Every route crosses Warner Springs
A 2008 study by the U.S. Geological Survey and San Diego State University found Warner Springs is the largest hotspot of genetic divergence in its map of southern California wildlife. Every route SDG&E has shown runs through it.
Part of The project, with the route, the timeline and the fire record.
“This hotspot is the largest within our divergence multi-species genetic landscape, and sits at the crossroads between several mountain ranges and the desert.”
Populations of many animal species at Warner Springs are unusually different from one another genetically. The authors treat such places as “areas with high evolutionary potential,” write that “landscape connectivity could be extended through this hotspot from the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains to Palomar Mountain and the Santa Ana Range,” and found about half of it unprotected in 2008.
Source: Biological Conservation 141: 1648-1664
The study in our libraryEvery route crosses it
The Vista Irrigation District says SDG&E's preliminary preferred and alternative routes “all cross District owned land at Warner Springs,” with towers just under 200 feet high on an easement 200 to 250 feet wide.
Source: Vista Irrigation District
What building the line involves
SDG&E says access for construction and upkeep “may include existing roads, new roads, walking paths, trails, major roadways, and/or helicopter landing zones,” and that permanent access roads are not needed at every tower. It expects a right-of-way typically 180 to 200 feet wide.
Source: SDG&E
Because every route crosses Warner Springs, this record weighs against the line wherever it goes. It does not argue for moving it onto anyone else.
Its limits travel with it. An overstated citation is the easiest kind to set aside.
- It maps broad regions, not exact locations. The authors say so themselves.
- It uses existing mitochondrial DNA studies of 21 animal species. It is not a survey of every species on a right-of-way.
- It is not a model of extinction. It does not say building a line would wipe out species.
- It does not address fire. Fire is a separate argument with its own evidence.
Fire, on its own evidence
On CAL FIRE's 2024 State Responsibility Area map, Warner Springs, Santa Ysabel and Aguanga all fall in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the highest class. We checked each location against the map data.
Source: CAL FIRE
The full fire recordSDG&E says the CPUC's environmental review will analyze impacts on “wildlife movement, habitat connectivity” among other things. This study is evidence for that analysis at Warner Springs. When scoping opens after SDG&E files, anyone can ask that the report study it. Cite the paper by its DOI, 10.1016/j.biocon.2008.04.009, so reviewers can find it.
Sources: SDG&E; California Public Utilities Commission
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