chaparral

Painted Cave Chaparral Clearing

Chaparral Clear-cutting Threatens Santa Barbara's Front Country

The chaparral-covered Santa Ynez Mountains stand as a scenic backdrop to Goleta, Gaviota, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria and Ventura. The hardy plants that make up our chaparral community hold the soil in place keeping landslides, erosion and flooding in check.

Local chaparral habitats support rich wildlife diversity including 40 special-status plant and animal species and species found nowhere else. In some places the chaparral reaches 20 feet tall creating a lush, shady environment referred to as the “Elfin Forest.” In the winter when California lilac blooms the chaparral boasts beautiful hues of white and blue, and the air smells as sweet as honey.

In recent months, however, there has been a rash of chaparral clear-cuts in wildland around Painted Cave, East Camino Cielo, San Marcos Pass and historic Slippery Rock. These clear-cuts are in remote areas far from any homes and are not being implemented as defensible spaces against wildfires. Cleared areas often become infested with highly flammable weeds, increasing fire hazards.

EDC promotes effective, efficient and less environmentally-sensitive fire-prevention projects such as (1) fire-proofing homes, and (2) clearing defensible spaces around homes and roads. These practices protect chaparral and homes located in high fire hazard areas.

EDC reported the recent chaparral clear-cuts and other mountainside grading to the County as violations of County ordinances designed to protect people from erosion and flooding, and to protect sensitive habitats.

In response to EDC’s work the County recently amended its Grading Ordinance better protecting creeks. Also as a result of EDC’s work to protect chaparral, the County revised its Brushing Ordinance in March 2011, requiring permits for persons wishing to remove chaparral (unless directed by the Fire Department, in which case clear chaparral is exempt).

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