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.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
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.'
Friday, May 23, 2008
MODA - It's back!
ISSUE: Slurry Disposal Site(s) for the Matilija Dam project
2 million cubic yards of fine sediments from Matilija reservoir are to be removed by slurry pipeline and deposited within the floodplain downstream. It was intended that these disposal sites would be temporary and would erode downstream into the ocean during future floods.
These sites were selected and presented to the public as the preferred alternative in the Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Report. This was an alternative approach to the plan originally proposed by the Corps of Engineers to deposit the fines below the trailhead to the recently acquired Ventura River Preserve.
After months of rumors, this 'Plan A' has been reborn as MODA - Meiners Oaks Disposal Area. Originally estimated to be 90 acres, 15 feet deep, this has been reduced to 70 acres, over 35 feet deep. The Corps of Engineers cites cost savings of $5M as the reason for reverting back to this alternative.
This is a fundamental change from the several smaller temporary disposal sites presented in the Feasibility Report, to a single more permanent site. This site would require careful design and restoration to ensure revegetation, prevent flooding from upland tributaries, and integrate with the Meiners Oaks levee design. This site also has significant impacts to recreation, since it is below the primary trailhead for the Ventura River/El Nido Preserve, one of the only highly utilized public access points within the entire watershed.
2 million cubic yards of fine sediments from Matilija reservoir are to be removed by slurry pipeline and deposited within the floodplain downstream. It was intended that these disposal sites would be temporary and would erode downstream into the ocean during future floods.
These sites were selected and presented to the public as the preferred alternative in the Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Report. This was an alternative approach to the plan originally proposed by the Corps of Engineers to deposit the fines below the trailhead to the recently acquired Ventura River Preserve.
After months of rumors, this 'Plan A' has been reborn as MODA - Meiners Oaks Disposal Area. Originally estimated to be 90 acres, 15 feet deep, this has been reduced to 70 acres, over 35 feet deep. The Corps of Engineers cites cost savings of $5M as the reason for reverting back to this alternative.
This is a fundamental change from the several smaller temporary disposal sites presented in the Feasibility Report, to a single more permanent site. This site would require careful design and restoration to ensure revegetation, prevent flooding from upland tributaries, and integrate with the Meiners Oaks levee design. This site also has significant impacts to recreation, since it is below the primary trailhead for the Ventura River/El Nido Preserve, one of the only highly utilized public access points within the entire watershed.
What is a Watershed? - Ojai Green Coalition presentation
On Thursday evening, May 22, over 40 people attended the "What is a Watershed?" presentation in Ojai to learn about where our water comes from and how the health of the river is affected by our lifestyles and land use.The presentation included discussion of Ecosystem-based management for the Ventura River, Water Supply, Land Use, Water Quality, Integrated Solutions, and What You Can Do.
Although most Ojai residents have some idea of where their water comes from, this presentation is intended to enhance community awareness of the interactions between land use and water quantity and quality. Hopefully those who attended will have a better understanding of the interconnections between everything we do on a daily basis and the health of the river and watershed.
Surfers Point restoration - funding update
The Final Design for the Surfers' Point Managed Retreat Project in Ventura, CA is almost complete, and construction could potentially begin in Fall 2008. Fundraising for construction is underway, but we are still looking at a $3.4 million shortfall. There may be opportunities to phase the project. Summary of the current status is below:PROJECT FINANCING: (2008)
Coastal Conservancy (pending) $1,500,000
Fed SAFETEA-LU $1,500,000
City of Ventura $172,500
OPC (pending) $500,000
Other sources TBD $3,383,500
Total Project Cost $7,056,000
Coastal Conservancy June 5th meeting - funding request for $1.5M for Surfers Point project
Ventura City Council June 9th meeting - approval of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Fair Board for the operations and maintenance of the project. According to city staff there were no concerns with the latest minor changes requested by the Fair Board. The MOU is in line with the deal points approved by the City Council in April 2007. City of Ventura will also be amending the project EIR and Coastal Development Permit to allow the City to begin bringing recycled asphalt from road work to the Fairground to begin covering up the dirt parking area as requested by the Fair Board in the MOU.
Ocean Protection Council meeting September 11 - Bay Area
more information at www.surferspoint.org
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ventura River Rats and Tortilla Flats mural
The "Tortilla Flats" mural is almost completed under the Hwy 101 bridge on Figueroa St in Ventura. Tortilla Flats is the name of the neighborhood that once existed by the fairgrounds and river - it was removed through emminent domain when the freeway went in 1969...My favorite is this image of the Ventura River Rats. This video gives some of the history...
The "Tortilla Flats Archives" includes interviews from over 25 oral history subjects. Quotes from those 'old timers' include: "I don't know who tagged us, but we were 'River Rats' if we swam in the Ventura River... I got beautiful childhood memories of the Ventura River, the fairgrounds, Seaside Park... we used to go surf fishing at the foot of Figueroa... we looked forward to getting
out of school to go to the river, and we'd be there for hours and hours..."The freeway and levee changed things forever...
There will be a dedication ceremony and celebration for the Tortilla Flats mural from 11am to 2pm on May 31st, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Land Conservancy hosts Matilija Dam lecture and tour
It's always fun to show people around and explain the complex project to remove Matilija Dam. This past weekend the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy hosted an evening presentation and morning field tour...
(video courtesy of Rich Reid)
Friday, April 25th at 7pm Healthy River, Healthy Community - Part I
Presentation by: Paul Jenkin of the Matilija Coalition, Nica Katherine Nite, Cal Trout Program Manager
The river runs through us, has so much to teach us as well. Learn more about the Ventura River watershed, including the Matilija Dam removal; steelhead trout in the Ventura River; how the OVLC is working to enhance the health of the Ventura River and how property owners on the river can help protect the river and their property.
Saturday, April 26th from 9am till noon Healthy River, Healthy Community - Part II
Vehicle tour : Take driving tour with Stevie Adams, OVLC restoration project manager, including stops at the Matilija Dam, the arundo removal project, and the OVLC’s Ventura River restoration projects. Meet at the Riverview trailhead of the VRP on Rice Road.
(video courtesy of Rich Reid)
Friday, April 25th at 7pm Healthy River, Healthy Community - Part I
Presentation by: Paul Jenkin of the Matilija Coalition, Nica Katherine Nite, Cal Trout Program Manager
The river runs through us, has so much to teach us as well. Learn more about the Ventura River watershed, including the Matilija Dam removal; steelhead trout in the Ventura River; how the OVLC is working to enhance the health of the Ventura River and how property owners on the river can help protect the river and their property.
Saturday, April 26th from 9am till noon Healthy River, Healthy Community - Part II
Vehicle tour : Take driving tour with Stevie Adams, OVLC restoration project manager, including stops at the Matilija Dam, the arundo removal project, and the OVLC’s Ventura River restoration projects. Meet at the Riverview trailhead of the VRP on Rice Road.
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