Watershed Council News: March 11, 2013

March 14 TAC Meetings
This is a reminder that three of our Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) will meet on Thursday March 14, 2013 to work on developing preliminary lists of projects and programs for our watershed management plan. The meetings, which are open to anyone, will be at the EP Foster Topping Room, 651 E. Main Street, Ventura. Here is the schedule for the different committees:

1:15 – 2:15 pm – Access to Nature
2:30 – 3:30 pm – Healthy Ecosystems
3:45 – 4:45 – Responsible Land & Resource Mgmt.
(Coordinated Watershed Planning will be discussed at each of the above meetings)

The agenda is very basic: we’ll mostly be working on project ideas and their wording/framing. If you are unable to attend but have input on the draft project/program list below, please get me your input as soon as possible.

Here are the updated review documents:


Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Working to Acquire New 195 Acre Preserve

In December, after two years of negotiation, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) signed an agreement to buy and permanently protect as publicly accessible open space the largest, most visible private parcel remaining in Ojai. The proposed “Valley View Preserve” measures almost one mile east to west, and is roughly one-half mile deep. It is a significant part of the northern backdrop of the city of Ojai and includes most of the golden colored ridge lying uphill of Shelf Road, the most used recreational trail in the Ojai Valley.

At 195 acres, this proposed preserve encompasses seven percent of the land within Ojai’s city limits. If OVLC is able to raise the $500,000 needed to complete the acquisition, two historic trails on the property will be reclaimed. One travels north from Shelf Road and connects with the historic Foothill Trail. Ultimately these trails connect to the Pratt and Fuelbreak Road Trails via unmaintained U.S. Forest Service trails, creating dozens of miles of new hiking routes because of the new trail “loops” that would be created. Access to the trails on this property will be permanently protected for the benefit of the community.

The OVLC’s latest newsletter has more information.