GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 96-03

Good news – The Attorney General for the State of California has decided to wade into the battle regarding GPA 96-03, the General Plan Amendment that will determine the fate of San Diego’s backcountry, and has filed an amicus brief in support of SOFAR’s position on GPA 96-03. This is in addition to the amicus brief filed by nine conservation groups – the Sierra Club, San Diego Audubon, California Native Plant Society, Center for Biological Diversity, Surfrider Foundation, San Diego BayKeeper, California Oak Foundation, Environmental Health Coalition, and Mountain Defense League – supporting SOFAR’s position.

As was reported previously, SOFAR is challenging in court the County’s action in certifying the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for GPA 96-03. The EIR assumes that the entire 191,000 acres of Ag 20 rangeland and wild lands will be completely cleared. The EIR is woefully inadequate in its analysis of the severe adverse impacts on biological resources, water resources, and water quality that would result from this environmental catastrophe. The EIR also fails to offer adequate mitigation for these impacts and fails to adequately analyze the cumulative impacts on these resources. SOFAR’s position is the County violated the California Environmental Quality Act in certifying the EIR and is asking the court to set aside this certification.