Two federal agencies have given the Port of San Diego $2 million in grants for wetlands restoration projects in San Diego Bay. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency each gave the Port of San Diego $1 million grants.
David Merk is the Port's Director of Environmental Services.
He says the money will pay for wetlands restoration work in three south San Diego Bay locations: Emory Cove near the Silver Strand in Coronado, the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve and the South Bay Salt Works.
Merk:
We've seen a diminishment particularly in salt marsh along the Pacific Coast and this is the habitat that will be replaced here. So it's a big deal.
Merk says soil will be removed from the wildlife preserve to allow water to flow in, creating a habitat for fish.
The dredged soil will be used to raise the elevation of an area near the South Bay Salt Works to support native vegetation that will be planted there.
Work at Emory Cove includes the removal of invasive plants.
The restoration work starts in March and is expected to take two years.
Ed Joyce, KPBS News.
