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Advocate for Old Mission Dam

Dear Friend of Mission Trails, 

Did you know that the park’s Old Mission Dam is a National Historic Landmark? It earned the distinction in 1963 and is one of only 17 National Historic Landmarks in San Diego County.

Thanks to the advocacy of City Councilmember and Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Task Force Chair Raul Campillo (D-7), crucial funding for the dredging of Old Mission Dam has been requested in the City’s 2023 Fiscal Year Parks and Recreation Department budget. Dredging of the dam should take place every few years to remove excess silt deposits to ensure the structure remains intact. The $750,000 requested by Councilmember Campillo will be used toward this necessary, required maintenance. 

Here’s how you can help secure the funding to preserve and protect Old Mission Dam. Members of the MTRP community can support the proposed funding for the dredging this Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 9AM: 

On Thursday morning, the City of San Diego’s Budget Review Committee will consider the proposed Parks and Recreation Department Budget, and we’re asking you to offer testimony on the importance of Old Mission Dam, either via phone or in person. 

Instructions to join the meeting virtually or in person, and how you can offer testimony are provided through this link. If you would like to attend the meeting in person, staff from the District 7 office can validate your parking. 

If you would like to watch the meeting via City TV after you offer testimony, click here.

Many thanks for your support of this crucially important project at Mission Trails, and for all you do to preserve and protect the park.

This is written by B. Lane MacKenzie, Board President and Jennifer Morrissey, Executive Director
Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

Featured

Victory! Denial of the gas pipeline

Spring Canyon on a Cloudy Day

Victory for Mission Trails Regional Park and surrounding neighborhoods! The CPUC  voted to reject the gas pipeline on June 21, 2018.

The CPUC affirmed the need does not exist. Renewable generation is reducing the role of gas power plants. This historic decision clears the way for a brighter future. We applaud the CPUC for this decision.

The misguided project would have burdened local customers with higher energy bills. Instead, California is moving towards clean energy alternatives.

“This $2 billion pipeline would have been built on the backs of San Diego families who would have paid for it until 2063,” said Matt Vespa, staff attorney at Earthjustice.

Our neighborhoods are safer, our Southern California Gas Company and SDGE bills will be lower, and our park remains protected. A huge thank you to all the volunteers that made this a reality. Well done, SMT activists – that means you! And a huge thank you to the organizations, including Earthjustice, Preserve Wild Santee, SanDiego350, and Sierra Club, among others, that helped defeat this boondoggle.

 

 

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Gas Pipeline Threatens Park – Your Action Requested!

View of Mission Trails from East Fortuna Staging AreaUPDATE:  On May 2, 2018, the CPUC Administrative Law Judge Colette Kersten recommended a denial of the gas pipeline, stating it was not needed. The Commissioners voted to reject the pipeline on June 21, 2018. Well done, SMT activists – that means you!

KEY ACTION ITEM:  Save Mission Trails opposes the Spring Canyon Firebreak and Rainbow to Santee Non-Miramar alternative pipeline routes. SMT supports CPUC ALJ Kersten’s draft decision to reject the project based on SDG&E’s failure to demonstrate sufficient need. The cost to ratepayers would be $639 million!
Email BEFORE June 21. 

The #1 action is to send an email or letter TODAY – well before June 21.
You may use the sample letter at the bottom of this post (copy and paste) or (better) craft your own letter. Add your name and city to the letter.

EMAIL your letter to the Commissioner President Michael Picker at mp6@cpuc.ca.gov and to the CPUC at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
(For snail mail, use the address on the sample letter below.)
Additionally, you may email/mail the other four commissioners individually:
Commissioner Carla Peterman: cap@cpuc.ca.gov
Commissioner Liane Randolph: lrl@cpuc.ca.gov
Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves: mga@cpuc.ca.gov
Commissioner Cliff Rechtschaffen: cr6@cpuc.ca.gov

DETAILS:  A 36″ high pressure natural gas “transmission line” is being built from Rainbow to Mission Valley to replace the 70 year-old pipeline currently in use. Unfortunately, Colonel Woodworth, the Miramar CO, wants the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and SDG&E to consider alternative routes that avoid Miramar completely. The two alternative routes would impact MTRP, the Goodan Ranch, and the City of Santee.

SDG&E would like the pipeline to pass through Miramar providing the cheapest and most direct route for this infrastructural upgrade project. However, without action by the affected communities, the alternatives could become reality.

The two alternative routes proposed by SDG&E pass through MTRP and the City of Santee. The first alternative route travels from Poway through the MTRP West Sycamore Area, the Goodan Ranch, the Fanita Ranch property, under Fanita Parkway, turning west under Carlton Oaks Blvd, and terminating at the Rumson Rd Natural Gas Pipeline access point. The second alternative route travels from Poway through East Elliott, down MTRP’s Spring Canyon, through the East Mission Trails Staging Area, under the SR-52/Mast intersection, under the West Hills Pkwy/Mast intersection terminating at the Rumson Rd Natural Gas access point.

Both of these alternatives are unacceptable! SMT will oppose this project through the grassroots methods which we employed to stop the Quail Brush Power Plant! That means YOU taking action NOW. If this Transmission Pipeline is placed in Santee and MTRP, we have strong concerns that another Power Plant proposal will follow.

MORE INFO:  View the CPUC’s PSRP website or SDG&E’s pipeline project website.
Project Name: Pipeline Safety and Reliability Project – New Natural Gas Line 3602 -Proceeding A1509013

THANK YOU very much for your concern, attention, and ACTION!
~SMT Volunteers

Copy and paste the letter below or write your own comments.
——————————

President Michael Picker
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102

RE: Pipeline Safety and Reliability Project (Application No. A.15-09-013)

I support ALJ Commissioner Kersten’s recommendation to reject the proposed gas pipeline (Line 3602) as not needed. Kersten states, “Applicants have not shown why it is necessary to build a very costly pipeline to substantially increase gas pipeline capacity in an era of declining demand and at a time when the state of California is moving away from fossil fuels.”

Furthermore, I oppose both alternative routes of this project. Alternative routes through Mission Trails Regional Park and surrounding park expansion areas are not acceptable.

The first proposed alternative would disrupt the use of and degrade Mission Trails Regional Park’s West Sycamore Area including parts of the new Stowe Trail, as well as the Goodan Ranch, and Fanita Ranch. These preserved areas and parklands are used by hundreds of visitors daily. Maintaining the integrity of the preservation of these natural lands is imperative for existing wildlife, flora, and habitat.

The second proposed alternative is equally unacceptable and would degrade Mission Trails’s Spring Canyon and East Fortuna Staging Area, and also East Elliott, part of MTRP’s larger ecosystem. The park and its surrounding expansion area must be protected. A new gas pipeline does not belong in these natural habitats which are used recreationally by park visitors.

Please drop or oppose these alternative routes. Please vote no on Pipeline 3602.
Thank you.

###

SaveSave

SaveSave

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Ding-Dong! Quail Brush is Dead! “Undeniably and reliably dead.”

We did it! You did it! Cogentrix withdrew! All proceedings for Quail Brush Power Plant are terminated. We won!

With every letter, rally, meeting, and donation, we fought hard to protect our park, communities, health, quality of life, and the planet. Folks like you, of all political stripes, united and said NO to Quail Brush. We joined efforts with many outstanding organizations (see list of supporters) and became a formidable alliance. Our coalition said NO to an immensely expensive taxpayer-funded project for energy which the Public Utilities Commission ruled was not needed. We said NO to industrializing open space near Mission Trails Park, grading hills and destroying wildlife and tranquility. We said NO to an unhealthy polluting gas plant in a high-fire zone just a stone’s throw from schools, homes, hospitals, and neighborhood playgrounds. We said NO to more fossil fuel in Southern California. And we are saying YES to rooftop solar and community choice aggregation (CCA).

On September 12, Cogentrix requested to withdraw the application for Quail Brush. Docketed on September 15, 2014, the California Energy Commission ordered termination for all proceedings on the plant. Victory! Power to the People!

Our first mission is complete. Our second mission is to protect Mission Trails and the East Elliott open space area from future encroachment. Save Mission Trails will continue to monitor and to raise funds to make sure this never happens again. Stay with us. And THANK YOU for caring and taking the effort to keep our world clean and green.

CEC Order to Terminate QB

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Power Plant Application is Suspended for Second Time…and Continues to Fester

On April 24, 2014, the California Energy Commission (CEC) ordered that all proceedings on the Cogentrix application for certification (AFC) for the Quail Brush power plant bordering Mission Trails Park and Santee are on hold until April 15, 2015. While the plant cannot move forward for another year, (unless Cogentrix files a motion to revive the AFC sooner and the CEC approves this motion), no evidentiary hearings will take place this year that would have likely terminated this ill-conceived fossil fuel project once and for all.

Concerned citizens, including several elected officials, created a powerful response opposing the suspension and requesting the application be vacated, which was duly noted by the CEC. THANK YOU for your strong support. Community members like you are the David’s of this David and Goliath battle. The preservation of our beloved Mission Trails Regional Park and East Elliott Open Space area – and the health of our neighboring communities – Santee, Tierrasanta, Lakeside, El Cajon, Poway, La Mesa, San Diego – need your continued attention and diligence on the Quail Brush power plant issue.
STAY WITH US!

You can read the details of the CEC second-year suspension here. Or go to the CEC Docket Log and scroll down to TN# 202228. Letters of opposition, petitions against the gas power plant, and other important project documents are archived here as well.

Join SMT on EXPLORE MISSION TRAILS DAY in Mission Trails Regional Park
Sat, May 17, 2014, 8 AM – 3 PM
 The Save Mission Trails booth will be in the East Fortuna (Equestrian) Staging Area near Mast Blvd. and Rt. 52.
Connecting Children with Nature is the theme of this year’s event. Explore Mission Trails Day activities include free guided nature walks, pony rides for kids, live animals and educational programs for all ages, food for purchase, a climbing wall, nature discovery stations, and more. Email savemissiontrails@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out on this fun day. Wear an orange shirt or hat to identify yourself as a friend of SMT.

Below are photos of the Save Mission Trails booth at EarthFair 2014 in Balboa Park.

securedownload-3
Signing up to speak out against graded hills, fire danger, noise, visual blight, & pollution next to Mission Trails Regional Park

SMT at EarthFair 2014
Learning about the continued threat of the 11-acre gas plant with 11 smoke stacks proposed in an open-space / residential zone

Featured

Milestones in the fight to stop the power plant. Cogentrix pushes pause button, but don’t get too comfortable.

Celebrate our victories, but stay vigilant for the sake of our park, our communities, and our health. Currently, the Quail Brush Power Plant bordering Mission Trails Regional Park and Santee is in a one-year suspension. Scroll down to read more about what a suspension means, what happens next, and for photos of recent events.

Milestones
August 29, 2011 – Cogentrix files application (AFC) for Quail Brush power plant (QB) with CA Energy Commission (CEC). With a few exceptions, the general public is not notified.
January 3, 2012 – Randomly attending a bimonthly Mission Trails Park meeting, a Santee resident learns of plans for QB and begins movement to alert citizenry.
March 12, 2012 – Stop the Santee Power Plant Rally informs hundreds during morning rush hour and alerts the media.
March 28, 2012 – Santee City Council unanimously passes a resolution opposing QB.
May 29, 2012 Save Mission Trails incorporates.
Spring 2012 and continuing on – Thousands sign petitions, send letters, attend rallies and workshops. A strong coalition of environmental groups and local representatives both Democrat and Republican take a stand against QB.
July 19, 2012 – San Diego Planning Commission votes 4 to 1 rejecting re-zoning of open space land around park for power plant.
September 4, 2012 – Santee School District votes 4 to 1 to oppose QB.
September 24, 2012 – San Diego City Council unanimously denies Cogentrix’ appeal of Planning Commission’s decision.
December 18, 2012 – San Diego Mayor Bob Filner submits letter to CPUC opposing new fossil fuel plants and affirming a vision for the city to be a leader in better alternatives.
March 21, 2013 – CPUC unanimously denies SDG&E power purchase agreement for QB.
March 21, 2013 – Mission Trails Regional Park Task Force unanimously votes to officially oppose QB.
April 16, 2013 – CEC approves Cogentrix request for one-year suspension of QB.

The one-year suspension of Quail Brush will expire on April 15, 2014. Cogentrix needs to either wait until the expiration date or file a motion with the CEC to revive its review of the AFC sooner than April 16, 2014. If the CEC grants the motion, Cogentrix can restart at any time.

What happens when the suspension expires? Is the project canceled or automatically active? According to Eric Solorio, CEC project manager for QB, “My reading of the Order is staff will resume its review of the AFC on April 16, 2014.”

What now? Stay connected with Save Mission Trails. We remain active in the community to continue to get the word out about Cogentrix’ ill-conceived gas plant in a designated open space area, high fire-hazard zone, close to schools, residents, and the beautiful and peaceful (for now) Mission Trails.

Filner & SMT at EarthFair
Mayor Filner at SMT Booth, EarthFair, Balboa Park, April 21, 2013

EarthFair photo #2
Over 1,000 petitions opposing QB signed at EarthFair, April 21, 2013.

Dale at SMT party
Santee Councilmember Jack Dale addresses SMT celebration gathering, April 26, 2013.

SMT kids and cake!
SMT kids eat cake! Celebrating our victories….and looking to the future, April 26, 2013.

Explore MTRP Day
Explore Mission Trails Day at MTRP Equestrian Center (adjacent to proposed power plant site), May 18, 2013

MTRP Day Photo #2
Kids want clean air! Young citizens sign statements of opposition to a power plant by the park, May 18, 2013.

Thanks for your support. Let’s work together to keep our energy green and the air clean!

Biker in MTRP

SMT Upcoming Events – Join us!

It’s spring! And that means EarthFair in Balboa Park and Explore MTRP Day in east Mission Trails. Stop by our booths and say hello to Save Mission Trails volunteers!

EarthFair in Balboa Park
Sunday, April 17, 10 am to 5 pm
Kick off the day with the Children’s Earth Parade at 10:30 am – about 30 minutes long. Hang out by our booth for a great view! Or…have kids? Dress them as their favorite animal and join our contingent!
At the SMT booth (space #235 at El Prado East near the Natural History Museum), children can create a cool nature craft, and grown ups can view a map to find out about all the slated development encroaching Mission Trails — and what can be done to preserve our park, community, and the adjacent East Elliott area.
If you’d like to volunteer to help out at the SMT booth, please contact us right away at savemissiontrails@gmail.com.
Here is the EarthFair website with details, including public transportation and parking.

Explore Mission Trails Day
Saturday, May 21, 9 am to 2 pm
Look for the SMT booth in the East Fortuna Staging Area (formerly known as the Equestrian Area), which can be accessed from Mast Blvd at West Hills Pkwy.
Children can create a cool nature craft, and grown ups can view a map to find out about all the slated development encroaching Mission Trails — and what can be done to preserve our park, community, and the adjacent East Elliott area. Also, there will be free pony rides (until 12:30), a mini mountain bike track, a climbing wall, live animals, and other crafts and fun for children. Family events will take place throughout the park.
If you’d like to volunteer to help out at the SMT booth, please contact us at savemissiontrails@gmail.com.
Here is the MTRP website with event details, including a schedule, map, and parking.

Join SMT for BBQ and Blues at Santee’s Concert Thurs 7/16

Meet up with SMT volunteers for fun evenings of live music, great food, and free activities for families, hosted by the City of Santee and other groups on Thursdays in July and August. On Thursday, July 16, 5:30-8:30 PM, SMT will provide cake (first come, first serve) to celebrate our volunteers’ victory to stop the power plant, and we will rally support for continued protection of our community and parks. Music on the 16th is live blues, and Phil’s BBQ will provide food for sale, plus there’ll be a beer garden. As always at Town Center Park, there is plenty of space for frisbee, soccer, tossing ball, as well as jungle gyms and swings for the kids. Wear an orange shirt or hat to identify yourself as a friend of Save Mission Trails.
Band and food truck lineup here. 
Location: Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee 92071.
Directions here. 

Re-connect with SMT – now a 501 (c)(3) – at Santee’s Blues & BBQ on 7/17!

Can you imagine an 11-acre power plant stuck on graded hillsides in dry, dry chaparral habitat, spewing toxic fumes over our communities on a hot summer day? No Way!
On Thursday evening, July 17, Save Mission Trails will celebrate its new 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and another year of successful volunteer efforts to say no to the power plant near Mission Trails Park, Santee, Tierrasanta, and other nearby communities. All volunteers and friends of SMT are invited to meet up at the high-energy Blues & BBQ Concert in Santee. The first band, Mercedes Moore Band with the Blues Diva, will ham it up from 5:30-6:30 PM, and the Bayou Brothers with special guest Bill Magee –winner of the 2013 Best Blues Band — will jam from 7:00-8:30 PM. Dancing at Santee's Park Families can enjoy the park’s swings, jungle gyms, and open space for frisbee, tossing ball, or soccer. Phil’s BBQ will provide food and drink, and there will be a beer garden, too. SMT will provide a cake – first come, first serve – for dessert! Wear some orange and come have some summer fun!  Location: Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee 92071 Directions here.

And remember, the fight to preserve the quality of life in and around Mission Trails Regional Park is ongoing.  SMT is an all-volunteer effort that relies on donations to maintain the website, print flyers, pay legal fees, and communicate with the public at EarthFair and other events. A successful non-profit organization needs support. We appreciate your help – no matter how big or small – and your donations are fully tax-deductible. More info here.