FILLMORE : Sespe Creek Listed as One of Country’s Threatened Rivers

The nation’s leading river conservation organization has named the Sespe Creek in Ventura County as one of the most threatened rivers in the country.

Each year, the American Rivers group names 25 rivers in the nation that it considers threatened by development or pollution.

Sespe Creek, just north of Fillmore in the county’s backcountry, was included on this year’s list because of proposals to dam its flow at two locations, said Alasdair Coyne, secretary of Keep the Sespe Wild, an Ojai-based environmental group.

“The dam proposals come despite the fact that the Sespe is clearly Southern California’s finest free-flowing river today,” Coyne said. “More efficient use of the water supplies currently available should mean that Ventura County can protect itself against extended drought.”

Designation as a threatened river provides “important momentum to local efforts to save rivers,” American Rivers President Kevin Coyle said.

“Grass-roots groups struggle against enormous odds to protect rivers they love. We want to recognize their efforts,” he said.

The two proposed dams have been the source of debate between environmentalists and developers. Environmentalists want the Sespe designated as a wild and scenic river. Developers say the dams are needed to augment the county’s water supply.