Officials Collect Data on Calleguas Creek

Area officials and environmental groups met Tuesday with a federal wildlife representative to pass along information about Calleguas Creek, which the government is considering declaring a critical habitat for the endangered steelhead trout.

Last month, the National Marine Fisheries Service listed the creek, and the Ventura and Santa Clara rivers, as waterways that may be critical habitats for the fish, whose numbers have been decimated by pollution and closed spawning grounds.

Federal officials are hearing comments on the habitat proposal and will continue collecting information until May 6.

Waterways considered critical habitats would be subject to strict controls that would limit development, road construction, diversion dams and sewage treatment.

Since the southern steelhead was added to the endangered species list in August 1997, Ventura County has been at the center of debate on how to save the species.

Some environmentalists are concerned that plans to locate a diversion dam on Conejo Creek, which empties into Calleguas Creek before spilling into the Pacific Ocean, cuts the fish off from natural spawning grounds far upstream.

Although the dam was not discussed at Tuesday’s meeting, officials said it was an opportunity to learn more about the government’s proposal and for them to collect the data they need to make their decision.

“We shared information, which is what the meeting was for,” said Henry Graumlich, resource manager for the Camrosa Water District. “[The federal government] needs that kind of information to make their decision.”

Federal officials will continue to collect data on the three waterways being considered for protection.

Federal officials hope to make their decision by the end of the year.