The Marine Review Committee (MRC) submitted its Final Report to the California Coastal Commission in August 1989. The report concluded that the operation of SONGS Units 2 and 3 was causing substantial adverse effects to the organisms in the San Onofre kelp bed, the fish stocks in the Southern California Bight, and to local midwater fish populations. These effects are summarized below.
Aerial view showing the proximity of the San Onofre kelp forest to the diffuser lines of SONGS Unit 2 and 3.
San Onofre Kelp Bed:
- The discharge plume from SONGS Units 2 and 3 results in a substantial reduction in the area of moderate-to-high density giant kelp in the San Onofre kelp forest.
- The discharge plume results in a substantial reduction in the abundance and biomass of most of the kelp bed fish species that the MRC studied.
- The discharge plume results in a substantial reduction in the abundance of large benthic invertebrates inhabiting the San Onofre kelp forest.
Fish stocks in the Southern California Bight:
- Intake loss of immature fish is projected to cause substantial reductions in adult fish populations in the Southern California Bight.
Local midwater fish populations:
- Substantial reductions in local abundance of midwater fish populations were measured out to a distance of 3 km from SONGS.