Project Overview
The City of San Diego Storm Water Pollution Prevention Division
has received grant funding from the State of California to restore
Chollas Creek. There are two grants: the San Diego Region
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Education and Outreach Project
grant and the Chollas Creek Water Quality Protection & Habitat
Enhancement Project grant. Both grants are funded by the State
Water Resources Control Board with funds approved by voters in the
Proposition 13 Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grant
Program.
Both grants are concentrating their efforts in the Chollas Creek
Watershed. The creek winds its way from the cities of Lemon Grove
and La Mesa before cutting through the heart of the City of San
Diego. Along it’s way to San Diego Bay, Chollas Creek
collects pollutants that are unhealthy for aquatic life and humans.
In 2002, Chollas Creek was identified by the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) as an impaired water body with high
concentrations of diazinon, coliform, and metals such as cadmium,
copper, zinc and lead. In its current state, the Creek has also
become a major collector of trash and debris.
The purpose of these two grants is to improve the health of
Chollas Creek, improve water quality, alleviate flooding, and
provide essential pollution prevention information to residents and
businesses who will sustain the creek improvements beyond the life
of the grants. Enhancing Chollas Creek will also further the
community’s efforts to create a natural linear park and trail
system.
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