Goleta, CA — The Goleta City Council today recognized the State Lands Commission and the State Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources for funding and completing work to clean up Goleta’s coast.
“We are so grateful for the work these two agencies have done to protect our beaches and open spaces by removing the hazards,” said Mayor Margaret Connell. “It is an honor to be able to thank the people and agencies represented here and the State of California for making this happen.”
The California State Lands Commission was acknowledged for funding and removing several types of historic hazardous oil and gas structures from Ellwood Beach and Haskell’s Beach.
Marina M. Voskanian, P.E. and Assistant Chief, Mineral Resources Management Division, Chandrashekar Basavalinganadoddi, P.E., Mineral Resources Management Division, Larry Philip, Supervisor, State Lands Commission Goleta Office and Madhu P. Ahuja, P.E., accepted the proclamation from the Council.
Additionally, the State Department of Conservation was recognized for its work on the Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve. Once the site of extensive oil and gas production, the Department of Conservation funded the plugging and reabandonment of three historic wells known as “Doty 4”, “Doty 5” and “Ellwood 1” to prevent a surface hazard and public nuisance. Work was completed during June 2011.
Derek Chernow, Acting Director, Department of Conservation, Pat Abel, District Deputy, Division of Oil and Gas, and Jeremiah Hill, Energy and Mineral Resources Engineer, Division of Oil and Gas, accepted the proclamation on behalf of their department.
Both organizations were commended for protecting the environment and citizens of Goleta, thus ensuring the health, safety, comfort, and quality of life of Goleta residents and visitors.
Former Assemblymember Pedro Nava was also recognized for his role in securing assistance from these two agencies.
For additional information, please visit our website at www.cityofgoleta.org or contact Valerie Kushnerov, Public Information Officer, City of Goleta, at 805.961.7507.
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News Media Contact:
Valerie Kushnerov
Public Information Officer
805.961.7507 | 805.689.8044 (cell)
vkushnerov@cityofgoleta.org