Coalition Continues Fight for Steelhead

Ways to improve conditions in the Ventura River to help the rare steelhead trout survive and multiply will be discussed Tuesday at a public hearing in Oak View.

The meeting is the second aimed at developing what has been dubbed the Ventura River Steelhead Restoration and Recovery Plan. More than 80 people attended an initial March meeting.

Plans range from placing spawning gravels in the riverbed to controlling riverbank erosion, consultant John Gray said.

The steelhead may be designated an endangered species in August by the federal National Marine Fisheries Service. Although no one has a precise count, there may be no more than 200 of the once plentiful fish in the river. Concern over the steelhead has halted or delayed projects, including Ventura’s proposed baseball stadium.

The endangered status could affect operations of the various flood control, water and sewage operations that compete for the river’s water supplies to reduce the effect on the trout.

The plan is being prepared before the fish is listed in an effort to identify actions to protect the trout, while maintaining the ongoing public projects on the river, Gray said.

The trout is considered an indicator species of the river’s ecological health.

“Environmentalists and the city are on the same page on this issue,” said Ron Calkins, Ventura public works director. “A healthy river means a healthy water resource for both the steelhead and our local water supply.”

A coalition of agencies ranging from the city of Ventura to the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency is participating in formulating the plan, which is targeted for completion in August.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Oak View Community Center, 18 Valley Road.