Late Summer 2020 News & Events

Find out about opportunities to volunteer with VLT.
Read more about VLT work:   https://www.venturalandtrust.org/outlook_newsletters

VLT's events have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so other events will be planned as the Ventura County Health Order permits.

About Ventura Land Trust:
The Ventura Land Trust (formerly the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy) is dedicated to permanently preserving and protecting the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 650 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust manages 90 acres of land along the Ventura River and is negotiating the purchase of its first hillside property. VLT’s office is located in the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information, visit: www.venturalandtrust.org

On November 6th, 2019, Ventura Land Trust was accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, joining an esteemed network of more than 400 accredited land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public's trust in their work. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.  More information.

Matilija Dam Update
An Economic Study examined the benefits that would accrue from removal of Matilija Dam

A report published by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute outlines the economic benefits of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project. 
https://www.venturariver.org/2020/09/economic-benefits-of-dam-removal.html

Matilija Dam Grant Funding 2016-2020

Dec 2016-2020  Resources Legacy Fund/Open Rivers Project $707,500
May 2017    CDFW    65% Design Planning Project                $3,300,504
Sept 2017   NFWF     Estuarine and Coastal Modeling              $278,002
May 2019    CDFW     Santa Ana Bridge Replacement         $13,426,938
May 2020    WCB       Final Design                                          $5,025,000
Total:                                                                                      $22,737,944  

Matilija reservoir was drained over the 4th of July weekend.    According to county staff, this was done in response to safety concerns, as identified by the state Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) as well as the liability resulting from recreational use of the dam site. The 12" valve controlling the dam outlet was opened on the morning of Wednesday, July 1, releasing flows of approximately 30 cubic feet per second downstream.  The valve will remain open maintaining the reservoir in a drained state until the winter rains.   

Images of the drained reservoir reveal the degree of additional sedimentation since the Thomas Fire, which has reduced the storage capacity to less than 150 acre feet.  As illustrated in the photos below, the initial flush released relatively clear water, but downstream water quality degraded as flows began to cut a channel through the sediment.  The channel evolution is documented in the overview photos of the reservoir. 

All Matilija Dam technical documents are at matilijadam.org

To learn more about recent progress on the Matilija Dam project please attend the next Watershed Council Meeting on October 1, 2020 online.  See Ventura River Watershed Council below.

See venturariver.org for other Ventura River Watershed and Coastal Ecosystem topics.

Surfrider Ventura County

REMINDER:  Group Beach Clean-up Days are not yet able to resume, but solo activity us now possible.

Starting June 1st, we have announced new guidelines for individuals to conduct solo beach clean ups as long as local governing bodies allow for public beach access.
 

If you go out for your own beach cleanup at Surfers’ Point or Ormond Beach, please help us log what is showing up on our beaches by filling out our datasheet card. It is super important that we are able to quantify the trash, especially after this lull in cleanups due to COVID-19. 

You can email or mail the data card back to us (info@ventura.surfrider.org), and we will add it into our national database!   https://ventura.surfrider.org/wp-content/uploads/2019-Beach-Cleanup_Data-Card-1.pdf

Mail:
Surfrider Foundation
Ventura County Chapter
P.O. Box 1028
Ventura, CA 93002-1028

For more Info: volunteercoordinator@ventura.surfrider.org

NEXT MEETING:  October 6, 2020 at 6:30 P.M. via ZOOM.  Contact Bill Hickman if you would like a link to register for the ZOOM meeting. bhickman@surfrider.org

More information about Ventura County Chapter of Surfrider Foundation:  https://ventura.surfrider.org
 

Surfrider's HOTYB (Hold Onto Your Butt) campaign

HOTYB is hoping to expand into Port Hueneme.  Volunteers are organizing a presentation for the Port Hueneme City Council to educate the Council on this important program.

For five years Surfrider has been partnering with the City of Ventura's Environmental Sustainability Division and Parks & Recreation Department to place ashcans in various locations in Ventura, at parks, around town in front of restaurants & bars, and at bus stops to encourage smokers to deposit their cigarette butts responsibly. 

The goal is to expand as more volunteers come aboard so that a HOTYB program is active in all Ventura County cities.  Without more volunteers to empty cans it will be impossible to expand the program.  Check the Surfrider website for the steps necessary to volunteer at this time.

Find out more, sponsor an ashcan or volunteer:  https://ventura.surfrider.org/active-programs-and-campaigns/hold-on-to-your-butt/

Learn more about Ventura County Surfrider programs & campaigns:  https://ventura.surfrider.org/programs-and-campaigns/

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
Channelkeeper & the City of Ventura have reached an Amended Agreement
From City Press release dated August 24, 2020:

The City of San Buenaventura and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, a local environmental group, have announced an amendment to their settlement agreement in the lawsuit regarding the pumping and diversion of water from the Ventura River Watershed. Both Channelkeeper and the City remain committed to ensuring the protection of this local water source and the species that rely on it. The ongoing collaboration enables dialogue toward a locally developed solution to continue moving forward.

Under the modified terms, the City will continue the Pilot Program it implemented in 2019 to reduce its pumping and diversion of water from the Ventura River when flows drop during dry times, in order to help protect wildlife that depend on the river. The Pilot Program was originally set to expire in March of 2020, however, the City continues to honor the flow regime set in place. The most notable change with the amendment is that the City will shut down most of its pumping facilities at Foster Park when flows drop below 4 cubic feet per second (CFS), and stop all production when flows drop below 3 CFS instead of 2 CFS. The City will also use its two new gauges at Foster Park to monitor the impacts, if any, its pumping has on flow in the river at these levels. Additionally, the City and Channelkeeper have agreed to keep a dialogue open to identify additional ways to work collaboratively on other Watershed and habitat-related public relations efforts.

The original agreement and this amendment provide added assurance to Channelkeeper for the better protection of steelhead during the dry season while the City works with other parties to propose a long-term framework that protects the Ventura River for steelhead and other instream uses and for the needs of water users, recreation, and the local economy. 

From the September 2, 2020 VC Reporter:
VENTURA RIVER WATERSHED ADJUDICATION PROCEEDING The action taken by the city of Ventura involving over 12,000 properties in the watershed is moving forward and is not directly impacted by the settlement between Channelkeeper and the city.  The court scheduled the next Status Conference for 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Los Angeles County Superior Court, Complex Civil Litigation Division, Department No. 010, 312 North Spring St., Los Angeles. For information on making a telephonic appearance, please visit courtcall.com/?c=CCHOME, or call 888-882-6878. Los Angeles County Superior Court has granted the city’s request to push back the deadline for parties to file and join the action to Oct. 30.  Property owners with questions or who wish to file to join the action can contact an attorney or visit the city’s information website at www.venturariverwatershedadjudication.com.

https://vcreporter.com/2020/09/ventura-channelkeeper-announce-settlement-city-to-monitor-flows-and-control-pumping/

In the ongoing Ventura RIver water rights litigation, the City of Ventura is seeking adjudication of all water rights within the Ventura River Watershed.  More than six months after all water rights were served legal notice, the City served papers on the Chumash tribal elders.   The local Chumash Band of Mission Indians' response to the City of Ventura’s claim against their historical water rights was published in the Ojai Valley News.





SB Channelkeeper's advocacy for the Ventura River:  https://www.sbck.org/our-work/advocacy/ventura-river/

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Stream Team

Please contact Channelkeeper to find out how their volunteer stream team sampling projects are organized during the pandemic.
https://www.sbck.org/our-work/field-work/stream-team/

Water quality monitoring is pivotal to our work to protect and restore the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds. It is also what sets us apart from other environmental groups.

Channelkeeper patrols the Santa Barbara Channel and its tributaries to identify pollution problems and respond to citizen reports of pollution. We also conduct regular water quality monitoring of local waterways. We collect and disseminate scientifically sound water quality data to aid decision-makers and the public in protecting local waterways, and to foster wider community awareness and involvement in protecting water quality. Regulatory agencies regularly utilize our monitoring data to target and prioritize their pollution prevention efforts, and our field investigations have identified and led to the clean-up of numerous water pollution problems.

Protect California's Environment
Channelkeeper posts its historical data on water quality.  See:  https://www.sbck.org/our-work/field-work/stream-team/stream-team-data-portal/

Ventura Audubon

Audubon events have been canceled for the 2019-2020 season.  Read about Audubon plans:  https://www.venturaaudubon.org  

Check Ventura Audubon's calendar for monthly virtual meeting dates.

Ventura Water

Ventura Water's conservation incentive programs: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/889/Rebates-Incentives

We remain in a water shortage environment:   Water Shortage Update

The Water Commission meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month in the Community Meeting Room at CIty Hall, 501 Poli Street.  Meetings are now conducted via Webex.  Link to Agendas.
 
Sign up for Ventura Water's Pipeline newsletter for items of interest concerning our water supply:   https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/251/Newsletter

Ventura River Watershed Planning

Ventura River Watershed Council 
The Ventura River Watershed Council meets 5 – 6 times a year, with one of those meetings held in the evening. Additionally, Subcommittee and Technical Advisory Committee meetings are held as needed.  Meetings are public; your participation is welcome and encouraged.

The next VRWC General Assembly Meeting is scheduled to occur on Thursday, October 1, 2020, from  9:00 am – 11:15 am., as a virtual webinar.  This meeting will focus on the Matilija Dam, the steps and progress toward removal.  Meeting agenda and information:
http://venturawatershed.org/ventura-river-watershed-council-meetings

Posted meeting schedule:  http://venturawatershed.org/ventura-river-watershed-council-meetings.  Click here for announcements & updates. 

Sign up for the Watershed Council newsletter:  

Stay up-to-date on progress of the Upper Ventura River Groundwater Sustainability Agency
More info:  
www.uvrgroundwater.org
Groundwater Management for the Upper Ventura River
DWR Basin Boundary Modification Request (website includes the documents and comments)
 
Water & Drought -- Lake Casitas Update

March 7, 2019 the lake level was 41.4%.
May 23, 2019 it was at 45%.
September 9, 2019 the lake level was at 42.9%.
December 17, 2019 the lake level is at 41.3%.
March 7, 2020 the lake level was at 41.4%.
May 31, 2020 the lake level was at 44.4%.

As of September 10, 2020 the lake level is at 43.8%

Water savings measures continue to be MANDATORY.  Ventura County must continue to conserve. 

Surfrider's submitted Comments on Casitas Draft Comprehensive Water Resources Plan
https://www.venturariver.org/2020/08/casitas-draft-comprehensive-water.html

Casitas Municipal Water District is developing a Comprehensive Water Resources Plan (CWRP) to provide information to guide future management of our water supply. The draft document currently recommends almost $160 million in capital projects, most of which is dedicated to the pursuit of imported water from the State Water Project. The fiscal impact to the ratepayer is left for future work. However, although it is not highlighted in the document, the CWRP clearly demonstrates the community’s ongoing response to changing conditions, and the very real capacity for sustaining our local water supply without the cost of imported water.

Keep CONSERVING!
Also see Casitas website for links to Conservation resources.
Ventura County Weather Winter Precipitation Tracking

Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

OVLC Trail Status update

The Ventura River Preserve Trailheads (Oso, Riverview, and Old Baldwin Road) and the Ventura River are OPEN with restrictions. 
8/24/20: Trailhead Update:  https://ovlc.org/trails/

Mountainfilm on Tour - September 18 – 20, 2020
Mountainfilm on Tour is virtual this year! September 18-20, 2020 Get ready for a night of fun, food, family, raffle prizes, and adventure inspired shorts all in Mountainfilm style! From September 18-20, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is teaming up with Mountainfilm on Tour to bring the original films of the annual festival in Telluride, Colorado.
**Pre-order your tickets by Monday, September 14 at 5 pm for a discounted price!**
https://ovlc.org/virtual-mountainfilm-on-tour-2020-ojai-ca-ojai-valley-land-conservancy/

News from OVLC:   https://ovlc.org/news/
See OVLC events calendar.  Events & preserve rules will be adjusted to be consistent with local health orders:  https://ovlc.org/category/events/
Explore OVLC Preserves:  https://ovlc.org/preserves/

Thinking about joining the OVLC?

We invite you to visit our website at friendsofventurariver.org - this is a place for friends to post their ideas, concerns, and activities and provide for a community forum about the river in our backyard.

Please contact Paul (pjenkin@surfrider.org) or Diane (dunderhill@sbcglobal.net) to find out how you or your organization can get involved!