Progress on the Ring Nets

Last week the construction on the first of six steel ring nets began in Montecito, with a helicopter delivering the components to San Ysidro canyon last Wednesday. Drilling work began on the anchors on Monday, according to Partnership for Resilient Communities Executive Director Pat McElroy. 

The project, which includes the installation of six Swiss-made steel ring nets in three canyons above Montecito, is being overseen by a biologist, geologist, and an engineer. It’s expected that the anchor installation will take about 7-8 days, followed by the assembly and attachment of the ring net. While one crew finishes the San Ysidro Canyon net, crews will begin staging the next site at Cold Spring Canyon. The project is required to be finished by early June; McElroy said he believes it will be finished in May. 

The net project is expected to cost over $5M, and was permitted in December via emergency permits from the County of Santa Barbara, the Army Corps of Engineers, the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, the California Water Quality Control Board, and authorization from private landowners. 

The Partnership is still seeking funding; visit www.partnershipsb.org for more information.