SANDAG and Caltrans officials were on hand Monday to announce completion of the San Dieguito Lagoon Wetland Restoration Project.
The restored wetlands will provide a new home for many federally endangered species including the coastal California gnatcatcher and the Belding’s Savannah Sparaoh. The project also added a mile of new trail along El Camino Real.
“This project represents the commitment that our community has made to environmental protection, and a greener and healthier future,” California State Assemblymember Tasha Boerner said.
In total, 64 acres of tidal salt marsh, 15 acres of brackish wetlands, which are a mixture of saltwater and freshwater, and an additional 5 acres of habitat bordering the river were restored through this project, officials said.
The restoration will mitigate the environmental impact of the new I-5 North Coast Corridor and provide resilience for future flooding, according to SANDAG.