Topics: Unauthorized development at 22 nd District Agricultural Association’s Fairgrounds property, Del Mar, San Diego County October 5, 2011 Coastal Commission Meeting

Unauthorized fill and grading dating back several decades Parking on the EOL (East overflow lot) and SOL (South overflow lot) contrary to conditions on CDPs: ; ; ;

At the Commission’s June 15, 2011 meeting, testimony on CDP included information about numerous Coastal Act and Coastal Development Permit violations at Fairgrounds property stretching back two decades. Commissioners directed staff to investigate and report back at a subsequent meeting.

 Stage includes banks of speakers and lights.  Used as a venue for eight concerts conducted during the annual horse races at the Fairgrounds.  Excessive noise and lights on the wetlands during the nesting and fledging season  Concerts at Fairgrounds in previous years were held at locations father from wetlands 

Areas referred to as the South Overflow Parking Lot (SOL) and the East Overflow Parking Lot (EOL) as viewed looking north from Del Mar hillside 2/18/2008 The concert stage is but the latest in a series of unauthorized activities at the property that have had an adverse impact on coastal wetlands at and adjacent to the Fairgrounds property

Coastal Commission wetland guidelines say that areas that pond for 7 days or more constitute wetlands, in part because the Ponding results in conditions for the creation of hydric soils. Under the Coastal Act and California Fish & Game Guidelines areas are considered wetlands if they show one of any of the following: Ponding (hydrology) Hydric soils Hydrophytic plants

In December of 2010, several storms brought much rain to San Diego County. The swollen flow of the San Dieguito River and high tides penetrated in the Del Mar Fairgrounds South Overflow Lot (SOL) which is immediately adjacent to and believed to be part of the wetlands of the San Dieguito Lagoon. The area remained continuously covered with water for a period of about two weeks. The following slides show the transformation of the area after the inundation

View of Fairgrounds areas commonly referred to as the South Overflow Parking Lot (SOL) and the East Overflow Parking Lot (EOL) looking north from hillside in Del Mar. 11/29/ /22/2010

Day 2: 12/22/2010

Day 4: 12/24/2010 Day 7: 12/27/2010

Day 10: 12/30/2010Day 11: 12/31/2010

Additional flooding that occurred in 2007 One week after the preceding photograph sprouting grasses prove that the wetland is capable of immediate self-regeneration – if left alone.