Today, approximately 11,000 acres of City-owned land in the San Pasqual Valley are devoted to agriculture, habitat and recreational uses. As a City we should take great pride in this wonderful natural asset, and I believe this plan is essential if we are to preserve the unique character and pristine resources of the San Pasqual Valley for future San Diegans.

For more than 150 years, the San Pasqual Valley has provided our region with a significant groundwater resource and with opportunities for sustainable agriculture. Urban pressures on diminishing resources have increased the importance of preserving San Pasqual Valley's open space and habitat values, as well as its outdoor recreational opportunities and cultural and historic resources.

We have inherited the responsibility to manage these precious lands for habitat preservation and sustainable agriculture, while also providing our communities with potable groundwater. Our stewardship and responsibility is not one that can remain a passive endeavor, but requires active leadership to secure, promote and maintain the integrity of this agricultural and open space preserve.

A series of far-reaching policy issues confront the San Pasqual Valley today, including the viability of continued agricultural production, open space values, and the protection of groundwater resources for future generations. In order to maintain the integrity of the Valley and the rural community present there today, the level of cooperation and planning among the land use jurisdictions that surround the San Pasqual Valley must be increased. Together, the cities of San Diego, Escondido, Poway and the County of San Diego all bear responsibility for preserving the Valley's future.

As the City of San Diego's elected representative for the San Pasqual Valley, I ask for your support in:

• Adopting the following initiatives and policy directives for the City Departments to implement;
  
• Directing the City Manager to return to the Land Use and Housing Committee every quarter with a status report on implementing these new policy initiatives, until all of the directives outlined in this Vision Plan are accomplished.

This Plan addresses the following specific goals and tasks to be achieved in the San Pasqual Valley:

1. Establish a prohibition of any further commercialization of the Valley - to prevent any loss of open space in the Valley and to clearly establish the intention that the Valley is not available for development;

2. Tailor zoning within the Valley to ensure the preservation of the Valley's existing rural character and to encourage appropriate agricultural uses - to put in place regulations to achieve the intended preservation;

3. Protect the quality and capacity of the San Pasqual/Lake Hodges groundwater basin - to ensure that this invaluable asset as a water resource is not compromised;

4. Protect, enhance and restore the sensitive habitats within the San Pasqual Valley and monitor and manage habitat issues;

5. Promote passive recreation and interpretive uses in the Valley - to allow citizens and residents to learn about the Valley's heritage and enjoy its beauty;

6. Preserve, promote and sustain agricultural uses - to make certain that San Diego's only agricultural area remains viable;

7. Build consensus through collaborative partnerships among the adjacent jurisdictions and any other entities with an interest in this area on how best to preserve the qualities and resources of the San Pasqual Valley - to gain commitment from neighboring cities that preservation of the Valley's agricultural and rural character is a regional priority;

8. Establish an Interpretive Center in the San Pasqual Valley - to provide a place for visitors to learn about the Valley's history and plan activities to enjoy;

9. Inform the San Pasqual/Lake Hodges Community Planning Group and the Rancho Bernardo Community Planning Board of all planning and land use issues that pertain to the San Pasqual Valley Plan Area - to ensure that the local residents with an interest and passion for preserving the Valley are aware of any plans which may affect the use of land within the Valley;

10. Ensure the long-term protection of the Valley's unique agricultural, biological, and water resources - to continually pursue the best protection of the Valley available.

It is the desire of the City of San Diego to ensure the long-term protection of the significant water resources within the San Pasqual Valley, as these resources will play an important role in helping to meet the City's future water supply needs. It is also the desire of the City to preserve the Valley's significant agricultural areas, sensitive native habitats and unique scenic qualities. The irreplaceable glimpses of San Diego's natural and cultural heritage that are preserved within this Valley must not be lost. Significant biological and cultural resources will be protected and properly managed; appropriate agricultural activities will be facilitated; and compatible, passive recreational uses will be pursued. All of these goals are to be accomplished for the enjoyment and appreciation of future generations.

The San Pasqual Plan, updated in 1995, designates a finite number of sites for limited commercial uses associated with low-impact recreation and agriculture. In the year 2000, the Hodges Golf Improvement Center was approved by the previous City Council. The City's Municipal Code currently allows driving ranges and miniature golf facilities in the AR-1-1 zone with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit. These types of uses are not consistent with the vision for this Valley. It is imperative that no further commercial development be permitted in the Valley, and that any proposals for uses considered incompatible with the vision and goals established for the Valley be rejected at the earliest application and review stage.

This directive is not intended to restrict the ability of the Wild Animal Park to 1) operate its visitor-serving activities within the current or future Park boundaries or 2) to further its animal conservation and propagation mission within the limits of its current lease or any future leases or rights of entry.

Additionally, because the AG-1-1 zone still permits some uses that are inconsistent with the land use proposals included within the San Pasqual Valley Plan, the City Manager is further directed to work with the Planning Department to identify the appropriate zoning tools available within the Municipal Code to limit the permitted uses within the Valley. Uses shall be limited to only those uses that are described in the adopted San Pasqual Valley Plan. With the exception of those limited commercial uses that are directly associated with the agricultural activities occurring in the Valley, all commercial development, as well as golf courses and driving ranges (which may not technically be designated as "commercial"), shall be prohibited in the San Pasqual Valley under the proposed tailored zoning.

Further, even under the AG-1-1 zone, a number of uses would be permitted that are not considered appropriate for the Valley. Therefore, a new zone tailored to the desires for San Pasqual, or some other appropriate zoning mechanism must be identified that would limit the types of uses permitted in the Valley by the AG zone to only those uses that are described in the adopted San Pasqual Valley Plan. Options to be considered include amending the AG zone to specifically exclude certain allowable uses within the San Pasqual Valley; developing a Planned District for the San Pasqual Valley in accordance with §103.0101 of the Municipal Code; and applying a Community Plan Implementation Overlay Zone to the Valley that restricts uses to those outlined in the San Pasqual Valley Plan. In developing this recommendation, it is important to verify that the uses that would be permitted by the zone, PDO, or overlay would not conflict with the goals established for the Valley.

2) The City Manager is also directed to establish procedures that would prohibit the Water Department or the Real Estate Assets Department from entertaining any lease or use proposals within the Valley that would jeopardize water quality or the overall storage capacity of the San Pasqual/Lake Hodges surface water and groundwater basin. If a priority of the City is to protect the watershed and the surface and underground water resources, then the uses and other proposals considered and ultimately permitted in the Valley must be compatible with that priority. All efforts shall be taken to ensure that proposals such as the injection of any source of water into aquifers will not diminish groundwater quality.

In 1999, the Water Department hired a consultant to assist in the development of a long-term plan for incorporating the San Pasqual/Hodges groundwater basin, and other groundwater basins, into the City's water supply system. The Water Department is also currently developing a watershed management plan for this area. Goals for these projects include developing recommendations for protecting and managing the surface water and groundwater basins, as well as investigating the basin's groundwater assets. In order to ensure the long-term protection of this water resource, as well as to support the preservation of agriculture and open space restoration within the Valley, it is imperative that a timetable be established and maintained by the Water Department for completing the surface water and groundwater storage plans for the San Pasqual/Hodges basin and ensure that any watershed protection guidelines which result from this work are implemented. Completion of these projects would resolve the current uncertainty within the Valley with respect to leases, invasive species control, and restoration of native habitats.

To protect the quality of the Valley's water resources, it is also necessary to evaluate the impact that certain land uses and land and water management practices could have on the underlying groundwater resource. At the conclusion of this evaluation, the Water Department will have the information needed to identify those agricultural uses and other land management practices that will protect or improve existing water quality, as well as preserve the natural water storage capabilities of the basin. The Water Department will also have the assurances necessary to once again enter into long-term leases for appropriate agricultural uses in the Valley. This information will also allow the Water Department to work cooperatively with other departments and agencies to implement projects that support the other priorities identified for the Valley.

2) The City Manager is directed to review current leasehold boundaries and MHPA boundaries in the Valley and determine any issues involving the possibility of sensitive habitat encroachment. Once these areas have been identified, the City Manager is directed to investigate and report on the feasibility of surveying and clearly marking leasehold boundaries where encroachment into sensitive habitats could become an issue. In determining proper boundary lines, the City Manager shall analyze previous boundary lines in relation to current boundaries, and shall take into consideration leasehold boundaries, which may have changed over the years due to flooding or other factors. Also to be considered is the analysis of MHPA boundaries, which were reviewed in conjunction with the 1995 San Pasqual Plan.

3) After clarifying proper boundaries for current leaseholds, the City Manager shall establish a monitoring program of the leaseholds and of the leaseholders' activities to ensure that the leaseholders are operating in a manner consistent with the terms and conditions of their lease. The City Manager shall report any evidence of possible encroachment into sensitive habitats to the appropriate agency, and to the San Pasqual Land Use Task Force described in Directive Six. The intent of this directive is to prevent future encroachments once leasehold boundaries are more clearly defined. Any potential encroachment issue shall be considered in the context of the historical boundaries and uses for each leasehold, with consideration also given to existing environmental regulations. The preparation of an annual report summarizing the findings of this monitoring program is also requested.

4) In an effort to facilitate communication and cooperation among City departments and other agencies interested in implementing habitat restoration and enhancement projects within the Valley, the City Manager is directed to establish a review committee consisting of staff representatives from relevant Departments. This committee will be responsible for coordinating the various comments presented by individual departments, providing an informed analysis of the proposal and the comments, and advising the City Manager's office on project schedules, potential processing delays or any concerns related to permitting or ultimate project approval. This committee will also provide the communication and coordination for other proposals affecting the Valley, such as recreational trails, as discussed in Directive Five.

Several factors currently threaten the quality and total acreage of native habitat within the Valley. These include the spread of invasive plant species, potential encroachment of agricultural activities into areas designated for habitat preservation, and unauthorized off-road activity in the river bed.

Invasive plant species pose the most serious threat to native habitat and water quality within the Valley. Exotic plants are displacing native plant species and clogging the riverbed with dense vegetation that compromises the function of the riparian corridors. Control of salt cedar, Arundo, perennial pepperweed and other invasive plants must occur at a coordinated, basin-wide scale. Piecemeal control is often ineffective, as propagation can continue to occur from seed and vegetation sources located upstream of a control project. The Water Department has been working on the River Corridor Management Plan, an invasive species management proposal, for several years now. However, little, if any, "on-the-ground" control has begun to date.

Another threat to habitat quality within the Valley is unauthorized encroachment into the Valley's natural areas. This is most evident within the riparian corridor where agricultural lands have been developed immediately adjacent to or in some cases within the floodway of the Valley's major drainages. The result of this encroachment is the loss of the native vegetation that protects the stream banks and slows flood flows. This in turn results in increased erosion downstream and additional loss of agricultural lands during floods. It is recognized that erosion from flooding has caused leasehold boundaries to change, and that any factor affecting leasehold boundaries must be considered when evaluating sensitive habitat areas and potential encroachment in them. Once the appropriate leasehold boundaries are determined, future monitoring of the leaseholds will ensure that the leaseholders' activities are consistent with the terms and conditions of their leases.

With its array of public and non-profit facilities, the Valley provides a unique opportunity for establishing an interagency partnership program that combines passive recreation with education and interpretation. The interpretive opportunities within the Valley could be expanded to include the Valley's structures and the Valley's rich Native American history. The City's Real Estate Assets Department has also stated in the past that it desires to develop a program to interpret current and past farming practices in the Valley.

Developing a comprehensive interpretive program requires coordination among the various agencies already present within the Valley, including the California State Parks Department, the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, the San Diego Zoological Society, and the City of San Diego. Other partners shall also be invited to participate, such as the City of Escondido, the City of Poway, the County of San Diego, Natural Resources Conservation Service, local historical societies, environmental non-profit organizations, and the San Pasqual Indians. As the major property owner in the Valley, the City of San Diego will take the lead in coordinating the development of such a program. The economic, social and environmental benefits of implementing this type of interpretive program will be significant and far-reaching.

The San Pasqual Valley Plan proposes a coordinated system of public trails through the Valley. Unfortunately, past efforts to obtain City approval for trail construction has highlighted the difficulties of navigating these types of projects through the City's development approval process. I request better coordination among City departments with respect to the review and permitting of passive recreational trails. These types of projects are generally funded by federal, state, or local grants and have limited budgets and short implementation deadlines. City staff shall take these limitations into consideration when conducting their review. Staff members with experience in trail planning, design, and maintenance are to be included on project review teams to assist in the review process. Reviewing departments are encouraged to take advantage of the experience and expertise available from the Senior Rangers in the City's Open Space Division, as well as from other agencies with expertise in trail issues and design, such as the County of San Diego and the California State Parks Department. A better understanding of trails and trail design will result in a more efficient review process, and the timely development of much needed passive recreation within the City of San Diego.

The same review committee proposed in Directive Four shall also be utilized to review trail proposals. As stated previously, this committee will consist of staff representatives from relevant City Departments and will be responsible for coordinating comments, providing an informed analysis of proposals and advising the City Manager on project schedules, potential processing delays, or any concerns related to permitting or ultimate project approval.

2) To ensure that the agriculture and water priorities of the Valley are met while recognizing the fundamental needs of agricultural operations in the Valley, the City Manager is directed to form a San Pasqual Land Use Task Force to hear, review and consider issues arising from time to time concerning water and agricultural needs in the Valley. This advisory task force shall include a total of nine to eleven members, including: one (1) representative of the San Pasqual/Lake Hodges Community Planning Group, one (1) representative of the Rancho Bernardo Community Planning Board, one (1) representative of the Wild Animal Park, one (1) official of the City's Real Estate Assets Department, one (1) official of the City's Water Department, one (1) representative of the City's Planning Department, one (1) representative of the Farm Bureau and one (1) representative of the Natural Resource Conservation District, and one (1) at-large member to be appointed by the Councilmember with jurisdiction over the San Pasqual Valley. Members of this task force shall be appointed by the Councilmember with jurisdiction over the San Pasqual Valley, and members shall serve staggered four (4) year terms. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. The Task Force should meet at least semi-annually, and its purpose shall be to solely devote its focus and attention to current issues which relate to present Valley leaseholds or which affect the integrity and preservation of the Valley. Such issues may include a review of leases near expiration and options associated with renewing those leases where appropriate, streamlining of lease procedures, policies related to possible use of recycled water, invasive species and appropriate MSCP buffer zones, or recent proposals of agricultural uses or techniques not previously used in the Valley or otherwise discussed or considered.

At the same time, it is also recognized that sustaining farming practices in the Valley is an important part of the overall vision for the San Pasqual Valley. The Water Department is presently directing the Real Estate Assets Department to limit all leases requiring water to a period of five years. This policy is viewed by some of the farmers within the Valley as a threat to their ability to continue their current agricultural practices because of the need for a longer term commitment in order to secure financing or to make investments in equipment and materials feasible. This practice also works to inhibit the negotiation of new leases in the Valley.

Formation of a San Pasqual Land Use Task Force will provide an effective forum for addressing and managing issues which need to be reviewed and balanced in order to protect and preserve the Valley appropriately. A recurring issue to be reviewed and discussed by this Task Force is the distinction between various types of agricultural practices and techniques, and whether a particular technique is considered to be a "traditional" or "non-traditional" farming practice. The goal in resolving this issue shall be to determine the appropriateness on any farming practices in this Valley, and to determine what practices are compatible with preserving the agricultural and rural integrity of the Valley while still maintaining its value as a significant water resource.

The primary goal of this cooperative effort is to collectively agree on appropriate land use standards and intensities of development for those properties surrounding the San Pasqual Valley, as well as to ensure that any proposals initiated by other entities, whether public or private, within or adjacent to the Valley, be sensitive to the vision for the Valley as explained in this plan. This would extend to transportation projects, public utilities, and other public facilities. Because of the importance of the water resources within the Valley, an important objective of this effort is to extend the watershed management practices outlined in the City's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program beyond the city limits to the watershed level in order to protect the quality of the receiving waters in the San Dieguito watershed.