S.D. Officials Claim Damage at Habitat
San Diego County officials on Thursday charged that an oil pipeline company destroyed nesting habitat used by several endangered birds by illegally constructing a gravel road across the eastern bay of San Elijo Lagoon.
Supervisor Susan Golding said the work by the San Diego Pipeline Co. violated an agreement company officials had struck with the county and “irreparably damaged” portions of the 600-acre wetland.
The supervisor said she intends to ask fellow board members to support legal action against the Los Angeles-based company.
Company officials say they have done nothing wrong.
“We don’t believe we’ve violated any agreements with the county or anyone else,” project manager Tom Jensen said. “We have every intention of fulfilling our responsibility and restoring the lagoon to its natural state.”
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