Ojai Quarry expects to be back in business

At the Febuary 23 Planning Commission Hearing county regulators vowed to get the Ojai Quarry back up and running.  The commission continued the revocation hearing until May 24 while the state conducts its review and county staff tie up loose ends. According to the newspaper, Planning Director Kim Prillhart said "I couldn't be happier with that," and hugged Mosler after the hearing.

The California Office of Mine Reclamation (OMR) stepped in after the Ventura County Planning Commission had decided to wait until Febuary 23, 2012 to make a decision.  Although the County is giving Mosler two months to try to reach a compromise with County planners, the Ojai Quarry was removed from the state list of approved mines.  This put County projects on hold, as Matilija rock destined for Callegus Creek was deemed ineligible for public contract.

Meanwhile, steelhead and water quality continue to be impacted by runoff from the quarry.  Erosion of the steep slope during rain events delivers fine sediment to the creek, which settles out downstream.  During a recent survey, several inches of silt could be seen covering the gravel bottom.  Steelhead spawning 'redds' have been documented in this reach of North Fork Matilija Creek, and the influx of silt can smother eggs and alvein that rely upon the oxygen rich water flowing through the spawning gravel.

Steelhead spawning redd in North Fork Matilija Creek, March 21, 2012

Steelhead eggs,  North Fork Matilija Creek, March 21, 2012 

In the news: 

October 27, 2011:        County proposes to shut Ojai mine after owner refuses to pay up 

December 13, 2011:    Mosler quarry heads for showdown before county Planning Commission 

December 15, 2011:    Ventura County Planning Commission delays decision on quarry near Ojai

January 10, 2012:        State deals business blow to Ojai Quarry

February 20, 2012:     Regulators, quarry operator moving toward deal 

February 23, 2012:    In Ojai, quarry owner expects to be back in business  

More info:  http://www.venturariver.org/search/label/Ojai%20Quarry
Stop the Trucks Coalition:  http://www.ojaipost.com/tag/stop_the_trucks/

'Release Me' at VHC Film Festival

This past weekend the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy once again hosted the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour!

The event held at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura drew hundreds of residents for two evenings of inspired, informative and innovative cinema.  The common theme was inspiring activism, and the films highlighted many examples of citizen activists from around the country.  Subjects included dam removal and river restoration, as well as the Brower Youth Awards and a film about the successful re-introduction of the bald eagle to our local Channel Islands National Park.  This film festival and past Conservancy events are archived here.

The final film on Saturday night was 'Release Me,' an independent film produced last summer by a student group through the Blue Horizons Summer Film Program at UCSB.  The film has been shown at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and many other events, promoted heavily by Darryl Mimick, one of the three producers.

The film provides a glimpse into the removal of Matilija Dam, a campaign that is now almost two-decades long.  The screening was followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions of Darryl and Paul Jenkin.

The film is now streaming online in case you missed it on Saturday night, or want to share it with others:

Release Me from Darryl Mimick on Vimeo.

Release Me, Darryl Mimick, Amanda Wasserman, and Skye Featherstone (USA) A story of one man's journey to fight for the removal of the Matilija Dam. Paul Jenkin, a passionate environmentalist and founder of the Matilija Coalition has dedicated the last 20 years of his professional life to witness the removal of the dam and bring awareness to its negative ecological impacts, such as the annihilation of the steelhead salmon and the displacement of sediment. Additionally, this is a story about individuals having a sense of purpose in their communities and taking initiative to solve local issues. People have the power to incite positive change; all they have to do is take that first step. Paul Jenkin is a perfect example of this.

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San Antonio Creek Bridge completed

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held this week officially opening the new bike path bridge at the San Antonio Creek confluence.  Construction began in September closing this section of the Ojai Valley Trail which runs along the river between Foster Park and the city of Ojai.  The project was completed ahead of schedule, re-opening the section of the popular trail.

The bridge was designed to span the floodplain, which is very wide in this location.  It appears our comments were heard, as the final product is a much longer bridge than originally planned.  The work was conducted so as not to disturb the adjacent pool, another concern that we had voiced during environmental review.

The bridge replaces a concrete culvert that passed low flows but was inundated during storms, preventing bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and also hindering steelhead passage into San Antonio Creek. The $1.8 million project was paid for through state and federal grants for fisheries enhancement, as well as $500k from Ventura County Parks.  The Channel Islands Bike Club also contributed $17k to the project.

The path was damaged during the 2005 floods, necessitating temporary reconstruction and the placement of rip-rap to prevent future streambank erosion.  The new bridge will solve this problem, and allow for the natural vegetation to re-establish along this part of the river.  Vegetation is important for fish and wildlife as it provides food and cover as well as shade to help keep the water cool in the hot summer months.

Rock rip-rap placed to protect bike path damaged in 2005
This was replaced with a new bridge in 2012

These types of projects, along with larger goals like removing Matilija Dam and restoring instream flows, are identified in the NOAA Steelhead Recovery Plan.  And although this expensive project will help the fish, the users of the this river trail will also benefit from an all-weather crossing and the aesthetic appeal of this unique bridge.

In the news:  http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/mar/12/trail-bridge-opens-promising-benefits-to-people/


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Steelhead spawning surveys

Last week I volunteered to help NOAA Fisheries biologists conduct a steelhead spawning survey on the Ventura River.  NOAA has been conducting these surveys every two weeks during the spring spawning season for the past two years.  These field surveys help build the knowledge of which parts of the river system are important to steelhead reproduction, and compliment the Population and Habitat surveys that are conducted during the summer months.  (The Matilija Coalition has also sponsored occasional spring surveys.)

On this day, two teams of 2 walked both forks of Matilija Creek - the main stem from above the Matilija Dam reservoir to the Forest Service trailhead, and North Fork Matilija Creek from the confluence to Wheeler Gorge Campground.  Other reaches of the river, from the rivermouth up, are surveyed on different days of the week, and the whole process is repeated two weeks later.  Depending on conditions it takes about 5 hours to wade upstream in the creek looking for 'redds,' so this is no small undertaking.

This is an example of a fresh 'redd,' or steelhead nest, in Matilija Creek.  The redds are noticeable as a clear patch of gravel in a riverbed which is otherwise often covered in algae and/or silt.  The female fish spends hours fanning the streambed with her tail to create a clean pile of  gravel in which to lay her eggs.  The eggs are fertilized by a male as she lays them, and assuming clear water flows through the redd for the next few weeks, a single redd may produce thousands of alevin which in turn may mature into hundreds of steelhead smolt.

Steelhead redd in Matilija Creek

On close inspection the redd may be divided into a 'pit' and a 'tailspill' which are measured and recorded.  The size of the redd is an indication of the general size class of the spawning fish.

NOAA Steelhead spawning survey protocol

Measuring a steelhead redd in Matilija Creek 

Unlike its more famous family member, the king or chinook salmon, steelhead do not die upon spawning and are capable of returning more than once to spawn or reproduce.  Steelhead may also remain resident, as proven by these redds above Matilija Dam, which blocks passage to and from the ocean.  Removal of Matilija Dam would re-establish an ocean run of steelhead, as is a critical part of the long term Steelhead Recovery Plan released last year by NOAA.

These types of field surveys are critical to advancing the knowledge of this endangered species, both specific to our watershed, and more generally in the drought-and-flood environment of Southern California.

Steelhead redd in Matilija Creek - looking across the flow
note depth of 'pit' to the left, and size of gravel

Steelhead redd in Matilija Creek - looking downstream
note clean gravel and cobble in pit and tailspill

Matilija Technical Advisory Committee

January 12-13, 2012 - Matilija Technical Advisory Committee meeting

The Matilija Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met for two days to familiarize the members with the project and kick off discussions on moving forward with the next steps. (See Matilija Dam - Next Steps)

Matilija TAC field trip - Foster Park

The TAC was formed following the recommendations of last year's Fine Sediment Study Group Report. The goals are to:

(1) Assess key recommendations and major data gaps shown in the Fine Sediment Study Group’s Final Report (August 2011), and make any recommendations for additions.

(2)      Identify and prioritize a limited number of focused studies to address the key recommendations and major data gaps and develop a cost-effective scope of work and proposed budget for each study.

The two-day meeting included a field visit on day 1 and a meeting on day 2.  The field tour included stops at the Ventura River estuary and levee, Grant Park, Foster Park, Santa Ana Bridge, Hwy 150 bridge (Baldwin Rd),  OVLC Rice Rd Trailhead, Matilija Canyon, and Matilija Dam.  The day concluded with a short presentation of recent dam removals in the Pacific Northwest including the Marmot, Condit, and Elwha projects.  (See dam removal)

Matilija TAC field trip - Robles Diversion

Goals of Proposed Sediment Management Project:


1.      Restore effective fish passage, minimize impacts and restore aquatic/riparian/upland habitats in reservoir area
2.      Minimize cost/maximize cost-effectiveness
3.      Maximize mobilization of fine material to high flow events, minimize mobilization during low flows
4.      Minimize the impact of nutrients and turbidity in Casitas Reservoir as the result of the Project
5.      Not significantly increase water supply risk to customers of water districts
6.      Minimize permanent structures/artificial features within environmental sensitive areas such as the riparian corridor and upland habitats
7.      Minimize artificial or permanent stabilization material (i.e. riprap or soil cement) in reservoir area


The main goal of the TAC committee is to develop a Scope of Work for the following:

1. Hybrid Analysis: Assume that the dam removal notching and sediment excavation period is extended beyond a single year. Take advantage of natural sediment transporting flows. Reservoir sediment could still be dredged prior to each notch and placed either upstream of the dam or at the BRDA sites. The scope would include analysis of several different notching scenarios, upstream disposal, and downstream disposal scenarios to develop the most cost effective method of notching and sediment handling. Other components of the project could be a flow bypass around the reservoir area, a desilting basing, changing Robles operations, etc…

Matilija TAC - pondering the question

2. Interim Notching Analysis and Design: The dam would be notched to the silt level or slightly below the silt level. Detail the impacts associated with notching of the dam and develop a preliminary design. The same team that analyzes the interim notching could perform the hybrid analysis. Intensive monitoring would be part of the project so that the design of the remaining dam removal would be improved.
The breadth of the scopes should include:
• Develop detailed descriptions of the entire construction process, assuming the general phasing adopted by project management
• Identify significant unknowns and recommended studies to reduce the same
• Develop a cost estimate, identifying the estimated range of the unknowns on the costs
• Identify potential NEPA related-impacts

Matilija TAC - at the conclusion of Meeting 1

Followup from this meeting will ultimately lead to a Scope of Work for hiring a consultant team to conduct the investigations.

The TAC Members are:

Rick Bush, NOAA Fisheries 

Brian Cluer, NOAA Fisheries

Betty Courtney, DFG

Doug Chitwood, Corps of Engineers

Chris Dellith, NFWS

Tom Dunne, UC Santa Barbara

Blair Greimann, USBOR - Committee Chair

Tom Hepler, USBOR

Paul Jenkin, Matilija Coalition

Mary Larson, DFG

John Melack, UC Santa Barbara

Jeff Pratt, Ventura County WPD

Tim Randle, USBOR

Matt Stoecker, Stoecker Ecological

Jon Warrick, USGS

Steve Wickstrom, Casitas Water CMWD

More info: http://matilijadam.org/

On this blog:  http://www.venturariver.org/search/label/Matilija%20Dam

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PBS Natural Heroes

Watershed Revolution, our documentary about the Ventura River aired on PBS this Fall.  Visit the Natural Heroes website to view the film: http://www.naturalheroestv.com/season5/watershedrevolution.html 



Watershed Revolution asks the question "What is a Watershed?" The answer is explored through interviews with concerned citizens working to protect and preserve Southern California's Ventura River watershed while stunning high definition cinematography highlights the beauty of the river. The unique challenges faced by a river that is the sole source of water for a thirsty community are brought to life and will change forever your definition of a watershed.

Watershed Revolution is a 30-minute film that profiles community members and organizations working to protect and restore our watershed. It highlights the need for open space and floodplain protection, sustainable agriculture, and community awareness of our most precious resource: water.

Find Out More:
Many links to watershed educational resources, watershed grants and more available through the film's website:  www.watershedrevolution.com

The film may also be viewed here: http://vimeo.com/20269898


About the Producer:

Producer and Director Rich Reid started his professional photography career over 20 years ago at UC Santa Barbara. His profession allows him to travel and photograph his favorite subjects; wildlife, adventure and landscapes. His photography and cinematography are both represented by National Geographic. Time-lapse photography and producing environmental documentaries have become his most recent passions.
Rich also works frequently with non-profit organizations preserving lands and cultural sites with his photography. "Watershed Revolution" is his first film, and everyone involved volunteered his or her time to help tell this important story. Find out more about Rich through his website.

Ojai Quarry to be shut down

Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper has been documenting the impacts of the Ojai Quarry for many years.  Despite the intervention of numerous public agencies, the quarry continues to impact the endangered steelhead trout and  downstream water quality.

Now, according to the VCStar, "Ventura County officials are moving to shut down an Ojai quarry over what they say is the owner's refusal to follow an approved cleanup plan and provide a financial assurance payment that he says would cost close to $3 million."

A public hearing on the Ventura County Planning Department's "Notice of Revocation" of the Mosler Rock Ojai Quarry's Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.) has been postponed to December 15th.

According to the Ojai "Stop the Trucks" coalition, even as the State of California issues a "30 Day Notice to Delist" the Ojai Quarry as an acceptable supplier to government agencies and the Ventura County Planning Department files a "Notice of Revocation" of the quarry's Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.), another County agency, the Ventura County Watershed Protection District continues to not only receive deliveries of rock from the mine for a project in Camarillo, it has allegedly been accepting loads that far, far surpass the C.U.P.'s allowable daily loads. 

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Ojai Quarry was approved by Ventura County in 1995  under a 'statement of overriding considerations.' The document states that although the quarry will have significant environmental impacts, the Ventura County Flood Control District (now the 'Watershed Protection District') needs the rock for 'rip rap' levee construction.  Today the environmental impacts have been realized:


Impact to Scenic Highway - Highway 33 in the Los Padres National Forest is designated as a scenic highway.  The quarry impacts the viewshed along Highway 33, and the bare hillside is now visible for miles down the Ventura River valley.

Impact to Steelhead Trout - the Southern Steelhead was listed in 1997, two years after the EIR was certified.  The quarry sits above North Fork Matilija Creek, which is now critical habitat and the last remnant of headwater habitat for this endangered species.

• Fish Passage: Large boulders block fish passage, and will be an ongoing problem.  The existing creek needs to be restored for fish passage and to stabilize the slope to minimize future impacts.  Because Matilija Dam, Casitas Dam, and agriculture and urbanization block fish passage to the headwaters, N Fork is the only accessible tributary potentially available to the endangered steelhead.  With passage blocked at the quarry, and downstream habitat impacted by the quarry (see water quality below), steelhead viability is limited in the Ventura River.
• Water Quality:  Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper has documented impacts from fine sediment both to water quality during storm events, and to downstream habitat.  Fine sediment smothers spawning gravels, and can prevent fish eggs from hatching and kill fry, smolt, and juvenile steelhead.  

Impact to Water Supply:  Erosion of fine sediment also impacts water supply, as this sediment is diverted at Robles into Casitas Reservoir impacting storage capacity and water quality for municipal supplies.  In a recent news article, The New York Times listed the Mosler Rock Ojai Quarry as one of the top “toxic waters / polluters” in the Ojai Valley as part of a national review of compliance with the Clean Water Act.

Legacy Impact:  These impacts will continue without remediation and restoration of the site.  Without the bond for remediation, who will pay?  Does the taxpayer bear the burden for decades of impact?  

In the news:  http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/oct/27/county-proposes-to-shut-ojai-mine-after-owner-to/

Stop the Trucks: http://www.ojaipost.com/tag/stop_the_trucks/
                           http://www.stoptruck.dalyroad.com/

More on Ojai Quarry: http://www.venturariver.org/search/label/Ojai%20Quarry

The hearing before the Ventura County Planning Commission  in support of Ventura County Planning Department’s “Notice of Revocation” of the Mosler Rock Ojai Quarry’s Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.), is now scheduled for 8:30 am on December 15th, at the Government Center on Victoria Avenue in the Chamber of the Board of Supervisor’s on the ground floor.

The hearing is expect to last most of the morning, if not most of the day.  Please attend for at least part of the day to show your support of the move to revoke the quarry’s Conditional Use Permit.  

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