Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is coordinating with California State Parks and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enhance the coastal bluff overlooking the San Onofre State Beach.

As part of its environmental stewardship, Camp Pendleton is restoring vernal pool habitat on the bluffs and improving an existing overlook trail. The project will involve surface grading and habitat replacement. These seasonal pools provide habitat for the San Diego fairy shrimp, a federally listed endangered species. Vernal pool habitat in Southern California is extremely rare due to erosive effects of coastal development.

The existing overlook trail will be resurfaced to improve public access.  In early October 2014, pedestrian traffic will be re-routed temporarily while the trail is being resurfaced.

While the overlook and perimeter trail will remain open after access improvements, portions of the bluff that are part of the rare habitat will be closed to foot and vehicular traffic.  Camp Pendleton requests that visitors to the State Beach use designated trails and roadways as unauthorized entry can disturb the sensitive habitat and harm endangered species on the site.

The Marine Corps is committed to the preservation of natural resources and actively engages in environmental stewardship consistent with its mission.

- 30 -