Flynn Urges Study of 2 Polluted Beaches

Ventura County Supervisor John K. Flynn is calling for a study to resolve contamination problems at “Kiddie Beach” and Hobie Beach, off Channel Islands Harbor.

The supervisor, whose district includes the two Oxnard beaches, wants to hire a consultant to prepare a report on potential solutions and costs.

If other supervisors concur, several county agencies will put together a plan and select a consultant.

Since September, water at the two beaches has had bacteria levels that exceed state safety standards.

“We’ve permanently had signs up warning the public to avoid contact with the water,” said Robert Gallagher of the county’s environmental health division. “We need help.”

“We’ve had a problem there for a long time and we don’t seem to be getting hold of the issue,” Flynn said Friday. “We’ve checked the sewer line down there to see if there’s leaking coming out of that and, according to the reports I’ve received, there’s no leakage.

“But there’s fecal matter down there, there are a lot of wild cats there and some rats. It’s a health issue. We’ve got to address it somehow.”