June 15, 2001
Contact: Steve Velyvis or Brian Trautwein, EDC, 805-963-1622
Bob Hansen, Carpinteria Creek Committee, 805-684-7948

CARPINTERIA PLANNING COMMISSION REQUIRES ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF CARNEVALE PROJECT ON CARPINTERIA CREEK

CARPINTERIA, CA - Capping a twelve-year long history of negotiations and denials, the City of Carpinteria Planning Commission decided late Tuesday that the proposed Carnevale residential project must be further analyzed for its potential effects on Carpinteria Creek. As proposed, the Carnevale project would encroach into the Creek's Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) setback. The Commission was urged by the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), representing the Carpinteria Creek Foundation (CCF), to require a minimum 20-foot setback from the edge of riparian vegetation to protect Carpinteria Creek, which supports endangered steelhead trout and hosts one of the largest bird populations of any stream in California and is especially important for migratory birds, including such rare species as Willow Flycatcher.

EDC and CCF argued that the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) prepared for the project was inadequate because it failed to adequately address impacts to the Creek. Under CEQA, an environmental impact report (EIR) must be prepared when there is conflicting evidence regarding the possible impacts of a proposed project. Ultimately, the Planning Commission agreed and voted unanimously to reject the MND as inadequate for the project and directed staff to begin preparation of an EIR, which is a more detailed level of analysis that will include additional feasible mitigation measures and alternatives to the project.

"The City's carefully considered decision proves that the process works," said Brian Trautwein, Environmental Analyst for EDC. "It shows that development on this sensitive site could significantly harm the creek and must be studied."

"We are very pleased that the Commission heard our concerns and recognized the potential harm to the biological resources of Carpinteria Creek," said Bob Hansen, secretary of the CCF, which was founded to protect public open space creek side properties such as the Carnevale parcel. "Creeks play a vital role in the health of our ecosystems and we cannot afford to permit continuing degradation of this rare forested creek environment."

The Carnevale project has a long history, with three denials in its twelve-year history. When the third proposal was denied in 1992, the project applicants were advised that unless the development were moved at least 50-feet away from the creek that an environmental impact report would be necessary to assess the project's effects on the Creek.

The Environmental Defense Center is a non-profit, public interest environmental law firm serving California's Central Coast. Since 1977, EDC has provided public education, organizing, advocacy, and legal services to community groups dedicated to environmental quality and health. For more information, contact Steve Velyvis or Brian Trautwein of EDC at (805) 963-1622.