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AGENDA REPORT Date: July 23, 2001 ' To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: John B. Bahorski City Manager Subject: PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF COMMON GROUND FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA SUMMARY OF REOUEST: The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivets and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) has released a draft plan that will guide the RMC and serve as a framework for future planning efforts throughout the watersheds. This plan is legislatively mandated and requires that a majority of the cities that represent a majority of the population within its area, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the San Gabriel River Watemraster, and the Central Basin Water Association approve this plan. At this time, the City is not required to approve this plan; however the RMC is seeking comments on the plan by August 6, 2001. Representatives from the RMC will make a brief presentation to City Council on the plan and staff has prepared a draft comment letter for City Council consideration. In 1999, the California State Legislature created the RMC with the specified purpose: • Acquire and manage public lands within the Lower Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River Watersheds • Provide additional open space • Increase low impact recreational and educational uses • Promote water conservation • Improve the watershed • Protect and restore wildlife and habitat • Protect and improve the watershed within the territory Agenda Item U Under Public Resources Code 32604 (d) the RMC is required to prepare an open space plan. The draft report entitled Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea is intended to fulfill the requirement in the Public Resources Code. This plan does not target specific expenditures, lands or projects, rather, it is a long -range planning guide. A future approval of this plan will not require the City to amend its General Plan or surrender any local planning control. Specifically, the RMC does not have the power or right to supercede any ordinance or regulatory measure adopted by a city that pertains to land use, water rights or environmental quality. At this time the City of Seal Beach is obligated to provide comments on the open space plan by August 6, 2001. Following the comment period a revised report will be sent to the City requesting approval of the plan. As previously mentioned this plan includes establishing guiding principles for both the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers. Combined, these watersheds drain 1,460 square miles and contains over 7 million people. The plan's vision is simply `restore balance to the watersheds ". In order to implement this vision a variety of goals or guiding principles have been developed and incorporated into this planning document. There are three main goals or guiding principles; they are grow greener, enhance water and work together. Within each of these broad goals are a variety of elements that address the basic legislative mission of the RMC. Potentially the plan could provide a variety of benefits to Seal Beach residents through its emphasis on river parkways, open space, restoration of wetlands and improving water quality. Specifically, the draft plan acknowledges the importance of restoring wetlands and incorporating those wetlands as elements to treat urban run-off thereby improving water quality and providing wildlife habitat. The draft plan recognizes that improving storm water runoff will help improve supply and quality of ground water supplies. It is worth noting that nearly all- historic wetland areas have been lost due to urbanization within the Los Angeles watershed, and 98 % of all inland freshwater marsh and ponds have been drained or filled. The plan identifies the most substantial remaining wetlands in the San Gabriel watershed, they are the Hellman and Seal Beach Naval Weapons Wetlands. It is interesting that until 1930 the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and their tributaries were natural streams. Today over 75% of the streams are concrete lined channels. Overall, staff is supportive of the open space plan put forth by the RMC as it appears to have the broad goals necessary to achieve consensus from the necessary agencies. Staff does have some minor comments to enhance the plan and increase the awareness of issues specific to Seal Beach. Comment #1 There should be a general provision that when specific projects are brought forward that RMC should balance the Raiding between upstream and downstream projects. While it is important to preserve more pristine habitat, recreational users heavily utilize the downstream areas along the rivers. Generally speaking, the downstream areas along the river pay for the sins committed upstream especially in terms of water quality. Therefore, a balanced funding approach is needed. Comment #2 Trash, litter and debris are a major problem along the San Gabriel River within the Seal Beach City limits. It would be very beneficial if the guiding principals provided appropriate language that sought to improve the basic amenities along the urbanized portion of the river including trash receptacles. Currently, there are no trash receptacles along the San Gabriel River within Seal Beach and that contributes to a significant litter problem. It would also be beneficial if there were a specific goal to improve the maintenance of effort along the river trails. At this time very little effort is made to clear debris and trash along the trail. Comment #3 Within the goal to enhance water and waterways (page 44), there is no mention of the importance of wetlands as a tool to improve water quality and improve flood protection. Wetlands can be a valuable resource to improve water quality and provide an area to detain storm runoff without building larger single purpose detention basins. Comment #4 In the public outreach section of the plan (page 47), the use of volunteers to conduct riverbank clean up days should be recognized and encouraged. Seal Beach has been the leader in this area and these efforts should be expanded and encouraged by the RMC. Including this concept in the plan would help address the water quality problems along the rivers. Comment #5 One of the goals of the plan is to establish waterfronts as urban amenities (page 45). An additional element should be added to increase the landscaping along the urbanized portions of the rivers to improve the overall quality of the open space and promote additional recreational opportunities. Currently, the Seal Beach portion of the San Gabriel River is denuded of trees and ground cover. Areas exist where trees can be planted to soften the urbanized appearance of the river thereby making it more appealing to recreational users. Generally, both sides of the river within Seal Beach are not well maintained and it lacks the necessary trees to encourage additional recreational users. Comment #6 The plan addresses many positive aspects of open space preservation and enhancing the recreational opportunities within the watersheds. It would very helpful if the plan could include the concept of providing grants to the local agencies to encourage specific planning efforts in the watersheds. In the case of Seal Beach, a source of grant funding to help with the plans to restore the Hellman Wetlands would be beneficial. Staff would like the RMC to consider a program where planning grants would be available to those cities that incorporated the guiding principles into the City's General Plan. Staff has prepared a draft comment letter for City Council's review and consideration. Following the comment period the RMC will then begin the formal approval process required in the Public Resources Code. Once the plan is adopted the RMC will develop and propose projects tat are consistent with the goals of this plan. FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact at this time. RECOMMENDATION: Receive presentation and, if appropriate, authorize the City Manager to transmit the City's comment letter. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea B. Draft comment letter on the draft RMC Open Space Plan July 24, 2001 Ms. Mary Angle Executive Officer San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles River and Mountains Conservancy 900 South Fremont Avenue, 11'" Floor P.O. Box 1460 Alhambra, CA 91802 -1460 Dear Ms. Angle Thank you for providing the City of Seal Beach with a copy of Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea and the opportunity to comment on this plan. At the August 23, 2001, City Council meeting members of your staff presented an overview of the plan that was very informative. City Council has authorized the transmittal of this comment letter in the hope that the City's issues and concerns can be incorporated into the final plan. Overall, Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea accomplishes the mission of articulating a vision for the future of the watersheds and creating a framework for future watershed and open space planning. The document provides excellent background information that each agency can use for future grant submittals. It would be very helpful if the agencies could receive an electronic version of the maps and data for future use. In general, it would be useful to include a discussion of how ocean water quality is effected by conditions in the river and watershed. Integrating the impacts to the ocean water quality into the plan would make the plan more comprehensive and help open up more opportunities for potential project funding. Beaches and water quality near river outlets are often the most negatively impacted areas and the plan should address this issue. Greater attention to this issue would bring more agencies and non -profit groups into the discussion, perhaps open more potential funding sources. City Council has approved submitting the following comments regarding the draft plan July 24, 2001 Ms. Mary Anale Page 2 Comment #1 There should be a general provision that when specific projects we brought forward that RMC should balance the funding between upstream and downstream projects. While it is important to preserve more pristine habitat, recreational users heavily utilize the downstream areas along the rivers. Generally speaking, the downstream areas along the river pay for the sins committed upstream especially in terms of water quality. Therefore, a balanced funding approach is needed. Comment #2 Trash, litter and debris are a major problem along the San Gabriel River within the Seal Beach City limits. It would be very beneficial if the guiding principles provided appropriate language that sought to improve the basic amenities along the urbanized portion of the river including trash receptacles. Currently, there are no trash receptacles along the San Gabriel River within Seal Beach and that contributes to a significant litter problem. It would also be beneficial if there were a specific goal to improve the maintenance of effort along the river trails. At this time very little effort is made to clear debris and trash along the trail. Comment #3 Within the goal to enhance water and waterways (page 44), there is no mention of the importance of wetlands as a tool to improve water quality and improve flood protection. Wetlands can be a valuable resource to improve water quality and provide an area to detain storm runoff without building larger single purpose detention basins. Comment #4 In the public outreach section of the plan (page 47), the use of volunteers to conduct riverbank clean up days should be recognized and encouraged. Seal Beach has been the leader in this area and these efforts should be expanded and encouraged by the RMC. Including this concept in the plan would help address the water quality problems along the rivers. July 24, 2001 Ms. Mary Anele Page 3 Comment #5 One of the goals of the plan is to establish waterfronts as urban amenities (page 45). An additional element should be added to increase the landscaping along the urbanized portions of the rivers to improve the overall quality of the open space and promote additional recreational opportunities. Currently, the Seal Beach portion of the San Gabriel River is denuded of trees and ground cover. Areas exist where trees can be planted to soften the urbanized appearance of the river thereby making it more appealing to recreational users. Generally, both sides of the river within Seal Beach are not well maintained and it lacks the necessary trees to encourage additional recreational users. Comment #6 The plan addresses many positive aspects of open space preservation and enhancing the recreational opportunities within the watersheds. It would very helpfid if the plan could include the concept of providing grants to the local agencies to encourage specific planning efforts in the watersheds. In the case of Seal Beach, a source of grant funding to help with the plans to restore the Hellman Wetlands would be beneficial. Staff would like the RMC to consider a program where planning grants would be available to those cities that incorporated the guiding principles into the City's General Plan. These comments are intended to enhance an already excellent document and to bring greater focus to issues and concerns impacting the City of Seal Beach. I wish to commend your efforts in developing a planning document that addresses numerous issues within a very large planning area. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at (562) 431- 2527. Sincerely, John B. Bahorski City Manager C: City Council Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea PRELIMINARY REVIEW DRAFT JULY 2001 Note: This preliminary review draft is being circulated for review and comment until August 6`h, 2001. Therefore, this document is a work in progress and is subject to change, based on comments from document reviewers and incorporation of additional information. Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea PREFACE This document is a PRELIMINARY DRAFT Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan for the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Watersheds, developed jointly by the Lower Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC). The purpose of this plan is twofold: 1) articulate a vision for the future of the dual watersheds; and 2) provide a framework for future watershed and open space planning and actions. The vision for the future can be summarized simply: restore balance to the watersheds. L� To achieve that vision, the central element of this plan is a set of guiding principles, which provide over- arching goals that can be used to guide open space planning. The principles were developed through a consensus - building process involving state and county agencies, cities, O environmental groups, local councils of governments, and individuals. The principles are intended as guides, not directives. Cities, agencies and private groups can use some or all of the guiding principles, to the extent deemed appropriate, to develop plans and projects. This plan is intended to support and inform local planning efforts in the double watershed. This RJUI includes ongoing (or pending) subwatershed plans, the San Gabriel River Master Plan, and o future plans for parks, open space, and bike trails in individual cities. The State Conservancies encourage cities and local agencies to begin incorporation of the concepts embodied in the FLFLJI guiding principles, to advance the goal of restoring balance to the watersheds. This plan discusses, but does not propose, specific projects. The RMC and SMMC will use the concepts described in this plan consider, evaluate and fund future projects, the majority of which �y will be submitted by cities and local agencies. Because the SMMC has been engaged in I� planning and conservation activities for 20 years, this plan will be used as a supplemental tool to Q evaluate projects for inclusion in SMMC's work program. Because the RMC is relatively new, subsequent plans will be required, developed in partnership with local cities and agencies, to identify projects that will implement some of the concepts described in this plan, such as river parkways. Those plans and the potential partners that may be involved in those efforts are o described in Section 3.F (Next Steps). This plan aims to extend the discussion of restoration of balance from beyond the rivers to the =0 entire double watershed. Every community, including those without direct connections to the rivers or tributaries, has a role to play in the creation of new open space, trails and bike paths, the enhancement of water resources, preservation of wildlife habitat and maintenance of flood protection. This plan is intended as a tool to build consensus and reach common ground. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page ii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 1. BACKGROUND 5 A. Introduction - 5 B. Historical Context 6 C. Planning Context 7 2. CURRENT CONDITION OF THE DOUBLE WATERSHED 11 3. A VISION FOR THE FUTURE 43 A. Vision 43 B. Guiding Principles 43 C. Strategies 46 1. Education 46 2. Partnerships 48 3. Funding 50 4. Multiple Objective Planning 51 5. Improvement of Existing Facilities 52 6. Land Protection and Acquisition 53 7. Management of Public Lands 54 6. Monitoring and Assessment 54 D. Plans and Opportunities 54 1. Connectivity 55 a. River Parkways 55 It. Tributaries 57 C. Trails and Bike Paths 59 2. Open Space 60 a. Mountains, Foothills and Hills 60 It. Individual Parcels 61 C. Community Gardens 63 d. Private Land 64 3. Wildlife 65 a. Habitat/Corridors 65 C. Wetlands 66 4. Water 68 a. Flood Protection 68 b. Surface Water 69 C. Groundwater 69 Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency C� MME '••- Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea E. Next Steps APPENDICES A. List of Acronyms B. Glossary 70 C. .References D. RMC and SMMC Boundaries E. RMC Plan Approvals F. Project Evaluation Criteria G. Threatened and Endangered Species H. GIS Database Data List I. Making More Open Space — Making Space More Open in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River Watershed, US Group and Leo J. Shapiro & Associates Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency iftim- common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea List of Figures Figure 2 -1 San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers Watersheds 11 Figure 2 -2 Seasonal and Long -Term Variation in Rainfall Amounts 13 Figure 2 -3 Spatial Variation of Average Precipitation in the Double Watershed 14 Figure 2-4 Major Sub - watersheds of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers 15 Figure 2 -5 Current Distribution of Wetlands 16 Figure 2-6 Arroyo Sew 17 Figure 2 -7 The Ratio of Annual Run -off in the Los Angeles River Measured 18 at Firestone Blvd. to the Annual Precipitation at the Los Angeles Civic Center from 1928 -1998 Figure 2-8 Significant Ecological Areas and Critical Habitat Designations 22 Figure 2 -9 Sources of Water Supply 27 Figure 2 -10 Groundwater Basins Underlying the Double Watershed 28 Figure 2 -11 Cross section of the Los Angeles Coastal Plain Groundwater Basin 29 Figure 2 -12 Impaired Reaches of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers 33 Figure 2 -13 LACDA Flood Management Facilities 35 Figure 2 -14 Land Use Distribution within the Double Watershed 37 Figure 2 -15 Land Use in the Double Watershed 38 Figure 2 -16 Los Angeles County Population Growth by Decade, 1900 -2000 39 Figure 2 -17 Population Density (Persons per Square Mile) by Zip Code 40 Figure 2 -18 Median Household Income by Zip Code 41 Figure 2 -19 Cultural Resources in the Los Angeles Region 42 Figure 3-1 Proposed River Parkways 56 Figure 3-2 Proposed Network of Open Space along River Tributaries 58 Figure 3 -3 Preservation of Mountain Foothills, and Hills 62 Figure 3-4 Proposed Restoration of Wildlife Corridors 67 Figure 3-5 Open Space Planning Timeline 73 List of Tables Table 1. Open Space and Recreational Areas 23 Table 2. Special Designations within the Angeles National Forest 24 Table 3. Major Open Space and Recreational Facilities 24 Table 4. Capacity of Local Groundwater Basins 28 Table 5. Water Recharged During the 1998 -99 Water Year 29 Table 6. LACDA Flood Management Facilities 35 Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency M1 IN Q Q z _J � E a � Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This document is a Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan for the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Watersheds. A watershed is the area that is drained by a single river and its tributaries. This plan addresses the watersheds of both the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers, which together drain 1,460 square miles from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, an area in which more than 7 million people currently live. This plan refers to the two - watersheds as a double watershed. This document was prepared for the State of California Resources Agency to guide the plans and activities of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC). The purpose of this plan is twofold: 1) articulate a vision for the future of the dual watersheds; and 2) provide a framework for future watershed and open space planning. Today, the urbanized areas of the watersheds have limited open space, habitat is scarce, and there is no comprehensive system of trails and bike paths. The vision for the future can be summarized simply: restore balance to the watersheds. To achieve that vision, the central element of this plan is a set of guiding principles, which provide over - arching goals that can be used to guide open space planning in the dual watersheds. Cities, agencies and private groups can use some or all of the guiding principles, to the extent deemed appropriate, to develop plans and projects. This plan discusses, but does not propose, specific projects. Subsequent plans will be necessary to determine how and where the majority of specific projects will occur. These include subwatershed plans, the San Gabriel River Master Plan and open space, trail and bike path plans developed by individual cities. This plan is intended as a living document, that will evolve over time, as priorities evolve and needs dictate, based on periodic assessment of progress. As other open space plans are developed, they will serve as elements of a comprehensive plan framework for open space in the double watershed. Guiding Principles LAND: Grow Greener Encourage Improved Access to Open Space and Recreation for All Communities Encourage Connections of Open Space with a Network of Trails Encourage Expansion and Improvement of Public Open Space Throughout the Region Encourage Improved Habitat Quality, Quantity and Connectivity Encourage Sustainable Growth to Balance Environmental, Social and Economic Benefits WATER: Enhance Waters Maintain and Improve Flood Protection Encourage Improved Quality of Surface Water and Groundwater Encourage Riverfront Greenways to Cleanse Water, Hold Floodwaters and Extend Open Space Encourage Optimization of Water Resources to Reduce Dependence on Imported Water Encourage Improved Flood Safety Through Restoration of River and Creek Ecosystems Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q 111 Q CZ C J W Page 2 Executive from the Mountains to the Sea PLANNING: Work Together Coordinate Watershed Planning Across Jurisdictions and Boundaries Involve the Public Through Education and Outreach Programs Encourage Multiple- Objective Planning and Projects Use Science as a Basis for Planning Establish a Plan Implementation and Review Process Strategies To grow greener, enhance waters and work together, the RMC and SMMC will develop and implement strategies that translate the guiding principles into project- specific plans and work programs, from which individual projects can be identified, proposed and developed. These strategies include: Education: The State Conservancies will place the highest priority on public education and outreach. Restoration of the watersheds will require changes in behavior, shifts in resource priorities and decisions on how to balance environmental and economic needs. This requires local understanding of the key issues to allow the public to make informed choices. Partnerships: Restoration of balance to the dual watersheds will require that the State Conservancies work with agencies, cities, neighborhoods, interest groups and individuals who work together and forth partnerships to develop plans and implement projects. rt rJ n LI Funding: To restore the dual watersheds, additional financial resources will be needed. The �� u State Conservancies will encourage and support efforts to secure additional funding from traditional sources, such as Congress, the State legislature, government agencies, as well as private foundations and trusts. I u Q Multi- Objective Planning: The State Conservancies, with federal, state and local agencies, cities, private groups and individuals, will be encouraged to use the Guiding Principles in the o development of plans and projects. The Conservancies will ask the cities to consider C� incorporation of some or all of the guiding principles into the next update of their General Plan. G�- 0 Improvement of Existing Facilities: The State Conservancies will work with individual cities to identify opportunities for the enhancement of existing open spaces within their jurisdictions, and assist the cities in identifying funding sources. I u Land Protection and Acquisition: The State Conservancies will work to identify land acquisition opportunities, secure funding for acquisitions, encourage donations of land parcels, or secure conservation easements where acquisition or donation is not feasible. Management: Acquisition of open space should include a plan to identify responsibility for future management of open space and identify funds for management to assure that public lands are managed for the benefit of the people. Monitoring and Assessment: The State Conservancies will work to develop a joint assessment process for restoration of the dual watersheds, monitor progress towards meeting the goals described in this Plan, and periodically revise and update the plan as appropriate. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 3 Executive Summary Plans and Opportunities To achieve the vision of the future for the dual watersheds, encourage use of the guiding principles, and implement the strategies described above, the State Conservancies will work with appropriate agencies and cities to identify opportunities and develop plans that facilitate individual projects. Each project should reflect the goals listed below: CONNECTIVITY River Parkways: A continuous ribbon of trails, open space, active and passive recreation areas, and wildlife habitat along the Los Angeles, San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers. The specific treatment of each segment of the greenway should be determined by the existing conditions of the parcel, the needs and desires of the local community and the opportunities for connection and linkages presented at that location. Tributaries: Tributaries in urbanized areas provide open space that allow for pedestrian and bike paths, restoration of habitat, and provide opportunities for water quality improvement and (� Flood protection. Trails and Bike Paths: A comprehensive network of pedestrian, bike and equestrian trails that use existing corridors (such as rivers, tributaries and powerline rights-of-way) where available o and new connections where needed. OPEN SPACE O Mountains, Foothills and Hills: Acquisition of mountain and hillside open spaces that provide important wildlife habitat and open space values. The hillside open space network, in conjunction with the river network, should connect the San Gabriel Mountains with the Santa Ana Mountains, the Angeles National Forest with the Cleveland National Forest and the Santa Q Monica Mountains with the Santa Susanna Mountains. Individual Parcels; Acquisition of parcels in urbanized areas where appropriate to provide 0 open space, passive recreation, habitat, and flood mitigation uses. Balance acquisition costs, o including site clean -up if necessary, with the value of providing additional open space at that __J1 location. Rilil Community Gardens: A network of community gardens throughout the urbanized portions of F0_4 the dual watersheds, to provide gardening opportunities for residents that do not have access to private land. Private Lands: An informed public that understands how private lands, including backyards, provide open space in urban and suburban settings, and can provide passive recreation, create habitat for wildlife, filter stormwater runoff and enhance groundwater infiltration. Business, industries, school districts and institutions that value open space as amenities for employees, patients, students and visitors. WILDLIFE Habitat: Preserve and protect important terrestrial and aquatic habitats in the dual watersheds. Re- establish a wildlife corridor between the lands of the Angeles National Forest and the Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency Page 4 Executive Summary Cleveland Nation Forest, via the Puente/Whittier /Chino /San Jose Hills complex, and allow for continued wildlife movement along and within the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Susanna. Wetlands: Restore and expand wetlands wherever feasible in the dual watersheds, and incorporate those wetlands as elements of natural systems, to treat urban runoff, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat. WATER Flood Protection: Utilize a range of flood protection methods, both structural and non- structural, maintain and enhance flood protection, while utilizing open spaces and landscaped areas to filter, cleanse and retain stormwater and enhance groundwater infiltration. Surface Water. Improve stormwater runoff quality to assure protection of surface and ground water. Encourage infiltration or urban runoff into groundwater where feasible to extend the water supply, thereby reducing reliance on imported water. Groundwater: Expand and enhance groundwater infiltration and racharge wherever possible, and when consistent with water quality goals. Next Steps To restore balance to the double watershed, plans and projects for open space, habitat, and water resources need to incorporate the guiding principles articulated in this plan, to the extent relevant to those plans. This includes ongoing (or pending) subwatershed plans, the San Gabriel River Master Plan, and future plans for parks, open space, and bike trails in individual cities. The State Conservancies will encourage cities and local agencies to consider incorporation of the concepts embodied in the guiding principles into current and future plans to begin advancing the goal of restoring balance to the watersheds. The State Conservancies will encourage cities to consider incorporation of the Guiding Principles deemed relevant or appropriate into their next General Plan update, so that future projects within individual cities reflect the concepts embodied in the Guiding Principles. Following adoption of this plan, the RMC and SMMC will begin to develop and propose projects that are consistent with the goals of the plan, and fund projects submitted by cities, agencies and local groups. The SMMC will use the concepts included in this plan to guide addition of future projects into the SMMC's work program. The RMC will also pursue development of subsequent plans, developed in partnership with local cities and agencies, to identify additional projects to implement several broad concepts, including: a Rivers Parkway Plan, Tributary (or Subwatershed) Plans; a Trails and Bike Path Plan; Mountain, Hills, and Foothills Plan(s); a Habitat Preservation Plan, and a Monitoring and Assessment Plan. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL W W Q Z J W Page Comm ountains on Chapter 1. ham the M to the Sea BACKGROUND 4. r This document is a Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan for the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Watersheds. A watershed is the area that is drained by a single river and its tributaries. This plan addresses the watersheds of both the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers, which together drain 1,460 square miles from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, an area in which more than 7 million people currently live. Because the two rivers are linked, historically and via an engineered connection (in the form of the Rio Hondo), the f'� watersheds are also linked, and therefore this plan refers to the two watersheds as a double watershed. This plan was prepared for the State of California Resources Agency to guide the plans and activities of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC). The first human - induced transformation of the land along the San Gabriel and Los Angeles 0 Rivers began with the arrival of European settlers. Densely- vegetated wildlands were cleared and planted with grains and vegetables to feed the settlers. The arrival of the railroads and imported water facilitated a second transformation: the patchwork of farmland grew into a major urban metropolis. A third transformation is now possible. A network of open spaces, anchored by parkways along the rivers, can link sustainable communities together with trails, bike paths, and landscaped areas. In recent years, cities, groups and agencies have worked to improve and expand open space, I u optimize water resources, preserve habitat and create a network of trails and bike paths. Some of these efforts have been informally coordinated, in recognition of the potential to extend benefits beyond the borders of individual cities, create opportunities to leverage benefits; and I u maximize funding resources. This plan builds upon more than a decade of work and seeks to Q encourage broader participation in watershed planning. The concepts in this plan are intended to support and inform ongoing planning efforts as well provide a framework to plan future o projects that are consistent with a regional vision to restore balance to the double watershed. L The central element of this plan is a set of Guiding Principles that can be used to plan and n implement projects that will help restore balance to the watersheds. Some additional plans at n n n the subwatershed and local level will be necessary to determine where specific improvements As future in 0 will occur. a result, the vision of the articulated this document may require many decades to be realized. But if cities, communities, private groups and agencies work together, (o� the double watershed will grow greener, waters will be enhanced, and a healthier balance between human and natural systems can be achieved. This plan utilizes information gathered in a social marketing study conducted by the US Group and Leo J. Shapiro & Associates, which studied perceptions of, and priorities for, open space planning. The maps in this plan are primarily derived from the Geographic Information Systems database developed by Forma Systems for the RMC. This document is organized in three major sections: 1) background, which provides the context for the plan; 2) current conditions, which provides a description of the double watershed; and 3) a vision for the future, which contains the Guiding Principles and a discussions of strategies, opportunities and subsequent plans. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea B. Historical Context Over millions of years, the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers emerged from the San Gabriel Mountains and meandered towards the Pacific Ocean. As the mountains rose, they captured more rainfall, and the power of the rivers increased. Because of the steep slopes and rocky soils in the mountains., the rivers carried large amounts of sand, gravel and rocks. Much of the water in the rivers disappeared into the sand and replenished groundwater. Due to low surface Flow, most of the year, the rivers appeared as meandering streams within wide beds. But when winter rains arrived, these "streams" often jumped their banks, changed course, and flowed over the land. With abundant groundwater and the ever- changing course of the rivers, the lands surrounding the rivers were heavily vegetated, with dense stands of native trees, roses, grapes and shrubs. Wetlands, marshes, and springs dotted the landscape. Habitats were diverse and wildlife was plentiful. The abundant water, vegetation and wildlife supported a significant population of indigenous peoples such as the Chumash and Tongva (Gabrielino). The earliest Spanish explorers noted the dense vegetation and the presence of surface water. The confluence of the Arroyo Seco and the Los Angeles River was noted as especially verdant. Because water was available, the Mission San Gabriel de Armingelo was founded, followed soon after by El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reins de los Angeles de Porciuncula (which became the City of Los Angeles). The arrival of settlers began the first human - induced transformation of the double watershed. The dense vegetation surrounding the rivers was cleared to make way for fauns and villages. The abundant water and favorable climate created ideal conditions for a variety of crops. Within a short time, the area became the center of agricultural production in Southern California. In little more than a century, the landscape along the rivers changed significantly as wildlands became farmlands. At the beginning, water was diverted from the rivers for people, livestock and crops. Before long, because so much water was diverted, the rivers no longer reached the ocean. Increased opportunities for trade and a growing population increased the demand for farmland and water, and the water on the surface of rivers became inadequate to meet demand. Wells were dug to reach groundwater, and groundwater levels slowly began to drop at some locations. During this first transformation, from wildlands to farmlands, proximity to the river was important. But easy access to water was coupled with danger when winter rains swelled the rivers or changed their course. But the population lacked the knowledge and the means to control the rivers, and dikes and dams were often washed away by the next winter flood. The arrival of the railroads provided access to distant markets, and agricultural production expanded greatly. The railroads also brought more people, eager to share in the dream made possible by abundant sunshine, farmland, water and business opportunities. Farmland was subdivided and homes built. The influx of people continued. Surface and groundwater sources were in high demand, and groundwater tables began to drop throughout the area. The verdant wetlands and marshes began to disappear. Areas that were once dense with vegetation became dry grasslands. Occasional droughts became a major concern as residents, farmers, and businesses competed for the limited water supply. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Spare Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency i LL Q Q� Q CZ C W M Page MCommon Ground - irom fhe ountains to the Sea The population began to exceed available water resources, and in 1913 the Los Angeles - Owens River Aqueduct was built, importing water from great distances. More and more farmland was subdivided and converted to commercial and residential uses. Once distant farm communities began to grow towards each other. The once -vast open spaces began to disappear. Urban sprawl covered the lowlands and spread into the valleys and hillsides. The second transformation of the watersheds, from fanning communities to urban metropolis was just as swift as the first transformation. During this second transformation, from farmland to urban metropolis, proximity to the Over was less critical, but the danger from floods remained. Instead of crops and livestock, homes, businesses and lives were lost. A variety of measures were employed to keep the rivers in their channels (or the then-current channels), but once again, natural forces prevailed. After two significant floods in the 1930's, the federal government proposed and implemented a flood control solution with two major components: 1) channelize, straighten, and deepen the rivers; and 2) install debris basins and dams in the mountains to keep sediment and other debris from clogging the channels. The Los Angeles River was encased in concrete for most of its length, and the San Gabriel River was surrounded by levees. The aims of the system are to protect lives and property and to speed discharge of floodwaters into the Pacific Ocean. The potential for a third transformation has emerged in the past decade, beginning with visions of "restoring" the Los Angeles River and implementing watershed management strategies. Individuals, groups, agencies and cities have developed plans to expand natural spaces along the river, establish riverfront walks or bike paths, or restore public access. These concepts have been expanded to include the San Gabriel River, as well as tributaries of both rivers, and planning on these issues is ongoing. This plan is an outgrowth of those efforts, and seeks to codify, extend and expand upon those concepts, by expanding the concept of restoration from the rivers to the entire double watershed. C. Planning Context During the first transformation of the double watershed, planning focused on meeting the demand for water: first with surface supplies, then groundwater. During the second transformation, once water was imported from distant watersheds, the focus shifted to protecting farms, homes and businesses from flooding. To achieve a third transformation of the double watershed, the focus for planning must focus on open space. A watershed is the area that is drained by a single river and its tributaries. Despite this clear spatial identity, watersheds are not the only natural planning boundary. Groundwater basins cross under watersheds and forest ecosystems fold over ridgelines. Political and jurisdictional boundaries in the region add complexity. A sound ecological approach to planning must consider the relationships between human and natural systems, overlapping physical and biological systems, and social, economic and political systems. And since imported water is an important element of Southern California's water supply, management of the double watershed of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers will impact remote watersheds. Planning at watershed and subwatershed scales necessarily involves consideration of the entire water cycle, both above and below the ground. This includes the intertwined concerns of flood protection, water resources, water quality, protection and enhancement of habitat, open space for passive and active recreation and strategies to encourage sustainable future development. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Galtnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 1 F— LL Q 0 Q Z J ME E MP Page 8 i N i Chapter 1 Watershed planning makes clear the interconnections between our mountainous upstream reaches and our downstream cities and beaches. To understand the context for this plan, it is useful to provide a historical overview of some relevant plans and planning concepts related to open space in the double watershed. In 1911, City Park Commissioners proposed a river parkway (that was never built) between Griffith Park and Elysian Park that would have connected with the Arroyo Sew Parkway (that was built, but without many of the originally- proposed features). Other plans or concepts for parks along the rivers were developed, but significantly, none were implemented prior to the start of the major flood control projects that began in the 1930s. fL� L� The most significant and far - reaching of the early open space plans in the double watershed was proposed in 1930, by the team of Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. and Harland Bartholomew, who together had developed master plans for the Los Angeles County highway system and a 0 state park system. The Olmstead - Bartholomew plan, entitled Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches for the Los Angeles Region, recommended a network of parkways to connect the mountains, rivers, parks and beaches. The parkways along the river were intended to reduce the need for structural flood protection features. To remedy the deficit of park space (that existed in 1930), nn nn nf the plan proposed a total of 71,000 acres of parkland south of the San Gabriel Mountains. LJ Unfortunately, due to timing (at the start of the Great Depression), cost ($231 million at that time), and other issues, the Olmstead - Bartholomew plan was shelved, and largely forgotten for many years. The centerpiece of that plan, a network of open space connected by river parkways, remains an unrealized concept. F0_4 The adoption of the Santa Monica Mountains Comprehensive Plan in 1979 led to the formation of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, recognizing the need to protect natural resources, p including portions of the upper western Los Angeles River Watershed. In 1980, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commissioned a study on recreational potential of drainage facilities on the major tributaries of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers (LACDA System Recreation Study, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DMJM, 1980), which identified opportunities for trails, linear ° parks, riparian areas, nature study facilities, and other passive and active recreational opportunities. The SMMC was expanded to include the area that encircles the western portions ° of the upper Los Angeles River Watershed in 1983 and in 1990; the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor Master Plan RU was adopted. In 1990, the Nature Conservancy published The Critical WiIdlilbtHabitat Linkage Areas Between the Santa Susana Mountains, Simi Hills, and Santa O Monica Mountains, which identified the critical choke points for wildlife movement between those mountain ranges and the relationship to preservation of biodiversity. In 1993, the California Coastal Conservancy completed a Los Angeles River Park and Recreation Study (California Coastal Conservancy, 1993) to explore beneficial uses of the river, including an assessment of the river's potential for recreation and wildlife enhancement. In 1994, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board published the Water Quality Control Plan, Los Angeles Region: Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. This plan is designed to preserve and enhance water quality and protect the beneficial uses of all regional waters. In 1996, Los Angeles County adopted a Master Plan for the Los Angeles River, which "...provides for the optimization and enhancement of aesthetic, recreational, flood control and environmental values by creating a community resource, enriching the quality of life for Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page Common Ground Chapter I from the Mountains to the Sea residents and recognizing the river's primary purpose for Flood control." (Los Angeles River Master Plan, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, 1996). The plan incorporated substantial stakeholder input and recommended environmental restoration, new trails and connections to existing trails, tree plantings, signage, murals, and economic development opportunities. A follow -on project, the development of landscape standards and guidelines, is currently underway. In 2000, the California Coastal Conservancy documented both current wetland resources in a report entitled Wetlands of the Los Angeles River Watershed, which identified 10 sites that have potential for near -term restoration, including De Forest Park (Long Beach), Victoria Park (Torrance), Harbor Park (San Pedro), Dominguez Gap (Long Beach), Hazard Park (Los Angeles), Taylor Yard (Los Angeles), Lower Arroyo Park (Pasadena), Cahuenga Spreading Grounds (Glendale), Sepulveda Basin (Van Nuys), and Upper Bull Creek (San Fernando). In 2000, Cal Poly Pomona graduate students developed a plan for regional planning of urban wildlife movement networks in the San Gabriel Valley (Reconnecting the San Gabriel Valley., A Planning Approach for the Creation of Interconnected Urban wildlife Corridor Networks, California Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2000). Although the primary purpose was to delineate a planning process to conned wildlife habitats, the plan also identified specific opportunities for improvements along the edges of the San Gabriel River. Funded by the California Coastal Conservancy with support from the SMMC, the recently completed Arroyo Seco Watershed Restoration Feasibility Study (North East Trees and Arroyo Seco Foundation, June 2001) addresses flood and stream management, habitat restoration, water resources, and recreational opportunities along one of the main tributaries of the Los Angeles River. The goal is to restore the water course that begins in the San Gabriel Mountains to the confluence with the Los Angeles River near Elysian Park. Several other plans are currently underway, or are proposed to begin shortly, including; Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Feasibility Study The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has been engaged in the collection of Geographic Information Systems data on the double watershed. The goal of the study is to be able to identify projects based on different criteria such as proximity to other open space, opportunities for groundwater recharge or improvement of water quality. Los Angeles River Bikeway Study Commissioned by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has been meeting with interested parties to determine, at a detailed level, how to overcome the physical obstacles and choke points that impede the course of the Los Angeles River bikeway. Emphasis has been placed on connecting the west San Fernando Valley through downtown Los Angeles, Union Station, and all the way to Long Beach. Expected publication date is summer 2001. San Gabriel River Master Plan In 1999, Los Angeles County began the development of a master plan for the San Gabriel River, from the Morris Dam in the San Gabriel Mountains to the river's outlet at the Pacific Ocean. The censensus -driven master plan process will identify project opportunities for recreation, open space and habitat enhancements, maintenance of flood protection; Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 1 LL Q W i W Q� Q CZ C Page r Common Ground Chapter I 6om the Mountains fo fhe Sea preservation of natural resources, and maintenance of existing water rights. Completion of the plan is scheduled for 2003. The U.S. Forest Service is in the process of updating its management plan for the Southern California National Forests that includes the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests. Among the proposed elements of the plan are wilderness areas, timber management, range allotments, recreational options, and environmental documentation. Completion is scheduled for December 2003. San Gabriel River and Rio Hondo Spreading Grounds Enhancements The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is working with the City of Pico Rivera to provide public access, create recreation opportunities, and improve the appearance of the ° existing spreading grounds (used to recharge groundwater) along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers. This plan is intended as a prototype for multiple use projects in the region. Sun Valley Watershed Management Plan The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is developing a plan to address chronic local flooding in the Sun Valley Watershed. The plan proposes to develop multi - purpose nn rI solutions which reduce flooding, increase groundwater recharge, reduce stormwater pollution, LJ and provide recreational opportunities. The project is intended to attract multiple funding partners, educate and motivate the local community to embrace these solutions and provide a for future L model watershed management projects throughout Los Angeles County. Subwatershed Plans The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Board has funded five subwatershed plans: Arroyo Seco, Compton Creek, Coyote Creek, Rio Hondo, and the Upper San Gabriel River (including o 12 Walnut and San Jose Creeks). Although the Arroyo Seco plan is in progress, the other plans are anticipated to begin in late 2001. 0 0 L —J ti Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Common Ground - Page 11 i! from the Mountains to the Sea 2. CURRENT CONDITIONS The San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers double watershed covers 1,460 square miles, from the San Gabriel Mountains in the north to the San Fernando Valley in the west to the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach (Figure 2 -1). The two rivers arise from springs and creeks in the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles basin, flowing across the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, then flowing nearly parallel across the coastal plain to the Pacific Ocean. The rivers have an engineered connection via the Rio Hondo, a major tributary of the Los Angeles River that flows, along with the San Gabriel, into the Whittier Narrows Dam and Reservoir. R c y Lot /ingelet W h ;shed q Js Domo Legend p.. M Watershed Boundaries ! a t0 70 ►Nb / County Line W — Freeways _- Rbers N Figure 2 -1. San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers Watershed The region within this double watershed is geographically diverse, particularly in terms of its topography, climate, land use and habitat types. Urbanization during the latter half of the twentieth century has had a considerable impact on natural resources, altering the hydrology in the Watershed and significantly reducing the extent of natural habitat and biotic communities. The purpose of this section is to provide a primer for planning in the Watershed and an atlas of Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 1 LL Q Q� w w z 1 W MM Page Common Ground Gom the Mountains to fhe Sea Chapter 2 the geography of the region: its physiography, climate, hydrology, water quality and quantity, recreation and open space, natural habitat and demographic characteristics. Physical Setting Geology and Geomorphology The mountains surrounding the San Gabriel -Los Angeles basins are part of the Transverse Ranges, which extend 350 miles east to west from the Eagle Mountains in San Bernardino County to the Pacific Ocean. To the north, the San Gabriel Mountains separate the coastal plain from the Mojave Desert. To the west, the Santa Monica Mountains separate the double watershed from the Ventura basin. Topography in the double atershed ranges from sea level to over 10,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains. Most of the coastal plain is under 1000 feet in elevation, the foothills reaching 3 -4000 feet before rising rapidly into the San Gabriels, to a high of 10,064 at Mt. San Antonio (Mt.Baldy). The grade of the mountain slopes averages 65 -70% and are some of the steepest slopes in the world. Geology varies from Precambrian metamorphic rocks (1.7 billion years old) to alluvial deposits washed down from mountain canyons. The San Gabriel Mountains are young mountains, geologically speaking, and are still rising at a rate of nearly three - quarter of an inch per year. Because of this instability, they are also eroding at a rapid rate. Alluvial deposits of sand, gravel, clay and silt in the coastal plain run thousands of feet thick in some areas, due in part to the erosive nature of the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains. The region is extensively faulted, with the San Andreas Fault bordering the north side of the San Gabriels and the Sierra Madre - Cucamonga fault zone on the south side. Throughout the basin exist hundreds of lesser fault systems, such as the Newport- Inglewood fault that runs from Newport Beach to Beverly Hills via Long Beach and Signal Hill. The most notorious are those that have been the cause of major earthquakes during the past few decades, and are known not by name but by the region in which they struck: Sylmar in 1971, Whittier in 1987, and Northridge in 1994. The San Andreas Fault, which crosses California for 625 miles from the San Bernardino Mountains to Northern California, has not generated an earthquake in the Los Angeles area since the Tejon Ranch earthquake in 1857. Fire is also an integral part of the natural environment and plays a role in shaping the landscape. Chaparral, the dominant natural vegetation type in the region, is very fire- prone. Brush Tres leave the soil exposed and unprotected. These bare areas, in combination with steep slopes and erosive mountains, enable runoff from winter rains to suspend large quantities of coarse mineral debris and wash it downslope and into streams. The resulting floods and mudflows can alter stream channels, and be destructive to vegetation and to human habitation in the canyons and lower foothill areas. Climate The double watershed is within the Mediterranean climate zone, which extends from Central California to San Diego. This climate is characterized by wet winters and long dry summers. The extent of this climate type is limited worldwide. Other than the central and south coast of California, it only occurs in coastal zones along the Mediterranean Sea, Western and Southern Australia, the Chilean coast and the Cape Town region of South Africa. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q u_ Q� W W IBM Q CZ C RUE Q� Page 13 nd Chapter (rom fhe Mountains to fhe Sea The geography of the Los Angeles region results in a great deal of variation in the local climate. The abrupt rise of the mountains from the coast creates a barrier that traps moist ocean air against the southerly slopes and partially blocks the desert summer heat and winter cold from the interior northeast. The common perception of the region as desert is misleading. The coastal plain may be more appropriately termed "semi- arid," and the mountains receive considerable snow and rainfall most years. Average daytime summer and winter temperatures range from 76 /65FO on the coast, 90 /66Fe in the interior valleys and 81/56Fe in the mountains. Summers are dry, with most precipitation falling in a few major storm events between November and March (Figure 2 -2).. Long -term rainfall averages vary from 122 inches along the coast, 15.5 inches in downtown Los Angeles to 27.5 inches in the mountains (Figure 23). For any given storm event, rainfall totals vary significantly by region. Moisture -laden air from the ocean moves up the mountain slopes, expanding and cooling as it rises. Cooler air can hold less moisture, thus produces more precipitation. On the lee side of the mountains, descending air mass warms as it reaches the desert, releasing any remaining moisture through evaporation. A 24 -hour storm that produces one inch of rain along the coast can generate 10 -20" of rainfall in the mountains and just a trace in the desert. Figure 2.2. Seasonal and Long4erm Variation in Rainfall Amounts Most winter storms come from the northwest, moving across Southern California into Arizona. The closer the center of the storm is, the more rain it will bring, with snow levels frequently reaching down to 5000 feet. These are the typical e% inch or less storms that occur most often in the basin. Storms from the south or southwest are less common, but may bring 3-6 inches of rain in the basin and 3-6 feet of snow above 6000 feet. These storms tend to stall off the coast, so are difficult to predict. Storms from the west are most rare but last the longest, characterized by a series of rain events each bringing 1 -2 inches of rain over 36 -48 hours. Summer rains are rare, but when they occur are a result of tropical thunderstorms originating in the Gulf of Mexico or late summer hurricanes off the west coast of Mexico. Air pressure also plays a role in the local climate. In the late spring and early summer, a low - pressure area inland draws a moist marine layer in from the ocean, resulting in coastal fog and low clouds which moderate temperatures in the basin. The difference in air pressure between the ocean and the desert determines the extent of the marine layer. High - pressure systems off the coast also result in off -shore breezes as air moves from the ocean towards lower pressure areas inland. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Loa Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I E Seasonal Distribution of Rainfall Annual Rainfall 1878 - 1999 Los Angeles Civic Center -122 Year Average Los A ,Wes CWc certer 3 50 45W — -- IN aa.ao 0.50 —�— }50] ..... __ _..... _.. _ S = Ong -- = 2� _ ,eon r' t.so 2000 a l ga aor ON o.ao 0,00 I W yp 6 w ^ o m p 0 O m Manta Y. Figure 2.2. Seasonal and Long4erm Variation in Rainfall Amounts Most winter storms come from the northwest, moving across Southern California into Arizona. The closer the center of the storm is, the more rain it will bring, with snow levels frequently reaching down to 5000 feet. These are the typical e% inch or less storms that occur most often in the basin. Storms from the south or southwest are less common, but may bring 3-6 inches of rain in the basin and 3-6 feet of snow above 6000 feet. These storms tend to stall off the coast, so are difficult to predict. Storms from the west are most rare but last the longest, characterized by a series of rain events each bringing 1 -2 inches of rain over 36 -48 hours. Summer rains are rare, but when they occur are a result of tropical thunderstorms originating in the Gulf of Mexico or late summer hurricanes off the west coast of Mexico. Air pressure also plays a role in the local climate. In the late spring and early summer, a low - pressure area inland draws a moist marine layer in from the ocean, resulting in coastal fog and low clouds which moderate temperatures in the basin. The difference in air pressure between the ocean and the desert determines the extent of the marine layer. High - pressure systems off the coast also result in off -shore breezes as air moves from the ocean towards lower pressure areas inland. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Loa Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I E Page 14 Chapter from the Mountains fo the Sea RecgMOn RappSe aS -t0 ■ Imevn ientl,r � 16 -D & 14 X� 0 10 20 MIIlr Figure 2 -3. Spatial Variation of Average Precipitation in the Double Watershed Source: Department of Fish 8 Game Watershed Hydrology The majority of the double watershed lies within Los Angeles County. The San Gabriel River flows from the San Gabriel Mountains, in the Angeles National Forest. Its tributaries drain portions of the Chino, San Jose and Puente Hills. The Los Angeles River originates at the junction of Calabasas and Bell Creeks in the western San Fernando Valley, and by other tributaries that drain the Santa Monies and Santa Susana Mountains, the Simi Hills, and the western San Gabriel Mountains (Figure 2-4). Surface Water There are twenty major sub - watersheds, shown in Figure 2 -4. The major tributaries of the San Gabriel River include the West Fork of the San Gabriel, Walnut Creek, San Jose Creek and Coyote Creek. For the Los Angeles River, major tributaries include the Tujunga, Pacoima and Verdugo Washes, Arroyo Seco, Rio Hondo and Compton Creek. There are nearly 2,000 stream miles in the double watershed, and one - quarter of those streams flow year- round. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I LL W W ear Q SZ G W am M 4 PeciSc Ocgen , 13 15! RecgMOn RappSe aS -t0 ■ Imevn ientl,r � 16 -D & 14 X� 0 10 20 MIIlr Figure 2 -3. Spatial Variation of Average Precipitation in the Double Watershed Source: Department of Fish 8 Game Watershed Hydrology The majority of the double watershed lies within Los Angeles County. The San Gabriel River flows from the San Gabriel Mountains, in the Angeles National Forest. Its tributaries drain portions of the Chino, San Jose and Puente Hills. The Los Angeles River originates at the junction of Calabasas and Bell Creeks in the western San Fernando Valley, and by other tributaries that drain the Santa Monies and Santa Susana Mountains, the Simi Hills, and the western San Gabriel Mountains (Figure 2-4). Surface Water There are twenty major sub - watersheds, shown in Figure 2 -4. The major tributaries of the San Gabriel River include the West Fork of the San Gabriel, Walnut Creek, San Jose Creek and Coyote Creek. For the Los Angeles River, major tributaries include the Tujunga, Pacoima and Verdugo Washes, Arroyo Seco, Rio Hondo and Compton Creek. There are nearly 2,000 stream miles in the double watershed, and one - quarter of those streams flow year- round. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I LL W W ear Q SZ G W am M Page 15 Common Grund * Chapter from the Mountains fo the Sea Figure 2-4. Major Subwatersheds of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers Lakes and Reservoirs The coastal plain at one time supported a number of shallow lakes and ponds fed by springs and by the rivers. Many of these lakes have disappeared as the rivers have been modified, and have been replaced with a network of reservoirs managed for water supply, Flood protection, groundwater recharge and in some cases recreation. In total there are 92 lakes and reservoirs within the double watershed. Twenty of these are reservoirs operated by Los Angeles County or the Army Corps of Engineers (Figure 2 -12). Wetlands Historically, the San Gabriel and Los Angeles river basins had extensive wetlands, both fresh and saltwater. Marshes and ephemeral ponds occurred near the cities of Torrance and Long Beach, and along Compton Creek and other tributaries. Tidal marsh occurred along the coast near San Pedro and at the mouth of both rivers. Nearly all of these historic wetland areas have been lost due to urbanization, marinas, flood protection measures or stream channelization. According to a report by the Coastal Conservancy, overall, within the Los Angeles River watershed 100 percent of the original lower riverine and tidal marsh and 98 percent of all inland freshwater marsh and ephemeral ponds have been drained or filled. Some of these losses have been offset by constructed or restored wetlands, primarily in flood management structures such as the Sepulveda Basin and Whittier Narrows Basin. The current distribution of wetlands in Southern California is shown on Figure 2 -5. The most substantial remaining historic wetland areas include: • El Dorado wetlands near the confluence of Coyote Creek and the San Gabriel River; • Los Cerritos wetlands near the mouth of the San Gabriel River, which are degraded from oil drilling operations; Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I Page 16 Common Ground Chapter 2 /rom the Mountains to the Sea • Saltwater marsh along the banks at the lowest reach of the Los Angeles River and the Golden Shores wetland near the mouth in Long Beach; • Pockets of freshwater marsh in Torrance. • Hellman Wetlands, Seal Beach. • Seal Beach Naval Weapons Wetlands Figure 25. Current Distribution of Wetlands Channel and Flow Conditions on the Major River Reaches Historical Conditions The volume of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers was historically dependent upon climate. The rivers derived their flow from snowmelt from the mountains, surface runoff from storms and contributions from springs and groundwater. The Rivers were shallow with braided channels and wide floodplains. They frequently carved new channels in their floodplains during heavy winter storms and have altered their course several times. During the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the San Gabriel and Los Angeles River basins were dominated by ranching and agriculture. Flooding in the valleys and periodic droughts made permanent settlements difficult. The Los Angeles River was the sole source of water for the developing city of Los Angeles until the Los Angeles -Owens River Aqueduct was constructed in 1913. Diversions for agricultural irrigation and drinking water reduced its natural flow, although its propensity for winter flooding was unabated. Existing Conditions Until the 1930s, both the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers and their tributaries were natural streams. Now, over seventy-five percent of the streams are concrete -lined channels, modified for flood protection purposes. Tributaries originating in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains or the local hills, such as the Arroyo Sew (Figure 2-6) and Tujunga Wash, are still Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency ISM Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea natural channels in their upper reaches but have been converted to concrete channels in their lower reaches. Upper Compton Creek is channelized, but the lower Creek still has a soft - bottom stream channel. Figure 2 -6. Upper Arroyo Seeo. Photo by David Van Norman The upper San Gabriel River and its tributaries remain in a relatively pristine state, however the river has been extensively modified in the middle and lower reaches for flood management. The lowest reach of the river is concrete -lined channel for approximately eight miles, with rip -rap banks and soft -bottom channel near the mouth where it is under tidal influence. Channelization of the Los Angeles River was completed in 1954 for most of its 52 -mile length. There are a few stretches where the high water table or other conditions required that the river bottom be left unpaved. These include the six -mile reach through Glendale Narrows near Griffith Park and one and a half miles through the Sepulveda Basin. The last 10 miles of the river, which are under tidal influence, are natural streambed with rip -rap lined banks. Flood control efforts began along the San Gabriel River in 1932 with construction beginning on three dams in the upper reaches of the river. Cogswell Dam, on the West Fork was completed in 1934. Morris Dam was completed in 1935 and San Gabriel Dam was completed in 1939. Two more dams, the Santa Fe Dam and the Whittier Narrows Dam, were completed in 1949 and 1957, respectively. Urbanization has altered the natural flow and the runoff regime in the basin, increasing both the velocity and volume of water flowing through the rivers (Figure 2 -7). Prior to 1960, the ratio of rainfall to runoff was approximately 4:1, meaning that BO percent of the precipitation in the basin was either evaporated or infiltrated and 20 percent was converted to surface runoff. By 1990 that ratio had increased to 2:1. Now, approximately 50 percent of all precipitation is converted Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency f— LL Q Q� W W is NM ear Q Cz C W, W M Page Common Ground - .......... e Mountains to the Sea to surface runoff. This is a very rough estimate, and does not account for flow increases as a result of wastewater discharges, or diversions for groundwater recharge. 100% c �— Runoff/Precipitation 0 m 80% 10 year average a a a 60% ss s C 40% °0 20% m t1: 0% m tD m rr1 m M m M mrp t0 m (h m on m rn rn rn � m m rn �i Oi rn rn �i omi o°'i o°ii Year Figure 2 -7. The Ratio of Annual Runoff in the Los Angeles River Measured at Firestone Blvd. to the Annual Precipitation at the Los Angeles Civic Center from 1928 to 1998. Data source: Western Regional Climate Center and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Sources of Base Flow In a few reaches of the rivers, the groundwater table is high and contributes to river flows seasonally. For the most part, base flow comes from snowmek and headwaters streams in the San Gabriel Mountains, urban and agricultural runoff, and treated wastewater discharges. During the dry season, flow is dominated by treated wastewater discharges, particularly in the lower reaches of the rivers. Habitat Habitat Types Because of its varied climate and topography, Southern California remains extremely diverse biologically. California contains 25 percent of all known plant species in North America, and Southern California supports half of all California's habitat types. A Mediterranean ecosystem, it exists on only 3% of the earth's land surface, and worldwide, is more threatened than the rainforest. Historical Conditions The major native vegetation communities in the region include chaparral, grasslands, coastal sage and alluvial scrub, oak woodland, oak savannah, riparian and conifer forest. Chaparral and alluvial scrub were the most widespread in the basin and foothills, and conifer forests dominated the higher elevations. There are many mixed communities as well and locally unique habitats resulting from the topography and varying microclimates. These conditions allowed the development of unique species and subspecies of plants and animals, giving the region a rich biodiversity. Both rivers had extensive riparian habitats supporting marsh grasses, willow, Guiding Pnnalples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q Q� w r�r Q CZ C Page 19 Chapter /rom the Mountains to the Sea cottonwood, mulefat and sycamore. The rivers were once sleelhead trout habitat. The basin and surrounding hills also supported large predators such as grizzly bear and mountain lion. Although it is the state symbol and was once more abundant here than in any other stale, the last grizzly was killed in California in 1922. Existing Conditions Native vegetation in the basin has been largely replaced by urbanization, with isolated patches remaining. Large expanses of chaparral and coastal sage scrub are still found in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains and in the Verdugo Hills. Alluvial scrub is found in Big Tujunga Wash above Hansen Dam and above the Santa Fe Dam in the San Gabriel Valley. Grasslands occur mostly in the undeveloped valleys and hillsides of north Los Angeles County. Conifers, primarily Lodgepole, White Fir and Ponderosa pine trees, are confined mostly to the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains. Riparian vegetation corridors are still found along streams in the San Gabriel Mountains and the upper and middles reaches of the San Gabriel River, including Walnut and San Jose Creeks, and upper Los Angeles River watershed including the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Hills, and Santa Susana Mountains. The major remaining freshwater stream habitat includes the upper San Gabriel River, the Whittier Narrows, the Sepulveda Basin, and the Glendale Narrows on the Los Angeles River. The estuaries of both rivers also provide habitat for fish and a variety of birds. Quality and Location of Existing Habitat The upper San Gabriel River basin and portions of the upper Los Angeles River watershed still supports good quality riparian habitat and oak woodland. Riparian areas in the Whittier Narrows reach of the San Gabriel and along the soft -bottom portions of the Los Angeles River contain freshwater marsh communities and riparian forest, although non - native species are increasingly prevalent. Lower Compton Creek, prior to joining the Los Angeles River, has several miles of freshwater marsh. These riparian habitats support hundreds of species of birds, dozens of native plants, and a variety of mammals and reptiles. Fish species vary. The upper San Gabriel River and the creeks in the mountains and foothills support trout, while the lower Rivers have populations of native Arroyo Chub (Gila orcuf6) and Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus santaanae). In the foothills and throughout the basin, there are still patches of natural or nearly natural habitat of varying size that support native species of plants and animals. These are most prevalent in regional parks, recreation areas and other protected areas, but there are also significant natural areas that are not yet protected. The largest intact regions of wildlife habitat occur in the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, Verdugo Hills, San Rafael Hills, Simi Hills, Santa Susana Mountains, Santa Fe Dam fioodplain, Sepulveda Basin and Whittier Narrows recreation areas, and in the San Jose and Puente Hills. 10171dlife Corridors Both Loss of habitat and habitat fragmentation pose risks to wildlife. As large habitat areas disappear, connections between patches of habitat become increasingly important to maintaining wildlife populations. They provide access to other populations for breeding, which maintains genetic diversity within species. Corridors also allow migration in response to environmental disturbances, such as fire or a reduction in prey species. Urbanization not only reduces total habitat area, it creates barriers to movement of wildlife between habitats, such as freeways, backyard fences and dams. These obstacles may be overcome in part through such Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency ro A Q I EJ Page r Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea means as providing tunnels under freeways, connecting utility transmission rights -of -way to existing corridors and habitat areas, and providing structures to facilitate fish passage around dams. The framework for regional connectivity in the area includes the following linkages between geographically specific areas addressed from west to east: Verdugo Mountains to San Gabriel Mountains via the Tujunga Wash; Griffith Park (eastern Santa Monica Mountains) to Verdugo Mountains via Verdugo Wash; Elysian Park to Griffith Park via the Los Angeles River; Mount Washington to the Los Angeles River; Dabs Park to the Arroyo Sam; lower Arroyo Seco to San Gabriel Mountains; San Rafael Hills to the Arroyo Seco; Rio Hondo — Whittier Narrows — San Gabriel River to Whittier Hills; and San Gabriel River to San Gabriel Hills. Biota in the Double Watershed Native and Exotic Species Southern California remains extremely diverse biologically, although agriculture and cattle grazing in the 191h century and urban development in the 20th century have significantly altered the native ecology. The double watershed supports approximately 450 species of birds, small populations of large mammals such as mountain lion, bobcat, bear, bighorn sheep, deer and coyote, and dozens of species of small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Native plant species have been largely displaced in urban areas by construction and replaced with urban and suburban landscaping. In natural areas, non - native plants such as arundo ( Arundo donax), tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), castor bean (Ricinus communis), salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima) and German ivy (Senecio mikanioides) are out - competing native species because they are not edible to wildlife or lack natural predators such as disease and insects. Arundo, a tall bamboo -like grass that is prolific and difficult to eradicate, is probably the worst offender. In riparian areas, it takes up large amounts of water, crowds out native plants, clogs streams, and disrupts the balance for aquatic species. The resulting drop in amphibian and fish populations reduces food supplies for waterfowl. Animal populations have increasingly come into conflict with humans as urban development and recreational use has encroached on their habitat. In the basin, predator species of mammals and birds have mostly disappeared. The mountain and foothill areas still support populations of black bear, mountain lions, deer, raccoons and coyotes, who occasionally wander into backyards to eat gardens, pet food or sometimes pets. Rarely, encounters between people and predators result in injury or death to one or both parties. The alteration of the basin landscape from grasslands to urban caused a decline in larger birds such as owls and raptors and allowed some native species such as crows, pigeons and mockingbirds to flourish. These in turn have crowded out many species of songbirds. Introduced species such as starlings have also displaced some native species. In suburban areas, domestic cats and dogs have contributed to reduced populations of birds and small mammals as well. In riparian areas, introduced species of fish such as mosquito fish (Gambusia sp.), crayfish, and bullfrogs have impacted native populations of fish and amphibians. Sensitive. Threatened and Endangered Species Southern California has the second greatest number of endangered and threatened species nationwide, after Hawaii. The majority of these species are not found outside of California, and San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency A Q i� i i� Q CZ C J Page 21 Chapter 2 many of these al -risk species are found only on private property. Within the double watershed, there are hundreds of endangered, threatened and sensitive species, mostly plants (see the Appendix for a complete list). Critical habitat designations for two of these species, the threatened California gnatcatcher (Polioptila califomica) and the endangered arroyo toad (Bufo microscaphus califomicus), fall within the double watershed (Figure 2 -8). Significant Ecological Areas Habitats that support rare or sensitive species of plants and animals occur throughout the basin. Those that are within the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County have been designated as Significant Ecological Areas (SEAS) in the County's General Plan document (Figure 2 -8). These areas are not off- limits to development but have some restrictions, and require additional D— environmental review in order to protect the resources. SEA boundaries were initially defined in 1976 and have been proposed for revision and expansion in 2001. a O Large -Scale Management Programs Related to Habitat Exotics Removal Arundo, a giant reed native to Asia, is the most ubiquitous and damaging invasive plant species in riparian habitats. Arundo can grow up to 21/2 inches per day, tolerates drought, floods, extreme temperatures, and is not significantly affected by insects, disease, predation, fire, or mechanical disturbance. It has an extensive root system that allows it to resprout rapidly after type disturbance, ° any of thus it is difficult to eradicate. Dense, homogenous stands of arundo do not provide food or habitat for native species, and can create zones essentially devoid of rLM wildlife. Eradication programs have increased in recent years, utilizing mechanical removal methods, hand clearing and herbicides. The Forest Service is the lead agency for "Team Arundo," an p interagency group conducting Arundo eradication efforts in Southern California. The Forest Service has prepared a mitigation plan for the Angeles National Forest Arundo Control Program. Local conservancies and conservation groups undertake small eradication programs throughout G the double watershed. A four -year program to remove arundo in Eaton Canyon has succeeded ° in removing about 98% of the reed. The key to permanent eradication is to start from the top of a watershed, since Arundo cleared downstream will likely re -establish itself if there are ° occurrences upstream. However, significant progress can be made in recovering downstream habitat areas. In 1996 and 1997 the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority along FLU with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works cleared Arundo from the Bosque de Rio Hondo as part of a restoration and park project. Along the Whittier Narrows, arundo covers about 80% of the landscape. The Whittier Narrows Nature Center has begun a three -year effort to clear amndo, thus far removing it from about eight acres near the dam and along the Rio Hondo River. There are several invasive plant control programs in the County to manage other lesser -known species. Alligator weed (Altemanthera philoxeroides) and water hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes), for example, occur in streambeds throughout the county, affecting nearly 5800 acres. Management efforts for alligator weed have been ongoing since 1956, and coverage of the weed is fairly low and under control. A program of biological control of water hyacinth using exotic natural enemies began in 1988. The coverage of water hyacinths is high and increasing. These programs are conducted jointly by the California Department of Food & Agriculture, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 22 Common ;11.1 1.1. Chapter 2 !rom the Mountains to the Sea Figure 2-8. Significant Ecological Areas and Critical Habitat Designations Non - native plant species occurring in grasslands and disturbed land areas are numerous and a few include include klamathweed (Hypericum perforatum), puncturevine (Tribulus temestris) and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). The percentage of cover is low, but they occur throughout the County. Biological control programs for these species began in 1988, conducted by Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture and California Department of Food & Agriculture. Klamathweed and puncturevine are considered to be under control but coverage of yellow starthistle is increasing. All are monitored through periodic aerial surveys. Restoring Endangered Species The endangered steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) once traversed the entire length of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers, and other coastal streams. Although the southern boundary of its range is officially designated as Malibu Creek, steelhead have recently been found in Topanga Creek (the next drainage east) and in San Mateo Creek in San Diego County. National Marine Fisheries Service, the federal agency in charge of the listing, recently proposed extending the boundary to include San Mateo Creek. This would not include the intervening streams unless steelhead were found to inhabit them. Steelhead are the only native Southern California species that travel the waters from the mountains to the sea and back. Their presence indicates that the ecosystem is healthy. If conditions are appropriate for steelhead, they are Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q MiI W W ear Q CZ C t LesMWNe. We d� A _ 9WIa' 4 C. Y� > .Y _]0 Yllee Q WeWeMd 6avMery � MroyaTwtl C[ibm� He Q C e4y Bau,WVy ® GnepwkFer Cntlwl Wbb[ LA 9EA Arew � w,9e�wNatlon.i FOM N Figure 2-8. Significant Ecological Areas and Critical Habitat Designations Non - native plant species occurring in grasslands and disturbed land areas are numerous and a few include include klamathweed (Hypericum perforatum), puncturevine (Tribulus temestris) and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). The percentage of cover is low, but they occur throughout the County. Biological control programs for these species began in 1988, conducted by Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture and California Department of Food & Agriculture. Klamathweed and puncturevine are considered to be under control but coverage of yellow starthistle is increasing. All are monitored through periodic aerial surveys. Restoring Endangered Species The endangered steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) once traversed the entire length of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers, and other coastal streams. Although the southern boundary of its range is officially designated as Malibu Creek, steelhead have recently been found in Topanga Creek (the next drainage east) and in San Mateo Creek in San Diego County. National Marine Fisheries Service, the federal agency in charge of the listing, recently proposed extending the boundary to include San Mateo Creek. This would not include the intervening streams unless steelhead were found to inhabit them. Steelhead are the only native Southern California species that travel the waters from the mountains to the sea and back. Their presence indicates that the ecosystem is healthy. If conditions are appropriate for steelhead, they are Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q MiI W W ear Q CZ C Common Ground .. from the Mountains to the Sea appropriate for many other species as well. Restoring conditions for steelhead trout to return — proper water quality (e.g., temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen), substrate, cover, and passage — can focus restoration efforts in the double watershed. Data at the local level for the status and distribution of wildlife populations and native habitats is not uniformly available. Additional study is needed to identify what data gaps for restoring native habitat and connecting wildlife corridors throughout the region. Open Space and Recreation Definition of "Open Space" and `Recreational' Land Use Generally speaking, open space may be any land that is not developed for urban use. This may include natural areas set aside for species protection, lands used for agriculture or natural resource extraction, recreational areas, or areas unsuitable for development either due to a potential hazard (such as slide areas or floodplains) or due to other uses such as groundwater recharge or flood protection. More commonly, open space implies areas that are in a reasonably natural stale and that can serve as wildlife habitat in addition to public access for passive forms of recreation. Recreational use may be designated active, passive or both. Passive use refers to activities that are generally low impact such as hiking, fishing, picnicking, birdwatching or non- motorized boating. Active recreational use may include facilities designed for sports such as soccer or baseball, lakes for motor boats and jet skis, bicycle trails or equestrian trails. Existing Open Space and Recreational Areas in the Double Watershed The San Gabriel and Los Angeles double watershed has a variety of areas devoted to recreation in some form, often in conjunction with the preservation of natural open space . These include the federal, state, joint powers authority lands and an assortment of regional and local parks, nature centers, and preserves. Parks and open space are not evenly distributed throughout the region, and access for those without private transportation is limited in many neighbohoods. Table 1. Open Space and Recreational Areas Ownership Agency/Type Acres Federal U.S. Forest Service TBD U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TBD - Bureau of Land Management TBD National Park Service TBD State Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy TBD Department of Parks and Recreation TBD Joint Powers Authorities Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority TBD Puente Hills Preservation Nature Habitat Authority TBD County Parks and Recreation TBD Department of Public Works TBD Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q W Q� Q Cz C J �� Ram Page 24 Chapter /rorn the Mountains ro the Sea City Parks and Recreation TBD Departments., School Districts Federal Lands The Angeles National Forest is one of the most visited forests anywhere in the country, with an estimated three million visitors annually. Within the double watershed, the forest accounts for 23 percent of the total land area. The Forest's 691,539 total acres include 8,708 water surface acres in twenty-five lakes and reservoirs, 110 picnic areas and campgrounds, and 557 miles of hiking trails. There are also a number of special use areas in the Forest that occur within the double watershed, described in the table below. Table 2. Special Designations within the Angeles National Forest Name Area Designated Pu ose San Gabnel Wilderness 36,118 acres 1958 Wildemess tlesignation - no development Area Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, Claremont 106 or ennanent structures Sheep Mountain 43,600 acres 1984 Wildemess tlesignation - no development wilderness Area Chino Hills State Park 2,330 or nnanent structures San Dimas experimental 17,050 acres 1,980 Research and pilot testing of integrated forest forest management temni ues Fem Canyon Natural 1,460 acres 1972 No development or permanent structures; Research Area near Pristine condition. Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, within the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Refuge contains 911 acres of natural coastal habitat, including salt marsh and tidal wetlands. It is home to the California least tern (Sterna antillarum brown), a federally - listed endangered bird, and many other seabirds. Public access is restricted to a wooden trail leading to an overlook of the area, and is open a limited number of days to reduce disturbance to the wildlife. . State and Recional Facilities California Department of Parks and Recreation, Los Angeles County and other agencies manage substantial land acreage devoted to open space reserves, nature centers, botanical gardens and recreation areas. The chart below lists state and county facilities and large regional facilities that may be managed by cities or multiple jurisdictions. Local city parks are not included as they are too numerous, although their total acreage watershed -wide is substantial. Table 3. Major Open Space and Recreational Facilities within the Double Watershed Type Name and Location Acreage Management Reserves and Botanical Gardens Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia 127 State Parks, County Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, Claremont 106 Private Descanso Gardens, La Canada 160 County Parks and Recreation Areas Chino Hills State Park 2,330 State Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, San 1,980 LA County Guiding Pdnciples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q Q CZ C W Page 25 Common Ground Chapter from fhe Mountains to the Sea Access along the River Fronts In the canyons of the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains and the local hills, there is ample access to streams for fishing, swimming and picnicking. A five and a half mile stretch of the West Fork of San Gabriel River is a "catch and release" area for native rainbow trout. Within the urban core, concerns for public safety during periods of high stream flows or potential flash -flood conditions have left much of the Los Angeles River inaccessible. Public access is limited to pocket parks in Elysian Park and the LARIO trail along the lower Los Angeles River from Long Beach to the Rio Hondo. The Rio Hondo and the urbanized portions of the San Gabriel River are accessible to bicycle, with pedestrian and equestrian access at some locations. The potential for more riverside parks, walking trails and bike paths is increasing, as evidenced by new packs in Azusa, Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Los Angeles, Maywood, and Paramount. Trail Systems Trails provide access for hiking, equestrian use and bicycling. There are hundreds of miles of trails of various types throughout the double watershed. Guiding Pnnoples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 10101 ffig Jose Hills Griffith Park LoRe 3,481 Cit El Dorado Regi387 Beach City EI Sian Park, Lo584 Ci Hahamonga Wa836 Pasadena City Hansen Dam, L1289 city, U.S. Army Corps Marshall Canyon County Park, Claremont 690 LA County Ted Craig Regional Park TBD OC County Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area 836 LA County Schabarum Regional Park, Puente Hills 500 LA County Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area 1,040 LA City /Army Corps Whittier Narrows Recreation Area 1,400 LA County Verdugo Mountains State Park 251 1101 State Parks SMMC Nature Centers and Wilderness Parks Eaton Canyon 184 LA County Claremont Hills Wilderness Area 1671 City/LA County Deukmejian Wilderness Park 720 Glendale Firestone Boy Smut Reservation, Diamond Bar 3,944 City San Dimas Canyon 1000+ LA -County Whittier Narrows 200+ LA County Access along the River Fronts In the canyons of the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains and the local hills, there is ample access to streams for fishing, swimming and picnicking. A five and a half mile stretch of the West Fork of San Gabriel River is a "catch and release" area for native rainbow trout. Within the urban core, concerns for public safety during periods of high stream flows or potential flash -flood conditions have left much of the Los Angeles River inaccessible. Public access is limited to pocket parks in Elysian Park and the LARIO trail along the lower Los Angeles River from Long Beach to the Rio Hondo. The Rio Hondo and the urbanized portions of the San Gabriel River are accessible to bicycle, with pedestrian and equestrian access at some locations. The potential for more riverside parks, walking trails and bike paths is increasing, as evidenced by new packs in Azusa, Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Los Angeles, Maywood, and Paramount. Trail Systems Trails provide access for hiking, equestrian use and bicycling. There are hundreds of miles of trails of various types throughout the double watershed. Guiding Pnnoples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 10101 ffig Page 26 Common Ground - MOM the Mountain. m fhc Coo Types of Trails In the Angeles National Forest, there are several trails that are part of the National Trails System that was established in 1968. These include the Pacific Crest Trail, one of the first National Scenic trails with 176 miles in the Forest, and 73 miles of National Recreation Trails, which provide for hiking and equestrian use. Trails in the Forest are open to mountain bikes as well, except those in the Wilderness areas. The Rails to Trails Conservancy, which converts unused railroad right-of -way to trails, has two trails in the region: Mt. Lowe Railroad Trail and the Duarte Bike Trail. In the urban area, there are local and regional trails for bicycle commuting and recreation, walking, hiking and equestrian use. Approximately 500 miles of bike paths and bike lanes exist in Los Angles County currently. Bikeways are under development along the Los Angeles River and Arroyo Sew. A bike trail runs along Coyote Creek from the San Gabriel River to 605 Freeway. Trail Connectivity Connectivity between cities and parks exists in some areas but there are many local trails that do not extend beyond jurisdictional borders. The five regional parks in the San Gabriel Valley — Bonelli, Whittier Narrows, Santa Fe Dam, Marshall Canyon and Schabarum — are connected by a trail system along the San Gabriel River. This trail, maintained by Los Angeles County, is used by bicyclists, hikers and equestrians. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has approved funding for thirteen bicycle trail projects that will expand and connect existing trails and add commuter bike lanes on city streets. Additional study is needed to determine how best to further connect existing trails within the double watershed. The Rim of the Valley Trail encircles the upper Los Angeles River watershed and aims to connect the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. The National Park Service has begun marking the Juan Bautista de Anza National Trail through the region, and markers and interpretive signs can now be seen along the Los Angeles River. The Griffith Park to El Pueblo Trail will lead visitors from the park to downtown. Designated Scenic Highways or Vistas Scenic highways include the Mulholland Scenic Parkway in the eastern upper Los Angeles River watershed. Caltrans is actively working towards obtaining federal scenic highway status for the Arroyo Seco Parkway (Pasadena 110 Freeway). Federal designation can potentially bring in planning and implementation funding for both sides of the parkway. Vistas in the double watershed include Grand View in Elysian Park, which provides views to downtown, Montecito Heights, Mount Washington, Taylor Yard, the Los Angeles River, and the Arroyo Sew. Sites within the Kenneth Hahn County Park in the Baldwin Hills, and new adjacent areas recently purchased, provide 360 - degree views including to the ocean and downtown. At the Top of Topanga, visitors can view the San Fernando Valley as well as central Los Angeles. From Mulholland Scenic Parkway, a number of places provide views of the Los Angeles River Watershed and smaller coastal watersheds. These include: Hollywood Bowl Overlook, Universal City Overlook, Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook, and Summit Overlook. Many of the turnouts along the Angeles Crest Highway and campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest also provide spectacular views. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency il W W Q� Q Cz C _1 LLJ 99 Page 27 Common M.1 I.I. Chapter from the Mountains to fhe Sea Water Supply Sources of Water Early settlements in the double watershed relied on surface water from springs, rivers, creeks, and lakes for drinking water and irrigation. In the 1870s, groundwater became an important additional water source as well-drilling technology improved. Loral supplies are estimated to be adequate for a population of one million people, but the water needs of the population have exceeded the available local supply for nearly a century. The combination of population growth and extensive use of non - native plants for landscaping, which are not adapted to summer droughts, place increasing demand on water supplies. Figure 2 -9 depicts, by percentage, the sources of the region's water supply. Current sources of water for the basin include the following: 1. Local groundwater supplies; 2. Imported water from the Colorado River, the Owens Valley in Eastern California via the Los Angeles Aqueduct, and Northern California via the California Aqueduct; 3. Recycled water from wastewater treatment facilities; 4. Surface water from local streams and the upper San Gabriel River. While these supplies sustain a population of over ten million people in Los Angeles County, they are subject to both seasonal and long -term variability depending upon climatic conditions throughout the source areas. During drought periods, there may be less water available for importation so groundwater use increases. During wet years, surplus imported water may be stored in reservoirs and groundwater basins for future needs. OImported ❑Groundwater ❑ Recycled D■ � Surface Figure 2 -9. Sources of Water Supply Groundwater The coastal plain is composed primarily of deep layers of marine sediments and eroded sediments washed down from the surrounding mountains. In some areas these sediments are over 30,000 feet thick. This geology has allowed for the storage of water in underground basins called aquifers. Aquifers are not underground lakes, but places where the rock or soil is porous enough to trap significant amounts of water. There are seven major groundwater basins underlying the double watershed in the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley and the coastal plain (Figure 2 -10). A cross section for the Los Angeles Coastal plain is illustrated in Figure 2 -11. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency IMOR Page 28 Common Ground Chapter 2 from the Mountains to the Sea Figure 2.10. Groundwater Basins Underlying the Double Watershed Table 4. Capacity of Local Groundwater Basins Geographic Regions and Underlying Surface Area Current Estimated Total Groundwater Basins (acres) Average Annual Capacity (AF) Yeld AF' San Fernando Valley: San Femantlo, J -�.. /y 'ni ?rte #f�����ll' 105,000 500,000 a •/f -: �: Re mood Basin 25,000 350000 250,000 Los Angeles Coastal Plain: Central and 288,000 281,835 l West basins San Gabriel Valley: Main San Gabriel � 200,000 8,800,000 basin and Puente subbasin i? 1 t 1 0 1 n x '., Freeway4 a 10 W elks /� county Boundary Wshedbound Boundary „rrjj..`„ Groundwater Basins N - Ban Gabriel Basins antral Beam IIIE West Basin i Boymoad Basin ® Ban Fernando Basins Figure 2.10. Groundwater Basins Underlying the Double Watershed Table 4. Capacity of Local Groundwater Basins Geographic Regions and Underlying Surface Area Current Estimated Total Groundwater Basins (acres) Average Annual Capacity (AF) Yeld AF' San Fernando Valley: San Femantlo, 327,000 105,000 500,000 Verdu o and S Imar basins Re mood Basin 25,000 350000 250,000 Los Angeles Coastal Plain: Central and 288,000 281,835 20,300,000 West basins San Gabriel Valley: Main San Gabriel 106,880 200,000 8,800,000 basin and Puente subbasin ^� -^�P��+t aPNuxinmraiy m,ow ganuns or water Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I _W W Q Z 0 W, LL� MP Page 29 Common Ground Chapter 2 from the Mountains to fhe Sea Figure 2 -11. Cross Section of the Los Angeles Coastal Plain Groundwater Basin Recharoe Programs Water supply is increased through artificial or enhanced infiltration to replenish groundwater and compensate for the loss of natural permeability in the region. Surface water was "stored" in groundwater basins as early as 1895. Water is stored in dam -like facilities called spreading basins, in areas where soils are very permeable and groundwater aquifers are connected to the surface or accessible through wells. Major facilities are downstream of San Gabriel Canyon, the Montebello Forebay south of Whittier Narrows, and in unlined reaches of the rivers. A total of 3361 acres of spreading grounds exist in Los Angeles County in 32 separate locations, the majority of which are operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works ( LACDPW). LACDPW operates 20 spreading grounds within the San Gabriel groundwater basin. In the 1998 -99 water year, a total of 171,986 acre -feet of water were conserved through spreading grounds within the double watershed. Table 5. Water Recharged During the 1998 -99 Water Year Location ( Imported Runoff Other' San Gabriel Basin 0 28,587 42,585 7,691 SF alley Basin 0 GMrarBa�` 111 Coastal Plain 48,233 0 30,229 TOTAL 48,233 28,587 87,476 1 7,691 1 cite vwe. wow vw, i o e ilY MI, N Cross Section A -A' A West coast Basin Central Basin A' Palos Verdes Newport- Inglewood Uplift Whinier huh Faun Zone Pnndpal Aqulhr - UnconSdidahtl Unconsoldsted to SarxJ end GIaveI S=oonsolidatad Deposes ImcoMming Une - Clay ano Sill Bedrock N Diredim of `Y Groundwater Flow Figure 2 -11. Cross Section of the Los Angeles Coastal Plain Groundwater Basin Recharoe Programs Water supply is increased through artificial or enhanced infiltration to replenish groundwater and compensate for the loss of natural permeability in the region. Surface water was "stored" in groundwater basins as early as 1895. Water is stored in dam -like facilities called spreading basins, in areas where soils are very permeable and groundwater aquifers are connected to the surface or accessible through wells. Major facilities are downstream of San Gabriel Canyon, the Montebello Forebay south of Whittier Narrows, and in unlined reaches of the rivers. A total of 3361 acres of spreading grounds exist in Los Angeles County in 32 separate locations, the majority of which are operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works ( LACDPW). LACDPW operates 20 spreading grounds within the San Gabriel groundwater basin. In the 1998 -99 water year, a total of 171,986 acre -feet of water were conserved through spreading grounds within the double watershed. Table 5. Water Recharged During the 1998 -99 Water Year Location Reclaimed Imported Runoff Other' San Gabriel Basin 0 28,587 42,585 7,691 SF alley Basin 0 0 14,662 Coastal Plain 48,233 0 30,229 TOTAL 48,233 28,587 87,476 1 7,691 swtei owneu uy omer local water agencies and stored in the San Gabriel Basin Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency �Q�/ e�L W �W awr ME 99 Q Cz C Mi �i 99 r • - r Common Ground Chapter (rom the Maunfaine m the Roo Adiudication and Overdraft The underlying groundwater basins are managed by organizations which assure that water extraction from groundwater basins is in balance with water supply. Court decisions, called adjudications, established the methods by which water use in these basin is managed. The court decides the groundwater rights of all the users, who can extract water, how much can be extracted, and who the manager or "watermaster" will be. The watermaster ensures that the basin is managed according to the adjudication and reports periodically to the court. In 1955, the Central and West Basin Water Associations were formed to manage groundwater Pumping in their respective basins. By the late 1950s, groundwater pumping in the Central and West Basins had reduced groundwater levels to historic lows. As a result, in 1961 the Central and West Basins were adjudicated to limit groundwater pumping in the basin and explore alternative water sources. While this decision had the effect of decreasing pumping, groundwater levels in many parts of the basin still remain below sea level, raising concems over saltwater intrusion. Groundwater in the Central Basin was also affected by increased diversions of the San Gabriel River, which flows over the Central Basin, as well as groundwater pumping in the upper San Gabriel groundwater basin. As a result, the upper and lower San Gabriel basin water users waged a legal battle for years, finally reaching a settlement in 1965, which established the San Gabriel River Watermaster. The water resources of the groundwater basins in the Upper Los Angeles River Area (ULARA) are managed by an agreement made in 1979. This agreement balances the groundwater rights of Los Angeles with upstream cities of Glendale and Burbank. As groundwater extraction increased, seawater from the Pacific Ocean began to increase the salinity in groundwater in the West and Central coastal basins. Many welles had to be abandoned in the 1940s due to seawater intrusion. Since the 1950s„ the LACDPW and other agencies operate facilities that inject fresh water into the groundwater basins to help keep intruding saltwater out. Salt water barrier facilities are located along the coast at Manhattan Beach, between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, and at the mouth of the San Gabriel River at the Los Angeles and Orange County boundary. Imported Water Water is imported into Los Angeles County from the Owens Valley on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, the Colorado River, and from Northern California. Construction of the first Los Angeles Aqueduct from the Owens Valley began in 1908, under the supervision of William Mulholland. This 226 -mile aqueduct was constructed in five years, with a second aqueduct completed in 1970. Approximately 480,000 acre -feet of water are delivered to the City of Los Angeles per year. Los Angeles Aqueduct water is not delivered to the San Gabriel River basin. The amount the aqueduct delivers varies from year to year due to fluctuating precipitation in the Sierra Nevada and legal restrictions on water transfers. The 340 -mile Colorado River Aqueduct, completed in 1941, has a capacity of 1.3 million acre - feet. Annually, Southern California is allowed 4.4 million acre -feet of Colorado River water. Southern California has traditionally received in excess of that amount when there is excess water available, in wet years or when other states drawing from the Colorado River do not use their full allotment. Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q LL I 0 lug Q wl lug-, Page 31 Chapter 2 The State Water Project was created in 1960 to bring water 444 miles to Southern California via the California Aqueduct. Currently, the California Aqueduct delivers up to 2.01 million acre -feet of per year. However, this flow will probably decrease with time, as water currently sent to Southern California is withheld to preserve flows in the Sacramento -San Joaquin River Delta. Surface Water While the rivers used to be the primary source of water for the basin, they now supply only one percent of the total. Water from the upper San Gabriel River is stored in Cogswell, San Gabriel and Morris Reservoirs and treated for municipal use. Recycled Water Recycled or reclaimed water is treated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities. This water is used primarily for irrigation, industry, injection into barrier wells to prevent saltwater intrusion, and groundwater recharge. Currently recycled water makes up only three percent of the annual water supply, although its potential is far greater. Although conservation efforts over the past thirty years have kept total water demand from increasing in tandem with population, competing interests for imported water will continue to drive the need for increased water conservation and use of recycled water. Water Quality The following section provides a brief overview of the water quality for the double watershed. Responsibility for Managing Water Quality Protection of water quality in California is the responsibility of the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) and, on a regional basis, the nine California Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards). The Porter - Cologne Water Quality Control Act (California Water Code) authorizes the State Board to adopt policies for all waters of the State and direct the Regional Boards to prepare a Basin Plan to protect water quality (Regional Board, 1994). The water quality of the double watershed is under the jurisdiction of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (Los Angeles Regional Board). Beneficial Uses State Board Resolution 88 -63 and Regional Board Resolution 89 -03 state: "All surface water bodies and ground waters of the State are considered to be suitable, or potentially suitable, for municipal or domestic water supply and will be so designated by the Regional Boards ... [with certain exceptions which must be adopted by the Regional Board]." (Regional Board, 1994) Exceptions to the municipal (MUN) designation were adopted by the Los Angeles Regional Board under Resolution 98 -018 (Regional Board, 1998). These included various surface water bodies, including Sepulveda Channel, Cerritos Channel, the Lower San Gabriel River and Coyote Creek. Surface waters include rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs and wetlands. Beneficial uses defined by the Los Angeles Regional Board (Regional Board, 1994) for surface waters in the Watershed generally include swimmable, fishable, industrial, non - contact recreation and wildlife habitat. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency W1 MIN Q W Q Z KE J � n Page 32 Common Ground Chapter 2 /rom the Mountains fo the Sea Beneficial uses defined by the Los Angeles Regional Board (Regional Board, 1994) for groundwater generally include municipal, industrial, agricultural and aquacultural. Water Quality Concerns The following section provides a brief description of the overall water quality. Because of the largely urban and industrial land uses throughout the double watershed, the surface and groundwater quality has been substantially degraded above background levels. Surface Water The primary surface water bodies include the San Gabriel River and the Los Angeles River. Minor surface water bodies include Tujunga Wash, the Arroyo Sew, Aliso Canyon Wash, Eaton ° Wash, Pacoima Creek and Bull Creek. According to the Regional Board, "uncontrolled pollutants from non -point sources are believed to be the greatest threats to rivers and streams r5 within the watershed." (Regional Board, 1994). Urban runoff and illegal dumping are considered to be major sources of pollution in the Los Angeles River Watershed. As required under Section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act, specific surface water quality concerns have been identified for surface water bodies. California's most recent 303 (d) list was approved in 1998 and contains 509 water bodies. EPA 303 (d) listed surface water constituents of concern for the Los Angeles River Watershed include trash, coliform, nutrients (algae), metals (lead, copper, cadmium, selenium, and zinc), ammonia, odors, pH and various volatile organic compounds. United States EPA 303 (d) listed surface water constituents of concern for the San Gabriel River FLIV Watershed include: trash, toxicity, coliform, nutrients (algae), metals (arsenic, mercury, lead, pC'� copper, cadmium, selenium and zinc), ammonia, odors, pH and various volatile organic compounds and pesticides. For waters on this list (and where the US EPA administrator deems they are appropriate) the states are to develop total maximum daily loads or TMDLs. A TMDL p must account for all sources of the pollutants that caused the water to be listed. Federal regulations require that the TMDL, at a minimum, account for contributions from point sources (federally discharges) from permitted and contributions non -point sources. Impaired reaches of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers are illustrated in Figure 2 -12. Groundwater As described earlier in this document, groundwater supplies most of the double watershed's non - imported potable water supply. Specific groundwater quality concerns include volatile organic compounds from industrial activities and nitrates from agricultural and subsurface O � sewage disposal in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys. The United Stales EPA has identified various areas throughout the double watershed as Superfund sites and ongoing cleanup operations have initiated for these sites, such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge and the Pemaco site in Maywood. Source Controls and Remedfahon Efforts Planned The Regional Board has adopted a variety of different strategies depending on the nature of the water quality problem to address water quality concerns. These include control of point source pollutants, control of non -point source pollutants and remediation. Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 33 Chapter 2 Figure 2 -12. Impaired Reaches of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers (Note: Will be modified to include San Gabriel River) As stated in the Regional Board's Basin Plan, All discharges, whether to land or water, are subject to the California Water Code ( §13263) and will be issued WDRs (Waste Discharge Requirements) by the Regional Board. "(Regional Board, 1994) Control of Point Source Pollutants Pollutants from point sources are transported to waterbodies in controlled flows at well- defined locations. Examples of point sources include discharges from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities. The primary mechanism for point source pollutant control is either through California's Waste Discharge Permit requirements or through the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit requirements. Control of Non -point Source Pollutants Pollutants from non -point sources are diffuse, both in terms of their origin and mode of transport to surface and ground waters. Non -point sources include regional activities such as rain, irrigation, and other types of runoff that mobilize and transport contaminants into surface and ground waters. Sources of concern include lawn and garden chemicals that are transported by storm water or water from lawn sprinklers; household and automotive care products that are dumped or drained on streets and into storm drains; fertilizers and pesticides that are washed from agricultural fields by rain or irrigation waters; sediment that erodes from construction sites; and various pollutants deposited by atmospheric deposition. Emphasis is placed on pollution prevention through careful management of resources, as opposed to "cleaning up" the waterbody after the fact. Through public outreach - an example of a non - regulatory program - residents are informed of threats to the quality of the waters in their communities and are encouraged to voluntarily implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will eliminate or reduce non -point sources of pollution. When necessary, local governments Guiding Principles watershed and Open Spare Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LJ_ Q 0 Q CZ C J W Common Ground - from the Mountains to the Sea are encouraged to develop and implement ordinances that supplement the Regional Board's public outreach efforts. This flexible approach can be an effective means of controlling pollutants from many non -point sources. In addition to the general approach to non -point source pollution control, the Los Angeles Regional Board has adopted a TMDL for trash for the East Fork of the San Gabriel River and has proposed a draft TMDL for trash in the Los Angeles River. Remediation The Regional Board oversees remediation of both ground and surface waters through the investigation of polluted ground water and enforcement of corrective actions needed to restore water quality. These activities are managed through a variety of cleanup and remediation programs. These programs are designed to return polluted sites to productive use by identifying and eliminating the sources of pollutants, preventing the spread of pollution, and restoring water quality. Flood Protection Flood management in the double watershed is the responsibility of the Los Angeles Flood Control District within the County Department of Public Works. The Flood Control District was formed in 1915 in response to a devastating Flood in 1914. In 1936, federal legislation gave flood protection duties to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the two agencies have worked jointly in Los Angeles County since then. Flood protection is designed to contain and control runoff in order to prevent flooding. The size of a flood that would occur without any runoff management is often expressed in terms of its expected frequency. The larger the flood, the less likely it is to occur in any given year. For example, the size of the flood that is likely to occur each year is referred to as a one -year flood. It has a 100% probability of occurring in any year. Large events, such as the 20 -year flood or the 500 -year flood, have a 20% chance or 0.5% chance, respectively, of occurring in any year. These calculations are estimates based on the historical record of rainfall and flood events in the County. Steep canyons in the mountains and foothills, combined with impermeable surfaces in the urban basin promote rapid runoff during storms. Flood flows, which follow winter storms, are characterized by high peak flows and short duration. Flood Management System Historical Conditions The San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers were prone to frequent winter flooding in their natural state. This was due to a number of factors: the intensity of winter storms, the unstable nature of the riverbeds, and erodability of the stream banks. While large floods were infrequent, the magnitude of their destruction was sometimes devastating. In the early part of the twentieth century, damaging floods occurred in 1914, 1934, and 1938. The 1938 flood resulted in $78 million in damages ($889 in current dollars) and the loss of 87 lives (Gumprechl, 1999, p. 216). Current Conditions Flood control measures began in earnest in 1934. The present system, constructed by the Corps, was completed in 1970. The present flood management system, the Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) system, consists of concrete river channels, dams and reservoirs to regulate flow, debris basins to capture sediment washed down from the mountains, and hundreds of miles of channels to direct flow into spreading basins and to the ocean. An San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers hate of California Resources Agency iI..L. rigal Q 0 0 nIInr1 n� �LJ Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea average of 213,000 acre -feel of local stormwater runoff is conserved in the spreading grounds every year. Figure 2 -13 illustrates the LACDA flood management facilities. Figure 2 -13. LACDA Flood Management Facilities Table S. LACDA Flood Management Facilities Open channels 470 miles 1 _ 2,400 miles Flood management reservoirs 21 Rubber dams for diverting runoff 11 Groundwater recharge basins 2000 acres Flood detention basins 1 f req ny.,F. oem Debris basins 115 fwm.,i �swmroem 75,000 Dwp V /� PIW.VM R.t Wvi. aef N %•• e.pebM -,'d .. pnYSrr,. ppCy mDem 3n • . EMn em •... 4 Sen I Hwb Fe Dem PItidimeI a Dry � - RkEin Aare Oam rk4 ^M W�NIer NV,vv t { {{ w.e mew. w'i Figure 2 -13. LACDA Flood Management Facilities Table S. LACDA Flood Management Facilities Open channels 470 miles Underground channels 2,400 miles Flood management reservoirs 21 Rubber dams for diverting runoff 11 Groundwater recharge basins 2000 acres Flood detention basins 5 Debris basins 115 Catch basins 75,000 The system was originally designed to provide flood protection for a 100 -year flood. Flood events in the 1970s and 1980s indicated that perhaps the system did not have sufficient rapacity. In 1991, a report prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicated that the system was in fact not providing that level of protection, partially due to insufficient information available at the time of its design and partially due to the impacts of urbanization on runoff volumes. In some reaches along the mainslem of the rivers, LADCA only provided 25 -year flood protection. Without further protection, damages from a 100 -year flood were estimated to be as high as $2.3 billion. In response, the Army Corps and the County initiated modifications to the LACDA system, known as the LACDA Project, to increase its flood capacity. This project Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q LL� Q Cz C J d_ Common Ground - Page 36 from the Mountains to the Sea consisted primarily of increasing the height of the channel walls and reinforcing levees along the Los Angeles River in Long Beach, the Rio Hondo and Compton Creek. It is estimated to cost over $530 million and is nearly complete. Steep slopes with high erosion rates and high intensity storms can result in high flows full of debris such as sediment, boulders and vegetation. For example, San Gabriel Canyon, in the upper San Gabriel basin, generates an average of 1.3 million cubic yards of sediment annually. This situation is aggravated in areas that have burned and lost their vegetative cover. Debris basins in the foothills at the mouth of canyons are designed to trap sediment and other material carried by runoff, and help to retain channel capacity further downstream. These debris basins must be periodically cleaned out to retain their storage capacity. Excavated sediments are used as fill material and disposed of in abandoned quarries. Role of Rivers in Flood Protection The rivers are the major component of the flood protection systems. Flow is regulated with dams. The upstream tributaries of the San Gabriel River merge above the Santa Fe Dam (32,109 AF). The Whittier Narrows Dam (34,947 AF) captures both the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers, but releases most flood flows into Rio Hondo diversion channel (max 36,500 cis) which connects to the Los Angeles River twelve miles above its outlet into the ocean. In large flood events some flow are diverted into the San Gabriel River as well (up to 5000 cis). The upper Los Angeles River flows into the Sepulveda Dam, a flood management facility operated by the Army Corps (capacity of 22,493 AF). Hansen Dam on the Tujunga Wash has a capacity of 25,441 AF. Areas Designated as Flood Hazard Areas The 100 -year floodplain covers approximately 82 square miles, less than 6% of the double watershed, in the lower reach of the Los Angeles River. Once the LACDA project is completed, the extent of the hazard area will be reduced significantly and levels of protection increased to withstand a 133 -year flood. Designated "Unmet Drainage Needs" The County tracks areas throughout the basin where flooding or drainage problems persist. Information is reported by the cities or through individual complaints, or directly to the County in unincorporated areas. Unmet drainage needs occur throughout the County but mostly in localized urban areas. If the situation requires a new drainage structure, the County will do a study to determine the best solution. The County is currently researching solutions for chronic flooding in the Sun Valley sub - watershed that will utilize alternative approaches to construction of a flood conveyance channel, such as detention basins and more permeable land cover. The goal is to retain runoff within the double watershed and provide multiple benefits beyond flood management. Regional Demographics Political Boundaries and Entities Counties and Cities While the majority of the double watershed lies within Los Angeles County, it crosses into Ventura County to the west, San Bernardino County to the east and Orange County to the southeast. Within the boundary of the RMC, there are 66 cities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency l rEM Page 37 Chapter /rom the Mountains fo the Sea Land Use Within the double watershed, approximately 26% of the land area is urbanized and 25% is parks or open space, although most of that is the National Forest. Over 45% of the land area is vacant or undeveloped. Figure 2 -14 illustrates the land use distribution within the double watershed. Figure 2 -15 spatially illustrates land use patterns in the double watershed. Figure 2 -14. Land Use Distribution within the Double Watershed Population The population of Los Angeles County is 9,519,338 (2000 Census). If the County were a state, it would rank ninth in the United States for population. While growth rates in the County have slowed, they are still significant: 7.4% over the past decade, or more than 656,000 people. By 2010, the County is expected to grow to 10,868,900, another 14 %. Figure 2 -16 illustrates population growth in Los Angeles County. Population is concentrated in the valleys and coastal plain (Figure 2 -16), with lower densities along the foothills, mountains and outlying areas. The average density in the County is 2345 persons per square mile, compared with an estimated 42 persons per square mile in 1900. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I lig a..y...:vn.,r ;Commercial 23.2% % OExtraction ©Industrial • Low Density Residential O Medium to High Density Residential 0.2% 2.4 % DOpen Space & Recreation 40.1.% D Public Facilities & Institutions 1.5% ■ Ru21 Density Residential 1.7% ®Transportation & Utilities 45.2% 0 Under Construction 00% OVacant 2.8% Water & Floodways ■ National Forest Figure 2 -14. Land Use Distribution within the Double Watershed Population The population of Los Angeles County is 9,519,338 (2000 Census). If the County were a state, it would rank ninth in the United States for population. While growth rates in the County have slowed, they are still significant: 7.4% over the past decade, or more than 656,000 people. By 2010, the County is expected to grow to 10,868,900, another 14 %. Figure 2 -16 illustrates population growth in Los Angeles County. Population is concentrated in the valleys and coastal plain (Figure 2 -16), with lower densities along the foothills, mountains and outlying areas. The average density in the County is 2345 persons per square mile, compared with an estimated 42 persons per square mile in 1900. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I lig Common Ground - Page 38 �I from the Mountains to the Sea F`, - l L Angeles National Forest 0 f0 2a Miles Q 0 Watershed Boundaries County Boundaries N SCAG Land Use Agriculture Commercial Extraction Industrial Low Density Residential Medium to Nigh Density Residential Open Space & Recreation ® Public Facilities & Institutions ® Rural Density Residential — Transportation & Utilities Ma Under Construction Vacant Water & Flcodways Figure 2 -15. Land Use in the Double Watershed Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q sir Q CZ C J �W s ^^r Page 39 Common Ground Chapter 2 /ram the Mountains to the Sea Figure 2 -16. Los Angeles County Population Growth by Decade, 1900 —2000 Source: Los Angeles Almanac Economic Conditions Regional economies and industry The Los Angeles basin has a large industrial base and a diversified, growing economy. Top industries include professional services, manufacturing, wholesale trade, tourism and entertainment. Defense related employment has been declining since the mid- 1980s, however professional services, tourism and manufacturing in sectors such as apparel and aircraft have increased both in numbers of jobs and in productivity. The cities in the southern portion of the double watershed, the so- called "Gateway Cities,' call themselves the "industrial heartland" of Los Angeles County. With a population of about two million, they represent one in seven jobs in Southern California. Home to the Port of Long Beach, the economy is primarily based on manufacturing technology, trade, and tourism. Median income Median household income of residents within the double watershed area is $47,413 annually, ranging from $9,300 to well over $500,000. The lowest incomes are found in the urban core, in the Gateway cities and Los Angeles. The wealthiest households are along the coast and in the foothill communities (Figure 2 -17). Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency EM A Q � r�r7rI rI LJ 0 lug lug Q FUL u Page r ountains Common Ground Chapter hom fhe M fo the Sea Figure 2 -17. Population Density (Persons per Square Mile) by Zip Code (US Census, 2000 Projected) Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Imm— Page Common Ground Chapter 2 —11,110.1 he Mountains t. the Sea Figure 2 -18. Median Household Income by Zip Code (US Census, 2000 Projected) Cultural Resources The region is rich in cultural resources: museums, indoor and outdoor theaters, historic sites and community centers (Figure 2 -19). Some of these are located within parks and some are part of the urban landscape. All represent opportunities for education and enjoyment that enrich the quality of the urban experience. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency �Q 0 W Q Z_ [Hsi LiM Q_ Common Ground - from the Mountains to the Sea v - 1 0 0 • 1 4 0 s 6 . •a GIN 0 t� Pacific Ocean •,� • • . o i ti ' v ' ro,o • v is h o < Legend a a v XI•a /� ♦ mw•xwM .. eirawry u.w.<w —. cnwrarr Figure 2-19. Cultural Resources in the Los Angeles Region Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency i �L �Q W Q Z J NO m Page 43 Chapter 3 3. A VISION FOR THE FUTURE A. Vision The double watershed was first transformed from wildlands to farmlands. The second transformation converted farmlands to urban lands. The third transformation will create a network of livable, sustainable communities, connected by open spaces. The goal is to... restore balance to the watershed. This requires that the government and public rethink the use of land and water, to better integrate human -made and natural systems. Planning must embrace solutions that meet multiple objectives. If development incorporates sustainability concepts, both economic and environmental benefits can be realized. Southern California can grow greener with more open space. Open spaces can be connected with a network of trails and bike paths, that improve access for all residents. Habitat for wildlife can be preserved in the foothills and mountains, and restored along rivers and tributaries in the cities. The rivers can be enhanced, surface and ground waters cleansed, the local water supply improved, and dependence on imported water reduced. Flood protection can be maintained and improved. By planning across jurisdictions and boundaries, this vision can become a reality. This vision is achievable, but not overnight. This vision is affordable, but not by "business as usual" methods. There can be a consensus for this vision, but only if citizens are educated, involved and allowed to choose the quality of life they prefer. With science as a basis, this plan can be used as a framework for future planning at the subwatershed and local level. This plan is intended as a living document, that will evolve over lime, as priorities evolve and needs dictate, based on periodic assessment of progress. This plan is a tool to create a healthier environment, to build consensus, and reach common ground. B. Guiding Principles To restore the double watershed, create an open space network, and improve coordination of planning throughout the region, plans and projects need consistent goals. The Guiding Principles represent an over - arching set of goals that can be used to guide open space planning in the double watershed. The Guiding Principles are intended to serve as a reference, a touchstone for all concerned with watershed planning. They set forth general directions without attempting to define responsibilities for implementation. They are guides, not directives. They imply a wide perspective and a long view. The principles were developed through a consensus- building process involving state and county agencies, cities, environmental groups, local council of governments, and individuals having a stake in the evolution of the double watershed. The Guiding Principles are: LAND: Grow a Greener Southern California Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q W a Q z J W M Page" Chapter 3 Encourage Improved Access to Open Space and Recreation for All Communities • Accommodate Active and Passive Recreational Uses • Incorporate Passive and Low - Impact Recreational Facilities in Habitat Areas • Accumulate and Record the Needs for Active Recreation Facilities • Evaluate Access by Population Density, Distance and Time for Different Types. of Open Space • Encourage Opening School Sites for After -Hours Recreational Use Encourage Connections of Open Space with a Network of Trails • Develop Continuous Bike, Trail and Public Access Systems along Riverfronts and within the Watershed • Connect River Trails to Mountain Trails, Urban Trails, Local Parks, Open Spaces, and Beaches • Connect Open Spaces to Transit Access Points • Provide for Public Safety and Security along Waterways and Trails Encourage Expansion and Improvement of Public Open Space Throughout the Region • Establish Priorities for Land Acquisition • Coordinate Targeted Land Acquisition with Regional and Local Land Use Planning • Establish Long Term Land Acquisition Process, Including Protection for Current Uses • Recycle Brownfields with Cooperation of EPA and other Agencies o • Coordinate Public Lands Management Policies and Procedures Among Jurisdictions Encourage Improved Habitat Quality, Quantity and Connectivity PILJI • Protect Existing High - Quality Habitat and Ecologically Significant Areas • Restore and Enhance Aquatic and Terrestrial Riparian and Upland Habitat • Coordinate Regional Efforts to Remove Invasive Species • Maintain and Enhance Wildlife Corridors as Continuous Linkages Develop Standards and Monitoring Program for Indicator Species u c� Q Encourage Sustainable Growth to Balance Environmental, Social and Economic Benefits • Preserve Major Open Spaces and Limit Urban Sprawl • Encourage Recycling Urban Waterways as Frontage for New Development o • Provide Incentives and Streamline Regulations to Promote Watershed Sustainability • Encourage Local Government Actions as Examples of Watershed Sustainability, • Provide Individuals and Organizations with Incentives to Promote Natural Habitat rvJ up� WATER: Enhance Our Waters and Waterways Maintain and Improve Flood Protection • Maintain or Enhance Existing Flood Protection at All Phases of Implementation • Utilize Nonstructural Methods for Flood Management Where Feasible • Reduce the Volume and Velocity of Stormwater Runoff Where Feasible • Develop Regional and Subregional Networks of Stormwater Detention Areas Where Feasible • Encourage New Developments to Detain Stormwater Onsite to Mitigate Runoff Encourage Improved Quality of Surface Water and Groundwater • Improve the Quality of Surface Waters for Aquatic Species and Human Contact • Reduce Dry Weather Urban Runoff Discharge into Waterways and the Ocean Guiding Pdnciples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State Of California Resources Agency Page 45 Chapter 3 • Coordinate Local Planning with the Regional Basin Plan for Water Quality • Develop Publir(Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs • Assist Cities in Planning and Funding to Implement Water Quality Regulatory Requirements Encourage Waterfront Greenways to Cleanse Water, Hold Floodwaters and Extend Open Space • Acquire Land for Flood Management, Wetlands and Compatible Uses • Create a Continuous Network of Parks along the Waterways • Encourage Development of Recreational Opportunities Along Waterways • Connect Communities to the Waterways by Extended Greenways • Establish Waterfronts as Urban Amenities Lr� Encourage Optimization of Water Resources to Reduce Dependence on Imported Water • Expand Groundwater Recharge Facilities to Increase Local Water Supplies • Encourage Onsite Collection of Stormwater for Irrigation and Percolation p • Extend the Distribution and Range of Uses for Reclaimed Water • Expand Water Conservation C Programs • Publish a Subwatershed -level Water Budget and Periodically Monitor Performance Encourage Improved Flood Safety Through Restoration of River and Creek Ecosystems • Restore the Natural Hydrologic Functioning of Subwatershed Areas Where Feasible • Naturalize Low -Flow Slreambeds / Develop Floodways for Storm Events Where Feasible • Restore Local Streams to Replace Storm Drains Where Feasible • Maintain Sufficient Flow Conditions to Support Riparian /Riverine Habitats • Develop Sediment Management Strategy PLANNING: Plan Together to Make It Happen I u Q Coordinate Watershed Planning Across Jurisdictions and Boundaries • Partner with All Relevant Agency Officials, Staff and Elected Officials Throughout the Process • Develop a Coordinated Regional Approach to Obtain Federal, State and Local o Funding • Plan at the Subwatershed Level; Coordinate at the Watershed Level � n U n • Encourage and Facilitate Public and Private Partnerships to Implement Projects p • Involve the Residential, Business, and Professional Communities in All Aspects of Planning Involve the Public Through Education and Outreach Programs Conduct Public Educational and Outreach Programs to Promote Watershed Restoration Establish a Process for Project Participation by Stakeholder Representatives and the Public Present Plans and Programs in Reader - Friendly Print and Electronic Versions Encourage Involvement of Stakeholders and the Public in Project Implementation and Maintenance Recognize the Significance and Uniqueness of Individual Properties for Watershed Planning Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 46 Chapter irom the Mountains to the Sea Encourage Multiple- Objective Planning and Projects • Integrate Land Use Planning with Flood Management Principles, Water Resources Practices and Open Space Uses • Develop Demonstration Open Space Projects with Multiple Watershed Objectives • Provide Incentives in Funding and Public Approvals for Multiple - Objective Projects • Employ Comprehensive Cost - Benefit Analysis to Evaluate Multiple - Objective Projects • Analyze Interdependence of Land, Water, Materials, Energy, Economics and Ecosystems Use Science as a Basis for Planning Base Plans and Projects on Scientifically- Derived Principles, Practices and Priorities • Incorporate Review of Key Issues by an Interdisciplinary Science Panel • Develop Benchmarks to Assess Watershed Status by a Regular Monitoring Process • Encourage Applied Scientific Research to Guide Public Policy Establish a Plan Implementation and Review Process • Secure Approval of the Plan by Partner Jurisdictions • Assure CEQA Compliance in Approval of Proposed Projects • Establish and Periodically Assess Measurable Objectives for All Plan Elements .11 • Employ the Plan as an Ongoing Management Process • Establish a Procedure and Schedule for Periodic Plan Review and Updates C. Strategies To grow greener, enhance waters and work together, the State Conservancies must develop I u and implement of range of strategies that translate the Guiding Principles into plans, from which individual projects can be identified, proposed and developed. 1. Education 0 The highest priority must be placed upon public education and outreach. Community leaders, 0 property owners, industries, businesses, and individuals make day -to- day- decisions that impact the double watershed. Restoration of the watershed will require changes in behavior, shifts in 0 9 resource priorities and decisions on how to balance environmental and economic needs. This requires local understanding of the key issues to allow the public to make informed choices. State Conservancies and Agencies will facilitate the exchange of Information concerning the conditions of double watershed, options for restoration and enhancement of natural resources, encourage the broadest based participation in the management and protection of the double watershed. This will include development and implementation of a strategy for a watershed - wide public outreach, education and interpretive programs. a. Public Outreach Because water drains from the mountains to the sea, trash thrown into a storm drain anywhere in the double watershed, will end up at the beach. Yet this simple truth is not understood by Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 47 Chapter 3 many residents. Public education will make clear the linkages between the condition of the watershed and the health and well being of the population, wildlife and the ocean. Cleaning stormwater runoff improves water quality and could optimize water resources. Public service campaigns will address non -point source pollution, and the reduction of trash, animal waste, organic matter and other pollutants that wash into storm drains and then into to the rivers and the ocean. In addition to those issues most directly related to the condition of the watershed, outreach programs should also address broader environmental issues, including sustainability. At the simplest level, sustainability is the ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This goal encompasses a range of concepts, such as recycling, energy and water conservation, use of appropriate building materials, U minimizing use of hazardous materials, appropriate transportation practices (such as carpooling and public transit); and the purchase of environmentally - friendly products and packaging. If ° individuals, cities and agencies reduce their impact on the planet, the benefits to the double O watershed will be significant. Outreach efforts will recognize existing programs, such as the T.R.E.E.S project, developed by TreePeople and other examples of city policies and programs (e.g., the City of Santa Monica's Sustainable City Program, Cool Schools). Outreach programs will inform the public about the connection between open spaces, such as community gardens and backyards, and the health and condition of the double watershed. Wildlife need more than just nature preserves to thrive. Backyards can provide essential resources for different kinds of wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, small mammals and other creatures. This could entail planting a few host plants for butterflies or creating a place that provides food, water, summer shade, winter refuge, perches, nesting sites, and hiding places for all kinds of wildlife. The public needs to understand which native plants provide the best habitat for wildlife species. The conservancies will work to publicize existing programs, such as the g Backyard Wildlife Habitat program developed by the National Wildlife Foundation, Master Gardeners by U.C. Cooperative Extension, and work with such organizations to advance the goal of backyard habitat. 0 b. Educational Programs Outreach to the general public is important, but educating children that currently live in the n n__J1 LJ double watershed is equally important given the many decades that may be required to achieve p the vision articulated in this plan. Today's children are the future stewards of the double watershed, and need to understand the importance of restoring balance. Scientists, educators, groups and interested individuals to create effective educational programs and products. These activities will focus on: meeting the needs of educators; forging long -term partnerships with education institutions and professionals; encouraging a wide -rage of educational activities; fostering full participation of groups currently underrepresented in natural resources education; and incorporating the latest communications, dissemination and display technologies into education programs. Educations programs for children will build upon the extensive network of existing resources, such as the California Plan for Environmental Education, the California Regional Environmental Educational Center — Los Angeles (CREEC -LA), Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), the Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN); the Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 48 Chapter EcoAcademy (of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps), the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE); the US EPA's Water Office Kid's Page, the Water Education for Teachers project. Education programs for adults could include development of backyard habitat for wildlife, gardening techniques that minimize pesticide and herbicide use, natural methods of pest control, composting, organic gardening, or the planning and construction of stormwater drainage systems that promote groundwater infiltration. The State Conservancies will encourage higher education institutions to conduct research and teaching related to the condition of the double watershed. Given the interrelationships between the physical and natural environment, this could include a variety of fields, including hydrology, biology, urban planning, civil engineering, transportation planning; atmospheric sciences; n In geography; education; sociology; chemical engineering, and public health. The State ° Conservancies will work with others such as the Los Angeles /San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council towards establishing a clearinghouse of information that catalogs research on the O double watershed, to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas. C. Interpretive Opportunities When people visit open space, parks, community gardens, rivertronl walks, bike paths, RTLJI wetlands, or habitat preserves, opportunities to learn about what they see and experience ° should be available. This requires interpretive programs which translate information for a variety of audiences. The information presented could be scientific, environmental, cultural, or n n�nn n LJ even artistic in nature. Within the double watershed, interpretive programs could include hands - p on programs at nature centers and museums, docent led nature walks, summer day -camps for families, tours of water resources or flood control facilities, bird - watching or wildlife viewing events, living history exhibits at cultural sites, or signage and informational materials at p 4 accessible locations in parks, along trails, or at wetlands or habitat preserves. These could be patterned after the El Dorado Nature Center, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, and the Los Angeles River Visitor Center, among others. ° 2. Partnerships Cities can, and sometimes do, coordinate planning with adjacent jurisdictions. Agencies can work with cities and other agencies to coordinate efforts. Interest groups may band together to work on issues of common interest. Neighborhoods and associations can express support for common goals. These all represent forms of partnerships. Partnerships can provide strength. Instead of a focus on single - purpose public projects, a consistent approach for multiple - objective planning is required. Just as the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers are linked (via the engineered connection at the Rio Hondo) and therefore function as partners, restoration of the double watershed will require that agencies, cities, neighborhoods, interest groups and individuals work together and form partnerships to achieve a common purpose._ For example, the Los Angeles /San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council has been meeting monthly since 1996 to facilitate the formation of partnerships. The State Conservancies will support and expand those efforts. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 49 Chapter 3 Given the large number of agencies and cities with jurisdiction in the double watershed, and the diversity of neighborhoods and interest groups, the range of interests and issues is very diverse. Instead of differences, it is possible to focus on common themes on which virtually everyone will concur: protect the environment; protect water quality; and provide more parks and open space. It is possible to work together to plan and develop multi - purpose projects that meet both local needs and agency mandates while also helping to restore balance to the double watershed. A wide variety of agencies, individuals, groups and entities have an opportunity to participate in partnerships and play a role in restoration of the double watershed. The following list is illustrative, and is not intended to be all- inclusive. Federal Elected Officials — Senators and Representatives Agencies —Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service, Geological Survey, Forest Service, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service. state Elected Officials — Governor, Senators and Assembly members Departments and Agencies — Agriculture, Caltrans, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Game, Forestry and Fire Protection, Health Services, Integrated Waste Management Board, Parks and Recreation, Resources Agency, State Water Resources Control Board, Toxic Substances Control, University of California Cooperative Extension, Water Resources, Wildlife Conservation Board. Conservancies —San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Coastal Conservancy, Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority, Baldwin Hills Conservancy. Regional Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Water District, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Southern California Association of Governments Joint Powers Authorities Baldwin Hills regional Conservation Authority, Gateway City Council of Governments, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, Orange County League of Cities, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Whittier- Puente Hills Conservation Authority, Wildlife Corridor Conservation Authority. Los Angeles and Orange Counties Elected Officials — County Supervisors Departments — Agriculture, Public Works, Open Space District, Parks and Recreation, Regional Planning, Watershed and Environmental Programs (D.C.) Cities (listed below) Elected Officials —City Council and Mayors Boards/Commissions — Planning Commission and Parks Commission, for example Department Heads — City Manager, Planning, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Redevelopment Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency i m Page 50 Chapter 3 Los Angeles County. Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Bradbury, Burbank, Calabasis, Cerritos, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Glendale, Glendora, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Industry, La Canada Flintridge, La Habra Heights, Lakewood, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lawndale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Fe Springs, Sierra Madre, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, and Whittier Orange County Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Placentia and Seal Beach Other Entities: Non -profit organizations (trusts, foundations, conservancies, associations, societies, coalitions, alliances, councils); water agencies, districts and associations; business and property owners; financial institutions; businesses and industry associations; Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions; civic organizations; and interested individuals. 3. Funding To restore the double watershed, additional financial resources will be needed. Traditionally, government identified and funded acquisition of open space and other natural resource protection and conservation activities. Increasingly, cities, residents, neighborhood groups, private groups, and environmental organizations identify open space and conservation opportunities and work to secure funding or find alternative solutions within and outside of the traditional governmental role. Traditional funding sources for natural resource protection and acquisition of open space include Federal and State operating funds. Funds may also be accessed from state, county and local city voter - approved bonds, such as Proposition 12 (The Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act) and Proposition 13 (the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection, and Flood Protection Bond Act). The Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Acts (Proposition A) of 1992 and 1996 have been responsible for most of the Los Angeles River greening and riverfronl.parks. These fund sources will likely be the primary source of funds for acquisition of lands and individual projects. In addition to securing funds from traditional sources, the State Conservancies will work to identify create funding opportunities from private trusts, such as the Trust for Pubic Land (TPL) and the Wildlands Conservancy. These trusts acquire land for later transfer to a third parry, when financing is organized. Private foundations should also be a source of additional funding. For example, the Packard Foundation has funded land acquisition throughout the State of California. Funding for management and /or maintenance of open space must also be addressed. Plans for acquisition of open space should include a plan for securing the necessary funds for long -term maintenance of those spaces. Many existing facilities have suffered from inadequate maintenance and require funding to restore those facilities to acceptable conditions. San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency f— LL Q 0 W_ W 0 Q Cz C W SON Page 51 Chapter 3 Existing fund sources will not be overlooked. Currently, federal, state, and local agencies, and individual cities expend considerable resources to maintain existing parks, open space, trails, bike paths, and flood protection facilities. For example, optimization of existing water resources through improved water conservation and increased groundwater recharge could reduce the need for imported water and result in cost savings that could be used to meet other water resource needs. Compliance with current legislative mandates, such as those related to stormwater runoff quality, will require cities, local agencies, and private landowners to expend resources to develop, implement and monitor Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plans. Additional resources will be need to implement the recently adopted requirement to eliminate trash from the Los Angeles River. CalTrans will expend considerable sums to mitigate stormwater ( J pollution from State highways. The State Conservancies will encourage discussion of how to best optimize the expenditure of resources to mitigate non -point stormwater runoff pollution. a The State Conservancies will encourage and support efforts to secure additional funding from O traditional sources, as well as private foundations and trusts. The State Conservancies will work to identify opportunities to optimize use of existing resources, such as sharing of information and knowledge, and work towards lowering the costs of maintenance (e.g., through joint purchasing cooperatives), education and interpretive programs for existing facilities (e.g.,� through sharing of information and materials). 0 4. Multiple Objective Planning rLrLn role In recent years, while maintaining focus on their primary responsibilities and missions, a number of agencies in the double watershed have been engaged in the process of discussion and the emerging vision of integrated watershed planning, and incorporate multiple objectives into I u planning. Several cities have also incorporated these concepts into planning, and worked with other cities, sometimes through Councils of Governments, to achieve aims that extend beyond border the of individual cities. To restore the double watershed, a consistent approach to multiple objective planning is 0 required, in which several socially desirable objectives are considered together. Where feasible, parks will provide habitat and flood protection features. Passive recreation in habitat be rulil areas may compatible with resources protection when properly managed. Flood protection features will incorporate recreation features, such as bike paths, where public safety can be O assured. By integrating multiple objectives into a single project, it may also be possible to combine several funding sources into a single project, and thereby optimize resources. The various concepts that could be combined to achieve multiple objectives are reflected in the Guiding Principles. The State Conservancies will encourage the use of the principles in the development of plans and projects, and work to fund demonstration projects that illustrate that multi - purpose projects are practical and functional. Individual projects to incorporate as many of the Guiding Principles as practical and feasible. The State Conservancies will encourage cities to consider incorporation of those Guiding Principles deemed relevant or appropriate into their next General Plan update, so that future projects within individual cities reflect the goals embodied in the Guiding Principles. Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency Page 52 Chapter 3 To assist agencies, cities and groups to understand priorities for the award of funds for open space projects, the RMC and SMMC have developed criteria to rank projects that are eligible for funding that is administered by those agencies. These criteria have been reviewed and discussed with state and county agencies so ensure that they are in concurrence with agency missions and funding criteria. Basic ranking categories include: • Urban Resource Value Watershed Resource Value • Partner Resource Value • Economic Value • Access Value • Scenic Resource Value • Wildlife Resource Value • Floristic Resource Value • Archaeological or Historic Resource Value • Trails Resource Value • Recreational Resource Value The RMC uses additional criteria of Open Space Plan Value and Conceptual Area Protection Plan. The criteria, and weighting factors within each category are included in Appendix E. The State Conservancies will work with funding agencies to encourage the use of the Guiding Principles, the above criteria, and cost - benefit models (that consider economic, social and environmental costs) to prioritize funding applications for projects. The State Conservancies will encourage cities, agencies and groups to begin to incorporate these concepts into project plans, and thereby meet the goal of multiple objective planning. 5. Improvement of Existing Facilities As the initial phase of this Plan, the RMC engaged the LJS Group to conduct a survey in the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles River watershed in which residents were asked to suggest priorities for RMC activities. One of the highest priorities was improvement of existing parks. Recreational facilities and increased security were specifically mentioned. Over the years, for a variety of reasons, many parks in Southern California have not been adequately maintained. Local budgets, state budgets and federal budgets have not kept pace with the need. Beyond addressing deferred maintenance needs, existing parks and open space could be redesigned to accommodate multiple uses serving a wider variety of users. Parks and open spaces located along river or tributary margins may provide opportunities for low- impact recreational, habitat, flood protection, education and interpretation, trails and connections, water quality and ground water recharge as well as for active recreational uses. The State Conservancies will work with individual cities and local non -profit groups to identify opportunities for the enhancement of existing open spaces within their jurisdictions. The conservancies will assist the cities in identifying sources of funding, including pads and open space bonds, and will advise cities on how to best meet application requirements. 6. Land Protection and Acquisition Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency IMEN Page 53 Chapter 3 Expansion of open space in the double watershed will require protection or acquisition of additional land resources. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has been acquiring land for over 20 years and has protected over 55,000 acres of open space. The potential for land to be acquired and adapted as public open space will depend upon the size of the parcel, the location of the parcel (e.g., proximity to rivers or other open space), and the potential the costs of site clean -up (e.g., clearance of existing structures and /or remediation of any site contamination). The opportunity costs of acquisition must be balanced against the value of the parcel as part of the evolving open space network. Acquisition of the land has been the traditional means of protection land resources, but securing public funding for acquisition may be a lengthy process. Because the window of opportunity to acquire lands may be short, other options may need to be considered. The most common form of open space acquisition is through the outright purchase of property. ° The standard purchase is a fee simple transaction where money is exchanged for property. O Other alternatives include a lease with a future option to purchase or an installment purchase. Both options may allow for immediate occupancy and transfer of final payment(s) in the future. This may be an important consideration when available resources are low but can be secured in the future. Funding for outright purchases typically come from local, state and federal grants and bonds and from grants and donations from private individuals and foundations. fL- Rather than wait for properties to come onto the market, the Stale Conservancies will work with r agencies, cities and private groups to identify critical parcels of land that have value for open space, habitat, or water resources. If the owner is willing, it may be possible to secure a right of p first refusal, that can be exercised when the property is put on the market. It may also be possible to negotiate with the property owner to secure an agreement to donate or dedicate the property in the future. Property owners may have a valid reason (usually tax - related) to donate p the property or sell it at a reduced rate, and may be willing if they know it will be used and maintained for the Occasionally, ° public good.. land can be traded among owners, if multiple needs can be met simultaneously by trading parcels. For some parcels, the owner may be unwilling to sell the property but may be willing to grant the 0 right of use to another party. A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that allows a landowner to limit the type or amount of development on their property (in exchange for a fee or other considerations) while retaining private ownership of the land. In California, agricultural I-J lands are often protected by the use of a conservation easement. Lands with conservation p easements may have limited public access and serve as visual open space. Funding for easements typically comes from state and federal grants and from grants and bonds and donations from private individuals and foundations. The State Conservancies will work with federal, state and local agencies, cities, private groups, foundations and trusts to identify acquisition opportunities, and work to secure funding for acquisitions and conservation easements. 7. Management Public lands will be managed for the benefit of the people and to preserve, protect, and enhance natural resource values, and where appropriate, provide for multiple objectives. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 54 Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea Acquisition of open space should include aplan to identify responsibility for future management of the space (and identify funds for that management). This plan recognizes the importance and the need for both active and passive recreation. Active recreation generally is within the purview of local and county jurisdictions. These jurisdictions maintain departments that address recreation needs on the local level. Low impact recreation refers to uses that have relatively low impact on the land and include such uses as hiking, strolling, picnicking, sitting, and bird watching. These uses avoid impacts to the land by designating specific routes of travel or areas of usage that allows the surrounding open space to be preserved. A management program may incorporate areas of low impact activities to enhance the sense of place and preserve what makes a particular site important. These activities allow for self education, exercise, and contemplation to be undertaken at a user's own pace. In developing and managing an open space, it is critical that numerous issues be addressed. These issues include: access, circulation, security, visitor amenities such as restrooms, water, trash pick -up, along with habitat protection and enhancement and interpretive education. 8. Monitoring and Assessment This Plan sets forth a long -term vision for restoration of the double watershed, suggests strategies to achieve that vision, and identifies plans and opportunities to implement those strategies. Since restoration of the double watershed will require many decades, periodic review and assessment of progress will be required, to determine whether strategies need to be revised, alternative plans will be pursued, or to incorporate new concepts and objectives. The State Conservancies will work to develop a joint assessment process for restoration of the double watershed, and monitor progress towards meeting the goals described herein. Critical to this process will be maintenance and updating of the Geographic Information Systems database developed by the RMC. At a minimum, the periodic assessment process shall occur at ten year intervals, or more often if deemed practical. This process shall utilize quantifiable methods wherever feasible, and shall include stakeholder involvement in the design, implementation and review of the assessments. D. Plans and Opportunities To achieve the vision of the future for the double watershed, encourage use of the Guiding Principles, and implement the strategies described about, the State Conservancies will work with appropriate agencies and cities to identify opportunities and encourage development of project- specific plans that take advantage of those opportunities. The following discussion highlights some important opportunities. Connectivity a. River Parkways San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q W W Q ME W, W Page 55 Chapter 3 River parkways along the banks of the Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and Rio Hondo Rivers will provide the most visible element of the proposed open space network. As illustrated in Figure 3 -1, the parkways will extend green ribbons of open space across the urbanized length of the double watershed, from the foothills and the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Landscaped open space on both sides of the river would provide pocket parks, passive recreation and natural areas for wildlife habitat. These landscaped spaces could cleanse runoff, promote groundwater infiltration, and enhance flood protection by serving as buffers between the rivers and adjacent land uses. They could also galvanize a sense of community and provide a unifying theme throughout our diverse region. In various forms, river parkways were first suggested more than a century ago and reiterated in the Olmsted- Bartholomew plan in 1930. A number of existing plans address the enhancement rt_ of the edges of the rivers, including the Los Angeles River Master Plan, the San Gabriel River Master Plan (in progress) and the Reconnecting the San Gabriel Valley. A Planning Approach for the Creation of Interconnected Urban Wildlife Comdor Networks, which addressed habitat ° restoration. ❑ Elements of the riverfront parkway system already exist: bike and pedestrian trails line the length of the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel Rivers and parts of the Los Angeles River. Several major parks already front the rivers at some location: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Cerritos Regional Park, Dabs Regional Park, Elysian Park, Griffith LL" Park, Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, and El Dorado Regional Park. Various cities all have existing parks along one of the including ° river main channels, South Gate, Bell Gardens, Paramount, Bellflower, Los Angeles, Burbank, Cerritos, Lakewood, Downey, Santa Fe Springs, City of Commerce, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Rosemead, El Monte, Duarte, and Seal Beach. Many schools and recreational facilities currently front the river. These individual open spaces will be connected by parkways along the entire length of the rivers, creating valuable urban amenities. Several of the "river" cities are already embracing the river as an amenity for their cities. Azusa Q calls itself the "Canyon City" reflecting the water course of the San Gabriel River as it flows from the mountains. Duarte's residents use the Puente Largo pedestrian bridge as a way to access the native environment along the river. The Bosque Del Rio Hondo Park in Rosemead provides natural open space and a river beach for the surrounding cities. Long Beach uses the San ° Gabriel River parks as a connective armature for the city's extensive bicycle network. The City of Maywood is creating a park at an old industrial site along the Los Angeles River. The river - FLU front parks created by North East Trees and the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority 29 are the prototype for the creation of a series of small natural parks utilizing leftover bits of land. By adding to this impressive network, a continuous parkway can be created. Goal: A continuous ribbon of trails, open space, active and passive recreation areas, and wildlife habitat along the Los Angeles, San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers. The specific treatment of each segment of the greenway should be determined by the existing conditions of the parcel, the needs and desires of the local community and the opportunities for connection and linkages presented at that location. Guiding Pnnciples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency v C m M N T d N 0 N N N N a a O�y > a d U v aay N yJd O N a << vn`U m d d`yy m - LL Page 57 Chapter 3 Actions: The Slate Conservancies will meet each river - fronting city to establish a program to identify potential River Parkway projects. Each program will be tailored to the needs and desires of each city and will outline a prioritized list of projects, identify potential funding and partners and a work program to accomplish the acquisition and development of each project. The State conservancies will work with Los Angeles County Public Works Department and local governments to implement projects designated in the Los Angeles River Master Plan and will help identify projects for the in- progress San Gabriel River Master Plan. b. Tributaries There are nearly 2,000 stream miles in the double watershed, and one - quarter of those streams flow year- round. Similar to river parkways, provision of open space along tributaries provide an 0— opportunity to further extend green ribbons throughout the double watershed, connecting those communities not located directly on the rivers, and expanding the network of trails and bike paths. As discussed in Chapter 2, and illustrated in Figure 2 -0, there are eleven major sub - watersheds that create the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers. The major tributaries of the San Gabriel River include the East and West Forks of the San Gabriel, Walnut Creek, San Jose Creek and Coyote Creek. For the Los Angeles River, major tributaries include the Tujunga, Pacoima and Verdugo Washes, Arroyo Seco, Rio Hondo and Compton Creek. 0 River tributaries can provide access to and from the river from all areas of the double watershed. From a circulation perspective, bike and pedestrian paths along the tributaries provide access to alternative transportation modes. From a natural systems perspective, they p allow for the reestablishment and protection of continuous natural corridors as they transition from hill and mountainous environments to coastal environments. From a flood protection perspective, the tributary parkways could create opportunities for development of smaller p detention facilities that incrementally reduce the threat of flooding downstream. From a recreation perspective, they create local recreation and educational opportunities. The idea that parks and open space are located along tributaries is prevalent throughout ° Southern California. Various cities already have public parks and public open space along tributaries, including Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, La Mirada, Fullerton, Los Angeles, Glendale, ° Pasadena, Arcadia, Glendora, San Dimas, Claremont, South Pasadena, San Gabriel, W Alhambra, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Covina, West Covina, La Verne, Pomona, Walnut, Diamond Bar, La Mirada, Compton, Lakewood, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Anaheim, Long Beach, and O Seal Beach. The challenge is to not only to create a continuous open space ribbon along the tributaries but to increase regional access and create a closer relationship between the existing parks and open space with these linear open space ribbons. Large existing parks and open spaces along tributaries include: Hahamonga Watershed, Dabs Regional Park, and Eaton Canyon Park. Goal: All tributaries in urbanized areas of the dual watersheds are envisioned as open space ribbons that allow for pedestrian and bike paths, restoration of habitat, and provide opportunities for water quality improvement and flood protection. See Figure 3 -2. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency _ s 1 11000 a o z vm� a 5z� ♦ • v I �4 w x � F * �r = w 4 \ d a Page 59 Chapter 3 Actions: The State Conservancies will work individually and collectively with the communities, local groups and the appropriate Council of Governments along each of the major tributaries to establish a comprehensive tributary plan to create a common strategy and comprehensive plan for the creation of a corridor -wide open space and trail system. Individual projects of each city will be identified as part of the comprehensive tributary plan. C. Trails and Bike Paths The linearity and length of the rivers make them perfect conduits for connecting the northern mountainous areas, the populous interior plains, and the coastal margins of the double 0- watershed. The tributaries provide opportunities to create an extensive network of additional corridors that would extend throughout the urbanized areas of the double watershed. With connections to existing trails and bike paths along those natural corridors, a vast network of alternative transportation corridors will become a reality, creating inter- and intra-city commuter routes and providing connections to a range of recreational opportunities from mountain trails to beach front promenades. The Rim -of- the - Valley Trail is an example of an opportunity to create regional connections to local trails. n VU] Large segments of riverfront bike paths are already in place. The LARIO trail currently follows the Los Angeles River from Long Beach to Maywood and the Rio Hondo, from the LA River to the Santa Fe Dam. A San Gabriel River trail system runs from the mountains to the sea. A trail program for the entire Los Angeles River is depicted in the Los Angeles River Master Plan. O 4 The dozen or so major tributaries create perpendicular linkages to the major spines and allow for a region -wide network of aftemative transportation modes. Currently trail segments are in O 2 place along the Coyote Creek, Thompson Creek, La Mirada Creek, and the Arroyo Seco. Existing powerline dghtsof -way may also provide opportunities to create and extend bike paths and trails along linear corridors. Beyond the rivers and tributaries, bike paths exist in various locations throughout the double o. watershed. Caltrans has made development of additional bike paths a priority, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority's long range transportation plan proposes to extend and expand the network with an additional 1,800 miles of bike paths. The Orange County Transportation Authority is currently updating the County's Strategic Bicycle Plan. Various cities have O proposals to extend existing paths, or create new paths. _ Goal: A comprehensive network of pedestrian, bike and equestrian trails that use existing corridors (such as rivers, tributaries and powerline rights-of-way) where available and new connections where needed. Actions: The Stale Conservancies will work with the Councils of Government, cities, state legislators, community groups, such as the Los Angeles (and Orange County) Bicycle Coalition, to identify local and regional connections, develop funding strategies for acquisition or development of regional bike, pedestrian, and equestrian trail linkages. Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Calffomia Resources Agency Page 60 Chapter 2. Open Space a. Mountains, Foothills and Hills Development of the Flatlands within the double watershed began more than two centuries ago, and continues. Because of the limited remaining land, development has pushed into the foothills, and in some locations, into the San Gabriel, Santa Monica and Santa Susanna Mountains. Because large areas of the foothills and mountains remain undeveloped, preservation of special places must be pursued before critical opportunities are lost. The preservation of the ridge tops and hillsides ringing the Los Angeles basin was also a goal of the Olmsted Plan. Their plan specifically called for the creation of large parks along the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains, the Puente Hills, and the Whittier Narrows. Much progress has been made towards preservation of the area's hillside habitat and open space. For instance, the majority of the San Gabriel Mountains are within the Angeles National Forest, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service. Several non - profit, community-based land conservancies have been created along the south - facing foothill slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains to preserve undeveloped hillside lands. These conservancies include the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy, the Glendora Community Conservancy, Sierra Madre Mountains Conservancy, Monrovia Mountain Conservancy, Altadena Foothills Conservancy, Claremont Wildlands Conservancy, and the Foothills Wildlife Conservancy. These censervancies utilize sophisticated financing techniques 0 and local support to acquire and protect important parcels of land so they may continue to be open space and habitat. O Significant portions of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Simi Hills, Verdugo Mountains and the Q Santa Susanna Mountains are preserved as park and open space thanks to the actions of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority, the o California Department of Parks and Recreation, the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Lc Angeles, and the National Park Service. G1- 0 The Puente and Whittier Hills, Chino Hills, San Jose Hills, Verdugo Mountains, and the San Rafael Hills all have existing preserved open space. There are nature centers in the Puente W Hills (Whittier Narrows Nature Center), the Verdugo Mountains, and Eaton Canyon in the San 1 u Gabriel Mountains. The Audubon Society is planning a nature center on the slopes of Dabs Park along the Arroyo Seco. Groups such as the Whittier /Puente Hills Conservation Authority, Wildlife Corridor Conservation Authority, Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority, the Claremont Wildlands Conservancy, State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, the RMC, SMMC, and MRCA are working together on research studies and land acquisition and preservation programs. Several major public open spaces are located in the hills and mountains. Besides the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains, there are the Chino Hills Stale Park, Debs Regional Park, Deukmejian Regional Park, Industry Hills Recreation Center, Schabarum Regional Park, Firestone Boy Scout Reservation. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 61 Chapter 3 Goal: Acquisition of mountain and hillside open spaces that provide important wildlife habitat and open space values. The hillside open space network, in conjunction with the river network, should connect the San Gabriel Mountains with the Santa Ana Mountains, the Angeles National Forest with the Cleveland National Forest, and the Santa Monica Mountains with the Santa Susanna Mountains. Actions: The State Conservancies will work with the foothill communities of the San Gabriel Mountains, local conservancies and groups, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to establish a common strategy and comprehensive plan for the preservation of foothill open space. Figure 3 -3 illustrates the areas where opportunities for the continued preservation of mountains, hills, and foothills. The State Conservancies will work with the communities, local conservancies and groups, and the Council of Governments surrounding and encompassing the Whitter /Puente /Chino /San Jose. Hills complex to establish a common strategy and comprehensive plan for the preservation of O open space in this area. The State Conservancies will work with the communities surrounding the San Rafael Hills, the hills surrounding the Glendale Narrows. and the Verdugo Mountains to establish a common strategy and comprehensive plan for the preservation of open space in this area. nn f1 LJ ° b. Individual Parcels u4 In the urbanized portions of the double watershed, competition for parcels of land is intense. Within the San Gabriel Valley, the Los Angeles Basin and the San Fernando Valley, most parcels of land that become available have previously been used for other purposes, such as O 2 industry or business, or were used by public agencies that have deemed the land surplus. The size of these parcels will vary, from individual lots in residential areas to large, former industrial sites or military facilities. When such parcels become available, they should be reviewed for their potential to serve as another element in the developing network of open spaces. ° The potential for individual parcels to be acquired and adapted as public open space, and provide recreation, habitat, flood mitigation or groundwater infiltration uses will depend upon the size the the location of parcel, of the parcel (e.g., proximity to rivers or other open space), and the costs of site clean -up (e.g., clearance of existing structures and /or remediation of any site O% contamination). The opportunity costs of acquisition must be considered in the review of any parcels, and be balanced against the value of the parcel as part of the evolving open space network. Large parcels of land that may become available include the gravel pits located in the upper San Gabriel River watershed, under - utilized or vacant industrial properties, hillside properties that, due to geological or other natural conditions, preclude normal types of development, and flood plain lands. Powedine easements belonging the to City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison may provide opportunities for open space uses. Throughout much of the length of the Los Angeles and Rio Hondo Rivers, powedine easements follow the river course. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency T- 000 111 }/ \\ Page 63 Chapter 3 Examples of large parcels that have been converted to public use include the Whittier Narrows Nature Center, the Industry Hills Recreation complex (former landfill), Taylor Yard (former rail maintenance yard and locomotive repair facility), Los Angeles River Center and Gardens (former corporate headquarters), and a park in Maywood (former industrial site). The Chinatown /Comfeld Yard area (a former rail yard) is also proposed to be developed to provide open space and community serving uses. Public agencies, including cities, counties, special districts, state government and institutions, and the federal government own a significant amount of land throughout the double watershed, for use as maintenance yards, storage sites and sites of office and other facilities. Some parcels of land may no longer be needed for their original purpose, may be declared surplus, Iifu„� and disposed of in the manner prescribed by law for each agency orjurisdiction. One example of public land that has been converted to public use is the August Hawkins Natural Park, which ° was a former pipe storage yard for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. O A variety of lands may, over time, be considered "surplus" including major military facilities, such as the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Depot or local reserve training facilities. State agencies such as Caltrans own the lands under and around freeway interchanges and under river bridges. Cities and agencies own and maintain corporate or work yards, some of which have r frontage along the rivers and tributaries. Goal: Consider acquisition of parcels in urbanized areas to provide open space, passive FLU recreation, habitat, and flood mitigation uses. Balance acquisition costs, incuding site clean -up if necessary, with the value of providing additional open space at that location. Actions: The State conservancies will work with individual cities to identify and evaluate parcels that may become available in the next 10 years. If deemed appropriate, the cities and the conservancies will work together to develop a purchase, development, operation and ° maintenance strategy for each identified parcel. The conservancies will work with local, county, state and federal agencies and institutions, to identify potential surplus government lands and ° develop a strategy and program for acquiring, operating, and managing those lands. The State Conservancies will work with willing municipalities and agencies to develop a program that ° grants and defines the State Conservancies the right of first refusal for surplus governmental r� lands. The State Conservancies will work with local power distributors, state legislators, and rLU communities to gain ground access to the powerline grid that crisscrosses the double p% watershed. C. Community Gardens Community gardens provide gardening opportunities, in a communal setting, for those who do not otherwise have space for gardening. But these green spaces generate more than just food. The patchwork of community gardens across the double watershed provide opportunities for passive recreation, demonstrate the value of using open space, landscaping, and mulch - covered spaces to contain runoff and reduce water waste; provide opportunities to learn about composting to reduce the volume of green waste deposited in landfills and provide an opportunity to engage in sustainable agriculture in an urban setting. Many communities throughout Southern California have established community gardens for their residents. A number of organizations assist communities in the development, organization Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 64 Common Ground - rrom the Mountains to the Sea and operations of community gardens. The University of California Cooperative Extension has established the Common Ground (no relation to this project) Gardening Program that makes gardening possible for residents of all ages. Common Ground comprises Master Gardeners (who present seasonal workshops), Master Food Preservers (lo show to store and preserve a garden's bounty), and the Gardening Angels school garden program (which works with teachers to provide hands -on gardening activities to complement curricula and create gardens on school grounds). The Los Angeles Community Garden Council is an umbrella organization providing assistance to community gardens in Southern California. Together with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, they established the Green Bank to provide opportunities for residents to participate in community gardens. Long Beach Organic helps turn vacant lots into beneficial green zones, maintained by local residents. This gives families interested in gardening an opportunity to work together, and to link their urban experience with the natural environment O Goal: Create a network of community gardens throughout the urbanized portions of the dual watersheds, to provide gardening opportunities for residents that do not have access to private land. Actions: The Conservancies will work with cities, educational organizations and non -profit RFLJI groups to increase funding opportunities to maintain, expand, and develop additional community gardens throughout the double watershed. u d. Private Lands Residents and individuals can play apart in watershed protection and enhancement activities. The WS survey, referred to earlier in the report, reported that many of those surveyed in the open space attitudes survey reported that their own backyards were their favorite open spaces. Many of the survey respondents also wanted more information on how to care for their own o land. More than 50% were interested in information that makes it more attractive and useful for wildlife such as birds and butterfly and how to absorb, retain and use more of the water that naturally falls or flow over their land. Watershed restoration can begin in backyards. While a backyard cannot take the place of a large wilderness area, it can play host to a wide assortment of wildlife within our urban areas. A backyard (or front yard) can be used to provide habitat (a combination of food, water, shelter, and space) for a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, beneficial insects, and small animals. A backyard, when considered as part of the vast neighborhood network in the double watershed, can contribute greatly to the health of a watershed. Organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and the American Gardening Association provide educational programs and materials to support backyard habitat efforts. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works maintains the Smart Gardening website to provide information on gardening, composting, building healthy soil, and integrated pest management. In addition to privately -owned spaces, businesses, organizations and institution sometimes own large parcels of land that could provide opportunities for open space. These include hospitals, corporations, and educational institutions, including school districts. These entities should be San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers Stale of California Resources Agency Page 65 Chapter 3 encouraged to adopt programs and policies which introduce landscaped open space into large expanses of concrete and asphalt where feasible, to provide amenities for employees, visitors and students. Goal: An informed public that understands how private lands, including backyards, provide open space in urban and suburban settings, and can provide passive recreation, create habitat for wildlife, filter stormwaler runoff and enhance groundwater infiltration. Business, industries, school districts and institutions that value open space as amenities for employees, patients, students and visitors. Actions: The State Conservancies will work with local agencies and environmental organizations to provide educational support for backyard habitat programs. The Conservancies will work with area businesses to develop incentive programs (e.g., such as sale a of native plants at reduced prices) to encourage residents to create backyard (and front yard) habitats and to reduce stormwater runoff and to encourage businesses to provide and maintain ❑ open spaces wherever feasible. 3. Wildlife a. Habitat 0 Habitats that support rare or sensitive species of plants and animals occur throughout the ❑ double watershed. Beginning in 1980, Los Angeles County began to identify Significant Ecological Areas (SEAS) for those habitats within Los Angeles County. Although these areas are not off - limits to development, they have some restrictions, including a requirement for additional environmental review in order to protect the resources. SEA boundaries were initially ❑ defined in 1976 and have been proposed for revision and expansion in 2001. Other Q opportunities for habitat preservation may exist, including the portions of the San Gabriel River watershed in Northern Orange County. o In addition to the identification of special habitat areas, permanent protection of those areas may be warranted, either through acquisition of land and development of habitat or wildlife preserves, or through conservation easements or similar mechanisms. Preservation of individual parcels that provide special habitat values is not sufficient. To promote genetic u diversity, mobility of genetic material must be assured, through the identification and preservation of habitat corridors, that would permit migration of plant and animal species. A number of important wildlife corridors exist within the double watershed. Many of these corridors are fragmented and need reestablished points of connection. Major wildlife corridors include the San Gabriel Mountain foothills, the Whittier /Puente /Chino /San Jose foothills and the Paciofc Flyway for migratory birds. Primary areas for wildlife linkages are riparian corridors and ridgelines. Riparian corridors provide shelter, water, and sustenance, all necessary for wildlife. Ridges and hillsides support species that live their lives in upland habitats. As described in the Reconnecting the San Gabriel Valley (2001) study and others, the San Gabriel Valley itself is a critical connection for wildlife movements and genetic diversity. The Valley, bisected by the San Gabriel River, is the connection between the San Gabriel Mountains (Angeles National Forest), the Puente Hills complex and the Santa Ana Mountains (Cleveland National Forest). Los Angeles Rivers i Resources Agency Page 66 Chapter 3 In the long term, there may be an opportunity to establish a breeding program to reintroduce locally extinct species into one or more of our local rivers. Goal: Preserve important terrestrial and aquatic habitats in the dual watersheds. Re -establish a wildlife corridor between the lands of the Angeles National Forest and the Cleveland Nation Forest, via the Puente/Whittier /Chino /San Jose Hills complex, and allow for continued wildlife movement along and within the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susanna Mountains, and in the Arroyo SecolLos Angeles River confluence. See Figure 3-4. Actions: The State conservancies will work with federal, state and local agencies and private groups to identify habitats that require preservation or restoration, and to identify plan, fund and implement wildlife corridors. b. Wetlands Before the arrival of European settlers, the rivers and tributaries, combined with abundant groundwater, created an extensive network of wetlands throughout the double watershed. The vast majority of these wetlands were lost, but some wetlands do still exist. In its Wetlands of the Los Angeles River Watershed, the California Coastal Conservancy documented both current wetland resources in the watershed and identified 10 sites that have potential for near -tens restoration. These sites were chosen because they "represent a range of wetland and riparian habitats that historically occurred in the watershed and are distributed with the overall objective of improving the geographic balance of such habitat types and promoting greater regional biodiversity." These sites are located at De Forest Park (Long Beach), Victoria Park (Torrance), Harbor Park (San Pedro), Dominguez Gap (Long Beach), Hazard Park (Los Angeles), Taylor Yard (Los Angeles), Lower Arroyo Park (Pasadena), Cahuenga Spreading Grounds (Glendale), Sepulveda Basin (Van Nuys), and Upper Bull Creek (San Fernando). For the upper San Gabriel River in the San Gabriel Valley, Reconnecting the San Gabriel Valley has proposed a series of actions to create a wildlife corridor along the San Gabriel River. This network includes wetland creation throughout the wildlife corridor. Although not as detailed as the Coastal Conservancy work on the Los Angeles River, this study presents a long term, multi - objective, and accomplishable vision for this reach of the river. For the Los Angeles River, the authors of Wetlands of the Los Angeles River Watershed state that "many other — in most cases more extensive — restoration opportunities exist or could be created... through such landscape -scale efforts as restoring former hydrologic regimes, more effective storm water management practices, and non - structural solutions to flood control. Examples of long term restoration opportunities include the creation of large - scale, off-channel Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 1 M Mm MER y q a P R 0 4 t' jj c u � m NON o o D m .�'�' ��a C C{ i ..•d ifi lilt 000 ON mm0� - - a m -". a o •- v� ' n a m w Page 66 Chapter 3 wetlands and riparian habitats in auxiliary flood ways and utility corridors adjacent to the major tributaries and mainstem channel of the Los Angeles River. These long term restoration opportunities are also applicable for the San Gabriel River. Goal: Restore and expand wetlands wherever feasible in the dual watersheds, and incorporate those wetlands as elements of natural systems, to treat urban runoff, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat. Actions: The State Conservancies will work with resource agencies to create a mitigation bank for the restoration and establishment of wetlands within the double watershed. This mitigation bank will provide mitigation for the loss of jurisdictional wetlands and other waters of the United ° States, as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The State Conservancies will develop partnerships with agencies and land groups to enhance, create, rehabilitate, manage, O and monitor these wetlands. �p 4. Water Resources a. Flood Protection 0 n n� The variability of flood flows in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers led to the extensive u O network of flood control facilities, including debris basins and concrete channels. The system has been largely successful in protecting lives and property and speeding the discharge of floodwaters into the Pacific Ocean. Maintenance of adequate flood protection for all residents of the double watershed will remain a vital priority. O Q Alternative means of achieving flood protection have been suggested for many years, including the use of non - structural methods, such as using open spaces to reduce runoff velocity and encourage groundwater infiltration. While such concepts have merit, the introduction of such features cannot compromise the basic functionality of the system, and therefore may have o limited application at some locations. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board r� recently adopted requirements for development, implementation and monitoring of Standard nn rl Urban Stormwater Mitigation Programs for certain types of new developments, which will require interim retention of stormwater. As model programs for retention and treatment of stormwater runoff are developed, retrofit of existing facilities may become practical and feasible. In the upper watershed, open space projects may have the opportunity to retain runoff so as to actually decrease the amount of water in the rivers during peak flows. If storm water is retained on site, there is an opportunity to use the retention facility as a recreation and or open space amenity during the dry months. Centralized retention facilities serving several parcels provide larger facilities that can accommodate more uses. Goal: Utilize a range of flood protection methods, both structural and non - structural, maintain and enhance flood protection, while utilizing open spaces and landscaped areas to filter, cleanse and retain stormwater and enhance groundwater infiltration. Actions: The State Conservancies will participate in flood protection planning activities with the Department of Public Works in Los Angeles and Orange County, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and encourage incorporation of non - structural flood protection measures as part of comprehensive flood protection programs. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 69 b. Surface Water Chapter 3 Since adoption of the federal Clean Water Act, water quality in the rivers and tributaries has improved significantly, however reaches of the rivers are still identified as having impaired water quality. A variety of problems remain to be addressed to assure that surface water quality meets applicable standards. The most notable of these problems is urban runoff, including stormwater runoff. Los Angeles and Orange County have been granted permits for municipal separate storm sewer ° systems, which cover the discharge of flood waters into the regional drainage network, and then into the Pacific Ocean. The Los Angeles pennittees have filed a Report of Waste Discharge (dated February 1, 2001), and applied for renewal of the waste discharge requirements and a NPDES permit. The LARWQCB is expected to adopted a new permit for those discharges later this year. As a result, most storm drain systems in the urbanized areas of the double watershed are covered by NPDES requirements, which requires development, implementation and �nn nn monitoring of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Programs. A major component of those uJ programs is the use of Best Management Principles (BMPs) during planning, construction, operation and maintenance of facilities. In addition, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board recently adopted requirements for implementation and monitoring of Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Programs for certain types of new developments. Model programs for retention and treatment of stormwater runoff will be developed as a result of these requirements, and those model p 4 programs are to be adopted by Cities, who will review plans for new development and determine compliance with the model programs. Beyond BMPs applicable to existing and future development, public education and outreach will be critical to reducing urban stormwater pollution. The Cities and Counties have existing outreach programs, to eliminate the concept of storm drains as trash receptacles, create an ° understanding of the connection between animal and yard waste and the quality of water in the rivers and at the beaches, and underscore the need for personal commitment to improve the quality of stormwater runoff. O Goal: Improve stormwater runoff quality to assure protection of surface and ground water. Encourage infiltration or urban runoff into groundwater where feasible to extend the water supply, thereby reducing reliance on imported water. Actions: The State Conservancies will work with the LARWQCB, the Counties, and relevant local agencies to encourage development of model programs related to urban stormwater runoff mitigation and encourage agencies and cities to adopt and implement those programs. The State Conservancies will encourage expansion of existing urban stormwater runoff education and outreach programs. C. Groundwater In the early stages of development of the double watershed, groundwater played an important role as the source of the majority of water for farms, homes and businesses. Reliance on Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 70 Chapter 3 groundwater declined as imported water became available, however, the continued infiltration of surface waters into our underground aquifers is essential to water supply in some areas. In some areas, poor quality of groundwater, or contamination from prior land uses, limits or precludes use of groundwater for domestic purposes. Enhancing groundwater infiltration could expand the availability of this valuable resource, and reduce reliance on imported water. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works ( LACDPW) undertakes substantial groundwater recharge throughout Los Angeles County. LACDPW operates 29 water - spreading areas where water infiltrates to replenish the County's underground water supply (LACDA Study, 1994, p.12). Over 171,000 acre feet of water runoff was conserved in 1998 -1999. The conserved water percolates into the ground water and is pumped for use by the residents of the double watershed. The Public Works Department, through its Water Resources Division is undertaking a demonstration project along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers in the City of Pico Rivera. Together with the City, they have developed a strategy and plans to allow public access to the spreading grounds. The project mission, - to... enhancement, education...., is a multi - purpose, multi -phase plan to allow public access to the open space provided by the spreading grounds. This partnership between the County Public Works and the City of Pico Rivera is a model of cooperation and enlightened use policies. Models such as the spreading grounds enhancement project between Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and the City of Pico Rivera are encouraged for all recharge sites throughout the double watershed. Goal: Expand and enhance groundwater infiltration and recharge wherever possible, and when consistent with water quality goals. Actions: The Conservancies will work with LACDPW and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, water districts, and cities to develop and fund projects that protect and enhance groundwater quality and enhance groundwater recharge. F. Next Steps To restore balance to the double watershed, plans and projects for open space, habitat, and water resources need to incorporate the guiding principles articulated in this plan, to the extent relevant to those plans. This includes ongoing (or pending) subwatershed plans, the San Gabriel River Master Plan, and future plans for parks, open space, and bike trails in individual cities. The State Conservancies will encourage cities and local agencies to consider incorporation of the concepts embodied in the guiding principles into current and future plan, to begin advancing the goal of restoring balance to the watersheds. The State Conservancies will encourage cities to consider incorporation of the Guiding Principles deemed relevant or appropriate into their next General Plan update, so that future projects within individual cities reflect the concepts embodied in the Guiding Principles. Because this plan discusses, but does not propose, specific projects, following adoption of this plan, the RMC and SMMC will begin to develop and propose projects that are consistent with the goals of the plan. The conservancies will also evaluate funding applications for projects Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I Imp LeM Page 71 Chapter 3 submitted by cities, agencies and local groups, using the project evaluation criteria included in Appendix E. Because the SMMC has existed for more than 20 years, the concepts included in this plan will this plan will be used as a supplemental tool to evaluate projects for inclusion in SMMC's work program. Because the RMC is relatively new, some of the concepts described in this plan will require subsequent plans, developed in partnership with local cities and agencies, to identify projects that will implement the concepts described in this plan. The RMC will work with relevant partners to develop, within three years of the adoption of this plan, the following subsequent plans: Rivers Parkway Plan: To create a continuous ribbon of open space along the San Gabriel River, the Los Angeles River and the Rio Hondo, the RMC will develop a Rivers Parkway Plan, using the recommendations derived from a proposed study by the National Park Service on creation of a National Recreation Area along the rivers. Partners in the development of the Rivers Parkway Plan will include the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the California State Parks and Recreation Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, and each river - fronting city. The Rivers Parkway Plan shall outline a prioritized list of projects, identify potential funding, and include a work program to accomplish the acquisition and development of each project. This will include projects designated in the Los Angeles River Master Plan and the in- progress San Gabriel River Master Plan. Tributary Plans: To extend the network of open space, trails and bike paths along tributaries, the RMC will encourage the relevant agencies engaged in subwatershed plans to address open space, habitat and passive recreation along the major tributaries of the rivers, including the Arroyo Seco, Compton Creek, Coyote Creek, Rio Hondo, the Upper San Gabriel River (including Walnut and San Jose Creeks) and the Tujunga Wash (via the Sun Valley Watershed Management Plan). Potential partners in this process include the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, and tributary- fronting city and stakeholders involved in subwatershed plans. Trails and Bike Paths Plan: To establish a comprehensive network of trails and bike paths, existing plans need to be reviewed to determine whether those plans should be revised to incorporate trials and paths along the rivers and tributaries. Gaps in existing trails and bike paths must be identified and addressed. Potential partners in this effort include: Caltrans, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, individual cities, and advocacy groups such as the Los Angeles (and Orange County) Bicycle Coalitions. Mountains, Hills and Foothills Plan(s): To identify parcels and areas of land within the mountains, foothills, hills that should be preserved and protected, comprehensive plans) are needed to identify priorities, funding and implementation strategies. Potential partners include: the foothill communities of the San Gabriel Mountains, local conservancies and groups, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments; the communities, local conservancies and groups, and the Council of Governments surrounding and encompassing the Whitter /Puente /Chino /San Jose Hills complex; and the communities surrounding the San Rafael Hills, the hills surrounding the Glendale Narrows. and the Verdugo.Mountains. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q 0 LJ..� Q� Q Cz C _J Page 72 Chapter 3 Habitat Preservation Plan: To preserve critical habitat, preserve and establish wildlife corridors, and to preserve, restore and create wetlands, a comprehensive habitat plan is needed. Potential partners in this efforts includes the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Califomia Coastal Conservancy, and private habitat and resource conservation organizations. Monitoring and Assessment Plan: The RMC, in conjunction with the SMMC, will work to develop a joint assessment process for restoration of the double watershed, and monitor progress towards meeting the goals described herein. Critical to this process will be maintenance and updating of the Geographic Information Systems database developed by the RMC. At a minimum, the periodic assessment process shall occur at ten year intervals, or more often if deemed practical. This process shall utilize quantifiable methods wherever feasible, and shall include stakeholder involvement in the design, implementation and review of the assessments. A timeline reflecting the development of these plans is included as Figure 3 -5. Approval of individual projects will require consideration of potential environmental effects, in accord with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code, §21000- 21178) and the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 4, Chapter 14, §15000- 15387). The lead agency responsible for approving or implementing the proposed project will be responsible for determining the appropriate level of environmental review. This plan is intended as a living document, that will evolve over time, as priorities evolve and needs dictate, based on periodic assessment of progress. As subwatershed, river, and city open space plans are developed, those plans will be appended to this document, to extend and expand upon this plan. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Iffim- vN m� o L1 O� m o'm b 0 N o�A m A 0 � g'a Conservancies & Partners m m �" of .9 Conservancies v H Y m O m m M 0 CD N m O Cities & Agencies 0 (Q O 7 is M 3 N G1 CL fD N d 3 7 CD V W m a m' Page 74 Appendices APPENDIX A Abbreviations Used Common Ground BMPs Best Maria ement Practices CREEC -LA California Regional Environmental Educational Center — Los Angeles EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency GIS Geographic Information Systems GLOBE Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment GREEN Global Rivers Environmental Education Network LACDA Los Angeles County Drainage Area LACDPW Los Angeles County Department of Public Works LARWQCB Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board MRCA I Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority NAAEE North American Association of Environmental Educators NPDES - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System RMC Lower Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy SEAS Significant Ecological Areas SMMC Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load TPL Trust for Public Lands TREES Trans-agency Resources for Economic and Environmental Sustainabilit ULARA Upper Los Angeles River Area WDR I Waste Discharge Requirements WET I Water Education for Teachers Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q �..LJ W Q Z LL� Page 75 Appendices APPENDIX B Glossary (from the Second Nature report prepared by Tree People) 133 -year storm — The storm intensity used by the Army Corps of Engineers for calculating flood likelihood. Presumably a storm of this intensity occurs once every 133 years on average. Aeration — A process whereby air voids are introduced into soil for improved fertility and water holding capability. Base Flow of Streams — Water slowly percolates underground and then spreads laterally until f it reaches the surface (not pumped up) becoming part of the natural flow in rivers and streams, f] its base flow. This seeping ground water is what maintains the flow in a river due to the return r r flow of groundwater. Bio - remediate -- Bio - remediation uses biological processes to repair pollution damage. For FUM example, a grass swale can bio- remediate much of the pollution caused by automobile use by o o F Drainage chimney — Holes drilled into the ground sufficiently deep to allow rain water to quickly flow back into the ground. Also known as a dry well. Drainage flow deflector — A ridge and /or a depression in a flat paved surface for the purpose of re- directing sheet flow into a channel, thus changing the destination of storm water. Dry flow — The continuous flow in a storm drain system that occurs even during extended periods without rain. Dry Well — A constructed well designed to receive water for groundwater recharge. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 76 Appendices Evapotranspiration -- The loss of water from the soil both by evaporation and by transpiration from the plants growing thereon. Filter medium — Any item or substance that is used for filtering impurities. In many of the designs included in this planbook, soil, sand, and mulch were used as a filter medium. First -flush rain -- In the Los Angeles area, many months can pass between one rainstorm and the next. During this time, pollution and grime build up on all of the city's outdoor surfaces, and in particular, on its streets. When the next rainstorm Finally comes, it washes the accumulated grime and pollution off of the streets and into the underground storm drain system. This is the 'first flush rain' As you might expect, it carries a very large amount of suspended and dissolved pollutants. Flood Plain — The lands next to rivers and streams that flood naturally during large storm events. The flood plain's function is to store sediment and flood flows. Grass filter strips -- A grassy edge or Swale which filters storm water in the root layer before percolating the water into the soil below or discharging the water overland. Graywater — Water drained from household sinks, washers, tubs, and showers - that is, all water not coming from toilets. This water carries relatively few suspended or dissolved solids. Consequently, it can often be used for such purposes as landscape irrigation. Green filter islands — a grassy or planted landscaped island, usually in a parking lot, that filters storm water in the root layer before percolating the water into the soil below or discharging the water overland. Green link — Green links connect various locations via generously planted "park- like" linear corridors. Groundwater -- The water that collects and is stored underground into basins defined by the underlying geology. The level of groundwater or "water table" varies according to the type of soil and underlying geologic formations, and from season to season. In rare instances, and on particular sites, the groundwater table comes up to the surface. This results in standing water on the surface of the ground. More often, the groundwater table is located many feet below the surface. Groundwater mounding — In certain instances, where stormwater is returned to the soil in one location at a faster rate than in adjacent locations, groundwater mounding can occur. This means that the water table (where the soil is saturated) can be higher under a recharge basin than in adjacent locations. Occasionally this can create problems. Often it is benign. Groundwater Recharge — Surface water that filters into the ground and reaches underground reservoirs, providing replenishment and /or increased storage for groundwater basins. This occurs naturally during and after rainstorms, in creek beds with flowing water, or can be accomplished purposefully by directing storm water into specially prepared recharge areas for infiltration. heat gain — Heat can slowly build up in an object over lime. This is called heat gain. In a building, heat gain is most often the consequence of many hours of sunshine striking and warming the exterior walls and roof. Guiding Principles watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency A Q 0 0 Q 0 FLFLU lures Page 77 Appendices Heat island effect -- Many urban areas lack shade trees. In these areas the sun strikes pavement and rooftops, heating them to very high temperatures. These surfaces re- radiate heat back into the air, raising air temperatures by five or more degrees. Urban areas that contain dense tree canopy avoid the heat island effect because trees absorb virtually all of the sun's energy without radiating heat back into the air. High crowns — Virtually all roads and parking areas have some kind of crown, or high point, to insure that water flows off promptly. Usually this high point is a ridge along the center line of the road or parking bay. This ridge is ordinarily only a few inches higher than the edges. "High crown" suggests a condition where this crown is made artificially higher to allow the road or bay RJL- to hold more water than it otherwise could. a Holding pond — A depression where rain water is directed and held temporarily. Holding ponds function to slow the rate at which water is discharged from a site to the rate more typical of undeveloped natural sites. Humus layer — The top layer of soil where there is the most organic activity, fibrous root material, and recycling detritus from the plants above. 0 Hundred Year Storm -- There is a 1 in 100 chance of a storm of this magnitude happening in any one year. Hundred year storms are recalculated overtime due to changes in the O landscape. Hydrology — The occurrence, distribution, movement, and properties of water above and below the earth's surface. The natural hydrology of an area may be significantly altered by p catastrophic events (earthquakes, landslides) and by human development (agriculture, urbanization). Impervious or impermeable — A surface that does not allow the passage of water and thus ° potentially facilitates the generation of runoff. ° Infiltration — The process by which water moves downward through the earth's surface, replenishing soil moisture and groundwater basins. The ability of the soil to infiltrate water depends on many factors, including the nature of the surface cover, and soil characteristics O such as texture and depth. Infiltration zone — An area particularly well suited and /or altered for directing storm water back into the soil. Mulch — organic material placed on the ground, sometimes many inches thick, used as a ground cover to cool the soil, discourage weeks and erosion, aid in the infiltration of water, minimize the heat island effect of the city, and reduce the costs of green waste disposal. Natural Flood Plain -- Every river or stream naturally overflows its low flow or non storm capacity channel during major storm event. Flood plains consist of those areas that would naturally flood during major storms. Their function is to disperse sediments and to infiltrate water underground. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 78 Appendices Percolation — The act of water soaking into the ground. This term is used most frequently in conjunction with spreading grounds, where water is purposefully allowed to percolate through the soil to the groundwater. Percolation Basin — An above ground storage place - retention basin - built so as to encourage the percolation of water contained therein underground. Percolation rate — The rate at which water filters into the soil. Some soil types, such as sand, have a very high percolation rate; other soils types, such as clay, have a very slow percolation rate. Permeable pavement — Permeable pavement is honey- combed with voids, or air - pockets. ° These voids allow water to migrate down through the pavement into the soil below. O Pervious or Permeable Surfaces — Surfaces that allow water or other liquids to penetrate and potentially reach the ground (depending on the thickness of the surface, how porous it is, and the amount of water. Porosity — A measure of the ability of water to pass through a material, which is dependent FLFLJI upon how much empty space occurs between the particles that make up the substance. For example, sand is much more porous than clay. FLU Potable water — Water that is fit to drink. p Precipitation — Rain, hail or snow that falls from the atmosphere. Recharge areas — Certain zones in the landscape can accept water back into the soil at higher u� than average rates. Such areas are often referred to as recharge areas. Residential density — The number of family units to be found on an average acre of land in a ° residential area is referred to as its density. These densities range from low (1 -2 units per acre) to high (40 + units per acre). Retention Basin or Infiltration Basin -- Stores water with the purpose of reducing the volume of runoff by capturing precipitation and surface runoff for recharge to groundwater. These basins do not return captured runoff to storm water channels. Return Period — The average recurrence of a storm of a particular size and duration. Riparian Habitat — Habitat next to rivers or streams and dependent on the additional moisture in the river. Its function is to provide food and shelter for many creatures, to reduce the volume and velocity of runoff, and increase infiltration. Riparian retention and treatment area — a retention or recharge area where plants native to rivers or lakes are installed to consume and clean the water therein. Rip -rap — A rock lining used to stabilize sloping stream banks. River Corridor — Includes the river, the flood plain, the riparian trees and plants that grow in the high groundwater and most soils along the way. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 79 Appendices Runoff — stormwater that flows off of one surface or site onto another. Sheet flow — storm water that flows in even sheets across a flat surface, such as a parking lot Spreading Grounds -- A land area specifically designed to be flooded so that the water will percolate or soak into the ground, recharging the ground water. Stormwater refers to all rain water that hits the surface of the ground. Stormwater either percolates back into the soil or flows on the surface to the nearest storm drain inlet, stream, or other wetland area. Subsoil — the soil layer below the "topsoil" layer. Subsurface -- Below the surface of the ground. Sustainability — The ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. Also, the goal of securing life, liberty, and social wellbeing within the means of nature. Swale — A v- shaped depression in the land, usually lined with grass, designed as a channel for moving storm water from one place to another. Velocity of Flow — How quickly the storm water flows over the surface or through the storm drain system to the ocean. Velocity is determined by the design of the conveyance system: how wide, how smooth or rough, and the slope of the conveyance. Water Conservation means different things in different contexts. Usually, it means using less (consumer or farmer or landscape) due to hardware or management strategies. In the storm water management context, it means stoning water in retenflon basins or behind a dam for infiltration to the ground water, making the water available as an addition to the drinking water supply. Watershed — A region or area bound peripherally by a divide or ridge, all of which drains to a particular watercourse or body of water. Most sites are now mini - watersheds, with the property line constituting the "ridge" and the storm drain system located in the street constituting the 'atercourse" to which it discharges. Guiding Pnnuples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency 1�w Page 80 Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea APPENDIX C — References CHAPTER 1: Background California Coastal Conservancy, Wetlands of the Los Angeles River, Profiles and Restoration Opportunities, Coastal Conservancy, 2000 Hise, Greg, William Deverell, Laurie Olin, Eden by Design: The 1930 Olmstead- Bartholomew Regional Plan for the Los Angeles Region, University of California Press, 2000 Gumprecht, Blake, The Los Angeles River: Its Life, Death and Possible Rebirth, Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press, 1999 O D Olmstead Brothers and Bartholomew Associates, Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches for the Los Angeles Region, report submitted to the Citizens' Committee on Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches, 1930 lR Shapiro, Erik A. and Leo. J. Shapiro, Making More Open Space — Making Space More Open in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River Watershed, LJS Group and Leo J. Shapiro & Associates, April 6, 2001 CHAPTER 2: Current Conditions Association of Groundwater Agencies Groundwater and Surface Water in Southern California. A 1 u Guide to Conjunctive Use, Montgomery Watson, Pasadena, California, 2000 Q Blomquist, W., Dividing the Waters, ICS Press, San Francisco, California, 1992 Brown, J., Delgado, D., Stevens, J. and Sung, K., Reconnecting the San Gabriel Valley: A Planned Approach for the Creation of Interconnected Urban Wildlife Corridor Networks. Pomona: California State Polytechnical University, Department of Landscape Architecture, FUIJI June 2000 O California Coastal Conservancy, Wetlands of the Los Angeles River Watershed., Profiles and Restoration Opportunities, May 2000 California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, adopted June, 1994 - - - -, Resolution No. 98 -018, Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan to Incorporate Changes in Beneficial Use Designations for Selected Waters, November 1998 Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District, "Annual Survey Report on Ground Water Replenishment" Bookman - Edmonston Engineering, Glendale, California, 1991 Gumprecht, Blake, The Los Angeles River., Its Life, Death and Possible Rebirth, Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press, 1999 Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 81 Appendices Jaeger, Edmund C. and Smith, Arthur C., Introduction to the Natural History of Southern California, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1966 Kreissman, Sam, California: An Environmental Atlas and Guide, Davis, CA, Bear Klaw Press, 1991. Mayer, Kenneth E. and Laudenslayer, William F., editors, A Guide to the Wildlife Habitats of Califomia, Sacramento, Stale of California, 1988 PCR Services Corporation, Frank Hovore & Associates and FORMA Systems, Los Angeles County Significant Ecological Area Update Study 2000, Report prepared for the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, November, 2000 a San Gabriel Valley Water Association, "Water Issues" Monrovia, California, Winter, 1992 O 0 San Gabriel River Watermaster, "Thirty -Fourth Annual Report of the San Gabriel River Watermaster for 1996 -1997, February, 1998 Stephenson, John R. and Calcarone, Gene M., Southern California Mountains and Foothills �R- Assessment Habitat and Species Conservation Issues, Albany, CA, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 1999 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Los Angeles County Drainage Area C Review., Final Feasibility Study Interim Report and Environmental Impact Statement, January, 1992. lures Q Web Sites California Noxious Weed Control Projects Inventory: ° http: / /endeavor.des.ucdavis.edu /weeds/ California Wetlands Information System: 0 r� http: / /mres.ca.gov/ wetlands /geo_ info /so_ca l /los_angeles_river.html O EPA Surf Your Watershed: http: / /www.epa.gov /surf3 EPA Impaired Water Bodies: http: / /www.epa.ciov/iwi /303d/18070105 303d.html and http : / /www.epa.govriwi /303d/18070106 303d.html Los Angeles Almanac http: / /www.losangelesaimanac.com/ Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Hydrologic Annual Reports http://dpw.co.1a.ca.ustwrd/report/index.cfm Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Smart Gardening hftp://www.smartgardening.com/ Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 82 Appendices Metropolitan Water District http: / /www. mwd.dst.ca. us /DocstW aterReliabi lity/ W ater4SoCal /waterfomocal.htm State Water Resources Control Board: hill: /Iwww,swmb.ca.gov/ Regional Water Quality Control Board: http / /www.swrcb.ca.pov /rwocb4 US Census Bureau, 2000 Census: http: / /www.census.gov Western Regional Climate Data Center: http://www.wrec.dri.edu/summary/climsmsea.html CHAPTER 3 — A Vision for the Future B. Guiding Principles City of Huntington Beach, Environmental Checklist Form Per CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G, as Amended, January 1, 2000 City of Long Beach, Long Beach 2010 Strategic Plan, 2000 City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Sustainable City Program, 1994 Condon, Patrick and Moriarty, Stacy, Eds, Second Nature: adapting LA's Landscape for Sustainable. Living, TreePeople, 1999 Dallman, Suzanne and Piechota, Tom, Stormwater. Asset Not Liability, Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, 1999 Drennan, Michael, A Summary of Guiding Principles for Successful Watershed Management Programs, Montgomery Watson, 1998 Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, Draft Scope of Work for a Los Angeles River Watershed Management Feasibility Study (Later known as the Corps /County 3 -Year Watercourse Study), 1996 Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, Long Term Watershed Goals, Five - Year Strategic Plan, 1997 Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, Los Angeles - San Gabriel Watershed Vision: 2025, 1996 Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Los Angeles County Significant Ecological Area Update Study 2000, November, 2000 Los Angeles County Departments of Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Regional Planning, Los Angeles River Master Plan, 1996 Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, Water Quality Control Plan: Los Angeles Region Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, 1994 Lynch, Kevin, Good City Form, MIT Press 1981 Guiding Pnnciples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL_ W_ W Q Z C J W I� Page 83 ® Appendices Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Guiding Principles (Outline), Request for Qualifications, San Gabriel & Los Angeles Rivers Guiding Principles and Open Space Plan, 2001 National Research Council Committee on Watershed Management, New Strategies for America's Watersheds, National Academy Press, 1999 North East Trees and Arroyo Seco Foundation, Arroyo Seco Watershed Restoration Feasibility Study., Goals and Objectives, 2001 North East Trees and Arroyo Seco Foundation, Arroyo Seco Watershed Restoration Feasibility Study: Goals and Objectives, 2001 PCR Services Corporation, Executive Summary of the Proposed Los Angeles County a Significant Ecological Areas, 2000 San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Conservancy Mission, Purposes, and Requirements, 2001 San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Conservancy Mission, Purposes, and Requirements, 2001 Vul Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, SA WPA's Plan for Clean Reliable Water for the Santa o Ana River Watershed, 2000 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Strategic Plan: Mission Statement, 1997 O Schueler, Thomas, Crafting Better Urban Watershed Protection Plans, Center for Watershed Protection, 1996 O Southern California Studies Center, Sprawl Hits the Wall, University of Southern California, 2001 State of California, California Public Resources Code, Section 32600 at seq (Enabling Legislation, Rivers and Mountains Conservancy), 2000 State of California, California Public Resources Code, Section 32600 at seq (Enabling o Legislation, Rivers and Mountains Conservancy), 2000 --JI u Strategies 1. Education California Regional Environmental Educational Center— Los Angeles http: //w .creec.org /regionll/ Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment hftp://www.centem.gseis.ucia.edu/globe/index-htm Global Rivers Environmental Education Network hftp://www.igc.org/green/resources.html EcoAcademy (of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps) http: / /www.ecoacademy.org/ National Wildlife Federation's backyard habitat program: Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Common Ground • • - http://www.nwf.org/habitats/index.html North American Association of Environmental Educators hftp://www.naaee.org/ Tree People http: / /www.treepeople.orgttrees/ US EPA's Water Office Kid's Page, httpJ/ www .epa.gov /ow /kids/watered2.html Water Education for Teachers project. http:/ /www.water- ed.orgtprojectwet.asp D. Plans and Opportunities Brown, J., Delgado, D., Stevens, J. and Sung, K., Reconnecting the San Gabriel Valley: A Planned Approach for the Creation of Interconnected Urban Wildlife Corridor Networks. Pomona: California Stale Polytechnical University, Department of Landscape Architecture, June 2000 California Coastal Conservancy, Wetlands of the Los Angeles River Watershed: Profiles and Restoration Opportunities, May, 2000 California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, Draft Trash Total Maximum Daily Loads for the Los Angeles River Watershed, January 22, 2001 Delorme Mapping Company, Southern and Central California Atlas and Gazetteer,1990. Forma Systems, Open Space Plan, Phase One: Information Gathering, San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Final Report, March 23, 2001 Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Los Angeles River Master Plan, 1996. Olmstead Brothers and Bartholomew Associates, Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches for the Los Angeles Region, report submitted to the Citizens' Committee on Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches, 1930 Pasadena Star -News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and the Whittier Daily News, The San Gabriel, a River on the Edge, A Special Report by the Pasadena Star -News, August 27,2000. Shapiro, Erik A. and Leo. J. Shapiro, Making More Open Space — Making Space More Open in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River Watershed, LJS Group and Leo J. Shapiro & Associates, April 6, 2001 Thomas Brothers Mapping, The Thomas Guide 2001 — Los Angeles and Orange Counties, 2001 Web Sites: San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy http: / /vrvnv.sKimrc.orc /tools.htm San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 10M Page 85 Appendices San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy htto: / /www.samrc.org /oonseNa.htm San Gabriel River Master Plan hftp://dwp.co.1a.m.us/pin/sgmp/files/ml 1151999.cfm ?cal_id =138 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy hftp://www.smmc.ca.gov/ Save the Whittier Hills 2000 htip: //www.geocities.com/whiftierhills/history.htmI The Wildlands Conservancy. http: //www .wildlandsconsewancy.org/coalcanyon.htmi O Hacienda Hills Open Space Research Studies htto: / /ceres.ca.00v/hacinat.htm Facility City, "Growing Smart" RjIfl htto: /tfacilitycity.com /fc exo 01 05 cover.aso lures Q c� 0 0 fl r r f1 r-0 Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 86 Common Ground - ndif from the Mountains to the Sea APPENDIX D RMC Territory - To Come SMMC Territory - To Come I. �I I Ru Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State or California Resources Agency Page 87 APPENDIX E Appendices RMC Plan Approvals — To Come (based on input from State Attorney General's ice) Statutory Requirements for the Open Space Plan (How this plan meets the requirements. Once approved by a majority... this plan...) Local Control (Quote and paraphrase statute similar to draft received from Gateway COG) Consistency with City General Plans and Other Planning Documents (AG's opinion that is and does ° O plan general statement of principles not contradict specifics of City plans) CEQA Exemption (AG's opinion that plan is categorically exempt from CEQA review) n n n Sample Approval Resolution (Model resolution with approval language for cities and water agencies) M F0 Q 0 0 VLrl l L� Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 88 Appendices APPENDIX F— Project Evaluation Criteria State of California The Resources Agency SAN GABRIEL 6 LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY PROJECT EVALUATION CRITERIA April 6, 2001 Guiding Pnnciples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency f� LL Q LU0 %11111 Q Z W Q_ Page 89 Appendices SAN GABRIEL & LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY PROJECT EVALUATION CRITERIA Select only one criterion that best fits the attributes of the site for each value. The rating number assigned to the criterion is then multiplied by the weight assigned to the value. The scores for each value can be compared and evaluated in total, by grouping, or individually. OPEN SPACE PLAN VALUE WEIGHT CRITERION RATING • The site is specifically referred to m a project in the Open Space Plan. 4 • The site meets the criteria for inclusion in the Open Space Plan. 2 • The site does not meet the criteria as outlined in the Open Space Plan. O URBAN RESOURCE VALUE_ WEIGHT CRITERION RATING • The site has natural geologic contours and /or vegetation and is 4 surrounded by urban development. • The site contributes to an existing or proposed park, natural area, 4 corridor or greenway in an urbanized area. 4 • The site is located in an under -served or park -poor community. 3 • The site provides linkage to open space in an adjacent urban area. 2 • The site is located in an industrialized area. 1 • The site is not located in an urban setting. o WATERSHED RESOURCE VALUE WEIGHT CRITERION RATING • The site is located within a county- designated ecologically sensitive 4 watershed or significant ecological area. • The site contains natural riparian habitat. 4 • The site would enhance flood control measures if developed for 4 open space use. • The site would provide quality storm water runoff. 4 • The site contributes to the persistence of ecosystem processes which 3 may pose a hazard to life and property if the site were developed. • The site contains groundwater recharge capabilities. 3 • The site supports substantial upland vegetative cover in a 3 watercourse. • The site has the potential for hazard- reduction /mitigation credits 3 if preserved verses developed. • The site has opportunities for non -point source water pollution 2 Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabdel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency IMAMS Common Ground reduction. • The site provides access to an existing or planned watershed resource. • The site has no watershed resource value. TRAIL RESOURCE VALUE WEIGHT • The site contributes to the connection of existing protected core areas 4 by serving as a habitat linkage or movement corridor for wildlife. CRITERION RATING natural water source. • The site is identified as the path of a major existing or planned trail. 4 3 • The site would provide connection within and /or between communities 3 • The site largely contains undisturbed habitat with moderate to high and major existing or planned trails. 4 • The site would provide urban walkways. 3 • The site would provide amenities that would enhance public use of 3 O a trail. • The site would accommodate a new trail into an inaccessible area. 2 • The site would provide a scenic buffer for an existing or planned trail. 1 • The site would not support a trail or walkway. o RECREATIONAL RESOURCE VALUE WEIGHT 0 CRITERION RATING u c� • The site contains a suitable area for a recreational facility — 4 1 u educational center, picnic area, useable open space, campground, or interpretive center. • The site could provide an access point, parking, & /or interpretive 3 display for an adjacent protected area or overlook. • The site could support recreational development ancillary to 2 the primary value of an adjacent protected area. o • The site could provide additional access to an adjacent protected area. 1 • The site can not support recreational use due to configuration or o n n I nL �", u potential natural or cultural resource degradation. rvJ WILDLIFE RESOURCE VALUE WEIGHT CRITERION RATING • The site is used by state or federally - listed fauna species. 4 • The site contributes to the connection of existing protected core areas 4 by serving as a habitat linkage or movement corridor for wildlife. • The site contains fresh water habitat and /or a perennial 4 natural water source. • The site is used by fauna that are candidate(s) for state or federal listing. 3 • The site increases the effective size of a protected area. 3 • The site largely contains undisturbed habitat with moderate to high 3 species diversity. • The habitat is degraded but conditions are suitable for regeneration 2 Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 91 Appendices or restoration. • The habitat is unsuitable for candidate or listed species but provides a buffer between protected sites & incompatible uses. • The site is degraded & habitat restoration is not economicallyjustifiable. FLORISTIC F O R . Y&LUE WEIGHT • The site is located in a residential area with limited signage opportunities. CRITERION RATING 3 • The site has features making it easily accessible to people with limited 3 mobility or other disabilities. • The site contains a state or federally- listed flora species or habitat. 4 z • The site largely contains undisturbed communities with moderate to 4 but is located in an area when neighborhood conflicts may arise. high species diversity. • The site is constrained from public access by lack of right -of -way. r • The site contains a flora species that is candidate for state or 3 O federally listing. • The habitat is degraded but conditions are suitable for regeneration z or restoration of native species & communities. • The habitat is unsuitable for sensitive species but provides a buffer t between protected lands & incompatible uses. • The site is degraded & habitat restoration is not economicallyjustifiable. o o n n� FUU ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR HISTORIC RESOURCE VALUE WEIGHT CRITERION RATING O • The site contains a registered archaeological or historical resource 4 of national or statewide significance. • The site contains a registered archaeological or historical resource 3 e of regional significance. • The site contains a registered archaeological or historical resource z o of local significance. • The site contains an archaeological or historic resource that is r RJUI damaged. r� • It is unknown if the site contains archaeological or historic resources. o D ACCESS VALUE WEIGHT CRITERION RATING • The site would be easily accessible by the public with full right -of -way. 4 • The site is located in a residential area with limited signage opportunities. 3 • The site is within walking distance from public transportation. 3 • The site has features making it easily accessible to people with limited 3 mobility or other disabilities. • The site would be accessible via an adjacent protected area. z • The site has adequate space for on site parking or available street parking, 1 but is located in an area when neighborhood conflicts may arise. • The site is constrained from public access by lack of right -of -way. r Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers Stale of California Resources Agency Page 92 Appendices • A public right -of -way for the site is currently unobtainable. SCENIC RESOURCE VALUE WEIGHT CRITERION RATING • The site is part of an area of exceptional scenic value and /or has been 4 so identified in a government agency plan. • The site contains a significant overlook of the surrounding area. 3 • The site contains unique scenic natural resources such as waterfalls, 3 wildflower displays, geologic formations, vistas of scenic grandeur. • The site contains viewshed of an open space area, river or public use area. 2 • The site contains scenic resources that are representative of the area. r O • The site is obscured from view of the general public and does not have o overlook value. M PARTNER RESOURCE VALUE WEIGHT Fo • The site is of significance to one or more partner government 4 n n n LJ agencies and /or non- government organization's that have funds available for the acquisition. • The site is of significance to a partner agency that would undertake 3 ownership and /or management responsibilities. • Acquisition of the site would assist a government agency to fulfill 2 its master land protection or recreation plan but matching funds are not available. • The site is of significance to a local citizen group but does not fulfill 1 0 a governing agency land protection or recreation plan. L� • The site is of no current or known significance to a partner. o 0 r �nnnnnn nnnnnn ffff��1111I ECONOMIC VALUE WEIGHT CRITERION RATING I� • Funding has been specifically allocated by a government entity. • Development threat of the site is imminent that would preclude future park use and the site is available for sale. • Site holds potential to clean up an identified brownfield • The site is available under bargain or opportunity sale conditions. • The owner of the site is willing to sell at appraised value to the government. • The site is subject to substantial, but less than imminent, threat of development, with unmitigable impacts. • The owner of the site is willing to sell but at an inflated value. • The owner of the site is currently an unwilling seller. Guiding Pnnciples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Cafdomia Resources Agency Appendil (rom the Mountains to the Sea CONCEPTUAL AREA PROTE,WOLT PL6,V A Program Area can span across several geographic regions, but projects within an area share a similar goal. Program Areas allow the Conservancy to evaluate properties and /or projects in relation to existing protected areas and programs, comparing both with the projected biological and recreational needs of the area. Borders of these programs bleed into each other and may overlap in some areas. Connectivity is necessary when looking at the entire region that is included in the Conservancy's mission. A Program Area Structure serves as a planning tool for the region to protect large blocks of habitat and provide for appropriate recreational needs. The criteria used for evaluation is a set format, but will eventually be applied with different weights depending on the projected biological and recreational needs of each Program Area. A Program Area Structure is a long- term planning instrument with properties grouped in three tiers according to funding priority. TABLE 1 SAN GABRIEL & LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY LISTING OF PROGRAM AREAS 1. Greenways along the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers z. Conservation of lands in the Foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains 3. Conservation of lands in the San Jose, Puente, and Chino Hills 4. Connected Urban Trails System 5. Parks for "park poor" Urban Areas 6. Community Programs (i.e. Education, Community Gardens, etc.) y. Renovation of Existing Parks Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I f— LL Q w w i Q z _J w Page 94 Common Ground Appendices from the Mountains to the Sea and Los Angeles Rivers omia Resources Agency i LL Q 0 s Mm Q Cz C OWN 99 SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY PROJECT EVALUATION CRITERIA Wildlife Resource Value CRITERION RATING WR1 The site lies wholly within a large block of undisturbed core habitat. 4 WR2 The site is used by state or federally-listed animalspecies. 4 WR3 The site directly contributes to the connection of two core habitat areas by sewing as a habitat linkage or movement corridor for wildlife, 4 WR4 The site contains important fresh water habitat and /or a perennial natural water source. 4 WR5 The site directly contributes to the connection of two substantially -sized but not core habitat areas. 3 WR6 The site is used by an animal that is a candidate for state or federal listing 3 WR7 The site directly abuts and increases the effective size of a protected habitat area. 3 WR8 The site contains largely undisturbed habitat with a substantial section of riparian habitat. 3 WR9 The site contains largely undisturbed habitat but without a substantial section of riparian habitat. 2 WR10 The site is known to be used by state- designated sensitive animalspecies. 2 WR11 The site Supplies habitat for only the most human - tolerant nativespecies. 1 WR12 The site is severely degraded and habitat restoration is not feasible or economically justifiable. 0 Floristic Resource Value CRITERION RATING FR1 The site contains a state or federally-listed plant species. 4 FR2 The site contains a high percent (>25%) cover of full canopy forest and /or oak woodland. 4 FR3 The site contains 10-25% cover of full canopy forest and /or oak woodland. 3 FR4 The site contains a plant species that is a candidate for state or federally listing. 3 FR5 The site largely contains largely undisturbed communities with moderate to high species diversity. 3 FR6 The site contains a plant community that is rare or unusual in the region. 3 FR7 The site contains either a state or cn s-desi nated sensitive plant species. 2 FR8 The site contains largely undisturbed plant communities with low s ecies diversity. 2 FR9 The habitat is partially degraded but conditions are suitable for natural and Los Angeles Rivers omia Resources Agency i LL Q 0 s Mm Q Cz C OWN 99 Page 95 Appendices Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency EN Q 0 Q cz C regeneration or restoration. 1 FR10 The site provides virtually no habitat for native species. 0 Trail Resource Value CRITERION RATING TR1 The site contains a significant, irreplaceable link in a major existing or planned trail. (i.e., "irreplaceable" means topography or other considerations would not permit realignment onto another arcel ). 4 TR2 The site contains a portion of a less- than -major existing or planned trail. 3 TR3 The site contains a trailhead location with adequate parking for a major existing or planned trail. 3 TR4 The site provides critical viewshed within a major trail corridor. 3 TR5 The site could accommodate a new trail or provide a connection from a populated area or an accessible trailhead to an existing trail. 2 TR6 The site contains easy, level trail opportunities through scenic and natural areas that are accessible to trail users of many ages and physical conditions. 2 TR7 The site contains a trailhead location with adequate parking only for a less - than -major existing or planned trail. 2 TR8 The site does not provide critical viewshed within a major trail corridor, but does offer substantial scenic buffer for an existing or planned trail. 2 TR9 The site pmvides urban walkways. 1 TRIO The site would not support a trail or walkway. 0 Scenic Resource Value CRITERION RATING SRI The site is part of an area of exceptional scenic value or has been so identified in an official planning document (e.g., a coun area plan, NIPS plan, scenic highway element). 4 SR2 The site contains critical viewshed of a major public park/public use area or from a designated primary scenic roadway. 4 SR3 The site contains unique scenic elements; e.g. waterfalls; spectacular wildflower displays; geologic formations; vistas of scenic grandeur. 3 SR4 The site contains important, but less than critical, viewshed of a major park/ public use area. 3 SR5 The site contains important viewshed but not to a major public use area or park. 2 SR6 The site provides a significant (accessible) viewpoint or overlook of surrounding areas. 2 SR7 The site contains natural terrain with just average scenic qualifies. 1 SR8 The site contains no natural terrain or little or no scenic value. 0 Other Recreational Resource Value Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency EN Q 0 Q cz C Page 96 Appendices Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 71" r I I Q CZ C W ms CRITERION RATING ORRI The site contains a suitable area for a planned major recreational facility - cam round, picnic area, or interpretive center; with road access. 4 ORR2 The site provides area ust for a smaller -scale recreational facility. 3 ORR3 The site contains moderate potential for development of parkland access or other recreational facilities. 2 ORR4 The site provides buffer for any non -trail related recreational -facility. 1 ORR5 The site provides additional parking potential for an existing or p2tential recreation facility 1 ORRS The site cannot support any recreational use because of physical constraints or potential natural or cultural resource degradation. p Archaeolo ical or Historic Resource Value CRITERION RATING AHR1 The site contains a registered archaeological or historic resource of national or statewide significance. 4 AHR2 The site contains a registered federal or state historic resource. 3 AHR3 The site contains a registered archaeological resource of regional si nificance. 3 AHR4 The site contains a registered archaeological or historic resource of local importance. 2 MRS The site is directly adjacent to a known historic or archaeologically significant she, and may be reasonably expected to have significant resources but is presently not surveyed. 2 MRS The site is a Iccal community landmark. 1 AHR7 The site contains an archaeological or historic resource of limited Importance. 1 MRS The site contains no known archaeological or historic resources, with minimal potential for same. g Urban Resource Value CRITERION RATING UR1 The site provides a significant contribution to an existing or proposed natural corridor or greenway. 4 UR2 The site contains substantial -sized or representative sample of a native plant community surrounded by dense urban development and /or disadvantaged populations. 4 UR3 The site provides a moderate contribution to an existing or proposed natural corridor or greenway. 3 UR4 The sita is located in an extreme) park-poor community. 3 URS The site provides a minor component of an existing or proposed natural Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 71" r I I Q CZ C W ms Page 97 Appendices Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I corridor or greenway. 2 UR6 The site contains a less- than - substantial -sized or representative sample of a native plant community surrounded by dense urban development and /or disadvantaged populations. 2 UR7 The site contains substantial potential for restoration of natural vegetation. 2 UR8 The site contains limited potential for restoration of natural vegetation. 1 UR9 The site has opportunities for active recreation. 1 UR10 The site is not proximate to dense urban development. 0 UR11 The site has expected environmental contamination problems. -1 Watershed Resource Value CRITERION RATING WSR1 Over two-thirds of the site is located within a county- designated ecologically sensitive watershed or significant ecological area. 4 WSR2 The majority of the site is part of a watershed draining directly into an ecologically sensitive part of a state or federal park. 4 WSR3 The site supports substantial upland vegetative cover in a predominately natural watershed. 3 WSR4 At least one fourth of the site is located within a designated ecologically - sensitive watershed or significant ecological area. 3 WSR5 The site contains a substantial area (greater than 0.5 acre) of riparian or wetland habitat that integrates with a block of upland habitat. 3 WSR6 The site provides a location for a substantial -sized ( >0.2 acre) or environmentally-significant riparian or wetland restoration project. 2 WSR7 The site contains good riparian or wetland habitat, >0.2 acre, but which is poorly integrated with upland habitat. 2 WSR8 The site contains between 0.05 to 0.19 acres of good riparian or wetland habitat but which is poorly integrated with upland habitat. 1 WSR9 The site provides a location for a less than substantial -sized (<0.2 acres) riparian or wetland restoration project. 1 WSR10 The site has little or no riparian habitat, watershed protection, or restoration value. 0 Access Value CRITERION RATING At The site is easily accessible from urban communities and provides adequate parking. 4 A2 The site is within walking distance from public transportation. 4 A3 The site has features making it easily accessible to people with limited mobility or other disabilities. 4 A4 The site has good potential for improving or developing substantial ADA accessibility. 3 AS The site has adequate space for onsite parking or available street parking Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I Page 98 Common Ground Appendices from the Mountains to the Sea Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q LL M 0 n r� u �0 �L1J� lug Q 0 0 Il �f1 u ^1 I�S that will not conflict with neighborhood needs or sentiment. 2 A6 The site has adequate space for on site parking or available street parking, but is located in an area where neighborhood conflicts may arse. 1 A7 The site has good public access, but with limited ado 20tential. 1 A8 Access is not feasible exce t through additional acquisitions or easements. 0 Partnership Value CRITERION RATING P1 The site is of great significance to one or more partner government agencies 4 and /or non-profit or animtions with substantial matching funding. P2 Acquisition of the site would fulfill a large component of a government agency master land Protection or recreation plan. 3 P3 A Rartner agency would undertake ownership or management responsibilities, 2 P4 The site is of significance to a local citizen group but does not fulfill a ublicall -ado ted land protection or recreation plan. 1 P5 The site is of no current or known significance to a partner. 0 Economic Opportunity Value CRITERION RATING EOI The site is available under extraordinary bargain or opportunity sale conditions. 4 E02 The site is subject to imminent threat of development, with unmiti able impacts, that would preclude future park use. 4 E03 Funding has been specifically allocated in the State Budget as a line item or legislative intent. 4 E04 The site is subject to substantial, but less than imminent, threat of development. with unmiti able impacts. 3 E05 The site is available under less than extraordinary bargain or opportunity sale conditions. 2 E06 Current appraisal has been done or is under review by Department of General Services. 1 E07 The owner of the site is a known willing seller. 1 E08 The owner of the site is currently an unwilling seller. 0 Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q LL M 0 n r� u �0 �L1J� lug Q 0 0 Il �f1 u ^1 I�S Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea APPENDIX G Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Concern Los Angeles Count - Plants Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status Ikali Man osa Lily Calochortus stnatus S ecies of concern one hanisma Aphanisma blitoides S ecies of concern one Ballona Cin ue Potentilla multi u a Species of concern one each S ectacle od Dithyrea maritime Species of mncem hreatened ig Bear Valley oolIvIpod stra alus leucolobus Species of concern one lair's Stelphanomena Ste hanomeria b/aidf cies of concern one Blochman's Dudle a y udleya blochmaniae as lochmaniae pecies of concern one Braunton'a Milk -Vetch Astragalus breuntonif ndan ered one Might Green Dudle a udle a virens Slone alifomia Dissanthelium is ornicum alifomicum pecies of concern one alifornia Orcutt Gress Orouttia califomice =ndangered atalina Island Mountain- aho an treskiae ndangered ndangered oulters Goldfields asthenia glabrete ssp outtert pecies of concern 4one avidson's Bush Mallow alamthamnus awdsonii pecies of concern qone esen C mo terus C mo terus deserticola Species of concern one uadalu a Island Lupine u inus guadalupensis Species of concern one all's Monardella onardella macrantha so hallfi one None ntermediate Manposa -ily Calochortus weedu var ntermedius pecies of concern 4one stand Rush -Rose elianthemum qmenei Threatened qone Island Sna dra on Galvezis s eciosa Species of concern qone Island Tree Poppy endromecon harfordii ar rh amnoides pecies of concern one Johnston's Buckwheat nogonurn microthecum ar'oh nstonii pecies of concern one emon Lil Species of concern 4one os Angeles Sunflower elianthus nuttallfi ssp artsh0 pecies of concern 4one on's Pentachaeta entachaete 1yonfi Endangered =ndangered an - Flowered Phacelia hacelia floribunda ecies of concern 4one an - Stemmed Dudle a dleya multicaulis Decies of concern one arcescent Dudleya udleya cymose ssp aroescens hreatened are ason's Neststraw locline masond cies of mncern 4one exican Flannelbush remontodendron exfcanum Endangered Rare 1. Gleason Indian aintbrush Castille'a leasonii 1 9 pecies of concern lam evin's Barbe rberis nevinif ndan ered =ndannerad Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q �..LJ Q Cz C Run 99 S Page 100 Common Ground - Gom the Mountains fo fhe Sea evin's Woolly Sunflower no h llum nevinh ecies of concern one Palmer's Grapplinghook a a ne/la almen ecies of concern one almer's Mariposa Lily alochortus palmed var pecies of concern one almeri Parish's Brittlescale to lex anshii ecies of concern one arish's Gooseberry ibes divaricatum var pecies of concern one ansh ii arry's Spineflower Ch onzanthe parryi var pecies of concern None eirson's Momin -Glo Cal ste is eirsonil ecies of concern None lummer's Mari osa Lil Calochortus plummeras, 3pecies of concem None ock Creek Broomrape robanche valida ssp I Species es of concern None all Marsh Bird's -Beak Cordylanthus mantimus Endangered Endangered s p mantimus an Antonio Milk -Vetch stragalus lentiginosus pecies of concern one ar antonius an Clemente Island alium catalinense ssp edstraw cris um pecies of concern ndangered an Clemente Island otus argophyllus var ird's -Foot Trefoil dsu ns pecies of concern Endangered an Clemente Island rodiaea rodiaea kinkiensis pecies of concern 4one an Clemente Island . dogonum giganteum vat B uckwheat ormosum pecies of concern None an Clemente Island 4alacothamnus Bush Mallow lementinus Endangered Endangered an Clemente Island amissonia vening- Primrose uadalupensis ssp Species of concern None lementlna an Clemente Island H azardia az ardia cana Species of concern one an Clemente Island n than Paintbrush asfilleja gnsea ndangered ndangered an Clemente Island elphinium variegafum arks ur s kinkiense ndangeretl ndangered an Clemente Island otus dendmideus var otus traskias, ndangered ndangered an Clemente Island ilk -Vetch sfragalus nevinii 3pecies of concern 4one an Clemente Island nteleia Triteleia clemenhna Pe cies of concern 'lane Clemente Island to oodland Star ithophragma maximum Endangered ndangered an Fernando Valley horizanthe parryi var ineNower Fernandina pecies of concern None an Gabriel Bedstraw Gallum rande cies of concern None an Gabriel Linanthus inanthus c»ncinnus pecies of concern None an Gabriel Manzanita rcfostaphylos abrielensis pecies of concern one an Gabriel Mountains udle a udleya densiflors pecies of concem one an Gabriel River udleya cymosa ssp idle a rebn /olia pecies of concern one Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL Q Run UJ lures Q S� 0 f lures Page 101 Appendices an Nicolas Island omatlum omatium insulare Species of concern qone ants Barbara Morning- Calystegia sepium sap to in hamiae one ants Catalina Fi wart 3crophularia villosa Species of concern Nione ants Catalina Island yonothamnus ronwood orbundus ssp Species of concern Nione orbundus ants Catalina Island anzanita rotosta h los cata/inae Species of concern 4one anta Catalina Island Monkeyflower imulus traskiae pecies of concern None Santa Cruz Island yonothamnus Ironwood onbundus ssp Species of concern None s leniifolius Santa Cruz Island Rock ibara (lifolia Enclangered None Cress Santa Monica Mountains udleya cymose ssp Dudle a - vatifolia Threatened None Santa Susana Tarplant qemi minthomii Species of concern Rare Galloped Moonwort of chium crenulatum Species of concern None hort-Joint Beavertail basilans var Pchyc pecies of concern one rach c lads hort-Lobed Broom -Rape robanche panshii ssp pecies of concern None ach loba lender Mariposa Lily alochortus clavatus var Species of concern qone acilis lender - Horned neflower odecahema leptoceras ndangered ndangered oath Coast Saltscale tri lex acihca Species of concern qone outhem Island Mallow avaters assurgentlflora pecies of concern one s rd lab Southern Tarplant emizonia parryt ssp Species of concern 4one ustmlis readin Navarretia avanetia fossalis Threatened Nione Thorn 'a Royal Larkspur elphinium variegatum pecies of concern 4 one s thomei hread- Leaved Brodiaea diaea filifolia Threatened ndan ered rask's C tenths Species of concern one Ventura Marsh Milk- sfragalus andidate Vetch ycnostachyus var pecies of Concern anosissimus Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Concern Los Angeles County — Animals - Common Name Scientific Name Fede' 3 -"!i' to Status Snails and Slugs Catalina Mountainsnail adiocentrum pecies of concern None -0raohelix avalonense Mimic Tryonia I Tryonia imitator pecies of concern None = California rackishwater Snail Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I LL Q w Q Cz G HUM M MP Page 102 Appendices an Clemente Island snai icrarionta gabbi pecies of concern one Grassho ers, katyalos, and Crickets ants Monica Shieldback eduba longipennis pedes of wncern one did sates orothy's El Segundo Dune Weevil Tngonoscuta dorothea orofhee pecies of concern one lobose Dune Beetle oelus globosus Species of concern one ange's El Segundo Dun eevil Onychobads /angel Species of concern one andy Beach Tiger Beetl Cicindeja hirticollis avida Species of concern one Butterflies and Moths I Se undo Blue Butterfl enne'a Euwsman Moth u hilotes battoides all n ucosma hennei Endan eyed one Species of concern one Palos Verdes Blue Butte rFl Glauwpsyche lygdamus alosverdesensis Endangered one andenng (= Saltmarsh) ki or anoquina enans Species of concern one Fish no o Chub Gila omutfi None ohave Tui Chub Gila bicolor mohavensis ndan ered ndan ered ante Ana Sucker atosmmus santaanae ro osed Threatened one outhem Steelhead ncorhynchus mykiss ndeus ndangered one idewater Goby uc cl obius newbe i asterosteus aculeatus williamsont Endan ered 4one narmored Threespine dckleback ndangered Endangered Am hibians rroyo Toad Bufto microscaphus alifomicus Endangered one alifomia Red - Legged ro Rana aurora dmytonii Threatened None ountain Yellow- Legged ro ana muscosa Spaces of wncern one estem Spadefoot caphiopus hammondii Species of concern we Re tiles Homed Lizard hrynosoma coronafum roniefe pecies of concern None estern Whiptail Cnemidophorus tigns ul6scutatus pecies of wncern one rtoise Islas a assizii hreatened hreatened ht Lizard W antusia riversiame hreatened one hroated Whiptail nemidophorus e rus pedes of wncern one Homed Lizard hrynosoma coronafum lainvillei pecies of concern one Mountain amprope/fis zonate ulchre pecies of wncern one ilve Le as Lizard nniella puichre pulchn, pecies of concern None outhwestem Pond Turtle C/emmys marmorata allida pecies of concern None Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I Q Q Cz C RUN M Page 103 Appendices wo-Striped Garter Snak Thamnophis hammondii pecies of concern one Birds elding's Savannah assemulus Species of concern ndangered row andwichensis beldin i urrowing Owl then cunicularie pecies of concern one burrow sites aliforia Black Rail atemilus jamaicensis pecies of concern hreatened otumiculus alifomia Condor G mno s calNOrnianus olio file califomica ndan ered ndan ered alifomia Gnatcatcher hreatened one alifomia Least Tern Stems anfillarum brown Endangered ndangered nestin colon east Bell's Vireo Vireo bell" pusillus ndangered ndangered nestin an Clemente anius ludovicianus ndangered one erhead Shrike eamsi an Clemente Sage mphispiza belli hreatened one arrow lementeae wainson's Hawk uteo swainsoni nestin one hreatened ricolored Blackbird ywaius tricolor (nesting pecies of concern None olon estem Snowy Plover Charaddus atexandrinus hreatened None ivosus nestin astern Yellow - Billed occyzus americans None ndangered uckoo ccidentalis nestin Mammals stand Fox Uroc on lifforalis pecies of concern Threatened Mohave Ground SquI"[ permophilus Species of concern hreatened ohavensis acific Pocket Mouse erognathus ndangered None n imembris pacificus an Diego Desert eotoma lepida Species of concern 4one oodrat 'ntermedia an Joaquin Pocket erognathus inomatus Species of concern None Ouse 'nomatus ants Catalina Shrew orex omatus willeth' Species of concem None ehachapi Pocket Mouse erognathus alficola pecies of concern one nex ectatus IS IN ource: California Dept of Fish & Game and Los Angeles Almanac he only known populations of Unarmored Threespine Stickleback, a fish, are in the Santa lava River's drainage to the Los Angeles River and in San Diego County. The Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly, originally found only in Palos Verdes Peninsula, was thought extinct until it was rediscovered in San Pedro in 1994. The El Segundo Blue Butterfly is found only on two acres on a Chevron Oil Refinery and at the western end of LAX. The Gray Whale migrates along the west coasts of Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. It is federally protected. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Q �..LJ .ter Q Cz C a Page 104 APPENDIX H Common Ground - - hom the Mountains to the Sea RMC GIs Data Information Road Map - Organisation and Structure of the Data Open Space Plan - Phase One: Information Gathering Road Map Version 2.0 - Dated 4 \24 \01 Table of Contents and Sections I. General Notes about the GIS Data II. Other General Notes III. OVerViev of Data Structure and Organization IV. krcView Project Files V. Cross - Referencing Of RMC CERES Catalog Numbers and Final Report Spreadsheet Information I. General Notes about the GIS Data Special Attention: A complete list of useful GIs data collected throughout the project which was used in the project and can be used in the future is located within Appendix A -4 "Useful Digital Data within GIS System- of the Final Report. A complete list of useful GIS data used for analysis and can be used for analysis in the future is located within Appendix C -1 "List of Useful GIS Data for Analysis" of the Final Report. The final report exists within the hard drive under the reports directory. See the section titled "Cross - Referencing of the RMC CERES Catalog N mb and Final Report Spreadsheet Inf t' " for information on finding and using data sets in particular categories such as "Biological" or "Planning /Open Space" within the RMC CERES Catalog and the GIS system. Other Notes Regarding Data: Please read metadata (�.txt) files for data sets within the GIS system. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I I 11 Page 105 Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea Data containing an "a" at the end of the filename (i.e. \armycorps \tria.shp), indicates that the data has been projected into the ALBERS projection. As a general note with the "archive" workspaces, the data contained in these workspaces contain original data received from the various organizations and agencies. This data is not in the ALBERS projection (except within the "cadfg" workspace). In addition, this information contains other files which were used as working files during the project. If a .txt or metadata file is not present within the workspace, please see the readme.txt file for an explanation of the GIB data collected. The readme.txt files were created for quantities of data received with no metadata. II. Other General Notes The complete document, including the entire data list (which is not included in this version), is 244 pages in length. III. Over 1. of Data Structure and Organization Quick Glance /Brief File Structure: \arcdata \amis \info \avtools \dem \10mdem \122100 -10M \info \other \walnutgrid \30mdem \info \images \102000fieldtrip \cadfg \mrsid \octa \other \rimofthevalley \scans \SPOT \plots \prjfiles \working \armycorps \info \ cadfg \archive \info \esri Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency I LL �Q �W •Mr � -r Q CZ C J ��r Page r • Common Ground from the Mountains ro fhe Sea \fema \archive \info \forma \info \trails Working \fullerton \archive \info \gatewaycog \archive \documents \info \info \lacounty \archive \images \info \ocounty \archive \info \other \firehaz \info \seismic \soils Wetlands \reference \calpoly \climate \info \sanbag \archive \info \scag \archive \info \lufiles \archive \info \tbm \info \sglowla \sgloworg \sglowriv \sglowsbd \sglowven \tables \working \usfs \archive \info Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency Appendices 0M � am Page 107 Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea \usfws \archive \info \usgs \info \ikcurtis \East LA \WW LA \Orange \photomapper 3.22 \S Ventura West LA office \access \excel \transmittals \word \wpwin \presentations \020901presentation \040601presentation \formasystems \ljs \110300presentation \reports \032301report \appendices \pdf \tabs Detailed File Structure and Description: \arcdata \a-is - Contains Arc Macro Language (AML) programs used during the course of the project. \info - Contains necessary Arcinfo internal data files. \aVtools - Contains custom ArcView symbols, scripts, and legend files (.a,,l) \dem - Contains USGS digital elevation model data \10mdem - Contains 10M USGS digital elevation model data \122100 -10M - Contains processed 10M USGS digital elevation model data in Arcinfo GRID format received from USGS via FTP on Dec. 21, 2000. These DEM's are not in the ALBERS Projection. \info - Contains necessary ArcIn£o internal data files. \other - Contains unprocessed 10M USGS digital elevation model data received during the course of the project. \walnutgrid - Contains an Arcinfo GRID of the City of Walnut area. This GRID exists in the ALBERS projection. Guiding Pnnciples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL �Q lug lug Q 0 �tf�II rr7 r��J� lug Page 108 Appendices \30mdem - Contains unprocessed 30M USGS digital elevation model data \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. Location on Hard Drive: \arcdata\ \images \102000fieldtrip - Contains 117 pictures taken during the Lower Los Angeles River Field Trip on Oct. 20, 2000. \cadfg - Contains California Dept. of Fish and Game imagery files and logo files. O \mrsid - Contains MRSID compressed imagery files for areas within �Q the project area. \octa - Contains the 1998 OCTA bikeways map in .pdf format. f��rIIu�r�I�.+I \other - Contains an image named "walnutares.tif" used for the 3D Modeling ArcView 3D Analyst project file - aerial3dview.apr. This image was created from the IA Curtis imagery and is approx. M 2m \pixel in resolution. M \rimofthevalley - Contains image files for the Index map found in the Rim of the Valley Trail document. Used for resolving RHO boundary questions. ra-4 \scans - Contains the 50 scanned image files used in the Q� scans.apr ArcView .project file. The subdirectories contain names of documents where the images were scanned. o \SPOT - Contains the 1998 \2000 SPOT imagery files received from Paul Veisze of the California Dept. of Fish and Game. Also Il contains a MRSID file of the SPOT imagery within the RMC project area. W \plots - Contains plot files in .pdf format created, received, and throughout Presented the project. comet own aerial 022101.pdf - Titled "Communities and Ownership" - This map displays parks, communities, and unincorporated land near the base of the San Gabriel Mountains with an aerial imagery base. comm_trails 020901.pdf - Titled "TRAILS AND COMMUNITIES" - This map contains community boundaries and names, trails by type, trail points of access and interest, and the Angeles National Forest boundary. comet trails_spot_020901.pdf - Titled "TRAILS" - This map contains community boundaries and names, trails by type, trail points of access and interest, the Angeles National Forest boundary, and the 1998/2000 SPOT imagery as a base. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califomia Resources Agency Page 109 Appendices c0mm_zip_112100.pdf - Titled "Community Boundaries" -This map displays community and zip code boundaries and names, rivers and streams, Angeles National Forest boundary, and a street base within the project area. oc parks acreage sum.pdf - Titled "Orange County Park Acreage per 1000 People" - This map contains Orange County community names and total park acreage within each community. This graphic was used, in part, for the final presentation. oslu_zip_122700.pdf - Titled "Open Space Land Use" - This map contains the open space categories from the 1993 SCAG land use data for the project area. It also contains zip code boundaries and community names. park acreage_barchart.pdf - Titled "Los Angeles Park Acreage per 1000 People" - This map contains Los Angeles County community �Q names and total park acreage within each community. This graphic was used, in part, for the final presentation. RMC arlindex.pdf - Titled "RMC Jurisdictional Area /Aerial Imagery u Coverage /Rough Index Map" - This map contains an index of the Thomas Bros. Map pages as well as aerial imagery extents. sgabcomm.jpg - Titled "Communities" - This map was created by the California Department of Fish and Game displaying communities and l ) the archived RMC jurisdictional boundaries. sgabwshd.jpg - Titled "Watersheds" - This map was created by the California Department of Fish and Game displaying major watersheds and the archived RMC jurisdictional boundaries. a tbmgrid.ptlf - Titled - N/A - This map serves as a rough vicinity map and contains the Thomas Bros. Map Page Grid, Rivers and CC Streams, Streets, Angeles National Forest boundary, and relief G�- topography base. r�J� walnutgolf.pdf - Titled - N/A - This map contains an area Fl LJ near the City of Walnut with SEA areas, and golf course locations. This was created as a special request. cc-)- watersheds 121900.pdf - Titled "Los Angeles and San Gabriel River Watersheds and Sub- Watersheds" - This map shows watershed boundaries within the project area as depicted in the California State Calwater 2.2 GIs data file zip_ana111801.pdf - Titled - N/A - This map contains the CACI zip code boundaries as well as the adjacent project area and the archived RMC jurisdictional boundary. \prjfiles - Contains the ArcInfo projection files used to project data collected during the course of the project. Location on Hard Drive: \arcdata\ Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 110 Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea \working - Contains the RMC GIS Data and ArcInfo workspaces. \armycorps This workspace contains some data which was downloaded freely from Internet sources and obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers report entitled "LOS ANGELES AND SAN GABRIEL RIVER WATERSHEDS - Feasibility Study, First Phase Report, July 2000" - See Table 3 Page 7. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \cadfg This workspace contains the California Dept. of Fish and Game O data which was collected from Paul Veisze. This workspace also contains the RMC jurisdictional boundary and the SMMC boundary. �Q This information exists in ArcIn£o coverage and ArcView shape file formats. \archive - Contains archived information of data collected throughout the project. \info - Contains necessary ArcIrfo internal data files. fl ll fl \esri l 34 This workspace contains census information collected from ESRI - Census 2000 and 2005 estimated data. The census information exists in tract, block group, and ZIP code areas. a \ags - Contains AGE 2000 and 2005 census data. This data has not been projected into the ALBERS projection. o \archive - Contains archived information of data collected throughout the project. \caci - Contains CACI 2000 and 2005 census data. This data 7 F�7 ri � tt LJ has been projected into the ALBERS projection. This data was used for the demographic analysis in the project. 1� \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \fema This workspace contains FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) flood zone boundaries for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. This information exists in ArcInfo coverage and ArcView shape file formats. \archive - Contains archived information of data collected throughout the project. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \forma San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 111 Appendices This workspace contains the scans snap, fill used for hotlinking reference book information. Contains trails and bikeways data which was digitized and collected during the course of the project. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \trails - Contains trails which were digitized and collected from VITA and LADOT maps, Thomas Bros. Maps, OCTA, and the County of Orange. \working - Contains City of Walnut boundary and Thomas Bros. Cultural points found near the City of Walnut. This lu: is a working area for data FORMA created for specific Purposes or uses. O \ fullerton This workspace contains the City of Fullerton GIs data. Read the readme.txt file for warning information regarding this data. This information exists in ArcInfo coverage and ArcView shape file formats. o \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \gatewaycog This workspace contains the "Gateway Cities General Plan Land Use 2000" data obtained from Richard Powers, Executive Director, a Gateway Cities Council of Governments. This data was obtained an CDROM. o \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. \documents - Contains data listings, documentation, and other information. \info - Contains necessary Arc Info internal data files. \info This workspace contains the necessary Arclnfo info files for the workspaces in this listing. This workspace is vital to the quality and consistency of the data. This workspace will never be moved, renamed, or deleted. \lacounty This workspace contains data obtained from the Los Angeles County Public Works Dept, and the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Dept. This data includes the existing SEA areas, and hydrology information including channels and watershed boundaries. \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. Guiding Pnnmples Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabnel and Los Angeles Rivers State of Califonva Resources Agency Page 112 Z1111 .1 Appendices \images - Contains georeferenced equestrian and open space images received from the RMC for boundary purposes. Contains image plot files of the RMC and SMC boundary and watershed information. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \ocounty This workspace contains data within Orange County. The data includes OCTA bikeways, County of Orange riding and hiking trails, channels, lakes, streets, and watershed boundaries. \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \other This workspace contains other data collected which includes fire hazard areas within Orange County, seismic information, soils, and wetlands. This data has been processed using minimal effort as it's value to the project proved to be fair to poor. The data has not been projected to the ALBERS projection. \firehaz - Contains fire hazard areas within Orange County received from the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \seismic - Contains seismic information downloaded from the Internet. \soils - Contains soils information downloaded from the Internet. \wetlands.- Contains wetlands information downloaded from the Internet and imported into ArcInfo coverages. \reference This workspace contains reference information as described in the final report. This information includes carnivore \habitat report documents from California Polytechnic University at Pomona, climate tables, and some local jurisdiction digital files in AutoCAD format. This data has not been moved or projected into the ALBERS projection. \calpoly - Contains report documents and research from a report titled DISTRIBUTION, RELATIVE ABUNDANCE, AND ROADWAY UNDERPASS RESPONSES OF CARNIVORES THROUGHOUT THE PUENTE- CHINO HILLS by Chris Haas with California Polytechnic University at Pomona. \climate - Contains climate tables showing climate patterns and other information within the Los Angeles County area. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency LL �Q LL LL Q CZ C J Page 113 Common Ground from the Mountains to the Sea \sanbag This workspace contains the San Bernardino County 1998 General Plan. It is a combination of data from the local jurisdictions, SCAG, and the County GIMS Department. \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \scag This workspace contains data received from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Data includes the 1993 land use information, and other GIB data files. O \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \lufiles - Contains the original land use files in ArcInfo and shape file formats. No metadata was provided with this t7n f� information. u \archive - Contains archived information of data O collected. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \tbm G This workspace contains Thomas Bros. Maps 3.0 Complete CIS database obtained on 2 \15 \01. 0 \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. IJ \sglowla - Contains Los Angeles County Thomas Bros. Maps data sets \sgloworg - Contains Orange County Thomas Bros. Maps data sets \sglowriv - Contains Riverside County Thomas Bros. Maps data sets \sglowsbd - Contains San Bernardino County Thomas Bros. Maps data sets \sglowven - Contains Ventura County Thomas Bros. Maps data sets \tables - Contains ArcInfo LUT (Lookup) table for the Thomas Bros. Maps data sets Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency Page 114 Appendices \working - Contains FORMA Systems working files using the Thomas Bros. Maps data sets \usfs This workspace contains Incident Management Data from the USFS on received on CDROM. These data sets contain GIs data which represents plant and animal species, fire information, USGS topographic raster maps, and roads within the Angeles National Forest. Contains ArcInfo and ArcView shape files. \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files. \usfws This workspace contains USFWS biological data including the Western Arroyo Toad Proposed Critical Habitat, Final Critical Habitat for the Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Tidewater Goby Final Critical Habitat, Least Bells Vireo Proposed Critical Habitat, Riverside Fairy Shrimp Proposed Critical Habitat, San Diego Fairy Shrimp Final Critical Habitat, Western Snowy Plover Final Critical Habitat. \archive - Contains archived information of data collected. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfc internal data files. \usgs This workspace contains USGS 7.5 Minute Quad Sheet Outlines and Names within the project area. \info - Contains necessary ArcInfo internal data files Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency 1 W LL •ter Q C_Z C Common Ground • from the Mountains to the Sea Appendix J Making More Open Space — Making Space More Open in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River Watershed, US Group and Leo J. Shapiro & Associates To Come i Guiding Principles Watershed and Open Space Plan San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers State of California Resources Agency