Fall 2020 News & Events

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

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

First anniversary:  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
Matilija Dam Environmental Review
The Ventura County Watershed Protection District (VCPWA – WP) has initiated environmental review on portions of the  the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project (MDERP.)   The updated plan to remove Matilija Dam incorporates new information garnered from recent dam removal projects as well as details regarding proposed modifications to downstream infrastructure. Although environmental review was completed in 2004 as part of the Corps of Engineers planning effort, the VCPWA – WP has determined that preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) is warranted to evaluate the revised Project. The resulting SEIR analysis will be published next year.
Read more:
https://www.venturariver.org/2020/10/matilija-dam-environmental-review.html

Ventura River Watershed Mural
"Culminating more than a year of planning by Ojai resident Ray Powers, the "Enlivening The Matilija Watershed" mural was revealed in a community celebration on Nov 21, 2020.  The mural was painted on removable panels at the Ojai Unified School District located at 301 N. Montgomery Street in Ojai."

The mural depicts a restored Matilija Creek and Ventura River Watershed after the removal of Matilija Dam. 

Read more about the mural, the event and the changes we can anticipate from dam removal and a restored natural river flow:   https://www.venturariver.org/2020/12/enlivening-matilija-watershed-mural.html
 

See venturariver.org for other Ventura River Watershed 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:  February 2, 2021 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 Plastic Free Ventura campaign

On October 19, 2020 Ventura City Council considered and advanced an ordinance to ban expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) at retail because of its dire environmental impacts.

On November 9, 2020, the second reading of the EPS ban was waived and the new ordinance was passed 7-0, adding Chapter 8.030, Regulating Expanded Polystyrene Food Containers to the San Buenaventura Municipal Code

After the single-use plastic bag ban, this is another positive step in Surfrider's efforts to eliminate single-use plastic from our community.

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

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper


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

Fall Audubon field trips were held from September to November when Ventura County COVID cases were trending downward, but have now been canceled for the remainder of the year.  

COVID-19 UPDATE as of Nov 30, 2020:  There will be no field trips in December due to the number of current cases and Ventura Country returning to Purple Tier. January is still to be decided.

Join Audubon for its December Zoom meeting on December 8 at 7pm, to learn about Florida Scrub Jays from David Sherer, USFWS.   https://www.venturaaudubon.org/monthly-speakers

Join Audubon for the Christmas Bird Count on January 2, 2021.  https://www.venturaaudubon.org/christmas-bird-count.  Stay tuned for more information. 

Sign up for the Ventura Audubon e-newsletter.   https://www.venturaaudubon.org/newsletters 

Check for Ventura Audubon's monthly virtual meeting dates via the monthly speakers link above.

Learn more about what Ventura Audubon does and how you can get involved:  https://www.venturaaudubon.org/

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 Zoom.  Link to Agendas.  The Water Commission is studying Water & Wastewater rates, something the city reviews every 5 years.  On November 17, the water rates were a major topic of discussion.  https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11172020-2321

• Share your opinion in the water rates public opinion survey.  You can download the city's water rate presentation, watch the informative videos & take the water rates survey at venturawaterrates.net.  https://expectwsc.mysocialpinpoint.com/ventura-water-and-wastewater-rates/ventura-water-and-wastewater-rates-home

On December 15th the Water Commission will again be considering Water Rate increases that will go into effect in July 2021.  If you'd like to join the meeting, keep an eye on the posted agendas.  The agenda for the December 15 meeting should be posted soon.   https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/AgendaCenter/Search/?term=&CIDs=22,&startDate=&endDate=&dateRange=&dateSelector=
 
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, December 3, 2020, from  9:00 am – 11:15 am., as a virtual webinar.  Meeting agenda and information:
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%.
September 10, 2020 the lake level is at 43.8%
November 3, 2020 the lake level is at 40.3%

As of December 2, 2020 the lake level is at 39.7%.  https://www.casitaswater.org/

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

11/10/20: Trailhead Update:  

The Ventura River Preserve Trailheads (Oso, Riverview, and Old Baldwin Road) and the Ventura River are OPEN.

The preserve is open for movement recreation only.
What you can do:
Biking, horseback riding, and hiking are all welcome on the Ventura River Preserve.

What you can’t do:
Swimming, picnicking, and hanging out at the river. You may not bring blankets, chairs, coolers, floaties, alcoholic beverages, BBQ’s, umbrellas, etc.

Read more trail instructions:  https://ovlc.org/trails/

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!