The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board on Monday denied the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) a water quality permit for its Tesoro Extension project. The Board voted unanimously to adopt findings that reinforced its decision of June 2013, when the Regional Board rejected the requested Waste Discharge Requirements permit because the full project impacts of the entire road were not disclosed to it. Audubon California has been vehemently opposed to the project because of the impacts it will have on local wildlife like the Least Bell’s Vireo.

“The Regional Board’s decision is a major victory for the Least Bell’s Vireo,” said Pete DeSimone, manager of Starr Ranch.

The Least Bell’s Vireo is a federally protected subspecies. There are reportedly only several hundred mating pairs in existence.

A big thank you also goes to Sea and Sage Audubon Society for testifying at the hearing.

Photo by stonebird