February 2009

 
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper News & Events
 

News & Events Stormwater Impacts of CalTrans Highway 101

Widening Project
Stormwater Impacts of CalTrans
Highway 101 Expansion Since late fall, the California Department of
Transportation (CalTrans) has been working
Contaminated Hydromulch on the Highway 101 widening project from
Applied to Goleta Slough Milpas Street to Hot Springs Road. The
Watershed project includes construction activities within
and around Sycamore Creek and the Andree
Clark Bird Refuge. Channelkeeper has been
Illegal Construction on the monitoring these projects to ensure that
Ventura River impacts from construction activities to these
waterbodies are minimized, focusing
primarily on CalTrans' implementation of
MLPA Initiative Update
stormwater Best Management Practices
(BMPs) to minimize polluted runoff since construction is extending well into the
Just say "NEITHER" to "Paper or rainy season.
Plastic?"
Channelkeeper has inspected the construction site on multiple occasions and
we've identified and forwarded several concerns and recommendations to
Save the Date: 9th Annual Blue
CalTrans officials, some of which they subsequently addressed and implemented.
Water Ball!
We also worked to coordinate a site tour with CalTrans for local stakeholders
concerned about water quality impacts in December. Unfortunately, during this
Stream Team - February 7th & tour we observed a significant amount of contaminated stormwater bypassing
8th site BMPs and flowing into the Bird Refuge. Channelkeeper expressed concern
about this issue and CalTrans has worked to improve stormwater management
practices at the site.
Become a Channelkeeper
Member! Unfortunately, components of this construction project have been permitted to
occur during the rainy season by agencies including the Department of Fish and
Game and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Now, due to the timing of
construction work and a failure to adequately plan for the quantity of stormwater
received on the site, impacts to the Bird Refuge may continue to occur in the
event of another large storm. Channelkeeper will continue to work with CalTrans
Did You Know? and other agencies to ensure that impacts are minimized and avoided as the
Highway 101 widening project extends further down our coast.
 Contaminated Hydromulch Applied to Goleta
According to the EPA, Slough Watershed
sediment is the most
common pollutant in
Last fall, in preparation for winter rains,
rivers, streams, lakes
Santa Barbara County and the US Forest
and reservoirs. Service conducted a large-scale aerial
application of hydromulch to the GAP fire
Natural erosion produces burn areas in the Goleta Slough
watershed in order to enhance
nearly 30% of the total
stabilization of hill slopes and thus
sediment in the US while minimize post-fire sediment transport to
accelerated erosion from the creeks. Unfortunately, after the
human use of land hydromulch application, local citizens and
environmental organizations complained
accounts for the remaining
that the mulch material used was contaminated with litter. It turns out that the
70%. mixture used by the County contained recycled materials including small amounts
of plastic, rubber, wax-coated paper, and foil. Although the litter made up only a
The most concentrated very small proportion of the mulch, the vast extent of its application in this
instance meant that contaminated mulch was applied to over 1,500 acres of Los
sediment releases come
Padres National Forest. Some of this material was observed in local creeks. In
from construction January, Channelkeeper worked with the EDC to bring this issue to the attention
activities. Sediment of County and Forest Service officials. We received a written response from the
pollution causes $16 billion Los Padres National Forest shortly thereafter assuring us that they will require
future hydromulch projects to use 100% plastic free mulch materials and will
in environmental damage
conduct inspections to verify this condition is met.
annually.

    Illegal Construction on the Ventura River

For years, local stakeholders have witnessed illegal construction activities being
conducted by a private landowner on the Ventura River. This property, located
just above the river's confluence with San Antonio Creek, has been significantly
altered by illegal stream bank modifications along with filling and grading of the
floodplain. While regulatory agencies were notified on numerous occasions,
recent construction activities have prompted a new spate of complaints from
community members. In late January, Channelkeeper called on the Department
of Fish and Game, Ventura County, US Army Corps of Engineers, and US
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to take action. Shortly thereafter,
  Ventura County responded by issuing multiple Notices of Violation to the
landowner, and we understand that USEPA and the Army Corps are also actively
investigating the matter. The Department of Fish and Game has yet to respond.
Marine Life Protection Act Initiative Update
The South Coast Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)
Initiative is kicking into high gear, with individuals
appointed by the state to represent a wide range of
stakeholder interests beginning to draft maps
proposing specific sections of state waters, from
Point Conception to the Mexican border, to be
designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This
South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (SCRSG)
has been divided into three work groups, with each
having a balance of interests, geographic knowledge
and expertise. These groups will submit their first
attempt at no more than two draft MPA network
proposals for Southern California by the end of their
meeting on March 3-4. The SCRSG's creation of MPA
proposals for Southern California will be iterative,
with drafts submitted in March and May and final
proposals due in September. With each iteration, the
SCRSG will receive feedback on how their proposals meet the goals of the MLPA,
regulatory requirements and the scientific criteria for effective MPA design from
an appointed policy panel, a science advisory team, and the Department of Fish
and Game.

All MLPA meetings are open to the public and all draft MPA proposals submitted
will be available for public comment. The public is even invited to submit their
own external proposals for MPAs in Southern California by February 18th.
Channelkeeper is tracking the process, working closely with individuals appointed
to the SCRSG, and will use every avenue available to ensure that MPA proposals
prioritize the conservation goals of the MLPA, are based on sound science and
represent local areas of importance and community interests. To learn more
about the MLPA Initiative and ways to get involved, visit dfg.ca.gov/mlpa or
contact us at michael@sbck.org or at (805) 637-8730.

Just say "NEITHER" to "Paper or Plastic?"

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper is spearheading an
advocacy and education campaign to help the City
of Santa Barbara reduce the use of disposable
plastic and paper shopping bags and shift to
reusable bags. The City is convening a stakeholder
meeting to solicit public input on voluntary and
mandatory measures the City can implement to
bring about a meaningful reduction in disposable
bag use on Monday, February 9th at 3 PM at 1221
Anacapa St. (2nd floor). Please attend and voice
your support for City action to address this
important environmental issue! Also, let City Council know you support an
ordinance to mandate reductions in the use of disposable shopping bags, both
plastic and paper, by calling or sending them an email or letter (click here for
Council's contact information).
 Save the Date: 9th Annual Blue Water Ball!
Channelkeeper's annual benefit, the Blue
Water Ball, will take place on Saturday, May
16th from 5-8pm at QAD Headquarters in
Summerland. This year's luau-themed event
will feature an organic dinner, live music, live
and silent auctions, a marine environment-
themed student art show, and a keynote
speaker. Proceeds from the event will provide
critical unrestricted funds for Channelkeeper's
daily operating activities as well as our ongoing
community outreach and advocacy efforts to protect water quality and restore
marine habitats in and along the Santa Barbara Channel. Channelkeeper is
currently seeking event sponsors, auction item donations and volunteers. Please
contact Lisa at lisa@sbck.org or 805.563.3377 ext.4 to sponsor, donate,
volunteer or reserve your tickets!

Stream Team - February 7th & 8th

Stream Team is Channelkeeper's volunteer-based water
quality monitoring program. Every month, volunteers join
Channelkeeper staff to test for common water quality
parameters at numerous different sites in the Ventura
River and Goleta Slough watersheds. Come join us to help
protect our local waterways; we will be testing in Ventura
on Saturday, February 7th and in Goleta on Sunday,
February 8th. For more information, visit our website, or
contact Penny Owens at penny@sbck.org or 805.563.3377
ext.0.

Become a Channelkeeper Member!

Your support for Channelkeeper's efforts is needed
now more than ever. Become a member of the
Channelkeeper crew today with your tax-deductible
donation. You'll be investing in clean water and
healthy communities along the Santa Barbara
Channel today and for future generations. With your
membership, you will receive our regular
newsletters, news updates and action alerts, and
invitations to special Channelkeeper events and fun
volunteer opportunities. All new members also
receive a free Channelkeeper sticker, identifying you
as a steward of the Santa Barbara Channel. And now,
all new donors contributing $50 or more can receive a Channelkeeper t-shirt, and
for donations of $250 or more, quarterly issues of the Waterkeeper magazine.

Sign up today by calling Member Services at 805-563-3377 x4 or emailing us at

lisa@sbck.org