East Venturans have an important opportunity to weigh in on how their city grows at the next East Ventura Community Council meeting on August 20.

The consultant firm which is working on the city’s General Plan update, Raimi Associates, has asked to speak to residents about the process and will be soliciting input. Joining the meeting will be Simran Malhotra, AICP, AAIA.

Also attending the meeting will be Derek Poultney, the executive director of the Ventura Land Trust.  East Ventura is fortunate to be home to Harmon Canyon, Ventura’s first large-scale nature preserve. The 2,100-acre area is now open to hiking, biking, running and exploring. Visitors enjoy hills and canyons that feature oak groves, stream crossings, and breathtaking views of Southern California mountain ranges, coastlines, and Channel Islands National Park.

The meeting will be held online via the Zoom application. Go here to view: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82636698280

You will first need to download the Zoom app on your computer or smart phone. You do not need an account. If you miss the meeting, you can always view later on the website, www.eastventura.org. The July meeting can be viewed there now.

The Zoom meeting will start promptly at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact EVCC Chair Marie Lakin at [email protected].

The Ventura County Planning Commission voted 4-1 to update the Zoning Ordinance for oil and gas wells operating under antiquated permits. Thousands of oil wells in Ventura County operate under “antiquated permits” that were issued up to 75 years ago—before environmental and human health impacts were known, and long before many bedrock environmental laws existed. Many of these wells are located within or adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest. Others are dangerously close to communities like Ventura, Oxnard and Fillmore. Community members and environmental and climate justice organizations gave public comment asking for updated oil permitting to better protect the health and safety of the community, the climate, and public lands.

Rebecca August, Director of Advocacy with Los Padres Forest Watch stated, “Oil companies should not be allowed to drill an unlimited number of wells, for an unlimited amount of time, and without thorough evaluation of potential impacts to public health and the environment. All new wells in Ventura County should abide by the same modern environmental standards that other businesses in Ventura County must follow.”

Last fall, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors directed County staff to update the County’s oil drilling ordinances so that any new wells under these antiquated permits will be subject to greater transparency and environmental review.

Under current rules, an oil company only needs to submit a short application along with a $330 permit fee to receive a “zoning clearance” to drill or frack a well in Ventura County. A zoning clearance process is considered ministerial, in that if the applicant checks all the boxes and pays the fee, the county must approve it, no discretion allowed. Other ministerial actions include marriage licenses and backyard gazebos.

Most antiquated permits have no limit on the number of wells that can be drilled, have no expiration date, and do not stipulate what drilling techniques can be used. Also, under antiquated permits, new wells are approved without public notice or hearing and have never undergone environmental review.

In response to the vote Tomás Rebecchi, Central Coast Organizing Manager with Food & Water Action said, “This is a huge victory for communities living near oil and gas production. Before this update, oil companies could avoid all current environmental laws and reviews by checking a few boxes and paying a small fee.”

“Now the true cost to public health and our resources will be evaluated when approving oil wells. Any new analysis will show that we should not drill any new wells given what we now know about climate change and the health impacts on the communities near these wells,” said Rebecchi.

This update will only apply to new wells, despite comments from many in favor of the oil industry claiming it will shut the industry down. Commissioner King mentioned in his final remarks that “I don’t see any evidence that this will be capping existing wells.”

It will now go to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for a final vote in the coming months.

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is seeking individuals interested in serving on the APCD’s Hearing Board in the attorney member position and Medical professional position. The attorney position must be an active member of the State Bar of California. The medical professional position must be a medical professional with specialized skills, training or interests in environmental, community or occupational/toxicological medicine.  Candidates for these positions must be a resident of Ventura County. 

The Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body that acts upon petitions submitted by operators of air pollution emission sources, APCD staff and the public. It conducts public hearings and makes various decisions regarding air pollution sources in Ventura County. Typical decisions made by the Hearing Board include whether temporary relief from APCD Rules should be issued; whether the APCD’s denial, suspension or conditional granting of a Permit was warranted, and; determining whether a Permit to Operate should be revoked.

The Hearing Board meets Monday evenings, as needed, at 5:30 PM.  Meetings last from one to two hours and typically occur several times throughout the year. Hearing Board members are paid $75 per meeting.  The Air Pollution Control District’s Governing Board makes appointments to the Hearing Board. New members should be willing to attend a two-day training class conducted by the California Air Resources Board.

Interested individuals should contact APCD’s Keith Macias by phone at805/645-1494 or by email at [email protected].

Commander Tom Higgins has retired after 28 years of outstanding service to our Ventura community.

Commander Higgins began his career with VPD as a cadet in 1992 until December 1994 when he became a sworn Officer.

Tom was promoted to Corporal in 2003, Sergeant in 2010, and Commander in 2015.

During his time with our Department, Tom was involved with the Special Olympics Torch Run, PAL basketball camp and boxing program, Youth Services Beach Camp, as well as Kids & Cops and the Crisis Intervention Team. Tom became a KOGA instructor, FTO, Bicycle Patrol Technique Instructor, Honor Guard and Academy Instructor. He was recognized as Employee of the Month in March 2002.

Here’s his last broadcast over the radio as a Ventura Police Officer:

“After 26 years as a Police Officer and 28 years working for the Ventura Police Department, it’s been my privilege to have served alongside all of you as an Officer protecting the City of Ventura, but it’s time that my watch comes to an end. I ask all of you now to continue to serve in the most honorable of professions with honor, integrity, respect of others, and most of all, with your utmost safety in mind. Be well.

Congratulations Commander Higgins and enjoy your well-deserved retirement!

by Venturans for Responsible & Efficient Gov’t (VREG)

According to the Carollo Report, the next phase of VenturaWaterPure carries a price tag of $320 million. Do you spend another $320 million if Ventura Water can meet its three goals for less regardless of the money already spent? And if you do, how will a family afford a 260% water rate increase?

Today’s Plan

The current VenturaWaterPure plan calls for the construction of an advanced water purification facility, new pipeline infrastructure and three injection wells. This current plan also requires the addition of 20 to 27 more positions, with salaries, benefits and pensions. The Carollo Report indicates that much of the costs and liability that Ventura Water plans to take on as an independent project could be shared and reduced on a more regional basis.

What’s The Alternative?

It is not too late to reconsider some of the alternatives suggested in the Carollo Report. The redirection of the first part of the planned $270 million project does not mean the end of VenturaWaterPure. VenturaWaterPure can be completed at a savings of $270 million and meet all the city’s goals.

The alternative is for Ventura Water to construct a pipeline to the United Water settlement ponds near the intersection of 118 and Vineyard Avenue. The water can then percolate into the Oxnard plain basin. Ventura Water had always planned to inject the well water into the Oxnard plain basin under its current plan.

The United Water alternative plan eliminates the need for Ventura Water to construct the advanced water purification facility, pipeline infrastructure, brine line and three injection wells. That is a savings of $320 million. It would require the construction of nine miles of a 24-inch pipeline with a cost of about $50 million, so the net saving is still $270 million.

There will need to be negotiations with United Water to complete the water transfer loop. Given the recent Groundwater Management act legislation (GMA), agencies transferring water to other agencies require cooperation in water exchanges. In that process, Ventura Water can obtain additional water allocations to add to the water supply.

Why Would There Be Any Objection?

The possible resistance to redirecting the tertiary treated Santa Clara Estuary wastewater to the United Water Saticoy Spreading Grounds is that Ventura Water may fear losing control of their water resource. This concern is unfounded, however. All water injected into any wells, may be drawn out by any water user with access to the Oxnard plain basin.

Improves The VenturaWaterPure Program

Saving $270 million by redirecting the Santa Clara Estuary tertiary treated wastewater to the United Water Saticoy spreading grounds does not derail the other Ventura Water goals. With the continued construction of the State Water Project, State Water will provide an additional water resource to compliment the river, groundwater and recycling programs in place. The State Water will also improve the water quality for the east end of Ventura. Additionally, the tertiary treated wastewater to the United Water Saticoy spreading grounds would remain available to be drawn out of the Oxnard Basin just as it would be if injected into any wells currently planned.

The challenge in 2012 was to comply with the Federal Court Decree. The chosen solution was to convert the estuary into drinkable water. Ventura Water created VenturaWaterPure to persuade citizens that the cost to move the water away from the estuary was justifiable because we could then drink it. Fixated on controlling all water resources sounded good eight years ago, but reality governs in the end. It was too costly then, and today’s COVID-19 economic circumstances have revealed that fact, something Ventura Water has yet to consider.

Utilizing the regional resources to accomplish the same goals at a lower cost is better for Ventura. With this one primary change, VenturaWaterPure will succeed, and the citizens will save as much as $137 per month or $1,644 per year on their water bill.

Call or email your City Councilmember to tell them you want to save $270 million and not have your water rates nearly triple.