SAN DIEGO, March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- East El Capitan ridge, a habitat of the threatened California coastal gnatcatcher and home to a golden eagle nesting site, has been preserved and protected thanks to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and the United States Forest Service.

Nearly 80 acres above El Capitan Reservoir on the Eastern slopes of El Cajon Mountain (referred to as East El Capitan) is being donated by SDG&E to the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Sunrise Powerlink Habitat Acquisition Plan, Habitat Management Plan and Scenery Mitigation Plan.

The East El Capitan donation preserves an unspoiled mountain view and an ideal habitat where threatened California coastal gnatcatchers may find a new home to spread their wings. The dusky gray bird seeks out insects in the dense coastal sage scrub that grows on the property along with native chaparral and coast live oak. Adjoining a golden eagle nesting site, the area also serves as a foraging ground for the birds of prey and supports a variety of sensitive plants.

"We are pleased to have collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service to preserve much of the East El Capitan hillside property," said Pam Fair, SDG&E vice president, environmental and operations support and chief environmental officer. "The area is essential to our land conservation efforts that will forever preserve critical ecosystems throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties and sustain our backcountry's open spaces for future generations to enjoy."

This is the second of more than 20 environmentally-significant properties inside the Cleveland National Forest and in other natural areas that SDG&E is donating to offset impacts on sensitive vegetation, listed species and scenery as set forth by the approved Sunrise Powerlink Habitat Acquisition Plan, Habitat Management Plan and Scenery Mitigation Plan. Ultimately, SDG&E will help preserve more than 11,000 acres – equal in size to more than nine Balboa Parks – having protected more than 10 times the space its transmission line construction physically disturbed. The project's close to 500 acres of temporary impacts will be fully restored to pre-impact conditions.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 860,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles.  SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day.  SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110106/MM26476LOGO)

SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)