After years of occasional  “rotten egg’ odors, the Andree Clark Bird refuge water circulation project  is underway

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -  One of the prettiest water spots in Santa Barbara, the Andree Clark Bird refuge, has also become one of the smelliest at times and that issue has caused years of frustrations for residents, the Parks and Recreation Department, the entire City Council and nearby Montecito.

Now, a plan to improve circulation is underway.

It began last week with fencing on both sides of Cabrillo Boulevard, along with equipment set ups.

Elements of the project include replacing the weir gate between the bird refuge and the access point to and from the ocean at East Beach.

Lynn Scarlett a long time bird photographer learned about the project Wednesday and said, the odor has been a turn off.   "I came down here a week ago and Holy Toledo! it really smelled.  I had to leave in five minutes, it really smelled."

She says the work underway will make a big difference.
"It actually should be improved," she said.  "We should see more diversity of the plant and wildlife species there may be some change, some things people are used to seeing  when it was a total fresh water system may shift a bit and be a healthier ecosystem."

Carlos Valenzuela walks the area at least three times a week. His wife is also familiar with the water source and its issues.   "Oh my wife she works in those houses up here  and she had a a hard time.   It really gets bad. Very smelly.  This is going to be a good project," he said.

After years of ideas and studies, a project underway now could clean the water and clear the air.

Santa Barbara City Creeks Supervisor George Johnson said,  "we can improve the flow between the bird refuge and the ocean.  We can get rid of the nutrients that are in there and  improve the oxygen level,  reduce the odor events and make it better for wildlife and everybody."

Johnson said the project had to clear many review panels including the California Coastal Commission.  "We wanted to do it as natural as possible, as least mechanical and as permitable," he said.      "What we do have permits for  is to lower that (East Beach)  berm prior to rain events in the winter and then it can spill over in smaller rain events and drain."

The site is very special to the city and dates back at least 100 years, but prior to that had other uses.  "It is a landmark. It is important in terms of wildlife  habitat.   There's not many coastal lagoons left , about 90 percent have been filled in California over time for development and this is one  worth preserving and the public likes it."

There will also be upstream treatment by the Municipal Tennis Courts on Old Coast Highway, restoration of habitat around the lake with the installation of native plants and trees, and restoration of the dune and salt marsh habitats at the mouth of the Bird Refuge.

The project should be done in December.

For more information go to:  SantaBarbaraCa.gov/BirdRefuge