Coastal Commission Approves UCSB Housing Plan
Environmentalists help secure protection of
70 acres of open space and 40 coastal wetlands

Huntington Beach. On Friday morning, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a UC Santa Barbara housing project located on University lands in Goleta, California. The project will provide housing for University faculty and students.

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC), a non-profit public interest environmental law firm, has represented Save Ellwood Shores and the Santa Barbara Audubon Society for ten years in an effort to scale back the initial project to avoid many wetlands and other sensitive habitats.

The groups claimed victory after the hearing. In 1997, the UC Regents had approved 513 homes covering several parcels near Devereux Slough, including 122 units on the 70-acre "South Parcel" between Devereux Creek and Devereux Slough. According to Linda Krop, Chief Counsel of the EDC, "The original plan has been significantly reduced and will preserve the entire 70-acre South Parcel as permanent open space. The changes in the project represent a major benefit for this unique coastal ecosystem and the surrounding community."

The "North Parcel" development plan was specifically redesigned numerous times in the past two years to avoid sensitive habitats. "In response to our concerns, the project was redesigned to avoid over 40 wetlands and several rare native grasslands," said EDC's Environmental Analyst Brian Trautwein. As a result, UCSB's North Parcel development footprint was reduced from 23 to 11 acres.

UCSB also agreed to:

·Restore and connect the wetlands on-site and install bioswales to filter pollutants;
· Restore Phelps Creek;
· Replace the existing concrete road that blocks Devereux Creek with a new bridge that will improve water quality and flow in the Creek and Devereux Slough;
· Restore an additional 11 acres of wetlands, native grasslands and rare habitats;
· Protect Devereux Slough by implementing erosion control measures on the South Parcel;
· Fund two full-time environmental positions: one to oversee restoration projects on the South Parcel, and one to manage the Coal Oil Point Reserve's Snowy Plover docent program;
· Relocate trails to provide public access to the bluffs and the beach, while protecting sensitive coastal resources.

"Relocating the trails out of wetlands will ensure people will be able to continue enjoying the preserved open space without damaging the area's fragile ecosystems," said Darlene Chirman, President of Santa Barbara Audubon Society.

"It just goes to show that persistence pays off," said Diane Conn of Save Ellwood Shores. "For a decade, we've consistently told UCSB that it had to preserve the South Parcel and all wetlands to comply with the Coastal Act. When it came down to it, UCSB knew we were right and changed its project. This is a real win-win for UCSB and the natural environment."

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EDC is a non-profit, public interest environmental law firm serving Central Coast
communities for over 25 years. EDC works to protect the environment, health and quality of
life for Central Coast residents by providing legal services, advocacy support and education
on a wide range of issues.