EDC and SBCK vs. Ojai Quarry Lawsuit Settled

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC), a legal group for the preservation of our natural resources, and their client Santa Barbara Channelkeeper (SBCK), a nonprofit for the protection and restoration of Santa Barbara's Creeks and Channel, teamed up to fight the environmental injustice being done by Ojai Quarry by filing a lawsuit last year.

Ventura River Steelhead Preserve, Credit

According to both EDC and SBCK, Ojai Quarry was in violation of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act by unacceptable storm water management. As the Quarry is located on Matilija Creek, and is thus on a major tributary of the Ventura River, any "irresponsible runoff practices" could be highly detrimental to critical habitat and human health. Several threatened and endangered animal and plant species, including the southern California steelhead, can be found in these waterways. The Ventura River also services the Ventura and Ojai areas as the primary source of drinking water.
 

A Ventura River Steelhead, Credit

According to EDC's lawsuit, "Operations at the Quarry resulted in polluted run-off that threatened water quality as well as the ability of steelhead to migrate upstream as a necessary part of their life cycle."


In the settlement, the Ojai Quarry agreed to implement several improvements to their operation to ensure compliance with the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. This include: 

"1) increase stormwater retention capacity sufficient to capture all runoff from the large majority of rain events; 2) pave, maintain, and inspect Quarry access roads; 3) install best management practices (BMPs) to control and channel runoff from roads; 4) cover dirt and other stockpiles to reduce erosion and runoff; 5) restrict future mining in a very steep rock face area of the Quarry; 6) suspend all mining activities during rain events; and 7) conduct annual inspections of North Fork Matilija Creek for blockages or impairments to migration of steelhead caused by rockfall or landslides from the Quarry."

In addition, the Quarry owners have consented to donating $60,000 of rock to the South Coast Habitat Restoration for reconstructing Steelhead passages in local creeks.

This victory for the EDC and SBCK is a testament to their dedication to environmental preservation and restoration. It is also a lesson that, when battling private enterprises, money and lawsuits truly work.