Goleta Slough

GENERAL			Source
Site	Goleta Slough
Map	Goleta, 7.5' USGS quadrangle
Location	The Goleta Slough wetlands are located approximately eight miles west of downtown Santa Barbara. The wetland areas are fragmented along the coast from More Mesa to UCSB Storke Campus. Information in the profile focuses primarily on the area adjacent to the S. B. Municipal Airport and the campus of UC Santa Barbara.
Contacts	Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve (Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game): 805-568-1224
	UCSB Museum of Systematic and Ecology: 805-893-2506
	City of Santa Barbara - Planning Division: 805-564-5470
	Santa Barbara Municipal Airport: 805-967-7111
Approximate Wetland Habitat Acreage	430 (including the 360 acre ecological reserve and 14.8 acres at Storke Campus)		6
Approximate Historic Acreage	1,150		6
Ownership	Owner	Acres	Source
	City of Santa Barbara (part of the 946 ac Municipal Airport site)	396	1
	California Department of Fish and Game	60	5
	UC Santa Barbara	60	5
	Goleta Sanitary District	42.2	6
	Southern California Gas Co.	99	6
	Private	Not specified	6
LAND USE			Source
Land Use Designation	Local Coastal Plans of both the City and County of Santa Barbara designate Goleta Slough as Open Space and Environmentally Sensitive Habitat. Wetland areas outside of the Ecological Reserve have numerous designations including, industrial, utility, residential, planned development, agriculture, open space and park/recreation.		5
Onsite Use	The primary function of the Ecological Reserve is to provide habitat for wildlife and a setting for educational and research activities. Public utility and transportation corridors traverse the wetlands, and airport runways, a sanitary treatment plant, a power generation station, and light industrial facilities are constructed on filled portions of the marsh.		5, 8
Historic Use	It is estimated that Native American peoples began inhabitating the area some 9,000 years ago. Early European explorers used the embayment as an anchorage for large ships until the 1860's. The severe winter storms of 1861/62 filled the embayment with sediment. Agricultural development in the slough began in the 1870's and the following decades saw the construction of berms, dikes and roads to further facilitate agricultural development. In 1928 a landing strip was established in the northeastern portion of the slough, which was expanded in 1942-43 for construction of the Marine Corps Air Station, now the Municipal Airport.		3, 4
Adjacent Use	Goleta Slough is almost entirely surrounded by urban development some of which extends into the wetlands. This includes the municipal airport to the north, public utilities and light industrial to the east, a public beach between the ocean and the slough, the campus of UC Santa Barbara to the south and west, and residential and light industrial operations to the north and west.		3, 4
Adjacent Historic Use	Cattle ranching began in 1846 followed by agricultural development on the uplands around the slough. A whaling camp was established in about 1870, asphaltum mining commenced in the1890's, development of small farms expanded to cover the entire mesa in the 1920's, and rapid urbanization began in the 1940's.		3, 4, 5
HYDROLOGY			Source
Tidal Influence	Extensive areas of the historic marsh below the high tide line are isolated from tidal influence by berms and dikes. Tidal flooding is limited to the south-central portion of the slough, extending into several of the major tributaries. Tidal amplitude in the upper reaches of the slough is diminished. During the summer months the tidal amplitude may become attenuated and eventually eliminated by progressive berming of the mouth. The beach berm is mechanically breached to maintain water quality in the slough.		6
Watershed Area	45 square miles		6
Tributaries and Flow	Tributary	Flow	Source
	Tecolotito Creek	Highest flows are during winter storms; during the summer flows are intermittent. A sediment basin is maintained at the slough boundary.	6
	Carneros Creek	Major flows are of the flash flood type, with intermittent flows in the summer months. A sediment basin is maintained at the slough boundary.	6
	Atascadero Creek	This stream generally has perennial freshwater flow that is augmented by seepage and landscape watering. Highest flows are during winter storms. A sediment basin is maintained at the slough boundary.	6
Dams	None
Other Sources	Runoff from the north-facing bluffs of UC Santa Barbara campus and More Mesa.		6
WATER QUALITY			Source
General	Beneficial uses are identified by the RWQCB as rec1, rec2, wild, warm, migr, spwn, biol, rare, est, comm, and shell. The 303(d) List identifies the water as impaired, citing contamination of priority organisms, metal concentrations, siltation and pathogens.		11
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)	No information located.
Water Salinity	Surveys in April and July 1992 - salinity ranged from less than 1 ppt in Tecolotito Creek near Hollister Avenue to approximately 33 ppt at the mouth of the slough.		14
Sedimentation	Sedimentation has been reduced in recent years (1980/90's) through the construction of sedimentation basins upstream of the estuary.		6
SOIL			Source
Soil	Three principal soil associations are located in the Goleta Valley: 1) Goleta-Elder-Agueda; well drained sandy loams, loams, and silty clay loams, 2) Camarillo-Aquepts; poorly drained and very poorly drained fine sandy loams, and 3) Milpitas-Positas-Conception; moderately well drained fine sandy loams on terraces.		5
Habitat	Acres (data are for City of Santa Barbara property)	Vegetation
Emergent wetland (saltmarsh)	101+	1996 - dominated by pickleweed; alkali-heath, salt grass, jaumea and salt bush present.	6
Mudflats	15+	1996 - non-vegetated	6
Saltflats	4+	1996 - non-vegetated	6
Creek and channels	28+	1996 - dominated by ditch-grass and pondweed	6
Riverine (riparian)	8+	1996 - dominated by tules and cattails	6
Palustrine (vernal wetlands)	198+	1996 - dominated by herbaceous vegetation, including bulrushes, cattalis and pickleweed	6
Scrub/shrub & forested wetlands	4.5+	1996 - shrubs include willows and coyote brush, and trees are primarily southern coastal oak	6
ANIMAL USE			Source
Birds	1996 report - from a variety of surveys (dates not specified), 279 species have been observed at Goleta Slough; of these 121 were water associated, including 20 species of special status. In 1994 - 117 pairs of Belding's Savannah sparrows were observed nesting in the slough. 1995 - California horned lark.		6, 15
Fish	Surveys in spring and fall 1993 at three sections in the slough; sampling methods consisted of trapping and seining. 10 species were identified, dominated by killifish, topsmelt, arrow goby, and mosquitofish*. A gravid steelhead trout was collected in Tecolotito creek in 1995		9, 16
Benthic Invertebrates	Surveys were conducted on June 23 & 24, 1987; benthic infauna were collected using a cylindrical 'clam gun', and survey methods for the epifauna were not specified. Species composition was characterized by low diversity and densities. Three species of polychaetes and bivalves were identified. The epifaunal invertebrates that were identified as being abundant included the lined shore crab, yellow shore crab, and California horn snail		5
Insect	November 1993 - surveys conducted with a fine mesh seine or aquarium dip nets at the mouth and the back portion of the slough yielded 11 species; major taxonomic groups were bugs, damselflies, mayflies, beetles, caddisflies, butterflies and flies.		9
Other Wildlife	1986/87 trapping and visual surveys at the Storke Campus Wetlands identified two species of mice, one vole, one amphibian, and two species of reptiles. 1996 report identified the southwestern pond turtle in Atascadero Creek from surveys in 1982 and 1994. The 1996 report also identified three special status species from a 1983 survey of the Ecological Reserve: pallid bat, American badger, and San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit. Ten species of mammals were identifed in1970 survey of the main portion of the slough.		4, 6, 1
Special Status Species	1996 report identified 20 special status species from various surveys (dates not specified): California brown pelican, southern bald eagle, peregrine falcon, snowy plover, sandhill crane, common loon, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, white-faced ibis, fulvous duck, harlequin duck, northern harrier, golden eagle, osprey, long-billed curlew, California gull, elegant tern, and black skimmer. 1994 - Belding's Savannah sparrow#, 1995 - California horned lark#. 1996 report identified the following mammals from a 1983 survey; pallid bat, American badger, and the San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit.		6, 15
OUTLOOK			Source
Enhancement Status	Several enhancement and maintenance plans have been put forth for the slough since the late 1980's, although none have been fully implemented. Many of the enhancement plans were driven by the proposed expansion of the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and by flood control activities. The mitigation plan (1996) for the 'safety area grading project' at the airport proposes to: create transitional middle and high marsh habitats along the northern margin of the slough, remove selected berms, and establishment of native plants in the project area. In March 1996 a draft plan for management of the Goleta Slough Ecosystem was completed. The management plan encompasses lands from the Storke Campus to More Mesa and establishes overall priorities for the various enhancement proposals.		2, 5, 6, 7
Watershed Management	The Santa Barbara County Flood Control District has established a 'Best Practices' management plan for the watershed and maintains the sediment basins on the major tributaries of the marsh.		6, 3
Pressure	The airport runways are bounded by the slough and any increased development may intrude into the marsh. Continued sediment deposition is reducing the tidal prism. Due to limited buffer areas along the perimeter of the wetlands, wildlife are disturbed by highway traffic and activities in the developed areas.		6
Comments	The EIR/EIS for the proposed Airport expansion (Aviation Facilities Proposal) is due to be completed in May 1997. This document and the appendices will cover in depth both the physical and biotic resources of Goleta Slough. The Goleta Slough Management Committee composed of agency representatives, property owners and public interest groups has been established to make recommendations and review the Goleta Slough Ecosystem Management Plan and its on going implementation.		17
SOURCES
1	California Department of Fish and Game. 1970. The natural resources of Goleta Slough and recommendations for use and development. 42 pp., plus attached maps. Using field investigations and previously published literature, this report describes the existing (1969) physical conditions and resource values of the marsh. The report covers historic and current uses of the slough, natural resources, habitat areas, wildlife, fisheries and ecology, and makes recommendations for their maintenance and enhancement. The appendix contains a bird survey conducted by UCSB in 1966/67.
2	Ferren Jr. W. R., D.G. Capralis & D. Hickson. 1987. University of California Santa Barbara campus wetlands managment plan: Part 1 - technical report on the botanical resources of West and Storke Campus. The Herbarium, Environmental Report No. 12. 196 pp., including appendices. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and extent of the historical wetlands at the West and Storke Campuses, evaluate the botanical resources, and suggest management opportunities for the wetlands. The study contains a review of the physical environment and a history of the wetlands. The botanical survey includes vegetation classification and mapping, percent cover, quantitative analysis of the vegetation and a detailed description of the flora. The appendices include classification of vegetated wetlands and an annotated and illustrated catalogue of the vascular plants.
3	Davis, F. W., D. Theobald, R. Harrington & A. Parikh. 1990. University of California Santa Barbara Campus Wetlands Management Plan; Part 2 - technical report on hydrology, water quality and sedimentation of West and Storke Campus Wetlands. Department of Geology UCSB. 105 pp. This document summarizes studies of hydrology, water quality and sedimentation in the Devereux Slough and Storke Campus wetlands. The information was developed for evaluating the feasibility and desirability of restoration and enhancement goals proposed in 1986. Additionally, the study was designed to provide baseline data to evaluate the success of future restoration and enhancement activities. The report contains original monitoring data on surface and groundwater quality, bathymetry, sedimentation and the effects of the lack of tidal inflow from Goleta Slough.
4	Holmgren, M., L. Hunt, & E. Schultz. 1987. University of California, Santa Barbara campus wetlands managment plan; Part 3 - draft report of the vertebrate resources of West and Storke Campus. Dept. of Biological Sciences UCSB, Environmental Report No. 1. ~57 pp. plus appendicies. The report contains the results of a one-year inventory of mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles and an assessment of their relationship to the wetlands and adjacent habitats. The report compiled species inventories and historical information as a basis for determining enhancement requirements for the wetlands. Included in the report is a detailed description of sampling methods and original survey data for mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and fish.
5	Fong, P., C.S. Nordby, J.D. Covin, J. Tiszler, & J.B. Zedler for California Department of Fish and Game. 1988. Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve; operation and maintenance schedule (first draft). 89 pp. This inventory includes: 1) maps of Goleta Slough geological and soil features, and habitats of featured plant and animal communities, 2) discussions of existing plant and animal communities, land use, and physical and cultural features, and 3) a discussion of light-footed clapper rail habitat characteristics. The report contains both original survey data and data from existing literature.
6	Science Applications International Corp. 1996. Goleta Slough ecosystem management plan (working draft): Appendix L to the Santa Barbara Airport facilities plan, EIR/EIS. ~77 pp., plus appendices. This proposed management plan covers all areas currently or historically within the tidally influenced basin of Goleta Slough. The management plan is a compilation and update of all relevant policies and actions taken by agencies with jurdisdiction in the ecosystem. The plan contains sections on the physical setting of the slough, the planning history of the area, historic and present ecological conditions, and proposed implementation actions to achieve the goals of the management plan. Included in the physical setting description is detailed physical and biological information on the sub-areas of the slough and historically connected wetlands and creeks. Biological data, with the exception of some bird observations, is from existing literature. The appendices include a listing of ownership of all parcels within the management area.
7	Woodward-Clyde Consultants for the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. 1996. Inventory of wetlands and other native habitats: Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. ~50 pp., plus appendices. This inventory contains a delineation of wetlands in areas adjacent to the runways of the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and a delineation of associated vegetation types, including classifications and mapping. Both existing literature and original field studies are used to determine areas delineated as wetlands.
8	Woodward-Clyde Consultants, and Jones & Stokes Associates, Inc. for the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. 1996. Wetland mitigation plan for the safety area grading project: Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. ~68 pp., plus appendices. This document is a description of the wetland mitigation plan for grading of the safety areas adjacent to the runways at the Santa Barbara Airport. The wetland area affected was determined to be approximately 23 acres. Proposed mitigation areas are south and east of the runways and within the tidally influenced portion of the slough. The mitigation plan calls for creation of transitional zones, removal of old berms and roads, removal of non-native plants and revegetation, widening of channels and decreasing the slope of channel banks.
9	Ambrose, R .F. (ed), J. A. Altsatt, K. D. Lafferty, & C. P. Sandoval. 1995. Coastal wetland resources of the Santa Barbara County mainland. Environmental Science and Engineering Program, UCLA. 89 pp. This report briefly describes the physical features and biological community at 10 wetland sites (Santa Maria River, San Antonio Creek, Santa Ynez River, Canada Honda Creek, Canada de Santa Anita, Canada de Alegria, Gaviota Creek, Devereux Slough, Goleta Slough, and Arroyo Burro) in Santa Barbara County to provide baseline information on these resources. Plants, invertebrates, fishes and birds were surveyed at the 10 sites, and the original survey data are contained within the report. An additional 12 sites were surveyed for the presence of tidewater gobies.
10	Ferren Jr., W. R. & K. A. Thomas. 1995. University of California, Santa Barbara natural areas plan: classification, inventory, and management guidelines. UCSB Museum of Systematics and Ecology, Environmental Report No 2. 438 pp. This plan assesses the physical, biological and cultural resources of the natural areas in 3 of the 4 campuses at U. C. Santa Barbara and identifies management opportunities and provides implementation guidelines. The current and historic environmental setting are described along with a history of land use and habitat types, which includes aerial photographs and maps. The description of existing conditions uses a detailed classification of vegetative associations based on 1:200 aerial photos and ground-truthing. It also incorporates data from previous studies to describe the terrain, soils, hydrology, historic alterations to the landscape, botanical and zoological attributes of 16 sites. Functional values and impacts of past and ongoing uses are evaluated and specific management and enhancement actions are recommended for each of these areas. Appendices include a bibliography of documents relating to the landscape of UCSB, and a catalogue of area plants. (Not cited in this profile.)
11	Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. 1996. 303(d) list of impaired water bodies. 6 pp. A list of waterbodies in the Central Coast Region that do not or are not expected to attain water quality standards after application of required technology-based controls. The list includes the size of the water body, the sampled pollutants affecting designated beneficial uses, the source of the pollutant, and the water body's priority status with regard to developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant that can be discharged into a water body without compromising water quality standards. 303(d) lists are prepared as part of the Water Quality Assessment of the State's major waterbodies, and meet a requirement of section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act.
12	The Planning Center for the City of Santa Barbara. 1984. Final environmental impact report / environmental assessment for the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport master plan - 1990. 248 pp. (Appendices are contained in a separately bound vol.) This document assesses the environmental impacts resulting from the implementation of the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport Master Plan expansion as proposed through the year 2000. An extensive description of projects is provided. Impact assessment and mitigation measures are provided for flood control, biological resources, archaeological resources, traffic and circulation, land use, noise and air quality. Appended to this volume (not seen) is the initial study which contained detailed information on biology, archaeology, traffic and geology. (Not cited in this profile.)
13	Ferren, Jr., W. R. (ed). 1982. A biological evaluation of the More Mesa, Santa Barbara County, California. The Herbarium, Department of Biological Sciences, UC Santa Barbara. 246 pp. plus appendices. The report provides an evaluation of biologically sensitive areas of More Mesa and of the impacts of residential development on sensitive habitats, and recommends mitigation measures to protect the remaining native habitats. Inventories of vegetation and animal communities, habitat delineations, and a discussion of the importance of the More Mesa habitats to the overall Goleta Slough ecosystem are used as the basis for these evaluations. The report contains data from original data from surveys of birds, mammals, herpetological fauna, and vascular plants. The appendix includes a catalogue of the flora of More Mesa and survey field notes. (Report not cited in this profile.)
14	Lafferty, K. D. & C. P. Sandoval; UCSB Marine Science Institute. 1992. Unpublished survey data of the fishes of Goleta Slough. 13 pp.
15	Storrer Environmental Services. 1995. Results of Avian Survey - Santa Barbara Municipal Airport; prepared for Woodward-Clyde Consultants. 7 pp. plus appendices. The objective of this survey was to assess the nature and extent of avian use of areas within and peripheral to the airfield. A particular focus of the survey was to determine the presence or absence of the Belding's Savannah sparrow and the California horned lark. The appendix contains a list of the birds observed.
16	Pritchett, D. A.; US Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Office. March 1997. Personal Communication.
17	Saley, P.; Pat Saley & Associates - Land Use Planners: consultant to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. March 1997. Personal communication.