This year's Salmon Run, the 18th annual event organized by Patagonia, sold out at 400 registered runners. This is the one time every year when the lower Ventura River is open to the public for this fundraiser event. (One reason why you should sign our petition for the Ventura River Parkway)
Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper placed signs along the course to tell the story of trash and human waste in the lower Ventura River. "It is estimated that 150-200 people live in the riverbottom throughout the year without garbage or sanitary services"
Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper has been working to address this problem, currently one of the most serious threats to water quality in the Ventura River watershed. Last year Stream Team volunteers mapped the extent of camping in the estuary area: http://www.venturariver.org/2011/04/stream-team-trash-survey.html
Watch this video as ChannelKeeper's Ben Pitterle documents the extent of the problem:
Watch this video as ChannelKeeper's Ben Pitterle documents the extent of the problem:
More photos from the Salmon Run:
