Project Design Consultants is providing engineering and permitting services for the San Dieguito Wetlands Mitigation project. The project entails creating or substantially restoring at least 150 acres of southern California coastal wetlands within the San Dieguito Lagoon near Del Mar, California. This undertaking is the responsibility of Southern California Edison (SCE) as compensation for marine impacts related to improvements to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.  Under contract to SCE, Project Design Consultants is providing services related to project management, final grading/dredging plans, flood control coordination, survey/mapping, and permit processing.

Covering over 400 acres, the restoration project represents one of the largest efforts ever undertaken to restore a coastal lagoon.  A total of two million cubic yards of earth will be moved in the restoration process.  Success of the project hinges on the ability of the grading to provide the precise topographic elevation zones necessary to support a range of different coastal lagoon habitats including tidal and subtidal zones.  Careful attention to flood protection and flood control is essential to not only protect restored areas but also protect existing bridges and other existing improvements.