appreciation from wetland habitats, 

 their detrimental effects should be 

 lessened by several management 

 practices. 



* Where areas of wet soils are to 

 be viewed, boardwalks could be 

 constructed to confine visitors to 

 selected routes and to prevent 

 vegetation trampling, soil compaction 

 and alteration of drainage. 



* Traffic into the marsh should be 

 limited during the bird nesting 

 season. 



* Spotting scopes or telescopes 

 (perhaps the pay type) could be 

 installed near blinds to encourage 

 viewing from afar. 



* Trails along the marsh periphery 

 should be consolidated and marked 

 with ropes and signs. 



* Interpretive signs could instruct 

 visitors on the detrimental effects 

 of trampling and noise. Information 

 should be provided in a constructive 

 tone, rather than entirely 

 prohibitive, to encourage a positive 

 attitude. 



important for ^,,^, ^^j., ^^ . .^^^ ^^ 



pesticides may be toxic to non-target 

 species. Spreading of oil on pond 

 surfaces, once the common practice, 

 often created more breeding habitat than 

 it eliminated, as track vehicles crossed 

 marshes and created ruts which impounded 

 water. Current methods, at least in San 

 Diego County, are to monitor larval 

 densities and hand spray only those areas 

 reaching danger levels. Where possible. 



In attempting to resolve the problems 

 of pest control and wildlife management, 

 the California Department of Parks and 

 Recreation has drafted several 

 recommendations, summarized as follows: 



* Tidal flushing should be restored 

 where man's activities have caused 

 the impoundment of water. 



Mosquito Control 



Although the numbers of mosquitos 

 which develop in southern California 

 coastal wetlands are low, especially 

 relative to more humid climatic regions, 

 there is an active campaign to limit 

 mosquito populations. This results from 

 two factors: first, incidences of 

 encephalitus and malaria, and second, the 

 fact that naturally low mosquito densities 

 make it feasible to control outbreaks. 

 Public outcries in response to a few 

 mosquito bites result from the usual 

 absence of biting insects in the region 

 and the lack of screens on many 

 residences. 



Problems in reducing vector and 

 nuisance insect populations arise when 



• Horses should be excluded, since 

 hoof depressions create additional 

 mosquito habitat. Foot traffic in 

 muddy areas should be controlled with 

 boardwalks, as discussed in the 

 previous section. 



» Utilize mosquitofish where 

 possible. 



* Pump impounded waters at 

 intervals to reduce larval habitat. 



6.3 DEVELOPING PLANS FOR THE ESTABLISH- 

 MENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF WETLANDS 



The California Coastal Conservancy is 

 involved in a number of wetland projects 

 throughout southern California. Each 



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