Key Issues

Below is basic information and links on some of the key issues we work on. For more detail, go to the Document Archive.

Chatham Barrel Yard Remediation

One of the worst hazardous waste sites in San Diego County is located in Southwest Escondido. Listed as a state ‘Superfund’ site, the Chatham Barrel Yard was the site of a failed industrial waste recycling plant which left a terrible toxic legacy in our community. After over 30 years of remedial actions and over $30 million spent, pollution from the site is still contaminating local groundwater and Felicita Creek. More must be done. A short overview is here.

Felicita Creek Contamination and Park Protection

Felicita Park is a 53-acre County Park that is heavily used by local families and groups. Felicita Creek runs through the Park and is heavily eroded, suffers from the presence of invasive plants,  and is contaminated from Chatham industrial wastes.  We want to see more attention given to clean up, restoration, and protection of the Creek.

Destructive development in Escondido

  • Safari Highlands Ranch, recently renamed ‘Harvest Hills’ is a sprawl development we strongly oppose. This project would put people in a high-fire risk zone, worsens already terrible traffic and compromise evacuation for local residents, devastate rare and sensitive habitats, and worsens climate impacts. ENU will work hard to oppose this project. Learn more about how to help stop this project. We are working with San Pasqual Valley Preservation Alliance to Stop Harvest Hills, Endangered Habitats League, and San Diego Sierra Club North County Group

Watch this Video to learn more about why Harvest Hills must be stopped!.

  • Oak Creek: We oppose the current eminent domain action against Felicita Park by the city of Escondido and call on elected officials and regulators to require mitigation of the additional flows into the creek from the Oak Creek developers actions.

Protective North County Habitat Protection Plan

Working with the Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Coalition, the County of San Diego, and others, we are supporting a protective, funded, and well-implemented North County Multiple Species Conservation Plan.