Santa Paula, California – Limoneira Company and the Keep Sespe Wild Committee (KSW) have settled concerns over potential Santa Paula Creek flood impacts by ensuring that the issue will be further reviewed as the East Area 1 project moves through the City of Santa Paula for additional approvals.

Limoneira has agreed to pay all costs associated with the City's preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), that supplements a 2008 EIR for the East Area 1 Project. The SEIR will be prepared in conjunction with the City's processing of Limoneira's tentative map application for the East Area 1 project. The City has also confirmed that an SEIR will be prepared.

The East Area 1 Project ("Project" or "EA1 Project") is an approximately 500 acre project—including homes, retail, and open space—located in Ventura County, immediately east of the City of Santa Paula and Santa Paula Creek. The SEIR will evaluate potential Santa Paula Creek flood impacts, including the latest information about storm flow and sediment, and consider mitigation measures that may need to be implemented to reduce or avoid such impacts. It will also evaluate a project alternative or project revision that includes a greater setback along Santa Paula Creek, which could facilitate steelhead migration.

Alasdair Coyne, Director of the Keep Sespe Wild Committee stated, "This marks a positive step in addressing Keep Sespe Wild's concerns about development along Santa Paula Creek, including our efforts to ensure that steelhead migration is not impeded."

Mr. Harold Edwards, President of the Limoneira Company, commented:

"The Limoneira Company is very pleased that it was able to work cooperatively with Keep Sespe Wild to formulate a win/win solution to concerns about potential Santa Paula Creek flood impacts. The City's current processing of a tract map for the East Area 1 Project, along with preparation of a Supplemental EIR, will create an opportunity for more productive dialogue about Keep Sespe Wild's concerns, without delaying LAFCO's recent approval of the East Area 1 annexation to the City."

"This is a great outcome for everyone, as it ensures full public disclosure, analysis, and informed decision making about the effects of flooding on people, development, and the environment," said Karen Kraus, staff attorney at the Environmental Defense Center, legal counsel for Keep Sespe Wild.

Richard Zeilenga, legal counsel for Limoneira Company, stated: "We are very pleased to have helped the Limoneira Company and KSW find common ground. Both can achieve very positive results for the City of Santa Paula by working together on a project that has overwhelming community support."

KSW had previously objected to LAFCO's approval of the East Area 1 annexation to the City, because KSW sought additional environmental review of potential Santa Paula Creek flood impacts, and the impact of any future flood control improvements on steelhead migration.

The settlement agreement between Keep Sespe Wild Committee and Limoneira is available upon request to EDC or Limoneira (see contacts above).

The Keep Sespe Wild Committee, is a wilderness and wild river conservation organization based in Ventura County.

Limoneira Company, a 117-year old international agribusiness headquartered in Santa Paula, California, has grown to become one of the premier integrated agribusinesses in the world. The Company is a leading producer of lemons, avocados, oranges, and other specialty crops that are enjoyed throughout the world. For more about Limoneira Company, visit www.limoneira.com.

The Environmental Defense Center, a non-profit law firm, protects and enhances the local environment through education, advocacy, and legal action and works primarily within Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Since 1977, EDC has empowered community based organizations to advance environmental protection. Program areas include protecting coast and ocean resources, open spaces and wildlife, and human and environmental health. Learn more about EDC at www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org

Stowell, Zeilenga, Ruth, Vaughn & Treiger LLP ("SZR") is a full service Ventura County based law firm, including lawyers specializing in land use and environmental compliance matters for landowners and residential and commercial developers. For more information about SZR, visit: www.szrlaw.com .