City to Join River Restoration Effort

The Ventura City Council has voted to join an effort to build an expansive network of nature parks along the Santa Clara River.

The California Coastal Conservancy, which is spearheading the effort, seeks to unite state, local and federal agencies with private landowners and environmental groups behind a program to acquire 6,400 acres along the final 12 miles of the river that runs from the High Desert to the Pacific. The lands would be managed to restore wildlife habitat, reduce flood threats and establish trails and parks.

The first phase calls for a roughly $15-million acquisition of 2,200 acres between the ocean and Santa Paula. The Ventura City Council agreed Monday, on a 6-1 vote, to participate in negotiations for those and other properties, examine the costs and benefits of the project and prepare a feasibility study.

The city is also exploring options for two golf courses, Olivas Park and Buenaventura, that lie within the flood plain and may be affected by the river recovery plan. Also, the council instructed city staff members to prepare an agreement with Oxnard, which has yet to consider the proposal, to manage the newly acquired public lands.