Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and Ventura County Public Works Agency work to improve Ventura River

VENTURA, Calif. - July 15, 2015 - PRLog -- The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) and Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection District (VCPWA WPD) will collaboratively improve the quality of urban runoff to the Ventura River through a Low Impact Development (LID) Retrofit Project at the Ojai Valley Meadows Preserve.

To meet state water quality objectives, a portion of the undeveloped parcel at the Ojai Valley Meadows Preserve on South Lomita in Meiners Oaks will be replaced with a bioswale of drought tolerant shrubs, grasses and trees. Rock riprap will be constructed at the start and end of the bioswale to avoid erosion. The bioswale is designed to remove trash, sediment, bacteria and nutrients from polluting the Ventura River, treating polluted storm water runoff to ensure clean water is discharged to the watershed.

VCPWA WPD, Stormwater Program Manager Ewelina Mutkowska explains, “The bioswale retrofit will improve the water quality for aquatic life and recreational users—specifically from 40 percent of the urban area of Meiners Oaks—by reducing high bacteria concentrations that can cause illness and high nitrogen levels which can deplete oxygen in the water.”

Additional construction activities will include reconstruction of portions of the sidewalk on the east side of South Lomita for storm drain improvements; excavation and grading for construction of the bioswale, as well as two treatment vaults at either end of the bioswale; vegetation planting; and establishment.

Funding for the project comes from a Proposition 84 Storm Water Grant and is one of approximately 40 projects throughout the state to have its full proposal selected.

A public education and outreach program is expected to be integrated into the project including Ocean Friendly Gardens^TM Classes and hands-on workshops.  The contract has been awarded to Shaw Contracting of Carpinteria. Construction is anticipated from July through October 2015.