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Matadero Canyon Binational Conservation Easement
Project Abstract:
The Matadero Canyon Binational Conservation Easement proposal is an attempt to create a physical extension of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR) on the Mexican side of the border. This project will be completed under the scope of the Reserve’s newly launched Coastal Training Program (CTP). Matadero Canyon is located adjacent to the Reserve, to the south, in Mexico. The area cannot be a reserve or protected area due to its relatively small size of roughly 18 acres. The designation of the Mexican Government that fits the characteristics of this particular area is a “Conservation Easement”. Conservation is an issue of great importance to the people of Mexico, and many fear that Matadero Canyon could be developed in the near future. The city of Tijuana has a very limited number of parks, and this area has the possibility of being a low-impact recreational park with opportunities for learning and education. It would also be a conservation area between both countries, with many cross-border educational opportunities, environmental interpretation, and cooperation projects.
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Project Goals:
1) The creation of a physical extension of the TRNERR on the Mexican side of the border.
2) Increasing natural resource conservation efforts in Mexico through the preservation of Matadero Canyon
3) Creating a low-impact recreational park with opportunities for learning, education, and interpretation.
4) The creation of a newly formed Mexican non-governmental organization responsible for the administration and conservation efforts of the park.
5) The creation of a park furnished with the necessary legal, administrative and physical infrastructure to ensure its permanency.
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Research Priorities (and suggested topics for investigation):
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Oscar Romo - Coastal Training Program Coordinator
oromo@parks.ca.gov
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR)
301 Caspian Way
Imperial Beach, Ca 91932
http://www.tijuanaestuary.com/
(619) 575-3613
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Full Description of Project:
The Matadero Canyon Bi-National Conservation Easement is essentially a proposal to create a physical extension of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve on the Mexican side of the border. Matadero Canyon is located in Mexico within the Tijuana River Watershed immediately adjacent to the reserve. Conservation is an issue of great importance to the people of Mexico, and many fear that Matadero Canyon could be developed in the near future. The city of Tijuana has a very limited number of parks, and this has the possibility of becoming a conservation park catering to low-impact recreation and outdoor education. It could also serve as a centerpiece for future cross-border cooperative projects in the areas of resource conservation, education, and restoration.
A unique characteristic of the Matadero Canyon project is that the Mexican government has agreed to place the administration of this park exclusively in the hands of a newly formed Mexican NGO, Alianza Ambiental Fronteriza. The TRNERR has provided direct assistance in the creation of this new NGO, including writing the scope of work for the new organization with the assistance of Mexican officials. Project leaders are working directly through the City of Tijuana. Currently, the TRNERR is working with the newly elected administration in Tijuana, IMPLAN, and Pronatura regarding the advancement of this project.
A task force for the project was created which includes the TRNERR Management Authority, and representatives from a number of Mexican agencies at the federal, state, local, and non-governmental levels. The Reserve served as a facilitator for the task force, trying to promote the creation of a park furnished with the necessary legal, administrative and physical infrastructure to ensure its permanency and taking the steps to guarantee its maintenance. More recently, the CTP/Watershed Coordinator has had extensive interaction and dialogue with officials from the City of San Diego and County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, along with the Mayor and staff in Tijuana, regarding the creation of this Conservation Easement, and the possibility of installing remediation elements in Mexico. Matadero Canyon or Smugglers Gulch as it is known on the US side, is regularly impacted by alluvial sediments and rubbish transported by rainstorm waters from Matadero Canyon. With Matadero Canyon abuting park property owned by the County of San Diego, the County Department of Parks and Recreation has displayed a willingness and desire to join in the efforts with Mexico and the TRNERR towards the creation of the park. This will be done through financial as well as logistical support. County plans include the specific goal of implementing remediation elements in the southern end of the canyon, such as sedimentation basins, that could reduce the amount of sediment and other discharges that might affect the park in Mexico and the Estuary. These sediment basins would be constructed with City of San Diego funding, funneled through the County of San Diego, but would then belong to the City of Tijuana upon its completion. The northern end of Matadero Canyon would become a conservation easement, lying parallel to the TRNERR, and safe from excessive sedimentation from the southern end.
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Project Participants:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Training Program (CTP)
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR)
Municipal Planning Agency of Tijuana (IMPLAN)
City of Tijuana
Pronatura
Secretariat of Urban Development of Tijuana
Alianza Ambiental Fronterizo
City of San Diego
County of San Diego
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Related Files:
File Name: Matadero Canyon
File Type: imagery
Description:
Matadero Canyon
Relevant Date: 11-18-03
Date Entered: November 18, 2003, 2:01 pm
download file (right click and press "save as")
There are no References associated with this project
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