Gross solid removal device installed by Caltrans, treating stormwater captured by two Ventura County Public Works catch basins in Saticoy. Photo by Hayley Luna
by David Goldstein, Ventura County PWA
This year, volunteers participating in Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 21, might encounter less litter along the shores than in previous years. Mechanical devices designed to capture trash from stormwater systems are preventing debris from flowing through storm drains and into waterways, helping keep beaches cleaner.
In a collaborative effort, the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and the Ventura County Public Works Agency recently installed a “gross solid removal device” to treat runoff from 41 acres in Saticoy, according to Hayley Luna, a manager with the Ventura County Public Works Agency. Similar systems have been installed by Ventura County Public Works in 136 catch basins across sites like Medea Creek, Lindero Creek, Revolon Slough/Beardsley Wash, and the Ventura River Estuary.
Local cities are also stepping up by complying with the California Statewide Trash Amendment, regulations adopted in 2015 by the State Water Resources Control Board to reduce trash in state waters. These rules require cities and counties to prevent trash from entering stormwater systems that drain into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. “All of the Stormwater Permittees within the County are installing trash capture devices within catch basins,” said David Laak, a Ventura County Public Works manager overseeing the Countywide Stormwater Program. The deadline for full capture device installation in all applicable catch basins is 2030.
Despite these efforts, past Coastal Cleanup events have not shown a significant decrease in the volume of collected litter. This could be because much of the trash gathered—like cigarette butts, food wrappers, and plastic utensils—originates from beachgoers. The amount of litter collected may be more influenced by the number and enthusiasm of volunteers than by upstream collection devices.
Volunteers can participate in this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day by visiting the websites of the Ocean Conservancy or the California Coastal Commission, where they can select a site, read specific instructions, and pre-register for some locations. A waiver of liability is also available online, which volunteers must present at official cleanup sites.
While official sites offer perks like t-shirts, stickers, snacks, and water, volunteers are also encouraged to participate independently by using the Clean Swell app to log the types of litter they collect. Many experienced participants bring their own reusable gloves and buckets to reduce the need for disposable supplies.
This year, the Ventura County Resource Conservation District (RCD) has taken the lead in organizing Ventura County’s cleanup efforts. “We at the RCD felt that it aligned with our core values of conserving natural resources, and our goal to inspire stewardship in current and future generations of Ventura County residents,” explained Heidi Ortloff, the district’s Conservation Education and Outreach Coordinator. The RCD also coordinates two county watershed planning groups, the Ventura River Watershed Council and the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee. For more information on how to participate, visit www.vccoastcleanup.org.
David Goldstein is an Environmental Resource Analyst with the Ventura County Public Works Agency. He can be reached at (805) 658-4312 or [email protected].
