Ref-002

Ventura County is severely limited in its ability to control the growth of Arundo. If left unchecked, Arundo will likely cause riverbank erosion, floodplain inundation, and major damage to infrastructure. (FA-01, FA-02)

Since there is virtually no commercial value to Arundo, there is no way to recover the cost of removing it. (FA-03, FA-04)

In the event of imminent flooding that endangers infrastructure and/or private property, the VCWPD can mitigate the danger by clearing only the dams that form from uprooted plants and other debris. However, this reaction to the problem is not as safe and effective as the proactive approach of removing the Arundo before it can be uprooted by flood waters. (FA-05)

The VCWPD faces four challenges in carrying out its responsibilities in flood prediction and control: • There is a critical need for routine County access to the hydrology equipment in the Los Padres National Forest. • The very steep gradient from the mountains to the coastal plain makes early detection of developing flood conditions of paramount importance to public safety. • The current level of cooperation between the federal government (U.S. Forest Service) and the VCWPD is inadequate for protecting the downstream infrastructure and private property. • Arundo removal efforts are hampered by coexistence with native vegetation that must be preserved. Arundo removal also presents Riverbed Hazardous Invasive Vegetation 5 difficulties in disposal. Both of these issues result in the high cost of control. (FA-05, FA-06, FA-07, FA-08, FA-09)

The needs of the County, the EPA, and the U.S. Forest Service can be met through working agreements. (FA-09, FA-10, FA-11, FA-12) Recommendations

Ventura County is unique in its topography. The gradient (slope) between mountains that exceed 8,000 feet in elevation and the coastline that is about 15 miles away is one of the steepest in the nation. The gradient causes flood waters to accelerate rapidly as they make their way down the watershed to the ocean. (Ref-07)

The VCWPD maintains storm warning hydrology gauges throughout the County, including in the Los Padres National Forest. (Ref-08) (Att-02)

Data from the hydrology monitoring stations is collected and evaluated in the Emergency Operating Center. The center is jointly operated by the VCWPD and the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES). This data is used to plan the response to a flood. Responses are laid out in the Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP) and the Flood Warning Program and Response Annex. (Ref-09, Ref-10)

The U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), states in its own website: • “The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. [Emphasis added]” • The U.S. Forest Service’s motto, “Caring for the Land and Serving People” includes: “Listening to people and responding to their diverse needs in making decisions. [Emphasis added]” • The U.S. Forest Service has established 13 guiding principles, one of which states: “We strive for quality and excellence … and are sensitive to the effects of our decisions on people and resources. [Emphasis added]” (Ref-11) 4 Riverbed Hazardous Invasive Vegetation

Most of the watershed area of Ventura County is within federally controlled land in the Los Padres National Forest, and most of the hydrology equipment is on these federal lands. The Grand Jury learned that it has been very difficult for the VCWPD to gain access to the Los Padres National Forest for hydrology equipment installation and service.

The Santa Ana Water Protection Agency (SAWPA) has a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service for gaining access to environmentally sensitive areas to install and conduct maintenance on hydrology equipment used to predict flooding. SAWPA also has a plan for Arundo eradication throughout its area of responsibility. (Ref-12) During fiscal year 2015, SAWPA had a budget of $2.9 million for Arundo removal. To date, SAWPA has spent approximately $30 million to eradicate Arundo from 4,300 acres. It is managing Arundo removal from more than 10,000 acres. (Ref-13, Ref-14, Ref-15)

As of March 3, 2016, the VCWPD is negotiating with the U.S. Forest Service for responsible access to the Los Padres National Forest for the purpose of installing and maintaining hydrology equipment. Findings