By John Hankins
The last two months had nature showing off its great sunsets but also an atmospheric river that dumped large amounts of rain and caused millions in damage. The ups and downs are reflected in other matters, notably gains against pollution and some advances for climate change locally. Check out the stories and links below.
Please join our activities and activism; see Group News box on page 3 for contacts and links where you can get involved or enjoy free hikes. We encourage all to go outside on your own or by MeetUp; check out lots of outings on pages 6&7. Donations help a lot, and the money stays here at home: sierraclub.org/donate/1000
Jan 29: Town Hall meeting in Ojai co-sponsored by Regenerate Ojai, Transition to Organics and our Sierra Club. Topic was The Future of Farming and its relation to pesticides, alternative farm practices and the like. It featured a film premier about the topic narrated by Laura Dern.
Jan 25: Very sad news. Very long time (45 years!) SB-V Chapter treasurer Richard Hunt passed away. “It’s hard to think of the Chapter without Richard. While no one else wanted the job, Richard accepted the responsibility without a fuss. He was so easy to work with. What a treasure,” noted Fran Farina.
Jan 25: Diablo nuclear plant extension was rejected by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s staff, but the utility says it’s got a backup plan to keep it running past its 2025 expiration date, via Senate Bill 846. Sierra Club is also against the extension.
Jan 23: Had fun planting native plants, working in the plant nursery, trimming and clearing invasive plants while learning about our local Santa Clara River Watershed. Sponsored by Friends of the Santa Clara River which includes Sierra Club members.
Jan 21: Beavers in the Landscape, a program by the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network. Beaver dams are gaining popularity as a low-tech, low-cost strategy to build climate resiliency at landscape scale, said Dr. Emily Fairfax of Cal State University Channel Islands. For information go to sbpermaculture.org
Jan 21: Environmental Justice General Plan Element is in the works for the city of Lompoc, followed up by a workshop on Jan. 30. The city wants recommendations from residents, call 805 875-8228 or email: b_halvorson@ci.lompoc.ca.us
Jan 16: While shopping at SB’s Terra Sol Garden Center on Jan. 16, Stargazer Ron witnessed a beautiful 180 degree rainbow as the last storm was clearing. “Thank you, Mother Nature!” he said in Edhat.
Jan 9: Increased protections for endangered blue, fin and humpback whales off the California coast will be implemented this summer via the International Maritime Organization. It expands areas that vessels should avoid and extends vessel traffic lanes west of, in and around NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Jan 9: Over 50 roads were closed due to flooding and storm impacts. throughout SB County, notably portions of Hwy 101, 154 and mandatory evacuations in Montecito. Ventura County fared better, but still had problems, especially the Ojai area. Schools, businesses, the airport, railroad and buses were laid idle.
Jan 8: Biggest waves in thirty years, reports David Powdrell from Carpinteria, as told by “three seasoned local big-wave surfers.” Surfers’ Point in Ventura had 12–15-foot waves.
Jan. 6: Oil floating off Summerland Beach was spotted, covering up to two miles long about five miles off the coast. Much of the oil was deemed too light to recover. While this area experiences regular natural seepage, there are hundreds of historical legacy wells in the vicinity. Investigation is underway to help pinpoint the source.
Jan 1: Oil spill in Toro Canyon on New Year's Day determined to be ‘natural’ seepage, but from a well built by the Occidental Oil Company in 1882. The EPA retrofitted the site to prevent seepage in the 1990s. Monitoring will continue.
Dec 15: “Between the nation’s western space launch range at Vandenberg Space Force Base and the first tranche of Pacific offshore wind energy leases off Morro Bay, two fast-growing global industries are springing up on the Central Coast of California.” Opening paragraph of a study released by REACH (Regional Economic Action Coalition).
Dec 9: Wildlife trafficking and poaching ring of 6-7 people based in Oxnard were charged with crimes using e-bikes in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Dozens of antlers and animal skulls were recovered, including a mountain lion skull and a bear about to be stuffed along with freezers full of animal meat. The suspects falsified and reprinted hunting tags.
Dec 7: “Congratulations to heroine Gabby Basua for being the only Oxnard Councilmember last night to stand up for nature and the needs of the community,” said our ED Jon Ullman over the contentious Glovis Port Expansion Project to park 4,000 cars on 34 acres in Oxnard. Carmen Ramirez’s own successor Gabe Teran and the rest proved to be major disappointments by quickly approving it.
Dec 6: Localized Webinar about how climate change is affecting us right here, by the SB Community Environmental Council. See it on their website at cecsb.org. Dec 5: Tecuya Mountain fuel break project was cleared to proceed after a District Judge ruled against a lawsuit by Los Padres ForestWatch. The project, over 1,623 acres along the mountain, is above the Lebec, Frazier Park, Lake of the Woods, Pinon Pine Estates and Pine Mountain Club. The fire suppression project will begin in 2023.
Dec 5: Live Action against the Port Expansion project in Oxnard. Our E.D. Jon Ullman posted a call to action: “This land is necessary for natural restoration and human rejuvenation. It is a flyway for migrating birds and connects to restored wetlands, high dunes and a spectacular Pacific beach. It should not be Hyundai Kia Glovis’ high security, fenced, floodlit car parking lot.”