Press Room
 |
| Coal Oil Point Reserve, Santa Barbara County. Photo by Linda Krop. |
Read EDC’s recent and historical press releases, editorials, and reports. You can also search for your topic of interest using the Google-powered site search tool, above.
May 14, 2013
EDC Reaches Major Clean Water Settlement Targeting Pollution from Oil and Gas Field in Coastal Ventura County
EDC announced that it has reached an agreement with Vintage Production California LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corporation) to significantly improve management of polluted runoff from the Rincon Grubb oil field, where it conducts oil exploration and production activities, including hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’).
February 7, 2013
Removal of Diversion Pipes Protects Arroyo Quemada Creek
EDC proactive work has resulted in the removal of several water pipes that had diverted water from Arroyo Quemada Creek, a “Critical Habitat” for endangered steelhead trout and the home of important wildlife on the Gaviota Coast. EDC had identified the plastic water pipes connected to small cement dams in the Creek as a threat to Creek flows, which are necessary to provide habitat for several rare animals.
December 18, 2012
The "No-Otter Zone" Is No More
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule officially ending the "no-otter zone" encompassing nearly all of the sea otter's natural range in southern CA. In 2009, EDC sued the FWS on behalf of The Otter Project and itself, challenging FWS' decades-long delay in making a required decision on whether or not to terminate the Southern Sea Otter Translocation Program.
December 17, 2012
EDC Names Owen Bailey as New Executive Director
EDC announced that it has hired Owen Bailey, an experienced community organizer, fundraiser, educator and environmental advocate as its new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2013. Mr. Bailey joins EDC after nearly a decade at the Sierra Club.
December 7, 2012
Deckers' Sustainability Director Joins Board of EDC
EDC is proud to announce Mark Heintz, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Deckers Outdoor Corporation, has joined it Board of Directors.
December 4, 2012
Closure of Chemical Facility
Is Good News for Ventura River
Closure of Multi-Chem Group LLC's Ventura Facility Catalyzed by EDC Clean Water Act Enforcement Action
December 4, 2012
Peter Schuyler Elected President of EDC: New Executive Committee Takes the Reins
EDC, celebrating more than 35 years protecting our local environment, is pleased to announce Peter Schuyler has been elected as the President of its Board of Directors. A Santa Barbara County native, Mr. Schuyler joined the Board of EDC in 2005 and has served as its Vice President since 2007. He brings significant expertise in conservation, natural area land management, and non-profit management to the EDC board.
October 15, 2012
Environmental Groups Celebrate Victory for Ormond Beach:
Superior Court Judge Rejects Approval of SouthShore Project
Ventura County Superier Court Judge Glen Reiser issued an Order rejecting the City of Oxnard's approval of the SouthShore project and certification of the Environmental Impact Report for the Ormond Beach Specific Plans.
July 24, 2012
Superior Court Judge to Rule on Legality of
Santa Barbara Ranch (AKA Naples) Development Approvals
On Tuesday, July 31, at 9:30 am in Dept 3, Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Thomas P. Anderle is scheduled to issue a decision on a lawsuit filed in December of 2008 by the Naples Coalition, Surfrider Foundation, and EDC (Petitioners), challenging the then Board of Supervisor's approval of the Santa Barbara Ranch Project on the Gaviota Coast property known as Naples.
June 15, 2012
California Coastal Commission Gives Green Light to End the "No-Otter" Zone
CCC Finds That Proposed Termination of Southern Sea Otter Translocation Program is Consistent With California Coastal Act
The Commission’s decision represents an important milestone in the effort to finally repeal the “no-otter” zone--an outdated rule from 1987 prohibiting threatened southern sea otters from California waters south of Point Conception (Santa Barbara County). Allowing otters to once again inhabit southern California waters is considered critical to the recovery of the species under the Endangered Species Act.
June 9, 2012
EDC's New Ocean Acidification Public Service Announcement Debuts at World Oceans Day
In celebration of World Oceans Day EDC joined the Ty Warner Sea Center on June 9th to debut our new Ocean Acidification Public Service Announcement (PSA). This new 30-second animated PSA addresses the worldwide issue of ocean acidification (OA), which threatens to cause significant changes in the ocean environment. The PSA highlights how the changes in ocean chemistry are already affecting sea
life, businesses, and the entire ocean food web.
February 23, 2012
EDC Takes Legal Action to Address Water Pollution From Oil and Gas Field in Coastal Ventura County -
Lawsuit to be Filed Against Vintage Production/Occidental for Alleged
Violations of Clean Water Act at Rincon Grubb Oil Field
EDC notified Vintage Production California LLC, a subsidiary of oil giant Occidental Petroleum Corporation (“Vintage/Oxy”), of
its intent to sue the company for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) at its Rincon Grubb oil field, where it conducts oil exploration and development activities.
February 22, 2012
Local Organizations Raise Objections to Carone's Proposal to Drill for Oil Offshore Santa Barbara County
Faced with a new threat of offshore oil drilling off the Santa Barbara County coast, several local environmental groups registered their concerns with the California State Lands Commission and U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
February 21, 2012
Goodland Coalition Announces Intention to Circulate Initiative Petition in the City of Goleta - The Goleta Heritage Farmlands Initiative Would Give Goleta Residents the Right to Determine the City's Future
The Goodland Coalition, a group of Goleta residents and EDC's clients, announced the organization's intention to qualify the Goleta Heritage Farmlands Initiative for the November 2012 ballot.
February 21, 2012
Last Oil Barge Leaves Ellwood Terminal
Members of several environmental and community organizations celebrated as they met on the Ellwood bluffs and "waved goodbye" to the last oil barge leaving the Ellwood Marine Terminal near UCSB in Santa Barbara County.
February 16, 2012
New House Bill Would Continue Delay in Ending Failed Southern California "No Otter Zone"
November 1, 2011
Coast Guard Port Study Recommends Shipping Lane Changes to Reduce Ship Strikes of Large Whales
In response to the U.S. Coast Guard’s notice in today’s Federal Register that it has released its Port Access Route Study (PARS) for the Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports (LA/LB), the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) praised the agency for recommending shifts in shipping lane locations within the Santa Barbara Channel that may help reduce the threat of ship strikes for blue, fin, humpback, and other large whales.
September 19, 2011
Workshop: Sharing the Ocean-Searching for Safe Passage for Whales and Ships
EDC is hosting a workship at UCSB to educate the community about the issues surrounding whale migration, feeding, shipping transportation, and ship strikes in the Santa Barbara Channel.
September 12, 2011
California Coast Protected From Oil Barging-Environmental Groups Successfully Advocate for Pipeline Approval
Environmental groups celebrated today, following
final approval of a pipeline project that will replace oil barging off the coast of Santa Barbara County. The CA Coastal Commission cast the final approval, following similar action by the County of SB and the City of Goleta.
July 28, 2011
Environmental Groups Sue City of Oxnard to Protect Ormond Beach Wetlands From Development
The EDC, the Sierra Club, and the Environmental Coaliton filed a lawsuit against the City of Oxnard disputing the City's decision that new residential, commercial and industrial development at Ormond Beach will not harm sensitive wetlands or the State's plan to restore the area.
July 11, 2011
Environmental Defense Center and Multi-Chem Settle Clean Water Act Dispute
Company Agrees to Improve Stormwater Management Practices at its Ventura River Facility, and to Provide $35,000 Seed Money For Establishment of Lower Ventura River Watershed Fund
June 6, 2011
Legal Petition Filed to Limit Ship Speeds, Protect Whales in California's Marine Sanctuaries
Deadly Collisions Between Ships and Whales Have Sharply Increased
May 2, 2011
Settlement Helps Preserve Prime Farm: City of Lompoc Agrees to Reconsider Decison That Would Have Opened Door to Development of Prime Agricultural Land Within the Bailey Avenue Corridor
Santa Barbara County Action Network (SB CAN) and the City of Lompoc have settled SB CAN's lawsuit alleging that the City violated the CA Environmental Quality Act in its decision to include the "Bailey Ave. expansion area" as a porposed annexation area when it certified the Environmental Impact Report for the City's 2030 General Plan Update.
April 20, 2011
Potential Santa Paule Creek Flood Impacts to East Area 1 Project to Receive Further Study
Limoneira Co. and the Keep Sespe Wild Committee have settled concerns over potential Santa Paula Creek flood impacts by ensuring that the issues will be further reviewed as the East Area 1 project moves through the City of Santa Paula for additional approvals.
April 1, 2011
EDC Gives Notice of Intent to Sue Chemical Facility on Ventura River for Clean Water Act Violations
Lawsuit to Be Filed Against Multi-Chem Group LLC's Ventura Facility for Violations of its Storm Water Permit
January 6, 2011
Environmental Defense Center Receives $25,000 Charitable Contribution from Anticouni & Associates
Bruce Anticouni, principal of the law firm of Anticouni & Associates in Santa Barbara...
January 4, 2011
Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation Hire Environmental Defense Center for Canada Larga Campaign
As part of a campaign to preserve the Canada Larga Valley, the Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation have hired the EDC to submit comments for a pending environmental study.
