The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, near the town of Fallbrook, is a field station for San Diego State University.  A huge mine threatens the reserve, as well as a regional wildlife corridor.  EHL is defending these resources.



Located along the Santa Margarita River before it enters Camp Pendleton, the 4500-acre ecological reserve manages and studies some of Southern California’s most important habitat.  A nearly mile-long open pit aggregate mine adjacent to the reserve would cause severe impacts, and the abandonment of years of research.  Fortunately, the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Conservation Plan, or MSHCP, recognizes the critical linkage between the Santa Ana and Palomar Mountains that this area represents.  

EHL has written to the County of Riverside and to the Regional Conservation Authority on the incompatibility of the mine with the MHSCP.  We have also offered to help look for alternative locations.