Conservation

The mission of the conservation program is to preserve native plant species and their habitats on public and private lands in California by advocating for the maximum protection of native plants and promoting science-based and ecologically-sound land management practices.

CNPS - San Diego Comment Letters in order of date, newest to oldest

Pio Pico
Imperial Sand Dunes
Tree Removal
Imperial Valley Solar
Aldine Dr. slope
Wetlands deviation
Tijuana River Valley waiver
EIR General Plan
Stormwater
Sewer Design
Vegetation Management
West Lewis Mini Park
County Vegetation Management
Rose Canyon biology
Pampas Grass Fenton

**New **Opposition to Pio Pico Energy Plant in Otay - October 2010 (pdf 238K)

Re: Letter of Opposition to the Pio Pico Energy Center Power Plant Proposal in Otay Valley Regional Park

Dear Honorable Commissioner Jeffrey D. Byron,

The undersigned organizations represent thousands of residents who live and work in the County of San Diego. We are writing to express our opposition to the development of a natural gas power plant in the Otay Valley Regional Park near the Otay Lakes Reservoir. To read more.....

**New **Imperial Sand Dunes Draft Recreation Area Management Plan and DEIS - July 28, 2010 (pdf 232K)

Re: Imperial Sand Dunes Draft Recreation Area Management Plan and DEIS

Dear Sir or Madam,

We appreciate the opportunity comment on the Imperial Sand Dunes Draft Recreation Area Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) works to protect California's native plant heritage and
preserve it for future generations. CNPS promotes sound plant science as the backbone of effective natural areas protection. We work closely with decision-makers, scientists, and local planners to advocate for well informed and environmentally friendly policies,
regulations, and land management practices. To read more.....

Dead, Dying and Diseased Tree Removal - July 12, 2010 (pdf 276K)

Re: Negative Declaration for Dead, Dying, and Diseased Tree Removal in the Greater Julian Area and nearby Areas

Dear Mr. Oberbauer:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Negative Declaration for Dead, Dying,
and Diseased Tree Removal in the Greater Julian Area and nearby Areas.
The California Native Plant Society supports fuel management plans that minimize the
risk to human life and property while maximizing protection of native plants and their
habitats. These plans should be locally-adapted and account for all combustible materials,
including building materials, ornamental vegetation, other landscaping materials, and
adjacent native plant ecosystems. To read more....

Imperial Valley Solar DEIS - May 27, 2010 (pdf 311K)

Re: CNPS Comments Regarding Imperial Valley Solar SAIDEIS, Docket #08-AFC-5

Dear Mr. Meyers:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Staff AssessmentlDraft Environmental Impact Statement for the Imperial Valley Solar Project (formerly SES Solar 2).
Our comments follow:
Inadequate Plant Studies: We agree that the plant surveys conducted in 2007 and 2008 are not adequate to determine the presence or absence of special plant species. To read more....

Aldine Drive Slope Stabilization - January 30, 2010 (pdf 88K)

SUBJECT:  SDAS comments on Aldine Drive Slope Stabilization DMND, Project No. 152162

Dear Mr. Szymanski:

The San Diego Audubon Society is concerned with the planned revegetation and maintenance of the project site after grading.  The Biological Resources Report for the project, on page 9 states that the project is adjacent to the MHPA and that it encroaches into the MHPA.  On page 10 it recites the MHPA adjacency guidelines, including.....To read more....

EIR for wetland deviations - October 30, 2009 (pdf 332K)

RE: Project No. 150488/SCH No, 2008021094

Dear Ms. Shearer-Nguyen:

We understand that the City of San Diego is amending the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Regulations in order to provide better guidance to staff, decision makers, and applicants as to when deviations should be allowed. To read more....

Proposed changes to ESL Regulations to address wetland deviations - October 30, 2009 (pdf 329K)

RE: Comments on proposed changes to ESL Regulations to address wetland deviations

Dear Ms. McPherson:

We understand that the City of San Diego is amending the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Regulations in order to provide better guidance to staff, decision makers, and applicants as to when deviations should be allowed. To read more.....

Audubon letter DHS objecting to City request for waiver - September 20, 2009 (pdf 82K)

Subject: Please do not waive environmental regulations for channel clearing in the Tijuana River Valley by the City of San Diego

Dear Secretary Napolitano,nds Advisory Board:

The Tijuana River Valley and the adjacent estuary is the most nearly intact natural upland/river/estuary/salt marsh/dune/beach/ocean transition in Southern California.  As a result it is extremely important as a habitat for a broad range of native vegetation and wildlife.  It is a core habitat area under our region’s Federal Habitat Conservation Plan and California Natural Communities Conservation Plan for Federal and State Threatened and Endangered Species.  It is also identified as a wetland of international significance under the United Nation’s RAMSAR Convention. To read more...

**New **Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Report for General Plan - August 31, 2009 (pdf 282K)

RE: Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Report for General Plan

Dear Mr. Muto,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on the General Plan for San Diego County. The San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society shares concerns about the future of natural environments
in San Diego with many of the County’s residents. To read more.....

**New **Master Storm Water System Maintenance Program - Aug 20, 2009 (pdf 388K)

RE: Project #42891, Master Storm Water System Maintenance Program

Dear Ms. Herrmann:

The California Native Plant Society, San Diego Chapter (CNPS), appreciates the opportunity to comment on the draft EIR for maintenance of City of San Diego (City) storm water facilities. To read more...

Wetland Advisory Board on Sewer Design Guidelines - May 10, 2009 (pdf 381K)

RE: Sewer Design Guidelines

Dear Wetlands Advisory Board:

We would like to bring to your attention part of the City of San Diego’s Sewer Guidelines that affect restoration in the City’s open space Preserve and wetlands therein. We understand that these guidelines will be under review shortly by the Metropolitan Wastewater Department; therefore it would be an opportune time to make recommendations for changes to improve them. We...To read more...

**New **Vegetation Management Report Final Draft, February 11, 2009 - March 13, 2009 (pdf 219K)

RE: Vegetation Management Report Final Draft, February 11, 2009

Dear San Diego Board of Supervisors:

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals with a common interest in California’s native plants. The Society seeks to increase understanding of California’s native flora and to preserve our rich
botanical resources for future generations. To read more.....

West Lewis Mini-Park - March 23, 2009 (pdf 213K)

RE: Project No. 150839

Dear Mr. Szymanski:

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals with a common interest in California’s native plants. The Society seeks to increase understanding of California’s native flora and to preserve our rich botanical resources for future generations. To read more....

**New **County Vegetation Management Practices - September 22, 2008 (pdf 222K)

RE: County Vegetation Management Practices (Agenda Item 5, Sept. 24, 2008)

Dear Chairman Cox and Members of the Board:

The San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the item County Vegetation Management Practices (Agenda Item 5, Sept. 24, 2008). To read more...

Biology Rose Canyon - April 13, 2005 (pdf 193K)

Re: Comments on Biological Resources Report and Impact Analysis, and Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the University City North/South Transportation Corridor Study

You have asked me to provide an analysis and commentary on the City of San Diego’s Biological Resources Report and Impact Analysis (“Biology Report”), and Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the University City North/South Transportation Corridor Study. As you know, I am a professional biological consultant residing....To read more......

**New **Pampas Grass at Fenton Marketplace - April 12, 2003 (pdf 183K)

Re: Pampas Grass at Fenton Marketplace

Dear Mr. Sudberry,

I would like to thank you for your serious consideration of our request that Fenton Marketplace remove the ornamental Pampas Grass in its landscaping, and for sending me the report by Mr. Nowell. To read more...

**New **Pampas Grass at Fenton Marketplace Landscaping - Jan 13, 2003 (pdf 227K)

Re: Use of Pampas Grass in the Felton Marketplace landscaping

Dear President Sudberry: