[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6544814,"mediaKeyId","3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304","parentId",3429378,"title","Board approves $2.4 million Tijuana River Valley habitat restoration amid public health concerns","audioSeconds",1346,"startMs",2324000,"endMs",3670000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304&start=2324&end=3670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304/thumbnail_2324000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544814/Chula-Vista/San-Diego-County/California/Board-approves-24-million-Tijuana-River-Valley-habitat-restoration-amid-public-health-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544814-28e36ee55353f4a8011cd5caacc2d4fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160364&Signature=LHEoQXtlrYGCihGvUfkFm1N-PPbJBmKdcv~S~HcAcstXp-NB8T7WN9aKfUod1arAvSzryz3w~6sqYr5jI3dFEuXmShqQYZYFHUoC2zAvkIt7~3zYYIh2ofo0QbaNg-8x~IT8FJjgmw7w3DFFimIEIZEmPxdCkldqM-3moUvCJsea9V6PqyYLzBrl7UfBEhclr-KxRWFjd1g3Ll-bz6wjdYUxw-wPjpbbont7heDv6EPOx9HoyutCWQ7PZDgGjv-yDflLiKkmuIu1PwhwWtLM2OGmwjSnW~rL4efD78AZ7iuS7cJy5dDKX7KFNWt77JtJsAkVsMBH~ICSV5g3SKqdzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T22:12:55.39Z","article","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on May 21 approved its consent agenda, including a $2,400,000 habitat-restoration project in the Tijuana River Valley tied to Navy mitigation on county-owned land.

Supervisor Jim Desmond raised concerns about sending workers into the valley while sewage and cross-border flow issues persist, telling colleagues, \"we've got 5,000,000 gallons of sewage coming via the Tijuana River every day, into San Diego County.\" He said that raised questions about hazardous gases, bacteria levels and gastrointestinal risks for restoration crews.

Public commenters during the consent-agenda discussion echoed health and odor complaints and said sewage impacts have been spreading into neighborhoods. One caller said they had smelled sewage in their home for the first time in recent nights and described a growing problem; another speaker urged the county to prioritize sewage infrastructure fixes on the Mexican side rather than repeated cleanup on the U.S. side.

Supporters noted the restoration funding is part of Navy mitigation requirements and that debris removal and invasive-plant management are needed to improve habitat condition. The board approved the full consent agenda — items 1 through 6 — in a single motion, and the motion passed unanimously among supervisors present.

Supervisor Desmond said he would support the restoration item but wanted his concerns noted and requested that the county continue pushing for broader solutions to the cross-border sewage problem.

The consent-package vote included routine approvals and an annual beach water-testing agreement noted elsewhere on the consent calendar; specific consent-item documents list more detailed project scopes and funding sources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5-21-2025 County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","As part of a consent agenda the board approved habitat restoration in the Tijuana River Valley tied to Navy mitigation. Supervisors and public commenters raised concerns about sewage flows and potential hazards for workers and residents; the consent agenda passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Chula Vista, San Diego County, California","taxId",2840,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6544819,"Board directs staff to explore exemptions for sustainable cattle grazing on county and private lands",1288,5311000,6599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304&start=5311&end=6599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304/thumbnail_5311000.jpg","/articles/6544819/Chula-Vista/San-Diego-County/California/Board-directs-staff-to-explore-exemptions-for-sustainable-cattle-grazing-on-county-and-private-lands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544819-183cf862c01077e31822e0c1ef3df450/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160364&Signature=P5VyTpLgDn8cXFE71PHqEdw03NanDImTMTzdkBHZWiJmaFpZZfdHsCCbZBENjEPG8PF~d~cIpavL08qiyWuD-tIsOdy4QDmqlsOhMoORE~pnYk8iGjH6yt8BFoNM22q9fjLD-9RW4UuDmAwuVXIlhDWM2A0csMoBXax4KtDNPVSVNMUcNxnP1oPgMLvlZ3s-ehpiNkjgGQUmbdr9gSbjdZwfPcYeuVE3VFhdrG7A6ihEClx7MHCO2s7Dh5rwq94EPJoOkCnTANh8LzJNt4fBGf6DTsf1hDUrfkAmAL3MXmIWsS~U72ppoSu0jtCA6ogJPs9brU1DtUf2MrIajYbb1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on May 21 voted to direct staff to explore options to promote and expand sustainable cattle grazing, including whether to exempt certain grazing from grading and clearing permit requirements and whether county-owned properties could be made available for local ranching.

Supervisor Jim Desmond said ranchers have adopted sustainable practices such as rotational grazing and limited herd sizes, and that grazing can suppress invasive plants, reduce wildfire fuels and support nutrient cycling in soils. \"Supporting a vibrant ranch industry also contributes to our local food system,\" Desmond said when introducing the item.

Speakers from the agricultural community urged the board to move forward. Andy Lyall of the San Diego County Farm Bureau said grazing contributes to soil health and water infiltration; Dana Groot, president of the Farm Bureau, highlighted rotational grazing practices; Joel Kramer of the Resource Conservation District said grazing can be more beneficial and less expensive than herbicides or mechanized equipment and pointed to gains for species such as burrowing owls and the Quino checkerspot butterfly from prescribed grazing.

Dan Silver of the Endangered Habitats League said the group is \"conceptually in favor\" but urged strict best-management practices, site-selection criteria and involvement of UC Cooperative Extension or retained rangeland consultants to ensure conservation outcomes.

Supervisor Desmond asked that staff work with stakeholders and noted concern from ranchers about the potential cost of requiring individual rangeland consultants; staff replied that the county could retain consultants and then report back on resource needs.

The board approved the direction to staff unanimously among supervisors present. The item is exploratory; no ordinance change was adopted at this meeting.

Staff will return with options for how exemptions could be structured, stakeholder feedback and an estimate of staff resources needed to support any policy changes.","The Board voted to direct staff to study options allowing sustainable grazing to be exempted from grading and clearing rules and to evaluate county properties for grazing. Ranchers, agricultural groups and conservationists spoke in favor; environmental groups urged strict site-selection standards.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6544824,"Board adopts Department of Environmental Health fee changes; septic program promises faster reviews",651,4652000,5303000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304&start=4652&end=5303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304/thumbnail_4652000.jpg","/articles/6544824/Chula-Vista/San-Diego-County/California/Board-adopts-Department-of-Environmental-Health-fee-changes-septic-program-promises-faster-reviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544824-1b9f1a4dd387836deff0410ae3045429/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160364&Signature=oikdABxBworKJfFyGD5QVrmMR-p9Ll5MeiILzbV0P1SXtSO6KI3BJqGW~zLLjkXyLGDpmwldONbkR-1lkyHEpMqes7DE2xvpgyFkrn0hNU5fp81giJ8K~1q9W7m0CNJQzIDLl0a2CYwtCQ1N3LJKmtTvLrU~ao5XJahmpxi036L7gGxfAmtSCD3c2m~ScD7UsWV9TNRpnWY2~FHwlmKLCzLjE9f9JXI-kz9hEMyZCkRsEJKBJKuZhaRnO2FLRVJYniWmgytD5hqys3nAdzkAu83ZXyl9CzRMVd2EG0UJWo4griWugGznZPELNDX3jgi6wtx8JtwrYKqAcqS87rP7dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on May 21 adopted the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) cost-recovery ordinance for fiscal year 2025–26, waived Board Policy B-29 and approved a related CEQA exemption.

Heather Buenomo, division director with DEHQ, told the board the county rebuilt its septic-system permitting program over the last three years to better support housing. The program added two staff, reduced its vacancy rate from 63% to 0% and has consistently met guaranteed review times, Buenomo said.

\"We consistently have met guaranteed review times of 30 days on all septic projects,\" Buenomo said. She said the program also offers a 15-day review for workforce housing and a five-day review for affordable housing. DEHQ noted decreased customer-service inquiry response times — now about one to three days — and said staff will engage stakeholders to analyze options to restructure permits and fees for supplemental treatment systems.

Supplemental treatment systems treat waste before discharging to the ground and can make housing feasible on lots that cannot accommodate a conventional septic system, Buenomo said.

After public comment, the board voted to adopt the ordinance. A motion by Supervisor Montgomery Stepp, seconded by Supervisor Jim Desmond, passed unanimously among supervisors present.

Staff told the board they will continue to seek efficiencies and stakeholder input on options to restructure permits and fees for supplemental treatment systems.","The Board of Supervisors approved a DEHQ cost-recovery ordinance for FY2025–26, waiving board policy B29 and adopting a CEQA exemption. DEHQ said it rebuilt its septic program, added two staff and now meets guaranteed review times for septic permits aimed at supporting housing.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6544828,"County adopts land-development cost-recovery ordinance after staff cites $2.7 million in annual savings",959,3691000,4650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304&start=3691&end=4650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429378-855ce4ba486bb5c219a1c494d0b9c304/thumbnail_3691000.jpg","/articles/6544828/Chula-Vista/San-Diego-County/California/County-adopts-land-development-cost-recovery-ordinance-after-staff-cites-27-million-in-annual-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544828-10b313bb0641a5979c70e40fe36fa661/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160364&Signature=fZsQPCZv4DZpEwiSXRJ0T9v49QJbDsM68muE2fvKgeV9j2fIEP487fdOocB9E9n9~~TuxohEyhRxTtxGrWoBajD9I0Fy~x~CeagnXtD-DBCZW6g9zNm92Sc-cwxVxSYIjargFjABezm46dpSEWk3S8KV0yvWQyhUeaX-hYizeUI8x75bCBQS61J1R1q~jf-3oN2htmV93qBL0LxcSdKAb9L-9F7g5xnFzgqQHupx7QCq7F1tXmBa5BDKQbUXzyBrwulb2dSh1pHqA1AuTLa51p7w1BeO7MI3VU0pEY95knAdMrz2c4dXKsMe1j51mIC~J1-Ou9GDEoy~joKeBk7w4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on May 21 adopted an ordinance to recover costs for land-development fees and deposits for fiscal years 2025–26, and approved a related CEQA exemption.

The action follows a staff report that said recent process improvements and technology changes produced about $2,700,000 in annualized cost containment that would otherwise have been part of fee increases. A county staff member told the board that changes include online permit processing for more than half of building permits, a six-permit self-certification program, a guaranteed review-time program and a current average 29-day first-round plan check for building plans.

Those improvements, staff said, are paired with planned steps to speed housing production: new sets of preapproved home plans, a program to allow tiny homes on wheels, and additional online tools to let applicants submit right-away permits.

\"These are longer-term projects that will work with stakeholders to refine the scope and details,\" a county staff member said during the hearing. The staff presentation listed self-service reports and mobile inspections as other efficiency gains.

Members of the public criticized some aspects of the proposal, questioning whether fee increases would actually make permitting faster. After public comment, Supervisor Jim Desmond asked staff to return with progress updates on the specific \"enhanced services\" the county is developing with industry, saying he wanted to track implementation milestones such as self-certification expansion and conversion of discretionary permits to ministerial.

Supervisor Desmond moved the ordinance for final adoption; the motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously among those present to approve the ordinance.

The ordinance takes effect after the clerk’s final processing; staff said they will report back to the board on implementation and on any additional funding needs tied to the process-improvement work.

What the board approved is a county-cost-recovery ordinance tied to Planning & Development Services operations; the hearing record notes the board set the item for second consideration and adoption on May 7 and completed final action on May 21.","The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an ordinance adjusting land-development fees for fiscal years 2025–26, with staff saying process improvements have produced roughly $2.7 million in annualized cost containment and new online tools intended to speed housing permits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves $2.4 million Tijuana River Valley habitat restoration amid public health concerns

Board directs staff to explore exemptions for sustainable cattle grazing on county and private lands

Board adopts Department of Environmental Health fee changes; septic program promises faster reviews

County adopts land-development cost-recovery ordinance after staff cites $2.7 million in annual savings