Daily Archives: October 4, 2022

Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Facility (EOF) in the City of Goleta (photo courtesy of the California State Lands Commission)

Trucks Remove Oil from EOF as Part of Decommissioning Project

Since the California State Lands Commission assumed operation of Platform Holly and the Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Processing Facility (EOF) in 2017, the Commission has processed limited amounts of oil and gas from the Platform that is coming up from between casing strings (steel pipes in the wells) in order to manage pressure within the well. This limited stream of oil will continue until the wells on Holly have been completely plugged and abandoned. The oil and gas is treated at the EOF to remove the toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the gas stream and oil.

Although the amount of oil processed as a result of this routine pressure management is minimal, over the past several years it has accumulated and been stored in tank vessels at the EOF. Those vessels are nearing capacity. Now, the Commission plans to remove the oil from those vessels and has entered into an agreement with the Phillips refinery to take the oil by truck to their facilities in Santa Maria. The Commission anticipates transporting approximately 3,500 barrels of oil in total.

This notice is to let you know that there will be one or two trucks a day removing the oil from the EOF on the short section of Hollister Avenue between the EOF and the 101 Freeway “on ramp” (north). The operation began on October 5 and should take about two weeks. The Commission thanks you for your support as we decommission the Venoco facilities and appreciates your patience while we work to protect the community and the environment during this process.

Please contact Sheri Pemberton, the Commission’s External Affairs Officer at (916) 477-0691 or sheri.pemberton@slc.ca.gov if you have any questions or would like additional information.

Pictured: Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Facility (EOF) in the City of Goleta (photo courtesy of the California State Lands Commission)

Take Creek and Watershed Survey

The City of Goleta is in the next phase of its Creek and Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) and is seeking your valuable input. Please take our survey (available in English and Spanish) to let us know what is important to you when it comes to creeks and watersheds in Goleta. Your input will help us to determine how to prioritize work efforts and limited funding among the many important unfunded projects included in the CWMP.

The survey will remain open through October 31, 2022.

Melissa Nelson, City of Goleta’s Environmental Services Manager said, “Our community has clearly expressed how important it is to protect our creeks and coastal waters from pollution. Our goal now is to plan our priorities and focus areas, evaluating existing funding and other funding opportunities, and seeking community input as to how the City should prioritize projects. Maintaining the quality of life in the city and keeping the Goodland good – even fantastic – is important to us all.”

The Creek and Watershed Management Plan, adopted in December of 2020, includes detailed information on the dozen creeks that run through our community, identifies impairments to these creeks, and outlines programs and specific future actions to address identified impairments. It also outlines best practices to provide habitat for fish and wildlife, accommodate wildlife movement corridors, convey stormwater runoff and floodwaters, and furnish open space and passive recreational areas for City residents.

Based on outreach the City did during the development of the CWMP and outreach conducted in the years after its adoption, Goleta residents consistently and passionately voiced support for protecting and enhancing the City’s creeks.

The Creek and Watershed survey was initially released at the Goleta Lemon Festival September 24th and 25th. Thank you to everyone who came out to the City of Goleta booth area and took time to fill out the survey and talk about why creeks are important to you and your community. We learned a lot from everyone. We look forward to continuing the community engagement – so stay tuned for more opportunities.

Goleta Businesses Sign Up for GoodLandGoodShopping!

In anticipation of the holiday season, the City of Goleta is promoting our digital gift card marketplace, GoodLandGoodShopping.com, to encourage the community to shop local. Merchants should sign up NOW for your FREE listing. There is no catch, this is our gift to our awesome businesses. We will be promoting GoodLandGoodShopping in November and businesses are encouraged to get on board now. It’s easy, just go to goodlandgoodshopping.com/signup or call Giftbar, the City’s gift card commerce partner, at 866-989-5580. We currently have 37 merchants on-board, help us make GoodLandGoodShopping a success and sign-up today!

Now for the members of the public. Instead of shopping on-line for the holidays, shop local by going to GoodLandGoodShopping.com to purchase gift cards from Goleta businesses. As a bonus, gift cards can be emailed or texted instantly with personalized messages and/or video, creating a unique virtual gift or care package.

Check out the website and watch our video in English and Spanish to learn more.

The City partnered with Giftbar, a vendor based in San Luis Obispo, with the experience and expertise in gift card commerce to launch GoodLandGoodShopping last fall as a way to help our businesses recover from losses suffered during the pandemic. Giftbar hosts businesses on its platform with the technology for businesses to sell and redeem e-gift cards.

We need your help to make this a successful program. Here’s what you can do:

  • Go to GoodLandGoodShopping.com and buy a gift card.
  • Spread the news and promote on social media with #GoodLandGoodShopping.
  • Encourage Goleta businesses you frequent to sign up by going to the website.

For questions about Giftbar and how to participate, email websupport@giftbar.com or call 866-989-5580. If you have questions for the City, email Kelly Hoover, Community Relations Manager/PIO at PIO@cityofgoleta.org.

Help the City Evaluate its Accessibility

Community Members and Organizations Invited to Take Survey by November 4

As part of the City of Goleta’s efforts to serve all members of the community, the City is in the process of updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The City’s accessibility plan provides a comprehensive plan for individuals with disabilities to access City facilities, programs, services, activities and events offered to the public.

All members of the community are invited to take our survey to provide input. Your feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs. There are two surveys available in both English and Spanish. One survey is intended for input from the general public and is open to everyone who accesses City services. There is also a second survey designed for organizations and agencies that assist persons with disabilities.

One or both surveys can be completed, as appropriate, using the links below. To take the survey in another language, use the drop-down at the top of the survey. The survey will be available from today, October 3 through November 4.

The survey is also available to download and print on our website at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/public-works/disability-services. Hard copies can also be picked up at:

  • Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA 93117) during regular business hours (Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
  • Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117) during regular business hours (Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.)

Please return all hard copy surveys to Julie Jang, City of Goleta ADA/504 Coordinator, at the City Hall address listed above. For any additional feedback, please contact Julie by phone at (805) 690-5121, by TDD through California Relay at 7-1-1, or by email at jjang@cityofgoleta.org.

Thank you in advance for helping with this important input.

Join an Upcoming Creek Clean-Up

The Environmental Defense Center, in partnership with the Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council and the City of Goleta, have partnered on creek clean-ups this fall. Help prevent trash from getting into our creeks, the Goleta Slough, and the Pacific Ocean, join the Glen Annie Creek Clean-up this Saturday, October 8, at 9:00 a.m.

If you are interested in volunteering, please RSVP to Brian Trautwein with the Environmental Defense Center at 805-963-1622 ext. 108 or BTrautwein@EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org.

Meet at Storke/Glen Annie Road at Del Norte Drive and please bring a hat, sunscreen and drinking water in a reusable container. Sturdy close-toed shoes, long sleeve shirt, and pants are recommended.

If you can’t make it this Saturday, there are three more creek clean-ups this year:

  • October 22, Devereux Creek
  • November 5, San Pedro/Las Vegas Creeks
  • November 19, Atascadero Creek

Thank you for helping keep Goleta clean and healthy!

Pictured: San Jose Creek Cleanup, September 17, 2022