water for sorghum field 7.7 million gallons in 2 months

Public Comment – Factual Record of Undisclosed Sorghum Crop, Water Use, and Fire Hazard

Ventura County Planning Commission – January 24, 2026

My name is Steve, and I am an immediate abutting resident to the property at 4884 N. Ventura Avenue. I am submitting this comment to provide a factual record of site conditions and activities that have not been disclosed in the project materials but are directly relevant to environmental review, fire‑life‑safety, and land‑use suitability.

1. Undisclosed Sorghum Crop and Water Use

From September 21 through November 21, 2023, my neighbor and I conducted frequent interval monitoring of the water meter serving the site. These observations were recorded systematically and cross‑checked between observers.

During this period, the property consumed over 7.7 million gallons of water. This water was applied to a sorghum grass crop that:

– Was never harvested

– Had no disclosed agricultural purpose

– Was irrigated at volumes far exceeding normal sorghum requirements

– Was not disclosed in any project materials or environmental documentation

We photographed the water meter repeatedly during this period. The images show:

– Flow rates exceeding 600 gallons per minute during irrigation

– Total volume readings consistent with multi‑million‑gallon usage

– Zero‑flow readings during inactive periods, confirming meter accuracy

At this time, the date of soil sampling is unknown to us, and the applicant has not provided it. Because the sorghum crop and the 7.7 million gallons of water were not disclosed, it is impossible to determine whether this activity occurred before, during, or after soil sampling.

This omission prevents the public and the Commission from understanding the true condition of the soil at the time it was tested.

2. Abandonment of the Field and Creation of a Fire Hazard

By June 2024, the sorghum crop was abandoned and became:

– Five‑foot‑tall dying vegetation

– A continuous, unmanaged fuel bed

– Located directly behind our home

In 2025, the sorghum regrew across the field and was again left unmanaged.

As of January 24, 2026, this hazardous condition has been recreated repeatedly and remains an active, unmanaged fire hazard.

This is occurring in a 100% Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), where County ordinances prohibit farmworker housing due to fire‑life‑safety risk.

3. Relevance to the Planning Commission

These documented facts raise several issues that must be addressed before any land‑use decisions are made:

– The sorghum crop and the 7.7 million gallons of water were not disclosed in the project record.

– The timing of soil sampling is unknown, making it impossible to evaluate whether soil conditions were altered.

– The repeated creation of a fuel bed demonstrates an ongoing fire‑life‑safety risk.

– These activities occurred on a site already designated as too hazardous for farmworker housing.

4. Requested Commission Actions

We respectfully request that the Commission:

– Require disclosure of the soil sampling dates

– Require new soil testing conducted under normal, unaltered site conditions

– Investigate the purpose and legality of the 7.7 million gallons used on the undisclosed sorghum crop

– Require immediate fuel‑load abatement

– Require a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

These are not assumptions or interpretations. They are documented facts observed directly by immediate abutting residents.

Thank you for your attention.

Steve and Beth

Immediate Abutting Residents