Arundo Will Not Be Sold at Local Nurseries.
Arundo donax, or Giant Reed, is designated as a “B-rated” noxious weed in California. B-rated noxious weeds are considered significant problems, but dealing with them is left up to the discretion (and funding) of each county agricultural commissioner. (A-rated noxious weeds, on the other hand, are mandated by the state to be removed and the state must provide the funding to do so; however no funding is currently available.)
In recognition of the problems that Arundo is causing in Ventura County, especially to local waterways, Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales has taken action to stop the sale and production of Arundo at local nurseries. On October 17, 2014, a Notice was written by Gonzales to county nursery owners and operators informing them that staff of his office would begin random and targeted inspections to enforce the prohibition against Arundo sale and production.
Here is copy of the Notice.
(Photo courtesy of Ventura County Watershed Protection District.)
Arundo is a large bamboo-like grass that can reach heights of up to 30 feet and is among the fastest growing terrestrial plants in the world. It has become established in and is spreading throughout riparian ecosystems in California, including those in the Ventura River watershed.
Arundo can grow into massive thickets of vegetation that cover many acres, forming monocultures that virtually eliminate all other plant species, along with the rich biodiversity, structural diversity, and wildlife habitat of riparian ecosystems. Avian and fish species have been found to be the most impacted by Arundo infestations, with amphibians also highly impacted.
Arundo consumes exceptionally large quantities of water. One acre of Arundo can use up to 39,000 gallons a day during the warm months. This is three times as much water as the native streamside plants that it outcompetes. In one year, each acre infested with Arundo can consume 4.8 million gallons of water, or 3.2 million gallons of water more than native streamside plants. It is estimated that there are over 180 acres still infested with Arundo in the watershed.
In addition, Arundo poses a severe fire risk: the plant contains volatile oils that make it highly flammable; and infestations along streams can act like wicks, quickly spreading fires to new areas. During floods Arundo can also create hazards when uprooted plants clog flood control infrastructure.
Many thanks to the Agricultural Commissioner for taking this important action for local watersheds!
Oct. 25 Summit on Water Conservation
(The following is from the Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s website.)
In partnership with Ventura Water, the City of Ventura, and the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Carpinteria) will be hosting a Water Conservation Summit on Saturday, October 25 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Ventura 93001.
This event will feature presentations and panel discussions with educators, innovators, and government officials as they discuss water conservation efforts, the current status of our water, and why it is so important to conserve for the future.
Many agencies and community organizations will also be present to talk about conservation efforts and how the general public can become more water-wise in their residences, businesses, and landscaping efforts. Depending on your water service provider, information on obtaining money-saving devices for household appliances, such as high-efficiency clothes washers and dishwashers, as well as landscaping tools, such as irrigation equipment will be provided. The summit will also be an opportunity to learn about other services offered to residents, such as home water surveys and water-wise educational classes.
This free event is open to the public.
Oct. 25 Ojai Green Living Home Tour & Show
On Saturday, October 25, 2014, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition will host their annual Green Living Home Tour & Show. The event runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and features tours of homes that have incorporated eco-friendly features, including low-water-using landscapes and other water saving features.
Nov. 13 Watershed Council Meeting
Please mark your calendars; the next meeting of the Watershed Council will be on Thursday, November 13, 2014, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the E.P. Foster Library Topping Room, 651 E. Main Street in Ventura. Look for the agenda next week.
Presentations from Oct. 7 Watershed Council Meeting Available on Website
If you miss a Watershed Council meeting, remember that you can always find copies of any presentations that were given on the Council’s website. The four presentations provided at the October 7, 2014 evening Watershed Council meeting are also provided below.
An Overview of the Final Draft of Parts 1 & 2 of the Ventura River Watershed Management Plan, by Lorraine Walter, Ventura River Watershed Coordinator
New California Groundwater Management and Stormwater Legislation, by Gerhardt Hubner, Ventura County Watershed Protection District
City of Ventura Water Shortage Response, by Karen Waln, Ventura Water
Water Conservation, Casitas Municipal Water District, by Ron Merckling, Casitas Municipal Water District
Meeting Materials Available From Oct. 9
Ojai Valley Sanitary District Recycled Water Feasibility Study
Materials from the first stakeholder workshop on the Ojai Valley Sanitary District Recycled Water Feasibility Study, held on October 9th, 2014, are now available at the City of Ventura’s Rivers & Estuaries website.
Materials include: meeting agenda; revised presentation slides that incorporate comments received from attendees related to legal, regulatory, and environmental issues; and attendee responses to the question, “What reuse project would you support?”