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Board OKs Funds to Clear Stream Beds

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Taking steps to minimize potential damage from the winter rains, the Board of Supervisors has agreed to spend $3.8 million to clear stream beds in areas damaged by recent wildfires.

Without the improvements, the channels could become plugged with ash, mud and sediment from the fire-scarred hillsides.

“Provided my guys can get some contractors lined up, we will start work very soon,” county Public Works Director Art Goulet said Tuesday. “The watershed was severely damaged in the fires. We are concerned that the debris will create problems downstream.”

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County officials plan to concentrate their efforts on clearing the debris and building barriers to trap sediment along the south branch of the Arroyo Conejo near Thousand Oaks and four channels in the Santa Paula area. The waterways include the Fagan Barranca, Adams Barranca, Todd Barranca and Haines Canyon channel.

The county officials plan to use funds from the federal Soil Conservation Service and the state Office of Emergency Services to perform the work, which could be under way this week.

The Ventura County Flood Control District will be responsible for paying about $220,000 of the $3.8 million, and federal and state agencies will pay the rest.

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