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Calm Seas,
Catherine French
Writer, mentor, naturalist
805.570.0432
We are given only so many days, make each one count.
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Santa Barbara Channelkeeper <info@xxxxxxxx>
Date: December 4, 2020 at 9:00:58 AM PST
To: cfrench1366@xxxxxxx
Subject: SB Channelkeeper E-Newsletter - December 2020
Reply-To: info@xxxxxxxx
DECEMBER 2020 E-NEWS
High Five!
Together we made a difference in 2020 — for the Earth, our community, and the
many species that rely on clean water.
With your support, Channelkeeper achieved policy changes to better protect
our waterways, we compelled polluters to clean up their acts, engaged
hundreds of volunteers in our programs, and educated students and adults
about important issues related to water.
We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished…and honored to continue our work.
DONATE TO CLEAN WATER WORK
THE CITY OF VENTURA HALTS PUMPING
For the first time in history, the City of Ventura recently shut down two of
its wells at Foster Park to protect flows in the Ventura River! The action
took place in accordance with Channelkeeper's settlement agreement with the
City, which requires it to reduce and/or halt pumping altogether when river
flows drop below certain thresholds. This agreement will remain in place
until there is a final outcome to the City's adjudication of water rights in
the Ventura River watershed. With any luck, winter rainfall will increase
river flows in the near future, allowing the City to resume its desired
pumping capacity, while maintaining a healthy and thriving ecosystem.
Reducing pumping protects this critical stretch of Ventura River habitat and
supports recreational use and enjoyment of the river for the surrounding
community. Not only does this affect endangered species habitat, but Foster
Park is also heavily utilized by the local community as a primary access
point for recreation and as an outdoor classroom for local educational
programs. Unabated pumping at Foster Park, can (and has historically)
resulted in complete dewatering of this river segment, which eliminates these
beneficial uses of the river and negatively impacts downstream habitat as
well.
Channelkeeper is grateful for the cooperation of City officials in monitoring
river flows and implementing the terms of our agreement.
MARINE DEBRIS CLEANED-UP AT SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Plastic debris is one of the most pervasive problems facing our world’s
oceans and the Santa Barbara Channel is unfortunately no exception, with
several island beaches serving as catch basins for floating debris.
Over the summer Channelkeeper helped remove marine debris from Santa Cruz
Island along with the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) and
two local lobster fishermen.
This fall, Channelkeeper returned to the east end of Santa Cruz to continue
the clean-up effort. We removed hundreds of pounds of plastic--everything
from drink bottles, bottle caps, rope, shoes, and beach toys--along with
other debris. Our crew also piled up lobster traps and trap pieces for future
removal.
We are happy to share that we helped to repurpose old foam fishing buoys
collected on the cleanup that will become artwork by a local artist, Sheryl
Schroeder (@schroederville_art).
Channelkeeper looks forward to continuing our work in the Channel to tackle
our marine debris problem at future cleanup events.
SHARE YOUR VISION
The City of Santa Barbara is amid a year-long process of developing its
water supply and management plan for the next 30 years. City Staff will be
presenting the results of the draft future portfolio analysis to the City
Council on December 8th from 2- 4 pm. The meeting is open to the public, so
if you are interested in learning about the City’s process for developing
this plan and in providing feedback, tune into this meeting.
Channelkeeper is one of 30 community leaders participating in a stakeholder
group convened to represent the diverse water needs and values of our
community. We have been participating in the City's Water Vision process and
we continue to urge the City to prioritize increased conservation and
efficiency, stormwater capture and recycled water, and to consider
desalination as a last resort after other less expensive and less
environmentally harmful options are fully exhausted.
GRATITUDE FOR THE WATERSHED BRIGADE
We’re so thankful for the 25 people who participated in our November
Watershed Brigade Challenge! Collectively, these watershed warriors spent
over 56 hours conducting 17 clean-ups throughout the month and removed well
over 231 pounds of litter and 71 bags of trash!
The Brigade covered some serious territory in November and removed trash from
the North Fork of Matilija Creek, the Santa Ynez River, the Rincon Parkway,
Isla Vista beaches, Butterfly Beach, Pershing Park, the Milpas Roundabout,
Douglas Family Preserve, Hendry’s Beach, downtown City streets in Santa
Barbara, and San Pedro Creek.
In addition to extending our sincere thanks to all of these folks who donated
time to help clean-up our watershed, congratulations to Kari Deignan, the
winner of our November Brigade Challenge Raffle prize: a $75 REI gift card!
Check out our webpage for more information and join our Facebook group for
motivation and to connect with other Brigaders. Stay tuned for our January
Brigade Challenge!
PARTNERS IN PLANNING
In November, the Goleta City Council unanimously adopted its first Creek and
Watershed Management Plan. SBCK held a seat on the Technical Advisory
Committee with 12 other agencies and organizations, which met several times
over the past year to share expertise and information about the 12 creeks
that run through the City.
The Creek and Watershed Management Plan provides detailed information about
local creeks, including impairments and future programs and actions to
address the impairments. As an organization that has conducted water quality
monitoring in the Goleta Valley Watershed since 2002, we applaud this work
and look forward to continuing to work with the City to help implement
positive improvements in the watershed. Check out the Creek and Watershed
Management Plan to learn more.
HOLIDAY WASTE
Did you know that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans’
household waste increases by more than 25 percent? That extra waste amounts
to 25 million tons of garbage, or an additional one million tons of trash a
week to our landfills during this time period! But there are plenty of easy
ways to cut down on holiday waste that can ease the strain on both your
wallet and the environment. Reusing packing and shipping materials is a great
first step; if every American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used
materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. Other
options include giving personal treasures like a favorite book, plant, or
antique, or choosing Energy Star energy-efficient lighting for decorations
are just a few tips!
Also, be sure that you’re recycling properly and only putting accepted items
in the blue bin; all items must be clean, dry, and loose (not bagged).
Acceptable items include clean and dry metal, #1 and #2 plastic (greater than
6”), and all clean paper and glass. You can also recycle your clean and dry
film (stretchy) film plastic as part an independent recycling initiative
spearheaded by Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners and supported by Channelkeeper and CEC
by signing up to join the email list for outdoor collection events at
Ablitt’s where you sort your own plastic or by contacting Channelkeeper to
set up an appointment to sort your film plastic at Channelkeeper’s office.
WAYS TO GIVE
Want to make a difference for the environment and your community this
holiday season? Make a tax-deductible contribution to Santa Barbara
Channelkeeper today and you’ll be investing in clean beaches, healthy
watersheds, and a more sustainable future. Donate in a loved one’s name,
contribute from your IRA, or gift with stock. And to maximize your
contribution, check here to see if your company offers corporate matching.
We’re grateful for your generous support!
DONATE TO CLEAN WATER WORK
BECOME A 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, invitations to special Channelkeeper events and fun volunteer
opportunities, and a free Channelkeeper sticker. All new donors contributing
$50 or more can also receive a Channelkeeper t-shirt, and for donations of
$250 or more, bi-annual issues of Waterkeeper magazine. Sign up today by
emailing us or clicking here.
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper | 714 Bond Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
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