CFROG Benefit Nature Hike on Saturday May 13th
Santa Paula Canyon in the Los Padres National Forest is home to the Punchbowl, one of the finest swimming holes in Southern California and a local scenic wonder. The canyon is home to a large community of riparian and chaparral plants and wildlife native to this region. And it’s also home to an oil drilling operation. For many years, the County of Ventura and the U.S. Forest Service have tried to find a balance between the rights of the drilling company and the needs of citizens who wish to enjoy the canyon and its waters.
Ojai native plant guide and hike leader Lanny Kaufer is offering an opportunity to visit Santa Paula Canyon and contribute to its preservation at the same time. CFROG, Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas, is a local non-profit formed to make sure that oil and gas activities in Ventura County are only allowed when the environment and public health are protected. CFROG and environmental partners (Center for Biological Diversity and Los Padres ForestWatch) are claimants in a lawsuit against Ventura County and Carbon California (part of Colorado-based Carbon Energy Corp.) regarding an expansion of oil and gas activities along Santa Paula Creek and the Punchbowl Trail. One of the issues in the action involves the County’s failure to fully comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by not assessing impacts on the endangered California Condor and Steelhead Trout. They expect a decision in the suit by the end of the year. 50% of the proceeds from this hike will be donated to CFROG, earmarked for Santa Paula Canyon.
The plan is to meet at 9 a.m. at the entrance to Thomas Aquinas College, also coordinating 8:30 a.m. carpools from Ojai and Santa Paula among the registrants as parking is limited on Highway 150 (Ojai Road). At 9:00 staff will start shuttling people up to the trailhead. CFROG staff will hike with the group as far as the drill pads, less than 1 mile in, and give a short talk there about the issues. Those who are able to hike the full distance will continue with Kaufer to the Punchbowl, returning to the trailhead by 4 p.m. The complete round-trip hike to the Punchbowl is 7 miles.
The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 62-and-older, and $15 for students 13-18. Kids 5-12 can go free, one per adult, by prior arrangement. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to CFROG, earmarked for Santa Paula Canyon.
To register or for more information, visit www.HerbWalks.com or call 805-646-6281. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with all necessary info. No pre-payment is required.
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
