HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-09; City Council Legislative Subcommittee; ; California Department of Fish and Wildlife Update on Batiquitos Lagoon DredgingLEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE
Staff Report
Meeting Date: July 9, 2024
To: Legislative Subcommittee
From: Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director
Staff Contact: Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director
jason.haber@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2958
Subject: California Dep~rtment of Fish and Wildlife Update on Batiquitos lagoon
Dredging.
District: All
·-Recommended Action ·
Receive an upoate from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the department's
dredging and sand placement activities in and around Batiquitos Lagoon and provide feedback.
Discussion
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages five ecological reserves within Carlsbad,
including the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Ecological Reserve, Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve,
Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve, Buena Vista lagoon Ecological Reserve, and Carlsbad
Highlands Ecological Reserve.
The following description and maps of the Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve can be found on
the department's website (www.wildlife.ca.gov):
Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve
The Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve is a 544-acre property. Habitat types include open
water/subtidal, intertidal mudflats, southern coastal sa lt marsh, coastal brackish marsh,
nesting areas, transitional zones, and southern arroyo willow riparian forest. Dominant flora
includes eelgrass, pickleweed, alkali health, and white sage. Dominant fauna includes striped
mullet, great egret, horn snai l, raccoon, woodrat, skunk, and ground squirrel.
Past land use in the area includes ranching, and more recently, recreation. Batiquitos Lagoon
was acquired to preserve, protect and maintain the improved coastal wetland habitat and
associated species. The property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and
Game Commission in 1983.
A representative of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will present an update and
discuss the department's plans and considerations related to lagoon dredging and sand placement
in and around Batiquitos Lagoon .
Next Steps
None.
July 9, 2024 Item #3 Page 1 of 1