News Scrapbook 1969-1971

Protective Step~ Asked In South San • 1e ay 0

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Ecology Overseer Committee Planned B) JOHN FARll\A J- I 7 · ") / EVENING TRIBUNE Maritime Writer South San Diego Bay. described as the last vestige of o n water space in the harbor, should be ,aved as a 1aJor eco- log1cal reserve, the Port District has been told Recommendations to protect that section of tlH b v from haphazard dc•velopment were made bv a volun•e · conimitiee of scientists. educators and others who recenth co J ·red an environmental survey of South Bay 111arshla ;d plim( 01 d,

San Diego, Wednesday, February 17, 1971

EVENING TRIBUNE

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outh Bay Protective Action Asked

Flittner said. "The question of whether more deep water channels and port facilities constitute the highest and hest use of the remaining un- developed public lands is the dominant issue." Deepening Opposed Ford wrote that extensive channel deepening or shore slope modification in the South Bay should be avoided. But he did not obJect to the proposed construction of the second entrance channel through the Silver Strand, nor to the proposed extension of the deep water channel to the northern portion of the South Bay. "They will undoubtedly af- fect tidal flushing, salinity, temperature and sediment conditions," Ford said. But he added : "While these changes may cause the loss of some South Bay marine algae, in- vertebrates and fish, they may also allow additional species to occupy the area and increase general produc- continued, "the present assemblage of bay life should be protected by modifying the physical en- tivity." • However, he

vironment in the area as little as possible." Dike Removal PreleNed Ford said that tidelands now used by the Western Salt Co. in the South Bay could be altered to provide additional habitat area for the marine species through the removal of dikes and the creation of intertidal and subtidal mud- flats subject to natural tidal action. "This would be highly de- sirable," he added, "because it would provide a larger feeding area and food base for marine fishes and aquatic birds, as well as a larger avil- able habitat for all endan- gered estuarine species." The South Bay supports at least 22 species of bottom-liv- ing and open water fish, of which seven are important for recreational fishing, and the fish "unimportant" to man is still vital to the bio- logical economy of the ecosystem, the report states. Dr. Joseph Jehl, biologist, and Monte Kirven, avian ecologist, both of the San Diego Museum of Natural History, contributed a section on bird resources to the re- port, stating that more than

180 species of birds have been reported on tidelands under the Port District's jurisdic- tion. Area Labeled Fragile "The survival of many spe- cies of birds depends entirely upon the availability of undis- turbed coastal tidelands," they said. "These areas al- ready have been seriously di- minished. The remaining areas in the San Diego region are small and, consequently, ecologically fragile. Further decreases in the natural tide- lands of San Diego Bay will probably result in local ex- tinction of several species of breeding birds." Jehl and Kirven said that the preservation of as much of the remaining tidal marsh land as possible is vital to the maintenance of feeding and nesting areas for migratory and resident bird populations. Plant Condition Noted Also at stake in the bay is the future of its salt marsh flora, said Peta J. Mudie, a ~~t~arS.hB~;J~~~ st ', :;s~cPat professor of biology at the University of .San Diego. "Many spec· of salt marsh plants are found only on the California Coast and already over 60 percent of this plant habitat has been de- stroyed, making the preser- vation of remaining tidal marshlands an urgent consi- deraton," they said. "Since salt marshes play a vital role in maintaining the stability, fertility and wildlife popu- ations of estuaries, it is im- perative that every effort should be made to conserve and enhance those remaining marshland resources in San Diego Bay that are held in public trust." Future Pointed Out Future alteration of the natural environment in South San Diego Bay through flood control and shipping channel construction should be care- fully designed to minimize further losses of salt marsh habitat, already reduced by 85 percent, the scientists said. "While it is impractical to urge the Port District to arbi- trarily set aside or declare a moratorium on all devel- opments in South San Diego Bay," Flittner said, "what is required is a careful analysis of values, both real and in- tangible; of the natural area as it now exists. Then it can be determined whether pro- posed developments would be compatible with or detrimen- tal to the maintenance of such values in th~ public interest."

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B-1 ;periphery, Flittner said. "to ltring bird life to the people '.but to prevent intrusion lnto ifie life of the bird~." recom- :mendations were contained· in a; 43-page environmental re- port which was turned over to port commissioners yester- day. Report Divided The report was divided into sections dealing with bird re- sources, flora and marine al- gae, and invertebrates and fish. In the introduction Flittner and Dr. Richard Ford, associ- ate professor of biology at San Diego state, wrote that the port district "has the bur- densome responsibility of planning the proper develop- ment of one of the last major tideland areas in California." South San Diego Bay, en- compassing about 1,400 acres, they said. is the last major estuary of any size in South- ern lifornia that has not fallen •ictim to the land de- veloper·s bulldozer. 'Any ma ter plan for the development of the South Bay tidelands 'must reflect the public interest at all levels," The committee's

and fish lle :\'!embers of the committee :1ppeared hefore port com- missioners yesterday to urge estabJi hment of an environ- mental study group of quali- fied educator.. scientists. en- vironmentalists and interest- ed lay citizens to determine the probable effects of pro- posed port development proj- ects on the South Bay environ- ment. Area Called Assfl Dr. Glenn Flittner, a com- mittee member and director of the bureau of marine sci- ence at San Diego State Col- lege. told commissioners that the South Bay is one of the San Diego area 's "most priceless assets." He sug- gested "integrated planning of the area bv the Port Dis- trict to include a place of habitat for an ecological re- serve.'' "l understand that what we are recommending may not fit m with the economic re- quirements of the day," Flitt- ner said. "There are com- peting requ1r,,ments. There ma\ be th r.e!'d [or more places to tie up merch,mt ships to oad and unload car- go. Bu1 ,~e feel there is also the need to ave a chunk of the environment to serve as a repository fur plant. fish and bird life." Several Invol\'ed Institutions and agencies involved in the volunteer study included San Diego State College. !'niversity of San Die~o. San Diego ~Iu- seum ofalural History, state Department of Fish and Game and the federal Sport- fish and Wildlife Bureau. Also participating were the Army Corps of Engineers, federal Water Quality Admin- istration and San Diego Re- gional Water Quality Control Board. Commissioners agreed with the committee·s recom- mendations and intend to en- large the scopC' of an existing ir environment committee creat d bv the nort a short time ago ·10 include a wide range of ecologic I planning. ,\lembers of that commi1tee are Commission Chairman Harve~ Furgatch. Com- missioner Milton Fredman. Port Director Don :'>ay. Dr. Tsaihwa J. Chow of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Dr. Mary Clark, associate professor of biology at San Diego State, and Dr. Albert Johnson, dean of the College of Sciences at San Diego State. Expansion Pres~ed ''My feeling is that we shouldn '• zero in on only the South Bay," Furgatch said. "but on the entire bav and on all kinds of en\u·onmental problems.·· Flittner said the South Bav reserve could serve as an "outdoor laboratory" for sci- entists engaged in marine re- search. ArrangEVUent s could also be made for the public to view the reserve from the (Cont. on Page B-4, Col. 1)

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/4 Ct....u /. /ft•'I Lutheran - Catholic Dialogue Tuesday

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The dialogue will follow a luncheon in the USD faculty dining hall. The donation will be $2. Reservations may be made by calling Mrs. Irene Moran, 298-7711, ext. 206.

SAN DIEGO -The first local Lutheran-Catholic dialogue will take place noon Tuesday, Jan. 19 at De Sales Hall, University of.San Diego, under auspice.s of the· Diocesan Ecumenical Commission. The dialogue will be led by the Rev. Dr. Hagen Staack, Lutheran theologian, author and educator, who also will speak on the implicalions of the Second Vatican Council on Lutheran-Catholic relations. DR. STAACK, a delegate- observer at Vatican II, is chairman of Muhlenberg College's religion department, Allentown, Pa. He was featured by NBC in the "Frontiers of Faith" TV series, 1963-66, and in "The Ho!) Seasons" series, 1966. HE HAS BEEN described as demonstrating in his talks "great Biblical scholarship with the humor of Victor Borge."

Diocesan Youth Efforts Lead to Many Vocations For San Diego Priesthood I-Ir/-?! . Southern Cross Reporter "IF WE DON'T, as priests, . . . go where the youths are to SAN DIEGO - Spmtuahty make personal contact we in San Diego youth coupled have lost them " ' with a dedication to serve · people have given St. "A major way of getting Francis Seminary, youths interested in a University of San Diego, a Religious vocation," he says, record number of "is for us priests to show seminarians. Buchanan of University High. Also on the staff are Sister Debra and Sister Timothy. Under the pre-seminary program, high school

students who show interest in the priesthood are helped to understand the meaning of being a priest, are given special guidance and spiritual direction. Each student is en- couraged lo participate in school and parish activities and in the Search and other programs under auspices of the Diocesan Youth Department headed by Father Robert J. Pinta. FATHER DOLAN ex- plained that the second phase of the pries lhood program is at the college seminary level at St. Francis where students are enrolled in a four-year USO un- dergraduate program leading toward a bachelor's degree. The third phase starts when seminarians enter a theologate to complete their priestly training. FOLLOWING three years of study, students spend a fourth year in pastoral or on- the-job training before or- dination. There are now 10 deacons in pastoral training in the diocese who will become priests in June.

them that we're very much interested and care for them. If they can see this in us we've made them happy." But encouraging a youth lo be dedicated to a Religious vocation is only a first step. It takes money lo educate a priest and seminarians need our help. PARISHIONERS will get a chance lo share in the education of young priests for the San Diego diocese when special seminary collections will be taken at Masses this Sunday, Jan. 17 Offerings go to the Dio- cesan Seminary Fund to subsidize undergraduale and graduate seminarians. Speaking of the vocational counselling staff, Father Dolan said it includes Father Michael Alcaraz, rector of St. Francis Seminary, and several other priests. AMONG THEM ARE Father Patrick J. O'Keeffe, director of the pre-seminary program for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, Father Henry F. Fawcett, program director for San Diego and Imperial Coun- ties, and Father Robert

In the face of declining candidates for the priesthood around lhP- country, the total number of students at the seminary has grown to 60. Father Neal T. Dolan, diocesan director of Religious vocations, at- tributes the healthy number of seminarians to "a drive in youths who feel they can best serve people as priests." "THERE IS also," he says, "a growing desire among youth for spirituality and they find an outlet for this in the priesthood." Father Dblan says this spirituality stems from the diocese's youth apostolale, such as the Search and Retreat programs, pre- seminary training program for high school students and the on-going personal counselling. "You can have all the programs you want," he says, "but there's no replacement for personal contact with youth. We are fortunate in this diocese that we have a group of young priests working so diligently with youth.

Plil 2 THE SOUTHERN CROSS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1971 Around the Diocese San Diego Deanery, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, holds 11:30 a.m. luncheon meeting Monday, Jan. 18, in Our Lady of the Sacred Hearl parish hall, 42nd Street and Orange Ave. Father Anthony Chylewski, diocesan missions director, and Father Louis Salca, associate director, will speak. Reservations: 282-1440, 295- 7323. Bishop Charles Buddy Post, Catholic War Veterans, meets 3 p.m. Jan. 17, in Veterans Memorial Hall, El Cajon. Visitors welcome. San Diego Region, National Conference of Christians and Jews, paid tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in connection with his birthday, Friday, Jan. 15. "The strength he brought to the civil rights movement" and the "non-violence he taught" ... was an inspiration lo everyone, the NCCJ said. Bayside Settlement House holds first annual membership dinner 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in Valley Ho Restaurant. Municipal Judge Robert J . Cooney will speak and new officers will be in- stalled. Bayside is operated by Sisters of Social Service. Msgr. Anthony Giesing has invited all chaplains of Information Group Movement (IGM) to lunch at St. Joseph's Cathedral, noon Tuesday, Jan. 19. Michael C. Newman, editor, The Southern Cross, speaks in St. Rose _of Lima Church, Chula Vista, at all Masses Sunday, Jan. 24, and m St. Joseph's Cathedral Sunday, Jan. 31. His topic: "Informed Laymen in a Changing Church." He spoke on same theme last Sunday in St. Vincent de Paul Church. University of San Diego Alumni Association holds annual chancellor's reception honoring Bishop Leo T. Maher 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, in Founders Hall, Alcala Park campus. Donation $5 a couple. Reservations: 582-6439, 274-M88.

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S. D. Conference Jan. 22, 23

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-00~ '/-~ Sacred Heart Alumnae to Meet SAN DIEGO - Alumnae of •

Convent of the Sacred Heart, El Cajon. Overnight accomodations have been arranged at the university for the 200 delegates expected for the conference.

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the Sacred Heart-operated College for Women, University of San Diego, will host the Western Province Conference of the Associated Alumnae of the Sacred Heart Jan. 22 and 23. Communication has been selected as fhe conference theme. Keynote speaker will be Sister Bessie Chambers a psychologist from Bos'ton University. Another featured speaker will be Bill McGaw, a member of the staff at the Western Behaviorial Sciences Institute of La Jolla and director of the film Journe; Into Self, awarded an Oscar as the best documentary of 1968 by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Workshop sessions for Friday, Jan. 22, are scheduled for the USO campus. Saturday's sessions will be held at the

Jan. 20. Further information may be obtained by calling Mrs. Frank Burke at 435-2361.

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