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Water quality improvements will take longer and cost more than expected at the Del Mar Horsepark, a 65-acre equestrian facility two miles east of the fairgrounds, officials said last week.
The 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds and the separate horse park, announced in December they would suspend all equestrian shows, boarding and other activities at the horse park until the work can be done.
“We originally believed we would be spending $3 million to comply,” said Richard Valdez, president of the 22nd DAA board of directors, also known as the Del Mar fair board. However, similar situations at equestrian facilities in Orange County and the threat of lawsuits by environmental nonprofits such as San Diego Coastkeeper indicate the work needed could cost as much as $8 million.
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The family-owned company that has operated the gun shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for nearly 30 years failed to overcome growing public concern about gun violence nationwide and questions about its owners’ legal troubles.
The board that oversees activities at the state-owned venue voted 8-1 Tuesday to suspend the shows after Dec. 31 until a policy is developed that could include a complete ban on the possession of any firearms or ammunition.
It may be the first agency in the state to take such action, a remarkable turnaround for a hugely popular event that for decades drew little scrutiny from the board. The directors routinely approved its contracts allowing the exhibition and sale of the latest in high-tech weaponry, accessories, clothing and gear.
Del Mar Horsepark advocates release water test results [The San Diego Union-Tribune]
Advocates working to keep the Del Mar Horsepark open for equestrian shows, a riding school and other activities released a report Friday that indicates the park’s water issues originate outside the property.
Testing lab ALS Group USA Corp. of Irvine examined water samples taken during seasonal rains Dec. 28 upstream and downstream from the horse park. The upstream samples showed significantly higher amounts of coliforms, pollutants that come from human and animal waste.
“The results indicate that the horse park is not the source of any additional contaminants to the San Dieguito River Valley waterways,” said Carla Echols-Hayes, a Solana Beach resident and horse park advocate. “It may also indicate that the marsh is cleaning the water that flows past the horse park.”
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Advocates working to keep the Del Mar Horsepark open for equestrian shows, a riding school and other activities released a report Friday that indicates the park’s water issues originate outside the property.
Testing lab ALS Group USA Corp. of Irvine examined water samples taken during seasonal rains Dec. 28 upstream and downstream from the horse park. The upstream samples showed significantly higher amounts of coliforms, pollutants that come from human and animal waste.
“The results indicate that the horse park is not the source of any additional contaminants to the San Dieguito River Valley waterways,” said Carla Echols-Hayes, a Solana Beach resident and horse park advocate. “It may also indicate that the marsh is cleaning the water that flows past the horse park.”