4. Environmental Setting
The project extends on both sides of Interstate 15 in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego. This area was subject to the devastating Cedar fire in late October and early November 2003. Large regions of vegetation and many structures were burned in that fire. The project area also includes or is close to habitat of the Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Gnatcatcher), which has been designated a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et seq.
The project runs through Area D of the former Camp Elliott, a military facility that was closed in the 1940's. Part of Camp Elliott was incorporated into Marine Corps Air Station Miramar; part was sold as surplus property. Under the Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) program, the Army Corps of Engineers assesses and cleans up property previously used by the military around the country.4 The Army Corps of Engineers is currently studying the former Camp Elliott, including Area D, for the presence and extent of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other explosives.5
4 This program is a part of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program, established by Congress in 1986. See 10 U.S.C. Section 2701 et seq.
5 Information is available at www.formercampelliott.com.
