Countywide : Volunteers Can Help Build, Repair Trails

Hiking enthusiasts can volunteer their services today or Sunday as part of California Trail Days, when mountain trails will be built or repaired in preparation for heavy summer use.

Cleanup is planned this weekend at Point Mugu State Park and Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. Trails in the Conejo Open Space District are scheduled to be cleared May 4.

Point Mugu volunteers should gather at Pine Hill Gate in Rancho Sierra Vista, off Potrero Road, at 8:30 a.m. today or Sunday to work on various trails, including the Backbone Trail. Work will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through 3 p.m.

Workers should bring lunch, water, gloves, hats and sturdy work shoes, said Frank Padilla Jr., a state parks and recreation official. For information, call (818) 706-1310.

Today, off-road vehicle enthusiasts can work on trails in the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area and the adjoining Los Padres National Forest.

Volunteers should meet at 9 a.m. at the entrance to the recreation area, which is one mile from Gorman on the Golden State Freeway, said Dennis Doberneck, Hungry Valley superintendent.

“We expect people to bring their trail bikes,” Doberneck said. “That’s a requisite because of the location of the Gold Hill Trail, which is geared for the off-roading community.”

Workers should bring lunch. The project, which will include grading, brush clearing and shoring trail slopes with native rock, should be completed by 3 p.m.

On May 4, Conejo Open Space volunteers will work on the Los Robles, Indian Creek and Corro Grande trails.

Projects will include making repairs, cutting brush and placing water diversions to protect trails from erosion.

Volunteers should meet at the Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Drive, Thousand Oaks. A free pancake breakfast will be served from 7 to 9 a.m. Trail work is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon.

For information on the Conejo Open Space work day, call 499-4355.

TOXIC DISCHARGES Under the state Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, Ventura County must report each week the toxic and potentially toxic materials discharged. The discharges are investigated by the county Environmental Health Division. DATE April 4 LOCATION Under U.S. 101 in the Santa Clara River, Ventura MATERIAL Unknown amount of sewage DATE April 9 LOCATION Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme MATERIAL Unknown amount of PCB DATE April 11 LOCATION 2808 Magnolia St., Camarillo MATERIAL Unknown amount of propane