This is the area to visit when you need to find new projects and programs for WPD and its many stakeholders. 

The Operations and Maintenance Division 2011 NPDES Channel Cleanout Schedules by Supervisoral District are here! Please check under Services, Channel Cleanout for the dates the channels near you will be cleaned.

Speaking of stakeholders... In addition to working cooperatively with State and federal agencies, we also invite participation from the community.  Watershed Protection is of concern to many.  We were delighted to see a clever commercial recently, from Patagonia for American Express featuring the Matilija Dam, located in the Ventura River Watershed.  We all agree that this is an outdated facility and we are working through the process to have the dam deconstructed in the interests of a healthier watershed.  This commercial shows how grass-roots groups and companies are addressing the same environmental concerns as we are here at the District. 
We hope you enjoy this insight into the pulse of our community with respect to watershed protection as we have ! 

The Ventura County Watershed Protection District (VCWPD) is conducting a public meeting to share information and receive input on the upcoming Sespe Creek Levee Improvements Project.  The proposed project will rehabilitate the existing levee so that it can be accredited by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and prevent homes adjacent to the levee from being included in FEMA’s designated 100-year floodplain. 

The Ventura County Watershed Protection District proposes to increase groundwater storage and recharge in the Ojai Valley Groundwater Basin by rehabilitating four existing relict spreading grounds ponds, and constructing a new intake structure, diversion piping/channels, and four passive percolation recharge wells. The project would allow diversion of surface flow at a maximum rate of 25 cubic feet per second from upper San Antonio Creek when minimum in-stream flow requirements are met (an average of 12 days per year). The project would divert up to a maximum of 914 acre-feet per year of surface flow for percolation and replenishment of groundwater for future municipal, domestic and irrigation uses. The District has filed an application with the State Water Resources Control Board to obtain a permit to appropriate water and a Notice of Application 31854 (PDF 19 KB) is available to the public.

The Ventura County Watershed Protection District is requesting that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration (PDF 5.9 MB) prepared for the San Antonio Creek Spreading Grounds Rehabilitation Project and approve the project at a public hearing. The public hearing has been re-scheduled to April 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. (Time Certain).  The previously announced date of April 19, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. is no longer valid.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this change in schedule.  The public hearing will be held in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at the Ventura County Government Center located at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura. Please see the Revised Notice of Public Hearing (PDF 60 KB) for details. Public participation and comment is encouraged.

The Ventura County Watershed Protection District is proposing to enhance and expand recreational resources and opportunities in the Ojai Valley with the proposed California River Parkways Trailhead Project. The proposed project would provide a new trailhead to an existing trails network maintained by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, contributing to the goals of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project. Project components include new vehicle and equestrian trailer parking areas, trailhead with interpretive kiosk, and trail improvements, as well as two parking spaces and trail access compatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Ventura County Watershed Protection District is requesting that the Board of Supervisors adopt the MND and approve the California River Parkways Trailhead Project at a public hearing. The hearing is scheduled for July 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. (Time Certain) in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at the Ventura County Government Center located at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura. Public participation and comment is encouraged.

Ordinance WP-1 has been passed by our Board of Supervisors.
This ordinance is known as the "Consolidated Ordinance for Watershed Protection" because it repeals a variety of older ordinances relating to flood control and watershed protection.  Repealed are: Ordinance Numbers: FC-1; FC-3, FC-15, FC18, FC-20, FC-21, FC-22, FC-23, FC26, FC-27, FC-29 and FC 3937 , which are now replaced with VC Ord. WP-1.  Our Board passed the ordinance at its January 12, 2010 meeting.  Ordinance WP-1 (PDF: 823Kb)

Final Report: Calleguas Creek Integrated Watershed Protection Plan Phase II Management Strategy Study April 15, 2010 (6MB)--Updated

There is an attachment to download: Attachment to Report (PDF, 9.0Mb.)

The Ventura County Watershed Protection District is proposing to construct four bendway weirs and rock rip-rap slope protection. The project would prevent further erosion of the southern bank of the Santa Clara River adjacent to a decommissioned landfill. The  Final Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.