County 8-21

At the request of Marc McGinnes, an opponent to a proposed barrier at Cold Spring Bridge, the Board of Supervisors on 8/19 voted unanimously to write a letter to the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments board recommending a hearing take place on the controversial matter. McGinnes and cohorts say a barrier won’t prevent suicides as proponents contend it will and believe the Caltrans money could better be used elsewhere.

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The Board of Supervisors on 8/19 voted to continue three appeals against an offshore oil drilling project approved by the County Planning Commission. While Supervisor Janet Wolf dissented, the other supervisors granted the request for continuance to 9/9. As a result of a deal reached with environmental leaders, oil company PXP can drill for 14 years before closing Tranquillon Ridge, Platform Irene, and its onshore oil plant in Lompoc. The appeals come from oil companies that oppose the deal.