Matilija Coalition comments on Matilija Dam Project

Matilija Coalition comment letters on the final design components of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration project are now online on the www.matilija-coalition.org website

As always, the most recent information is on this blog

First Flush

Sanjon Rd, bottom of the urban watershed

Surfrider Foundation on YouTube

this Public Service Announcement reminds me why it matters



for more:

http://www.youtube.com/user/surfriderfoundation

2050 Plan for Post Peak Oil Ventura

The Ventura County Civic Alliance has been working on a "Compact for a Sustainable Ventura County." Their website includes a document titled 'Post Peak Oil Vision Plan for Ventura,' a project spearheaded by city councilman Brian Brennan and written by a team from the Department of Landscape Architecture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

DOWNLOAD here

The following is a condensed review of the action plan outlined in the 275 page publication. It outlines a strategy for action, both for Policy Makers and the Community, and includes intermediate goals for 2015, 2025, and 2050.

The peak in global oil production, or Peak Oil, will necessitate a change in the way communities function. The Post-Peak Oil Vision Plan analyzes probable implications of Peak Oil on the City of San Buenaventura and the surrounding region, and describes a vision for post-Peak Oil planning that responds to these implications by building upon positive trends that are already taking place. The regional vision emphasizes preservation of natural resources, concentration of the developed footprint, and intra-regional collaboration. The 2050 vision for the City of San Buenaventura demonstrates the potential for transformation of urban environments. Under this vision, 85 percent of the population lives on less than a third of the city’s land and is within walking distance of daily needs; 50 percent of the food supply is grown within city limits; and greywater and roofwater supply over 75 percent of urban irrigation needs. The community design that results from this plan includes a significant reduction in energy demand and an increase in quality of life.

In order to achieve the overarching goal of decreased energy and resource consumption, the critical systems of a community must be localized. As the process of localization will be expressed differently in each system, the following goals facilitate localization:

• ENERGY: Decrease dependence on imported and nonrenewable energy sources

• WATER: Use local water sources sustainably and reduce external dependence


• NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Preserve and restore local habitats to provide ecosystem services for a post-Peak Oil world


• FOOD: Establish a localized food system that is supported by sustainable practices


• MOBILITY: Reduce dependence on automobiles and expand existing transit system



• SHELTER: Increase dense, mixed-use development and sustainable housing design



• ECONOMY: Expand opportunities for a localized economy


• COMMUNITY: Localize the needs of residents while enhancing the beauty and identity of San Buenaventura


LOCALIZE. Localization is the overarching critical factor in reaching the goal of reducing energy and resource consumption while enhancing quality of life. By building a greater connection between people and place, an increased respect and understanding of the land and its systems is cultivated. The following strategies are necessary in order to localize:

• Act Now. Begin research, experiments, and education programs that will facilitate the post-Peak Oil shift in society and its critical support systems.

• Adapt. Transition existing infrastructure, land use, and lifestyles in order to meet the needs of future generations.

• Collaborate. Connect governing bodies and citizen groups throughout the region in order to protect the wealth of resources, including water, agricultural land, transportation systems, and human resources in order to thrive and prosper post-Peak Oil.

Casitas lawsuit threatens steelhead recovery

Last year saw a potential success story on the Ventura River as steelhead took advantage of a wet winter to migrate upstream through the new fish ladder at the Robles Diversion. And this year's monitoring shows a good juvenile population. But although the water district goes through the motions, a majority of the board still believes that the water in the river is theirs for the taking.

On Sept 25, 2008, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of Casitas Water District on the Ventura River, California. According to their lawyer, Casitas is potentially entitled to $80 million for the "loss of water" due to operations of a recently constructed fish ladder at Robles Diversion dam, located downstream of the obsolete Matilija Dam which is slated for removal in 2014. But first the District must show that they 'own' the water in the river, a public trust asset... The ultimate outcome will affect future water management policy throughout the West.





discussion: http://www.esablawg.com/esalaw/ESBlawg.nsf/d6plinks/KRII-7KQ3XZ

more: http://environmentalappealscourt.blogspot.com/2008/09/casitas-municipal-water-district-v-us.html

local press: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/27/ruling-favors-casitas-district/

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/feb/18/casistas-water-district-closer-to-being-for-fish/

Agricultural discharges along the lower Ventura River

Last year local beach users documented extreme impacts from new agriculture on Taylor Ranch, above the beach at Emma Wood State Beach. Irrigation of the new plantings resulted in runoff from the impervious plastic sheeting commonly used with industrial strawberries.

This year we are seeing a repeat. Here's a photo of the Ventura River taken from the Main St Bridge on Friday Oct 17.


Here's a report from Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper:

Surfers and concerned citizens have been expressing alarm about unusually muddy water flowing down the lower Ventura River into the ocean, and Stream Team volunteers have been working to identify the source. Over the last two months, we've recorded unusually high turbidity (water clarity) at our sampling site under the Main Street bridge, including the highest dry weather turbidity measurement we've had in eight years of sampling. Upstream measurements at our sampling site near Stanley drain have been normal, indicating that the source of turbidity is somewhere in between these two sites. The biggest recent change to adjacent land use has been the expansion of agricultural operations along the western bank of the lower river.

Recently, a small crew of dedicated Stream Team volunteers helped us investigate the lower river, and found that the river bed is choked with fine sediment. A small drainage ditch has been cut into the western stream bank by irrigation runoff from adjacent agricultural operations. This ditch carries so much sediment into the river, estuary, and ocean that it has significantly increased turbidity. Of additional concern is the potential for agricultural pesticides and fertilizers to contaminate downstream waters.

Agricultural operations are regulated by the State's Porter Cologne Water Quality Control Act under the Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands. They are required to have in place a water quality monitoring program, a Water Quality Management Plan, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) that ensure they are not significantly impacting downstream water quality. Channelkeeper has written a letter to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board requesting they inspect adjacent agricultural operations to ensure that these measures are being implemented, and our volunteers have approached the City of Ventura with these same concerns. City staff have already contacted the facility to discuss irrigation runoff issues and future BMP improvements. Channelkeeper and Stream Team will continue to monitor conditions along the lower river.

Fragile Sands - Hobo Jungle art exhibit

The Fragile Sands - Hobo Jungle exhibit features the stunning photography of Phil Foster Ranger, great grandson of E.P. Foster. Also exhibiting are photographer Bob Eckel, who captured artistic images of Hobo Jungle when the cypress were still standing at the ocean's edge, and Sarah Kalvin, with her original oil painting of Hobo Jungle. View rare portraits of E.P. and Orpha Woods Foster and other family items. The Fragile Sands - Kids for Conservation classes is featured with painted Arundo and other artworks created in the Bell Arts Factory's Youth Arts Program. Closing Reception, ArtWalk, October 18 - 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Exhibition hours: Sat. & Sun. 2:30 to 4:30 pm. By appointment call: 805.653.1174. Visit www.FragileSands.com