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<br />002Jo7 <br /> <br />Center 1996; Michel 2000). The participation of a wide range of stakeholders assures <br />broad community support and broad distribution of benefits. <br /> <br />The following sections discuss local water resources in the Alamar River, as well as <br />field research conducted within the watershed perspective. In addition, a discussion of <br />economic value of protecting local water resources is provided. <br /> <br />Alamar River: An Overview <br /> <br />As with other rivers in Southern and Baja California, the Alamar River is a riparian <br />corridor, consisting of a streambed and floodplain, and a variety of assorted plant life. <br />Nowhere else in urban Tijuana is there a comparable unbroken length of riparian <br />environment and its complement of plant and wildlife species. BorderLink researchers <br />observed three distinct riparian segments of the Alamar River Corridor. <br /> <br />Zone 1, Urbanized Section. This section begins at the end of the channelized Tijuana <br />River, directly south of Mesa de Otay, and extends to the bridge on Boulevard Manuel 1. <br />Clouthier (see photograph 2, page 21). In this section, the river crosses the coastal plain <br />through a broad valley. Riparian habitat of this zone is disturbed by irregular settlements, <br />sand mining, commercial activities, and unauthorized dumping of solid waste. The water <br />quality in this urbanized section likely contains contaminants from urban and agricultural <br />runoff, as well as from illegal discharges from residential, commercial, and industrial <br />activities. The field research noted at least two active wells in the urbanized section. <br />These wells provide water for drinking, bathing, and recreational and agricultural uses. <br />The primary riparian vegetation species is the willow, which is known to tolerate high <br />levels of water pollution. Other species, such as the California Sycamore are not present, <br />possibly because they do not tolerate high levels of water pollution. <br /> <br />Zone 2, Transition Section. This section begins at Boulevard Manuel 1. Clouthier and <br />extends eastward to Boulevard Otay-Matamoros. It is an extension of the broad river <br />valley and presents less evidence of irregular human settlements. The primary economic <br />activities in this area are agriculture and sand mining. There is extensive illegal dumping <br />of solid waste. Well water supports agricultural and household uses. In this section, <br />riparian vegetation is disturbed, but not to the extent as observed in Zone 1. California <br />Sycamores and numerous riparian bird species were observed. <br /> <br />Zone 3, Rural Section. (see photograph on front book cover.) This section begins at <br />Boulevard Otay-Matamoros and extends to the bridge of the Tecate-Tijuana toll road. <br />Economic activities, such as agriculture, brick making, and cattle ranching, were <br />observed during the field study. Goats, horses, and cattle also graze in this section. <br />Riparian habitat in this region was the least disturbed of the entire Alamar River <br />Corridor. Golden eagles were observed by the research team in the hills adjacent to the <br />river floodplain. In addition, farmers stated that water quality in the aquifer is excellent <br />for all uses. This section could be a potential site tc)r an urban agricultural reserve. <br /> <br />9 <br />