Thursday, June 26, 2008

Matilija Dam - slurry disposal alternatives

Slurry Disposal to undergo Alternatives Analysis and CEQA review

Over the past few months, the Matilija Coalition, CalTrout, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, and CA Dept of Fish and Game have all expressed concerns about the Slurry Disposal component of the Matilija Dam project. This issue was summarized here: http://venturaecosystem.blogspot.com/2008/05/moda-its-back.html

It seems our collective voice has been heard. Firstly, the $4.5M Coastal Conservancy grant funding approved on June 5 does not include money that was intended for acquisition of an easement or right to deposit the silt on property adjacent to the Ventura River Preserve. (This grant will fund acquisition of floodplain property below the dam and design for Camino Cielo and Santa Ana bridges.) Secondly, there will now be a comprehensive alternatives analysis and CEQA review of all the sites outlined in the Feasibility Report. This comes in response to our concerns that adequate review had not been completed to make a final decision for land acquisition for the slurry disposal. The Corps of Engineers has hired a consultant to perform this review and CEQA document.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Surfers' Point - Funding 2008


On June 5th the California Coastal Conservancy dedicated $1.5 million to the Surfers' Point Managed Retreat Project. This makes for a total so far of $3,172,500 for project construction. Originally scheduled for construction beginning October 2008, the project is awaiting additional funding for construction to begin in the fall of 2009.

PROJECT FINANCING: (2008)
Coastal Conservancy $1,500,000
Fed SAFETEA-LU $1,500,000
City of Ventura $172,500
OPC (requested) $500,000
Other sources TBD $3,383,500
Total Project Cost $7,056,000


On June 20, 2008, the Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation held a big event for International Surfing Day. The focus of the event was a beach cleanup at 'the Point' in recognition of the urgent need to raise over $3M for project construction. See recent story in the Ventura County Star. According to the article 'Some have suggested trying to find an angel donor or auctioning naming rights to help offset the gap.'