Supporters of the Santa Maria River Levee Trail’s extension west to Guadalupe say an environmental report needs to better spell out details on the project’s health benefits, while opponents point out that the document lacks suitable steps to protect nearby agricultural fields. 

The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department hosted a meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Betteravia Government Center, attracting about 35 people to speak on the draft environmental impact report, with most in favor of it.

The proposed project would create a 6.7-mile trail along the Santa Maria River Levee, connecting Santa Maria and Guadalupe with a safer place for walking, running, bicycling and more.

Along with extending the existing trail, improvements could include fencing, signage, restrooms, lighting and parking at the trailheads — depending on funding availability.

The Santa Maria area “desperately needs this,” one woman said. A speaker suggested paving part of the path for cyclists, strollers and wheelchairs.

Many Santa Maria neighborhoods lack safe and convenient access to outdoor recreation and active transportation routes, according to Sarah Iannarone, executive director of Move Santa Barbara County.

The final EIR needs to “more fully reflect the project’s public health recreation equity benefits, not just the harms,” she said. “This is an investment in freedom of movement for everyone in the Santa Maria Valley and beyond, and we urge the county to move forward by whatever means possible.”

However, those connected to the agricultural land adjacent to the levee expressed several concerns about disruptions to the farming operations.

Claire Wineman, from the Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, renewed strenuous objections and called the draft document in need of modifications. 

“First, the project description is inconsistent. The draft EIR is generally unclear as to the extent of the fencing along the path of the trail,” she said, calling for an enforceable and detailed coordination plan to protect ag operations near the levee trail.

The proposal also states that restrooms “may be” included, but Wineman said they must be included amid food safety concerns.

“As discussed, the mitigation measures are not sufficient, and it doesn’t consider the impacts to operational restrictions and food safety compliance,” Wineman said.

The Tom Urbanske Multi-Purpose Trail already exists as 3.2 miles along the levee at the northern edge of Santa Maria. It’s named for the former county supervisor and councilman who began pushing for the trail in the early 1990s but had to wait until 2000 to see it open.

The extension’s trailheads would be at Blosser Road at the western edge of Santa Maria and Peralta Street in Guadalupe.

A future project calls for extending the levee the remaining 6 miles to the beach.

The draft EIR identifies potential impacts and mitigation measures related to agricultural resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, noise, water quality and visual aesthetics.

For instance, one measure calls for the installation of a chain-link fence with vinyl panels along the corridor. Another would see the installation of signage detailing nearby ag uses, scheduled levee maintenance or agricultural activities, the requirement for leashed dogs and other pets, and a trespassing warning about veering off the trail.

The draft EIR and project materials are available for public review through Santa Barbara County Public Works as well as at the Santa Maria and Guadalupe libraries.

Public comments on the draft EIR will be accepted through 5 p.m. July 14.

Comments may be submitted by email to SMRLT@countyofsb.org or via regular mail to Kalani Durham, Environmental Planner/Coordinator, Santa Barbara County Public Works Department, 123 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.