Adverse Reactions to Ring Nets
Ring Nets in Montecito Require an In-Depth Discussion
My introduction to the ring net controversy began when I attended the August 18 ring-net tutorial, called “Montecito Debris Flow Mitigation,” hosted by The Partnership for Resilient Communities, at the Montecito fire district headquarters. The proposal was incredibly focused on the need to act quickly before the upcoming rainy season, as explained by both the organizer of the event, Suzanne Elledge, a local planning and permitting consultant, and by Bill Kane, head of the engineering firm, Kane Geotech, that would install “emergency” ring nets on several Montecito creeks.
They said that due to time constraints, they were forced to bypass working with all of the usually involved regulatory agencies, and, instead, appeal directly to the Army Corps of Engineers for an emergency permit to install a series of ring nets across the five (now four) Montecito creeks.
This approach alarmed me. It was more of a well-orchestrated campaign aimed at swaying public opinion than it was an in-depth discussion with the relevant public agencies that need to be involved in projects of this magnitude.
