Gaviota Coast

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Gaviota Coast
Map showing the location of Gaviota Coast
Map showing the location of Gaviota Coast
Location within California
LocationSanta Barbara County, California
Coordinates34°28′15″N 120°13′29″W / 34.47083°N 120.22472°W / 34.47083; -120.22472Coordinates: 34°28′15″N 120°13′29″W / 34.47083°N 120.22472°W / 34.47083; -120.22472
Offshore water bodiesPacific Ocean
Elevation23 feet (7 m)[1]
Length76 miles (122 km)
Area200,000 hectares (490,000 acres)
GNIS feature ID1702035[1]
ZIP codes93117, 93436

The Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County, California is a rural coastline along the Santa Barbara Channel roughly bounded by the city of Goleta and the north boundary of the county. This last undeveloped stretch of Southern California coastline consists of dramatic bluffs, isolated beaches and terraced grasslands.

History[]

Sites inhabited in the Paleoindian Period (13,000–8,500 B.P.) have been found through archeological deposits at the mouths of rivers and along the seashore where there was an abundance of food. At least fourteen Chumash villages were located along the coastline including Qasil, Tajiguas, and Shishuchi'i'.[2]

The Spanish began colonizing Alta California with the Portolá expedition of 1769–1770. Much of the area is within the 1794 Spanish land grant, Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio.

Congress ordered a study in 1999 for a proposed 76-mile-long (122 km) National Seashore from Coal Oil Point at UC Santa Barbara to Point Sal at the northern boundary of Vandenberg Space Force Base.[3] Although the National Park Service found the area suitable with nationally significant natural and cultural resources,[2] the study found the establishment to not be feasible due to local opposition within the approximately 200,000 acres (81,000 ha) study area and the high cost of acquiring land and operating a new park.[4][5] The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary began a public comment process in 2021 after a positive review of the nomination submitted by the Northern Chumash Tribal Council.[6] The shoreline would include some coastal landmarks significant to the tribe’s heritage as proposed along 156 miles (251 km) of coastline from Gaviota Creek north to Santa Rosa Creek near the town of Cambria, San Luis Obispo County. The proposed marine sanctuary of about 7,600 square miles (20,000 km2) has extensive kelp forests, vast sandy beaches and coastal dunes, and wetlands serving as nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish species and important habitat for many threatened and endangered species.[7][7]

Alisal Fire[]

The Alisal Fire scorched 17,281 acres (6,993 ha) and destroyed 12 homes.[8] One of the last blazes of the 2021 California wildfire season, the wildfire ignited in the afternoon of October 11 near the Alisal Reservoir and strong northwest winds rapidly pushed the fire south through the rugged Los Padres National Forest.[9] The fire grew by hundreds of acres within hours as sundowner winds fanned the flames over the summit of the Santa Ynez Mountains towards the Tajiguas Landfill.[10] Gusting winds up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) prevented the dispatch of aircraft that were at the ready.[11] Critically low fuel moisture resulted in very extreme fire behavior during the first two nights.[12] The next day as winds turned more favorable, tanker jets created fire breaks by dispersing fire retardant. Throughout each day, the turnaround was quick as ground crews reloaded the aircraft at the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base.[13] After the fire crossed Route 101 to Tajiguas Beach, it expanded east and west and kept the highway closed for over three days.[14] Commuter and long-distance rail service were also suspended during that period.[15] The state beaches, Gaviota, Refugio, and El Capitán, closed as the firefighters used them for housing, access, and staging.[16] The fire burned the filtration system which uses wood chips at the Tajiguas Landfill and damaged the drainage system, the landfill gas collection system, and some heavy equipment.[17] Crews worked to keep the fire away from buildings on the scattered ranches, the shuttered Exxon Mobil facility in Las Flores canyon, and Rancho del Cielo, the vacation home of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan.[18] Freedom Lake, one of two lakes at the ranch, has been used to supply aerial water drops.[19] Four single residence water reported destroyed on October 16 along with two outbuildings that suffered damage. Firefighters prepared for expected higher temperatures and drier winds.[20] The fire was fully contained on November 20.[21] Preparations for potential mudslides, and debris flows began with a team of engineers, scientists, and geologists determining at-risk spots.[22] Highway 101 repair projects included clearing and repairing damaged drainage culverts and installing rock netting on bare hillsides.[23] Volunteer efforts included efforts to help the native vegetation grow back where bulldozers had created fire lines.[24]

Geography[]

Situated on a narrow coastal terrace between a rugged coastline and the Santa Ynez Mountains of the Los Padres National Forest,[25] the area has a Mediterranean climate. The unusual abundance and diversity of wildlife includes an estimated 1,400 plant and animal species.[3] The Santa Ynez Mountains are a migration corridor for wildlife from the large interior region of California. Wildlife includes mountain lions, black bears, badgers, golden eagles, and the California condor.[26]

The coastal waters are considered unique for the biodiversity of ocean life.[27][28] The unusual species found here are the result of the cold water from the north meeting the warm water from the south.[29] The annual migration of about 19,000 Gray whales through the Santa Barbara Channel may come as close as 100 feet (30 m) from the shoreline.[29] The marine environment has extensive kelp forests and wetlands serving as nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish species and important habitat for many threatened and endangered species.[7] The Gaviota Creek watershed is the largest watershed along this coast and is the most important steelhead stream in Southern Santa Barbara County.[30] Refugio Creek is one of the larger coastal streams along the coast and descends through a mosaic of commercial orchards, ranches, and rural residential developments and crosses under Highway 101 before flowing into the Pacific Ocean.[31]

Resource utilization and protection[]

The narrow coastal terrace is primarily used for recreation and cattle grazing.[25] The county adopted a coastal land use plan in 1982 that was consistent with their policies and development standards to preserve the natural scenic beauty.[32] Protected areas along US 101 include three public beaches with campgrounds and hiking trails: Gaviota State Park,  El Capitán State Beach, and Refugio State Beach.[33] There are also several private campgrounds.[34] There are several marine protected area off the coast: Point Conception State Marine Reserve, Naples State Marine Conservation Area, and Kashtayit State Marine Conservation Area.

The lightly populated area has large ranches with much of the land held in agricultural preserves under the Williamson Act and used for avocado, lemon and other fruit orchards.[35] Naples, also known as Dos Pueblos, was subdivided but remains undeveloped. Hollister Ranch has six beaches but they are difficult for the public to access.[36] Some of the ranches are also luxury estates.[37] El Rancho Tajiguas is a 3,600 acres (1,500 ha) working ranch that was developed with two luxury homes over a period of 40 years under the ownership of Mansour Ojjeh.[38][39] The 1,800 acres (730 ha) Las Varas Ranch was purchased by Charlie Munger and donated to the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2018.[40]

The area was one of the earliest locations in California developed for offshore oil and gas production. Crude oil and natural gas are produced from offshore platforms. The Hondo and Harmony oil rigs can be easily seen offshore in front of the Channel Islands in the Santa Barbara Channel from the highway or railroad.[41] Local land use agencies have kept oil processing facilities to a minimum while the oil and gas are processed at onshore receiving plants before being transported to distant refineries.

The remote coastline is used as a landing for human and drug smuggling from Mexico.[42][43]

Transportation[]

US 101 northbound approaching Gaviota Tunnel through the Santa Ynez Mountains

US 101 and the main coastal railroad line both parallel the coastline atop the coastal bluff with train trestles crossing the stream beds that cut through the slope.[44] The 21-mile-long (34 km) section of US 101 from the north boundary of Goleta to State Route 1 at Las Cruces is designated by the state as a scenic highway.[45] While the highway turns inland at Gaviota State Park, the coastal bluff section of the rail line is longer at 30 miles (48 km) traversing areas mostly inaccessible to the public.[46][47] A 2.5-mile (4.0 km) section of the California Coastal Trail was built within Gaviota State Park.[48][49] An Interim alignment for a section of the trail from Guadalupe to the state park is under study.[50][51] These routes follow Chumash and Spanish Period trails.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gaviota Beach
  2. ^ a b c Draft Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study & Environmental Assessment study of the National Park Service (PDF). Cultural Resources (Report). 2003. pp. 27–35. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2004.Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Park Service.
  3. ^ a b Kenneth R., Weiss (March 10, 2004). "Status as National Seashore Rejected for Gaviota Coast". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  4. ^ Sherman, Mark (April 9, 2003). "Park Service says Gaviota Coast should not be national park". Napa Valley Register. Associated Press. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  5. ^ Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, United States Department of the Interior (March 5, 2004). "Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study" (PDF). Letter to Richard Pombo Chairman, Committee on Resources House of Representatives. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  6. ^ Orozco, Lance (November 10, 2021). "Long talked about concept of new national marine sanctuary on Central, South Coasts clears major hurdle". KCLU. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Proposed Designation of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary". Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  8. ^ "Alisal Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Smith, Hayley (October 14, 2021). "A rare plant and a president's ranch are threatened as Alisal fire grows". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Yee, Gregory; Seidman, Lila (October 12, 2021). "Alisal fire explodes to 6,000 acres near Santa Barbara, closes 101 Freeway". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Johnson, Ted; Tapp, Tom (October 14, 2021). "Flames Come Within Half-Mile Of Ronald Reagan's Ranch As Staff, Firefighters Work To Save It – Update". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  12. ^ Favuzzi, Christina (October 26, 2021). "Critical Reminder: It's Sundowner Season on the South Coast". Montecito. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Russell, Angel (October 15, 2021). "Santa Maria Air Tanker Base bustling with planes amid Alisal Fire, more favorable winds in Santa Barbara County". KCBX. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Orozco, Lance (October 13, 2021). "Alisal Fire grows to 14,500 acres; Drop in wind allows firefighters to launch aerial attack on blaze". KCLU. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  15. ^ "Fire near Santa Barbara disrupts Surfliner, Starlight service". Trains. October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  16. ^ Yamamura, Jean (October 17, 2021). "Alisal Fire Sunday Morning: 78 Percent Contained, 17,253 Acres Burned". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  17. ^ Orozco, Lance (October 15, 2021). "Alisal Fire damages Santa Barbara County's cutting edge waste disposal facility". KCLU. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  18. ^ Brooks, Brad (October 14, 2021). "Planes, fire crews tackling wildfire near Reagan ranch in California". Reuters. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  19. ^ Elamroussi, Aya; Mossburg, Cheri (October 15, 2021). "Reagan's ranch is still threatened but firefighters gain ground on Alisal Fire". KESQ. CNN. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  20. ^ Welsh, Nick (October 16, 2021). "Alisal Fire 50 Percent Contained". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  21. ^ Nguyen, Julia (December 3, 2021). "Alisal Fire officially declared out in Santa Barbara County". KEYT NewsChannel 3-12. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  22. ^ "Alisal Wildfire in Santa Barbara County nearing full containment, but approaching storm creates new concerns". KCLU. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  23. ^ Orozco, Lance (November 1, 2021). "Crews will be working to repair damage caused by Alisal Fire along Highway 101 for months". KCLU. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  24. ^ Lehr, Tracy (December 19, 2021). "Volunteers mend Alisal Fire line". KEYT NewsChannel 3-12. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Gaviota Coast Artichoke Thistle Project". Weed Management Area. County of Santa Barbara. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  26. ^ "Coastal Clash: How Beaches Work: Recreation & Preservation: The Gaviota Coast". KQED. 2004. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  27. ^ Burns, Melinda (May 20, 2015). "'Nightmare' California oil spill damages rare coastal ecosystem". The Guardian. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  28. ^ "Santa Barbara Oil Spill Reopens Fierce Environmental Debate". NPR News. May 23, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  29. ^ a b Patel, Neel V. (May 22, 2015). "What the Oil Spill Off Santa Barbara Is Going to Kill". WIRED. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  30. ^ Coastal Ranches Conservancy (February 2016). The Gaviota Creek Watershed: A Restoration Plan Update (Draft) (PDF) (Report). Retrieved December 26, 2020 – via County of Santa Barbara.
  31. ^ "VENTURA FWO: Biologists Get Into the Dirt to Restore Native Plants at Coastal Riparian Site". www.fws.gov. March 28, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  32. ^ County of Santa Barbara (October 26, 2016). "RE: Letter of Intent for the State Scenic Highway Designation of Highway 101 along the Gaviota Coast" (PDF). Letter to California Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  33. ^ "Gaviota Coast: SoCal's Celebrated Rural Shoreline". KCET. August 14, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  34. ^ Jaffe, Matthew (July 2007). "Gaviota's Endless beach". Sunset magazine. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  35. ^ Kester, Andria (April 27, 2017). "Saving The Gaviota Coast". Odyssey Online. Antioch University, Santa Barbara. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  36. ^ Thornton, Beth (June 17, 2021). "Conceptual plan presented for beach access on Hollister Ranch". KCBX. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  37. ^ Yamamura, Jean (December 9, 2020). "Two Pieces of Paradise Up for Auction". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  38. ^ Walker, Howard (March 4, 2019). "Home of the Week: A 3,500-acre, $110 Million Slice of Santa Barbara Paradise". Robb Report. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  39. ^ Perino, Marissa (March 5, 2019). "A sprawling, 3500-acre cliffside ranch with 2 luxury villas and 120 cows could break the Santa Barbara real-estate record — here's a look inside". Business Insider. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  40. ^ Hamm, Keith (December 12, 2018). "UCSB Gifted Las Varas Ranch". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  41. ^ Staff/Roadside Attractions (May 6, 2008). "Drivers can/t miss view of oil platforms". Lompoc Record. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  42. ^ Bolton, Tom (March 13, 2020). "Marijuana, Cannabis Oil Seized as Panga Boat Intercepted on Gaviota Coast". Noozhawk. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  43. ^ Scully, Janene (August 19, 2020). "Panga Boat Landing at Arroyo Quemada Beach West of Santa Barbara Leads to Big Drug Bust". Noozhawk. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  44. ^ DeGennaro, Olivia (October 12, 2014). "One dead, two injured when hit by Amtrak train". KSBY. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014.
  45. ^ "Scenic Highways". Caltrans. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  46. ^ Chiodo, Maya (September 10, 2019). "Protecting All That's Great About the Gaviota Coast". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  47. ^ Slack, Gordy. "Saving the Seagull Coast". Land & People. The Trust for Public Land. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  48. ^ "California Coastal Trail - Gaviota Segment". California Department of Parks and Recreation. November 7, 2007. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via CEQAnet.
  49. ^ California Coastal Trail – Gaviota Segment: Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (PDF) (Report). California Department of Parks and Recreation. July 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  50. ^ "New Interactive Story Map Illustrates Guadalupe-to-Gaviota Trail". Santa Barbara County Trails Council. November 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020 – via Edhat.
  51. ^ "Exploring New Trail Routes from Gaviota to Guadalupe – The Northern Santa Barbara County Interim California Coastal Trail Study". Santa Barbara County Trails Council. Retrieved December 1, 2020.

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