located in Del Mar, California, just a short drive north of downtown San Diego. The project’s focus is south of Via de la Valle and east of Interstate 5.
Why is this project on the 30×30 list?
Restoration of the San Dieguito Lagoon helps preserve biodiversity by protecting and expanding critical habitat for native plants, endangered birds, marine fish, and other wildlife. For example, salt marsh vegetation surrounding the lagoon provides important nesting habitat for endangered birds like the Belding’s savannah sparrow and California least tern. The lagoon also provides a resting spot for over 100 bird species that migrate the Pacific Flyway. The shallow estuary and marshlands also provide nursery areas or hunting grounds for marine fish like the California halibut, shovelnose guitarfish, and spotted sand bass.
Estuary habitat like the San Dieguito Lagoon is also important for preserving and improving climate resiliency. The San Dieguito Lagoon’s 70 acres of carbon-storing estuary not only helps sequester carbon to fight climate change, but will also mitigate the impacts of climate change such as flooding caused by rising sea levels.
The restoration of San Dieguito Lagoon also increases public access to outdoor recreation opportunities. The project plan includes construction of a new trail connection, which will help more people get outdoors and experience open space. The San Dieguito Lagoon is on the ancestral lands of the Kumeyaay Nation, so preserving the land is also of historical and cultural significance.
How will this project be completed?
This project is Phase II of the San Dieguito Lagoon Wetland Restoration in North County. Work began on this project in early 2022. The restoration project is estimated to be completed in the spring of 2024.