The March 1 winter storm eroded the beach at Ellwood Mesa and Haskell’s exposing remnant oil field debris. The debris includes broken seawall boards and metal parts of abandoned piers. Since the storm, the City has been working with the State Lands Commission to evaluate and clean up these hazards.

On Tuesday night, the Goleta City Council declared local emergency conditions and directed staff to work with the State Lands Commission to clean up the debris. The emergency declaration allowed the City to formally seek assistance. The Commission is supporting the clean-up effort and their contractor is expected to begin work on Monday.

“We are grateful for the quick response by the State Lands Commission to address these hazards,” said Mayor Michael T. Bennett. “Our coastline and beaches are some of our greatest assets and we want to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our community as they access these treasures.”

The City asks that you continue to avoid or use extreme caution along the beach and shoreline at Ellwood Mesa until the hazards are removed. Clean up should take approximately one week.

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