A River Runs Back Through It

The California Coastal Conservancy is planning to purchase 6,400 acres of the area surrounding a twelve mile stretch of the Santa Clara River, including estuary and streamside habitat, and restore it to its original habitat. The land surrounds a stretch of the river that runs from the foothills to the ocean and separates Oxnard from Ventura. Major obstacles are anticipated, the largest of which is two Ventura-owned golf courses which will need to be relocated. Despite the potential problems, the project is enjoying wide-spread support from the communities involved. If all goes according to plan, the river will be allowed to revert to and recreate its original course. ll of the land collected from private hands and local businesses will be linked to create a continuous park from the beach to Santa Paula.

Thanks to Laura Krafft