Truck loads of sediment moving out from debris basins after last storm

Over 100 truckloads of dirt and rocks have been on the move to kick off a multi-week effort to reduce the amount of debris in Montecito and Carpinteria basins.

Recent storms sent tons of debris and other material down from the area of the 2017 Thomas fire.

The trucks are hauling to three sites, one in Buellton, one off Foothill Road and at the end of Ash Avenue in Carpinteria.

At the waterfront, heavy equipment is there to push the dirt to the water line.

One resident Andy Lisiecki said he realizes it is a managed solution to all the piled up sediment.

“Better that we deal with the problem before it becomes a real major issue,” said Lisiecki.

Many local residents say the size of the beach is increasing.

George Gudino, a local student who was fishing for perch said, “before the tide would come way over here (points to sand berm) and start breaking all this down there’s more space which is good.”

Lisiecki said the coast, “changes all the time. The beach does it is very interesting to watch”

The difference between the soil coming down to the beach this year, compared to last year where there were broken structures and downed burnt trees, the consistency is much finer and has smaller cobblestones.

Large boulders are going to a different location than the beach.

An environmental specialist is on hand to test the soil.