E N V I R O N M E N T A L FALL DEFENDER 2000 Babbitt Advocates for Removal ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of Matilija Dam VENTURA - Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt spoke at a press conference at the Matilija Dam on October 12 in support of the removal of the obsolete dam from the Ventura River. Secretary Babbitt joined state and local governmental officials and environmental groups who took part in a demonstration project in which a chunk of the dam was removed in order to test different techniques for its ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ eventual deconstruction. The well-attended event demonstrated unified and widespread support for the removal of the Matilija Dam, which Platform Holly off the coast of Santa Barbara Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt and not only stands in the IN THIS ISSUE EDC Executive Director, Armando Nieto discuss plans to remove Matilija Dam. way of the Ventura Environmental Groups Intervene in Matilija Dam . 1 River’s endangered Nipomo Mesa . 1 southern steelhead, but also prevents much-needed sand Offshore Oil Lease Lawsuit Offshore Oil Leases . 1 and sediment from flowing downstream and replenishing CALIFORNIA - On July 26, 2000, EDC and Natural Message from Armando . 2 popular southern California Resources Defense Council (NRDC) were granted EDC Staffing . 2 surfing beaches. The 200-foot “It (Matilija Dam) permission to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the Federal Dalidio Project . 3 high Matilija Dam was built in no longer serves its government’s decision to extend 36 undeveloped oil and gas Ventura Big Box . 3 Entrada Project . 3 1947 for flood control and to intended flood leases off the coast of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis provide water for the Ojai Valley. Obispo Counties. Fraction Lots . 3 It no longer serves its intended control purpose and Marine Sanctuary . 4 flood control purpose and provides minimal EDC represents eight environmental groups, including the Oaks & Resources . 4 provides minimal water storage water storage...” Sierra Club, CALPIRG, California CoastKeeper, Friends of Tiger Salamander. 4 CCEHP . 5 benefits due to the buildup of a the Sea Otter, Get Oil Out, Citizens Planning Association, New ChannelKeeper. 5 massive amount of sand and silt behind the dam. Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper and Santa Monica Ventura River . 5 BayKeeper. NRDC represents itself and the League for Seismic Survey . 6 EDC, the Ventura Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, Coastal Protection. These intervening groups have a strong Oil Discharge . 6 Patagonia, Inc., Friends of the Ventura River, and the interest in protecting not only the coastal environment, but Gaviota Facility . 6 also in the ability of the state to review activities in federal Environmental Coalition have joined forces to form the Coal Oil Point. 6 Matilija Coalition in an effort to remove the dam. This waters that may impact its coastal areas. These groups also Thanks . 7 collaboration presents an exciting and precedent-setting want to ensure public participation in the environmental Founders Circle . 7 opportunity that stands to benefit not only our review process. The goal is to prevent the federal Membership & Survey . 7 environment, but our economy as well. government from taking any action that will allow further Interns & Volunteers . 8 oil and gas development off our coast without first EDC SLO TV Show . 8 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ consulting with the state and affected local communities. Gaviota Event. 8 SLO County Must Analyze Effects of EDC Wish List. 8 The lawsuit came about in response to the decision Increased Growth on Nipomo Mesa last fall by the Department of Interior and the SAN LUIS OBISPO - EDC, on behalf of Save the Mesa, a Minerals Management Service to extend the terms Rigs-to-Rubbish nonprofit organization committed to sustainable growth on of the leases, despite the fact that they were issued Bill Update Despite last-minute defeat the Nipomo Mesa, settled a lawsuit against the County of 16-32 years ago and were never reviewed by the and strong environmental San Luis Obispo for violating its own growth ordinance, State. Circumstances have changed since the opposition, Senator Alpert has vowed to bring this bill originally adopted to address rapidly decreasing leases were originally sold. These include new back, which would groundwater supplies on the Mesa. The County’s exemption listings of threatened and endangered species, encourage oil companies to leave abandoned oil of 180 residential building allocations from the growth cap establishment of the Channel Islands platforms in place as “artificial reefs.” Ask your for the Nipomo Mesa area last May without any National Marine Sanctuary, and new friends in San Diego to call environmental review or public notice prompted the suit. information about the risks and impacts of Senator Alpert’s office at (619) 645-3090 and ask her The settlement agreement requires the County to prepare oil spills to drop the bill. an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to analyze the effects of further growth on groundwater and other Had the leases not been extended, they resources on the Mesa. The County also agreed to not allow would have expired without compensation to This newsletter was additional development beyond the established growth cap the oil company lessees. Instead, the lessees can now printed with for the Mesa through the end of 2001. proceed with exploration and development activities, environmentally sound including seismic surveys, drilling of wells, and dyes on Sandpiper paper, The settlement agreement also provides Save the Mesa with construction of new processing, transportation and other made from 100% special meetings with County planning staff and EIR infrastructure. The impacts of such development on our post-consumer consultants to discuss the scope and first draft of the EIR, coastline will be felt for decades to come. waste. which will be available for public review early next year. Newsletter Fall 2000 1 1/15/1, 3:53 PM PAGE 2 A Message from Armando EDC Board of Directors Making a Difference Michael Brown, President Tim Malloy, Vice President Megan Montgomery, Recording Secretary In the last few months of the year 2000 and bike rides through the foothills of his John Strawn, General Secretary EDC welcomes Sharon Angell, adopted south coast home. Diane Wondolowski, Treasurer Anna Bass Development Director, and Andrew B.L. Borovay “Drew” Bohan, the new Santa Barbara As we honor the memory of his passing, Carlyn Christianson Jim Churchill ChannelKeeper. Most recently, Sharon I think of the many south coast residents Arturo Tello Y. Armando Nieto coordinated a successful $3.2 million who shared Judge Abbe’s passion for Ann Veazey Executive Director capital campaign for a local school while environmental health and quality of life. Scott Weiss Drew joins EDC in the wake of a six year EDC works with too many citizen groups EDC Staff tenure as legislative counsel to the lower to mention here. But it is important to Y. Armando Nieto, Executive Director house of government in the South Pacific remember that in nearly every court Linda Krop, Chief Counsel Island Nation of Palau. battle, in every administrative action or Jessica Altstatt, ChannelKeeper case, EDC represents an organized effort Program Director Sharon Angell, Development Director Other EDC changes include expansion to preserve and protect what we have Eve Bailey, Office Administrator of the SLO offices, and the active inherited. Throughout our region Drew Bohan, ChannelKeeper THE ENVIR NMENTAL DEFENDER • FALL 2000 • DEFENDER • FALL THE ENVIR NMENTAL recruitment of a full time staff attorney residents are taking part in determining John T. Buse, Senior Staff Attorney Eric Cardenas, Programs Coordinator to cover the burgeoning San Luis Obispo future development, the safe and sane use Vicki Clark, Staff Attorney caseload. of natural resources, and the preservation Lolita Echeverria, CCEHP Program Coord. Laura Engeman, Receptionist of our environmental health and quality Jenna Garmon, Community Affairs Dir. In Ventura, outreach efforts include the of life. Tanya Gulesserian, Staff Attorney aggressive recruitment of a local resident Juliette Harding, Bookkeeper Marie Hastings, Receptionist to take over duties of a Managing Within a few days of this newsletter’s Gordon Hensley, Environmental Analyst Director for Ventura County operations. publication we will have a new U.S. Zan Henson, Senior Staff Attorney Mindy Lorenz, SLO Program Director president. That process saw a truly Jennifer M. Oetken, Database Manager Because of the enormous volume of case- obscene expenditure of financial resources. Lori Schiraga, CCEHP Project Director related work that generated the need for Against that kind of process, it is Brian Trautwein, Environmental Analyst Kim Uhlich, Environmental Analyst these changes, it’s understandable when heartening to realize that each of us can Steve Velyvis, Staff Attorney we lose sight of the bigger picture. still affect our quality of life. J. Marc McGinnes, Of Counsel In late September the occasion of Judge On the cover of this publication you’ll EDC Law Clerks and Interns Richard Abbe’s passing reminded me why read about the decommissioning of Amber Blount, Intern Alicia Finigan, Law Clerk we work so tirelessly to preserve Matilija Dam, the result of the efforts of a Lenin Lopez, Intern environmental quality of life on the broad coalition of business, government, Giles Pettifor, Intern south