Press Release February 14, 2020 -CHANNEL ISLAND HARBOR WATER QUALITY UPDATE

For Immediate Release
February 14, 2020

CHANNEL ISLAND HARBOR WATER QUALITY UPDATE

There have been two recent stories (Ormond Beach Power Plant and Lake Erie in Ohio) in the Ventura Star that were related to the water quality issues in the Channel Island Harbor.

Since there are 19 more power plants like the Mandalay and Ormond Beach scheduled for closure in California, these recent articles raise the question if the federal, state, county and local agencies involved in such decisions have thoroughly planned for the effects of such plant closings. We are concerned because they did not study and plan well for the closing of the Mandalay Power Generating Station (MPGS) in Oxnard. The consequences of their lack of post-close analysis and planning for the Channel Island Harbor led to significant negative environmental damage to the Channel Island Harbor, marine life, and the harbor’s residents, businesses, and visitors.

8-23-2018 City of Oxnard Press Release: Channel Island Harbor Water Quality

8-23-2018 City of Oxnard Press Release: Channel Island Harbor Water Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2018
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Sandra Burkhart, Special Districts Manager
City of Oxnard
(805) 385-7578, sandra.burkhart@oxnard.org

Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager
Oxnard Police Department, City of Oxnard
(805) 342-8292, melissa.valdez@oxnardpd.org

Update: Channel Island Harbor Water Quality

OXNARD, Calif.-  The City of Oxnard Channel Islands Response Team is monitoring the dissolved oxygen concentrations (and other parameters) at multiple locations along the Channel Islands Harbor on a weekly basis. Additionally, on August 6, the City deployed an automated remote sensor in the upper canal between Westport and Seabridge (parallel to Adriatic Street), continually monitoring the water at the site of the sensor to provide 24/7 coverage.

The remote sensor has been continuously recording a variety of water quality parameters.  The data has indicated that the dissolved oxygen concentrations in the water have been fluctuating daily, with a few low concentrations during the night.  Since Aug. 15, the remote sensor has detected a minor but steady decrease in the daily average concentrations of dissolved oxygen. Weekly manual sampling for dissolved oxygen throughout the Harbor by City staff has confirmed these findings.

This information indicates a very low oxygen event may be imminent, perhaps similar to the event that occurred earlier in the summer.  The ecosystem is also exhibiting substantial, although not unusually high, algal biomass in the water column and water temperatures have increased 14 degrees since the end of June. These circumstances apparently preceded the low oxygen event earlier in the year, so it has also drawn the attention of the groups monitoring the harbor.

The public can view the test results at https://arcg.is/08ifCO on a geographic information system (GIS) map. The map contains the location of all the sampling sites and the data collected at those sites. The map also has a legend under the “Test Parameter” button to indicate what a normal range should be for each of the parameters that are being tested. Staff is working quickly to upload as much information as possible. At this time, the dissolved oxygen content, salinity, water temperature, and pH is available.

The City of Oxnard is requesting your assistance to be proactive and prepared in case the Harbor experiences another event. We are asking for residents living around the Harbor to watch the water and report anything that seems unusual. We encourage residents to document the change with photos. Low oxygen levels can cause fish to die off in the water. We are looking for boaters who are willing to volunteer their time to remove dead fish from the waters, should this happen due to low oxygen levels.

If you are willing and able to assist with either of the above, please contact (805) 385-8226 and email photos to CIHarbor@oxnard.org.

The City of Oxnard is a full-service general law city incorporated in 1903. Oxnard is the largest and most populous city in the County of Ventura, serving 200,000 culturally diverse residents. Read more about the City of Oxnard at www.oxnard.org. Follow us on social media at www.twitter.com/CityofOxnard (@CityofOxnard), www.facebook.com/CityofOxnard and www.vimeo.com/cityofoxnard.

Melissa Valdez | Community Affairs Manager
Oxnard Police Department
251 S C Street
Oxnard, CA 93030

Phone:  (805) 385-7631
Cell:  (805) 342-8292

email:  melissa.valdez@oxnardpd.org
Oxnard Police Department Website:  www.oxnardpd.org
“Where Focus Goes, Energy Flows”

 

 

Channel Islands Harbor Water Quality Is Safe and Improving – July 3 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2018

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Main City Contact:  Rosemarie Gaglione, Public Works Director, rosemarie.gaglione@oxnard.org,

1-805-263-3494

Alternate City Contact:  Sujin Beck, Project Manager, sujin.beck@oxnard.org, 1-805-200-5293

PDF: Oxnard_Channel_Islands_Harbor_Water_Quality_Improving-7-3-2018

Channel Islands Harbor Water Quality Is Safe and Improving

Oxnard, California.  Dissolved oxygen levels are improving daily according to the data collected by the City. There are twenty-six sampling locations that are being tested on a daily basis, and of the twenty-six test sites, four sites have low dissolved oxygen levels. These areas are concentrated in the Seabridge Public Marina, Westport, and northern section of Mandalay Bay.

The public can view the test results at https://arcg.is/08ifCO on a geographic information system (GIS) map. The map contains the location of all the sampling sites and the data collected at those sites. The map also has a legend under the “Test Parameter” button to indicate what a normal range should be for each of the parameters that are being tested. Staff is working quickly to upload as much information as possible. At this time, the dissolved oxygen content, salinity, water temperature, and pH is available. The bacteria information will be up by Thursday, July 5, 2018.

Along with the GIS map, the City is also releasing a Frequently Asked Questions document to address the most pressing questions being asked by the public.

The City Council will hold a Special City Council Meeting on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. to award an agreement to Aquatic Bioassay and Consulting Laboratory, Inc. in the amount of $72,650 for water quality sampling and analysis services.  A verbal update report on the city’s work to date will also be provided to the City Council.

Residents are encouraged to report any odor or discoloration in the Harbor waters by calling 1-805-797-7598 or emailing Sujin Beck at sujin.beck@oxnard.org.

 

 

Follow us on social media at www.twitter.com/CityofOxnard (@CityofOxnard), www.facebook.com/CityofOxnard and www.vimeo.com/cityofoxnard.

 

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Jesús Nava, Interim City Manager, jesus.nava@oxnard.org

 

City of Oxnard, CA Channel Island Harbor Water Quality Frequently Asked Questions July 3, 2018

  1. Is it safe to go in the water?

Yes, water testing was completed by the City of Oxnard and test results confirmed the water in the Channel Islands Harbor is not hazardous to human health.

  1. Why is the water brown?

The water itself is clear. When you look into the water, what you are seeing is brown algae, giving the appearance of brown water. A Marine Biologist is being hired by the City to review the test results and conduct additional testing and analysis to determine the root cause.

    1. How are the oxygen levels? When will test results be released to the public? How often is testing being done?


Please refer to the interactive maps which include daily logs by test location. Daily monitoring Monday thru Friday is occurring and measurements are being taken near the top and the bottom of the water’s surface.

      1. Is there a pump in Seabridge that was installed as a backup plan if the power plant closed? Is it running and if not, why?

The pumping vault infrastructure is set up to house an aeration system at two locations within the Seabridge CFD. There is no pump currently installed in the vaults.

      1. There has been a video circulating in which dead fish are shown. Where is this at? What is the City doing to rectify the situation?

This video was taken at the Seabridge public marina. The City has formed a task force and is adding a Marine Biologist to the team to assist in testing and analysis. Additionally, aerators are being purchased to conduct a pilot study within the Seabridge public marina to determine if aeration will improve this oxygen deficient area. However, the City will continue to perform detailed water sampling.

      1. How often did the NRG pumps operate previously?

The City has made a public records act request to obtain the facts as there is a great deal of conflicting information.

      1. Why can’t the City turn the pumps back on at the NRG plant until a resolution is reached?

NRG ceased operations and discharges to surface waters on March 29, 2018. On June 5, 2018 NRG requested the Regional Water Board discontinue coverage under the NPDES permit program because the facility operations and discharges of wastewater to surface waters have ceased. There is a public hearing on September 13, 2018 with the Regional Water Board in Ventura to consider the tentative order which will terminate the requirements in the NPDES permit. For more information or to submit a comment letter, please click here. (NOTE: the time for comments expired September 13, 2018 )

 

      1. What is the County’s role?

The County owns and operates the Channel Islands Harbor, which jurisdiction ends at the Harbor Blvd. bridges over the channels. Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, Westport, Harbour Island, the NRG plant and all land north of the bridges is within the jurisdiction of the City of Oxnard. In speaking with the County, they moved up their quarterly testing schedule. They tested in three locations: the west channel, the east channel and the main turning basin. All locations tested well below acceptable limits for bacteria and heavy metals. Dissolved oxygen levels were above the acceptable threshold, although a bit lower than usual in the west channel.

Oxnard Announces Next Steps in Responding to Channel Islands Harbor Water Quality

Oxnard Announces Next Steps in Responding to Channel Islands Harbor Water Quality
Oxnard anuncia los siguientes pasos para responder a la calidad del agua del Puerto Channel Islands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2018
Spanish version below/Traducciòn al Español abajo
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carri Karuhn, Manager of Media Relations/Community Outreach
1-805-385-7593, carri.karuhn@oxnard.org

Oxnard, California – The City of Oxnard has announced its next steps in responding to water quality in the Channel Islands Harbor.

  • The City is in the process of hiring a contract marine biologist to determine what may be
    causing the water quality issues and, depending on those findings, will propose a
    remediation plan.
  • The City will conduct a pilot study in the Seabridge Public Marina area to determine if
    aeration will eliminate the water quality issues. That study is expected to begin by the
    end of this week.
  • The City is creating an interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) map, which will
    be posted on the city’s website. The map will contain sample collection locations with
    daily readings, and is expected to be posted by the end of the business day on Thursday,
    June 28.
  • Meanwhile, bacteriological tests indicate the water in the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard is not hazardous to human health. The bacteriological tests looked for total coliform, E. coli and enterococcus.

    The city will continue to conduct bacteriological tests in areas with low-dissolved oxygen.
    Residents are encouraged to report any odors or discoloration in Harbor waters by calling
    1-805-797-7598.

     

    PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA : 27 de junio de 2018

    PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA : 27 de junio de 2018
    CONTACTOS CON MEDIOS INFORMATIVOS:
    Carri Karuhn, Manager of Media Relations/Community Outreach
    1-805-385-7593, carri.karuhn@oxnard.org

    Oxnard anuncia los siguientes pasos para responder a la calidad del agua del Puerto Channel
    Islands

    Oxnard, California – La ciudad de Oxnard ha anunciado sus próximos pasos en la respuesta a la
    calidad del agua en el puerto Channel Islands.

  • La ciudad está en el proceso de contratar un biólogo marino de contrato para
    determinar lo que puede estar causando los problemas de calidad del agua y,
    dependiendo de esos hallazgos, propondrá un plan de remediación.
  • La ciudad llevará a cabo un estudio piloto en el área de la Marina pública de Seabridge
    para determinar si la aireación eliminará los problemas de calidad del agua. Se espera
    que ese estudio comience a finales de esta semana.
  • La ciudad está creando un mapa interactivo del sistema de información geográfica (SIG),
    que se publicará en el sitio web de la ciudad. El mapa contendrá ubicaciones de
    recolección de muestras con lecturas diarias, y se espera que se publiquen para el final
    del día hábil el jueves, 28 de junio.
  • Mientras tanto, las pruebas bacteriológicas indican que el agua en el puerto de Channel Islands
    en Oxnard no es peligrosa para la salud humana. Las pruebas bacteriológicas buscaron
    coliformes totales, E. coli y enterococcus.

    La ciudad continuará realizando pruebas bacteriológicas en áreas con oxígeno poco disuelto.
    Se alienta a los residentes a reportar cualquier olor o decoloración en las aguas del puerto
    llamando al 1-805-797-7598.

     

    Councilman Perello Calls for Joint City-County Emergency Response Team

    From the Working Desk of Bert E. Perello
    Oxnard City Councilman
    300 West Third Street, 4th Floor
    Oxnard, CA 93030 (805) 240-6194
    E-mail: perellobert@gmail.com

    Councilman Perello Calls for Joint City-County Emergency Response Team Efforts to Work Hand-in-Hand to Address Unprecedented Threats to the Degradation of Water Quality in the Channel Islands Harbor Waterways (June 26, 2018)

    Mayor Flynn and Fellow Members of the Oxnard City Council:

    As you all may know, recently, an unprecedentedly large number of reports of odors and discoloration of water in the Channel Islands Harbor Waterways have exploded on the Next Door social media app over the past few weeks.
    On June 18th, within twenty-four hours of receiving calls from harbor residents, the City of Oxnard Public Works Department deployed professional staff teams to collect water samples at five locations in the Channel Islands Harbor and Edison Canal area. Additionally, the City of Oxnard established a telephone hotline to report any odors or discoloration in the Channel Islands Harbor Waterways by calling (805) 797-7598.

    Water samples were taken at the Channel Islands Harbor inlet, along South Harbor Boulevard; near West Channel Islands Boulevard Bridge; along West Hemlock Street; in the Edison Canal near the Edison Trash Collector; and near West Fifth Street Bridge. Today, the City’s Public Information Officer released information that total coliform, E-coli, and enterococcus bacteriological tests at the above location are showing data results that are not hazardous to human health. That is welcome news. However, the City still awaits test results for presence of nitrogen and phosphorus, nutrients that encourage the algae growth, and the water odor and discoloration problem still persists.

    Both the City of Oxnard and the County of Ventura share many mutual responsibilities, interests and challenges in effectively providing public services to the Channel Islands Harbor Waterways. But it is absolutely vital that as elected officials, Members of the Oxnard City Council and the Board of Supervisors work effectively together to help preserve, protect, and defend the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents who live in and near the Channel Islands Harbor Waterways in urgent response to these unprecedented threats to water quality degradation and the peaceful enjoyment of these public waterways.
    Accordingly, Mr. Mayor, today I ask the Oxnard City Council, to do everything we can to support and resource emergency response efforts by both our Interim and New City Managers to engage effectively with Ventura County CEO Mike Powers to tackle these problems by pooling the brainpower and public service resources of both city and county public works, environmental health, and public health department professionals to:
    (1) Identify what caused the unprecedented degradation of water quality in the Channel Islands Harbor waterways;
    (2) Triage the damage caused by such water quality degradation threats, and
    (3) Quickly and effectively discharge our joint responsibilities to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of Oxnard residents living in and around the Channel Islands Harbor Waterways, as well as honor the joint and respective responsibilities to each agency set forth under applicable provisions of numerous Channel Islands Harbor Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). Based on collaborative telephone discussions I had with Ventura County Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza last Friday, June 22nd, and a face-to-face discussion held during the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Exhibit Ceremony on Saturday, June 23rd, I believe and trust that Ventura County will respond to such requests positively.

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