Updated April 13th – The workshop is tomorrow April 14th at 6:45 pm

Why This Matters

After the power plant closure in 2018, water flow in the Edison Canal reversed, pulling agricultural and urban runoff into the harbor.
The CINC MAC team volunteers’ comments emphasize:

• Source control and prevention first (the most effective approach)
• Targeting the real contaminants of concern (pesticides like bifenthrin and permethrin, copper, and nutrients causing low dissolved oxygen)
• Supporting projects that actually address the biggest pollution sources (especially the major agricultural drains)
• Strong concerns about the proposed Passive Edison Canal Connection project, which could make the problem worse by pushing more pollutants into the harbor
• A smarter, proven alternative: a low-cost pilot pumping project to restore the historic northerly flow that kept the harbor clear for decades

They support several Phase 1 projects (agricultural coordination, agricultural runoff treatment pilot, trash reduction, monitoring, and grant funding) and recommend deferring or rejecting others that are less effective.

How You Can Help

Public comments make a real difference. Please take a moment to:

1. Email your support for the CINC/MAC recommendations to the Public Works and Transportation Committee before the meeting.
2. Mention that you support their Balanced and Focused Approach, especially the call to replace the risky Passive Canal project with a pilot pumping solution.
3. If possible, attend the workshop on April 14.

PLEASE SEND COMMENTS BEFORE 3pm Tuesday!

Here is a simple email you can send!

(copy and paste the parts in yellow

Email: cityclerk@oxnard.org

Subject:  Agenda Item D.1. Channel Islands Harbor Water Quality Implementation Plan

Body:
I support the public comments submitted by the Channel Islands Neighborhood Council Marine Advisory Committee regarding the Harbor Water Quality Plan. Please prioritize source control, agricultural runoff treatment, and consider the pilot pumping option instead of the Passive Edison Canal Connection.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address in Oxnard]
[Your Email Address]

Or –  Here is a more detailed version:

Email: cityclerk@oxnard.org

Subject:  Agenda Item D.1. Channel Islands Harbor Water Quality Implementation Plan

Body:

Dear City Clerk and Public Works & Transportation Committee Members,

I am a resident of the Channel Islands neighborhood and I strongly support the written public comments submitted by the Channel Islands Neighborhood Council Marine Advisory Committee (CINC/MAC) regarding Agenda Item D.1. on the April 14, 2026 meeting agenda.

The CINC/MAC volunteers have worked on this harbor water quality issue since 2018 and have provided a thoughtful, balanced, and practical set of recommendations. I particularly support their Balanced and Focused Approach, which prioritizes:

• Prevention and source control, especially coordination with agricultural stakeholders and treatment of agricultural runoff (the biggest contributors of pesticides like bifenthrin and permethrin)
• Smart, cost-effective Phase 1 projects such as the Agricultural Runoff Treatment Pilot, Pesticide Source Control, Trash Reduction, Monitoring, and Grant Funding
• Replacing the risky and expensive Passive Edison Canal Connection project with a low-cost pilot pumping project at the north end of the canal to restore the historic northerly flow that kept the harbor clear for decades

I urge the Committee to adopt the CINC/MAC recommendations and ask staff to seriously evaluate the pilot pumping alternative before moving forward with the Passive Canal project.

Thank you for your work on this important issue and for protecting the water quality of our Channel Islands Harbor.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address in Oxnard]
[Your Email Address]

PLEASE EMAIL  public comments by email before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026