READER'S EDITORIAL: THE VANISHING ACT

By Laurie Baker

February 2, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--There's a Vanishing Act that's been going on in East County for decades.   Critics say it's a bad show because the actors don't reappear.   They just disappear . . . Forever.

The unfortunate actors in this Vanishing Act are innocent Golden Eagles who are unaware it's a tragedy.  

There's another Act – The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act – that's supposed to have put an end to the Vanishing Act.   But it's NOT working.

Why?   “They (Golden Eagles) stay in areas that have a high degree of wildness”, according to Robert Fisher, a local scientist.   (San Diego Reader, Jan 2015)   Additionally, David Bittner, a local biologist, said way back in 1979, “Unfortunately, most of the young are killed as they encounter cars, power lines or diminishing territories.”   (San Diego Earth Times, Feb. 1979)

So why aren't the wild territories of Golden Eagles protected?   The Vanishing Act has a trick or two.   One is mitigation that doesn't mitigate.   The other is the 30-year “Take” (which takes them to the grave) Permit.   Together these two tricks ensure the Vanishing Act will continue until all the Golden Eagles in East County have disappeared . . . Forever.

Soitec Solar's project will take away more wild land, thus diminishing the territories of Golden Eagles and becoming another “Green Energy” contributor to the Vanishing Act of Golden Eagles in East County.

The views of this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, please contact the editor at editor@eastcountymagazine.org.