Ventura County has cleared the last big hurdle towards making critical repairs to a levee which federal officials say might not be able to handle a massive storm.
Ventura County Supervisors approved studies aimed at upgrading the earth and rock levee on parts of the Santa Clara River in the Oxnard area.
It’s been a concern for years. Federal inspectors say a section of the south bank of the levee might not stand up to a 100 year storm, leaving 3800 structures in South Oxnard at risk.
After seven years of studies, and planning, the Ventura County Watershed Protection District presented County Supervisors with an environmental impact report, and other documents needed to proceed with work to upgrade about two miles of the riverbank. Nearby residents support the effort, which was approved by supervisors.
Work on the multi-phase improvement is expected to start this fall.