Ballona Wetlands Restoration Task Force (LA)
Works for the conservation, preservation and restoration of the Ballona Wetlands ecosystem. Meeting are held the second Thursday of every month in Venice. Contact Marcia Hanscom for more information (310)821-9045.
Banning Ranch Task Force (OC)
By Terry Welsh
In November 2006, voters of Newport Beach approved a new General Plan that placed a priority on preserving the entire 412 acre Banning Ranch as open space. The General Plan also contained a provision that the owners of Banning Ranch, AERA Energy, LLC, be allowed to pursue development of up to 1375 homes, a hotel, and a commercial center if the property were not purchased for preservation as open space.
In February 2008, the city council of Newport Beach approved an Ad Hoc committee consisting of the mayor, and two other council members, to conduct an appraisal of Banning Ranch and to explore possible sources of funding for purchasing this property. The price of Banning Ranch is not known, but will likely be beyond what the city of Newport Beach can afford. Therefore State, County and private money will likely be needed.
Meanwhile, the AERA Energy, LLC, has brought on experienced consultants and public relations experts to promote, and obtain entitlements for a large development for Banning Ranch. The owners have the ear of influential elected officials. This development would involve most of the Banning Ranch mesa, the last large privately held undeveloped coastal mesa in Orange County. Now is the time for concerned citizens to urge the Newport Beach city council to seriously explore acquisition of the entire Banning Ranch property. It is unclear how much time is left.
For more information, please contact the Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force at savebanningranch@yahoo.com , or 714-432-1385.
Coyote Hills Task Force (OC)
By Karen Lang
Coyote Hills is the last natural open space in North Orange County. It is surrounded by one of the most densely populated areas in California, and citizens here have some of the poorest access to nature-based recreation in the state. South County has numerous wilderness parks, but the County Board of Supervisors' desire for park equity for populous North Orange County has not yet jelled into a plan.
The land has enjoyed some protection since it was fenced off at the end of oil extraction in the early 1990s. The coastal sage scrub thrives, and many threatened and sensitive species, such as the California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren, are found in large numbers here. It forms part of the Coyote Creek watershed, and many species of birds migrating on the Pacific Flyway visit regularly.
The Sierra Club Coyote Hills Task Force has been encouraging the Fullerton City Council since 2001 to work with Chevron on this regional issue and come up with a plan for preserving the land. The Task Force plan illustrates how the site could become a nature preserve for recreation and education, and has identified sources of funding to buy the property, in order to turn it over to a conservation agency or organization. With the help of the environmental law firm, Shute Mihaly and Weinberger LLP and the overwhelming support of concerned citizens, the Task Force has submitted substantive comments to two Draft EIRs as well as the third Revised Recirculated DEIR which were due on March 3.
For more information and to view a detailed description of its importance as the last wilderness in densely urbanized north Orange/south LA County, visit angeles.sierraclub.org/ocosc/coyote_hills.htm.
Endangered Species and Wildlife Committee
By Rosemarie White
The Mission Statement of this Committee is 'we work for the protection of endangered species, natural habitat and biodiversity.' Also, ' we promote activism within the Chapter and encourage contact with other organizations having similar aims.' Somehow, though, the fun of doing all of this isn't adequately described. And it really IS fun, and exciting and eye-opening.
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Photo courtesy Dr. Newman Bobcat Kiss |
For instance, we are currently deep into planning the 5th 'Re-Enchanting The City' Conference, to be held on October 18, 2008, at Friendship Auditorium near Griffith Park. The theme this year will be on how the impending Global Climate Changes will effect wildlife and wild habitat, including plant species. Keynote Speaker will be one of the scientific team who received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize along with former Vice-President Al Gore.
We continue to sponsor, with the LA Department of Water and Power, 'Celebration In Honor of Earth Day' at the 1,400 acre Chatsworth Nature Preserve on Sunday, April 6, 2008 for the whole community of Los Angeles and so far this year Committee Members have given presentations to schools across the City, and to other organizations including the Natural History Museum's Page Museum Docents. It helps to have an award-winning Science teacher, Dave Kukla, as one of our members! Recently, a community hike was requested by City Council Member Greig Smith for his constituents in the North San Fernando Valley and pictures are posted on his weekly Internet Update.
We meet every 3-4 weeks to plan the Conference, and meet as needed for other projects such as nature hikes, tabling at events or our new Project, 'Fun People Who Do Fun Things', collaborating with the Zoo Magnet High School, the Mayor's Office and, hopefully, City Channel 35. Come join us! We need you! See our web pages as part of the or call Rosemarie White, ( 818-769-1521) or George Grace (323-660-2483). for more information.
Fair Trade/International Issue Committee
We have an opportunity and a responsibility to address these long-term challenges! On Saturday, April 26th a panel of experts will discuss how population growth, coupled with the unsustainable consumption of natural resources, affects climate change, water shortages, biodiversity loss, public health, deforestation and much more. Find out how you can make a difference! Join us at Eaton Canyon Nature Center on April 26th, 9:00 o'clock for those interested in a bird walk, followed by lunch served on the patio at 11:30. The panel discussion will begin at 12:30 and continue until 3:00 pm. For more information contact Joan Jones Holtz (626-443-0706; jholtzhln@aol.com).
Forest Committee
By Don Bremner
When we're on a beautiful back-country hike and pause to take in the view, we sometimes wonder how this wild land will look in five or 10 years, or a generation or two. Will it be the unspoiled wilderness we're enjoying now, or will the natural environment be marred by encroaching development?
Our region's huge urban population is increasingly pressing on open spaces, much of it in national forests that are vulnerable to highway, tunnel and power line projects.
The Angeles Chapter's Forest Committee, in cooperation with the Sierra Club's Southern California Forests Campaign and other environmental groups, is working to build support for congressional action to designate more areas of Angeles National Forest as wilderness, a status that would keep these areas natural, without roads, power lines or structures.
During hikes into these unspoiled forest areas in the San Gabriel Mountains, a leader explains briefly to the group what wilderness values could be permanently preserved by wilderness designation. At lunch, postcards and a fact sheet are handed out, and hikers jot a short note to a local congressman urging support for preserving the area. Over the past year or more, nearly two dozen of these hikes have been conducted by the Forest Committee and the forests campaign, as well as by the Wilderness Adventures Section, 20s & 30s Singles, and Pasadena Group. Leaders can be provided, or trained, for other sections and groups wishing to sponsor such hikes, helping to pave the way for passage when a wilderness bill including these areas is introduced in Congress.
Areas for these hikes include Pleasant View Ridge near Mt. Williamson, and Condor Peak.
Besides these efforts to expand wilderness, the Forest Committee presents several programs each year at Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena, intended to increase public awareness of forest issues. Recent topics and speakers have included 'The Lure of Wilderness and the San Gabriel Mountains' by Doug Scott, policy director of Campaign for America's Wilderness; and 'Spiritual Trails to Forest Care,' by Lyndsay Moseley, the Sierra Club's partnership representative discussing cooperation with faith communities. Canyoneering and protection of wildlife are other themes.
In the year ahead we hope to involve more of our members and the public in forest actions, and to see a bill in Congress broadening wilderness protections. To join us, contact Don Bremner at donbremner@earthlink.net or (626) 794-2603.
Friends of the Foothills (OC)
Seeks to protect South Orange County's quality of life by permanently preserving remaining open space, stopping the extension of the Foothill-South Toll Road, and keeping our creeks and surf clean. For more information visit the website: http://taskforce.sierraclub.org/friendsofthefoothills.
GIS Committee
By Lore Pekrul
The GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Committee members are volunteers who use the Chapter's ESRI ArcGIS software to develop conservation-related maps. ESRI has donated this software to support conservation goals. Some of our work is at our online library and includes Tejon Ranch and California Condor Habitat, an Open Space Map of the Verdugo Mountains and San Rafael Hills for the Verdugo Hills Group, Sierra Club Groups in the Angeles Chapter, a Santa Clarita Greenmap, and County Campaigns / Angeles Chapter political district maps.
Current projects include the Montebello Hills Vision Map, a Griffith Park Map, and an updated map of Wildlife Corridors in Los Angeles County for the Wildlife and Endangered Species Comittee; several others are in planning stages. A primary goal for early 2008 will be developing and organizing our data library. An educational session will be provided by GreenInfo (nonprofit GIS consultant) toward that purpose and to help us with good map design. We are also working on an information sheet to provide Chapter entities to explain how we can work together to produce effective maps in support of specific conservation goals.
GIS Committee matches volunteers with appropriate skills with project requests. We can provide training and software for interested volunteers with good computer skills and a general knowledge of mapping. Members who can volunteer a few hours of time per month should contact Lore Pekrul at 310-529-2026; or by e-mail at elpe1@earthlink.net. Online library at http://www.angeles.sierraclub.org/GIS/.
Global Warming, Energy & Air Quality Committee
Works to reduce air pollution, to support low-emission vehicles, to educate the public about the dangers of global warming, to build support for higher fuel economy requirements, and to promote energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal power. This committee meets second Thursday of odd-numbered months at 7:00 pm at the Chapter office.
Green Building Committee
By Lore Pekrul
The Green Building Committee formed to help support green building practices in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Our first meeting was in March 2007 and since that time we have focused on the urgent need to build green as a means to help avert climate change. Green building principles also support Sierra Club's intent to protect the natural environment and will allow for sustainable urbanism. Green building programs are in initial stages throughout southern California - Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Irvine, Glendale, Long Beach, City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, among others. Angeles Chapter presence in this transformational process is essential and we invite you to help in this effort. Given the wide array of principles and practices making up a green building paradigm, Chapter-wide support will make a great difference. We promote green building elements ranging from use of FSC-certified wood or its equivalent, to third-party certification and verification systems of organizations such as USGBC and Build It Green, reduced square footage thresholds for green building programs and practices that begin to restore the natural environment through hydrological approaches and native plant use in landscaping.
We look forward in 2008 to continued support of local green building programs and to encourage green building where programs are not yet in place. We view the next several years as crucial to the transformation of our built environment: significant change must occur quickly from this point on. Attendance at city council hearings and planning commission meetings will be on our agenda along with letter and article writing. Green building tours will become part of our educational outreach and will be announced in the Southern Sierran.
We do need your help. If you would like to join in this effort, please attend our meetings held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Angeles Chapter offices or contact Lore Pekrul at 310-529-2026; or by e-mail: elpe1@earthlink.net.
Griffith Park Planning Task Force (LA)
Develops the Sierra Club vision for the future of Griffith Park and works to advocate for this vision to be adopted as public policy. Works to preserve the urban wilderness identity of Griffith Park, to restore its natural resources, and to enhance the park's natural qualities. Works to educate and mobilize the public to influence political opinion and public policy to preserve this priceless resource. The Task Force supports the continuing public process and encourages democratic citizen participation in developing the Griffith Park Master Plan and other plans for Griffith Park. For more information, contact Delphine Trowbridge (818)558-7722 - delphinetr@sbcglobal.net or Joe Young (310)822-9676 joengeri@ca.rr.com.
Hazard Park Wetlands (LA)
By Carries Sutkin
Did you know that there is a historic remnant of the Los Angeles River in a City of Los Angeles Park named Hazard? From the 10 freeway west of Soto, you can see how the land forms a dry stream bed. Hazard Park was named after a former city attorney and major who it was said donated the land. Local kids who hang out at the park are known as the 'hazard kids.' Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa grew up in Hazard Park and practiced his boxing in the 'swamp' or so they say.
The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club is working with the Park Advisory Board and the teen club at Hazard Park to publish a bilingual fact sheet. A restoration project is also underway by North East Trees, the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Bureau of Sanitation. To take a nature walk though Hazard Park, 22230 Norfolk Street, Los Angeles, CA 9002, drive north on Soto to Alcazar; turn left and then turn left again on Playground Street. On the left hand side is the perennial stream which leads to the Los Angeles River. Passing under the Charlotte Street Bridge (there's a Burger king on top) you'll see the stream and wetlands. Enjoy your walk down this historic stream of native willows, toyons, reeds and cattails and lots of other urban wildlife.
Hazard Park Wetlands efforts are in conjunction with the Chapter's Urban Parks Committee, which works for preservation and conservation of urban parkland as open space. Contact Chair Juanita Dellomes for more information at (213) 250-7921.
Hobo Aliso Task Force (OC)
By Penny Elia
In 2001, an out-of-town developer came into South Laguna with his eye on the speculative development of 230+ pristine acres of beautiful coastal resources known as Hobo Aliso Ridge. He had grand plans for the 'improvement' of this area that included 18 monstrous estates. After two years of very contentious City Planning Commission and City Council hearings, the project was approved by the City of Laguna Beach. Following this approval, the Hobo Aliso Task Force prepared for the next battle at the Coastal Commission. We never got there
Little did this out-of-town developer know that the land owner holding his option on this speculative development was negotiating a deal with The Athens Group, developers of the Montage Resort & Spa who enjoys financial backing from e-Bay. In 2003, The Athens Group not only purchased Hobo Aliso Ridge, but also all of the adjoining acreage that makes up the Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course.
Athens immediately began negotiations with the County of Orange to extend its existing nine-hole golf course into an 18-hole golf course that would extend into the breathtaking Aliso Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. The Sierra Club spearheaded a movement to stop this extension, and was successful in this action - at least for now.
Athens is currently submitting a new plan for development of over 350 acres in the pristine South Laguna coastal canyons, ridges and Aliso Creek.
For more information on this incredibly destructive project and how you can get involved, please contact the Greater Hobo Aliso Task Force chair, Penny Elia, at 949-499-4499.
Las Lomas Opposition (LA)
By Sandra Cattell
The Angeles Chapter has been in opposition to a development proposed near Newhall Pass called Las Lomas since 2004. Members have been following this project since the late 1990s, when it became clear that this development would conflict with many of the ideals we hold near and dear. Situated in the center of the major wildlife corridor between the Santa Susanna Mtns, and the San Gabriel Mtns, Las Lomas would be in the path of the Rim of the Valley Wildlife Corridor. The already near gridlock traffic problems of Newhall Pass would be exacerbated. Additionally, the wisdom of placing a large development in the center of a Seismic Hazard Zone, with a landslide overlay, that is also in and adjacent to a Fire Hazard Zone is also questionable. Recently we have been following the attempts of the developer to annex this project to the City of Los Angeles, and to actually expedite this project. Although touted by the developer Dan Palmer as Smart Growth, the L A Times recently ran an editorial dubbing the project 'dumb growth'. We tend to agree.
To get involved: Attend the Santa Clarita Group meeting, held the second Thursday of every month at 7:30pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 24901 Orchard Village Rd., Valencia. Contact: Sandra Cattell, sumcatt@yahoo.com, 661 259-0433
Los Angeles River Committee (LA)
Dedicated to protection and ecologically-based restoration of the Los Angeles River and its surrounding open space and habitat areas. Meetings are held 10:00am-1:00pm on the third Saturday of odd-numbered months. Contact Robert 'Roy' van de Hoek for more information (310)821-9045 or royvandehoek@yahoo.com.
Montebello Hills Task Force (LA)
By Jeff Yann
One of the interesting facts about California gnatcatchers, as related to me by a biologist, is their preference for disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub habitat rather than pristine vegetation. This is certainly borne out by experience in the Montebello Hills, where these little birds seem to thrive on 487 acres of disturbed oil land. Although Plains Exploration and Production (PXP) - the Texas oil company that owns the property-keeps predicting hopefully that gnatcatcher census numbers will decline, the tiny birds continue to register more than sixty breeding pairs on site. Worse, from PXP's perspective, they love the acreage around the crest of the hills, where PXP hopes to build 1,200 view homes on 166 acres.
PXP's solution is to create a ring of new habitat sandwiched between the future residences and existing Montebello homes and businesses. In January, this was confirmed in a long-anticipated Notice of Preparation issued by the City of Montebello for the Environmental Impact Report. How the birds will survive in a fragmented ring of habitat between two areas of dense development will probably not be known until it is too late to undo the damage.
The Montebello Hills Task Force has been active over the last two years preparing for this day. With help from Shirley Imsand, of the Chapter's GIS Committee, we have circulated our vision for the hills in a brochure being distributed around the city. Our proposal sees the property - the last remaining parcel in the Montebello Hills, geologically and biologically connected to the 25-mile Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor - as a nature preserve, which would contain trails, picnic sites, and educational displays in a way that would preserve the gnatcatcher preserve, retain biological corridors to the nearby Rio Hondo, and improve community life in park-poor Montebello. Several agencies, environmental groups, and political leaders are already attracted to this vision.
Anyone wishing to help should contact Linda Strong, Task Force co-chair, at (323) 810-6276.
Native American Sacred Sites Task Force (OC)
By Rebecca Robles
Most of us are well aware of how quickly Southern California is changing. Many of us have favorite beaches, parks or hiking trails- for some Californians these favorite places are ancestral villages, sacred sites, traditional cultural sites and ancient burial grounds. The desire to protect these special places prompted the formation of the Native American Sacred Sites Task force in 2004. Our goals are to protect and preserve sacred sites in Orange County.
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Photo courtesy Rebecca Robles Panhe Earth Day celebrants |
Up to ninety percent of Orange county's prehistoric sites have been lost to rampant development. The preservation of Native American Sacred Sites is a crucial part of preservation of culture and heritage. It is important to the public at large because a unique and irreplaceable part of American history is at risk.
The Acjachemen Nation-Juaneno Band of Mission Indians have inhabited Orange county since prehistoric times. The sacred sites we seek to protect are lands listed on the sacred lands file established by the Native American Heritage Commission or unique and ancient sites identified by tribal communities, archaeologists, and historians.
To achieve our goals, we seek to increase public appreciation and awareness of environmental justice issues related to protection of burial grounds and traditional cultural sites through community education and outreach, acquisition advocacy, and meetings with local, state and national decision makers.
We will host an Ancestor Walk on October 4th, 2008. This pilgrimage starts at Panhe in San Mateo Campground and ends at Puvugna on Cal State Long Beach.
Join us for an Earth Day celebration at Panhe on April 20th, 2008, from 11am to 4pm Featuring Native American singing, dancing, storytelling, basketry, jewelry, demonstrations, food and information. Panhe is the sacred site and traditional cultural property in the path of the toll road extension. For information contact Rebecca Robles at rerobles5@yahoo.com.
Orange Hills Task Force (OC)
By Carole Mintzer
East Orange is one of the last places in Orange County where people can still enjoy the feel of rural countryside with native oaks lining the arroyos and coastal sage on the hillsides. It is still possible to drive for 10 miles without a stoplight and with very few houses in view. But all that will change if the Irvine Company succeeds in their efforts to build a nearly 4000-house tract development from Jamboree Road, around Irvine Lake, and five miles beyond.
The Orange Hills Task Force, established in 2000, has led the efforts to protect the most rural of these areas from development. The City of Orange approved the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in November 2005.
This March, despite the downturn in the housing market, the Irvine Company asked the city to approve the tract map for 1200 houses east of Irvine Lake (Area 2) without any additional, updated environmental review. The Task Force is questioning the legality of this action, and asking the city to require at least a supplementary EIR to address water runoff concerns and greenhouse gas emissions.
While recognizing that some amount of housing may be built in east Orange, the Task Force also has made the case for the development of housing and a community that will be more environmentally sound &mdash: not requiring residents to drive everywhere for everything; more compact; less sprawling; using solar panels; tankless water heaters, etc.
To get involved: Attend the Task Force meetings every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at 217 E. Chapman Ave. in Orange or contact Theresa Sears at 714-288-0520.
Puente Chino Hills Task Force (LA/OC)
By Eeic Johnson
The Puente-Chino Hills Task Force is fighting big oil companies, desperate cities, the Metropolitan Water District, and unfortunately, State Parks. These groups threaten the beauty, the recreational opportunities and the animals of the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor. Working with other groups and surrounding communities, the Task Force has educated citizens and decision makers about the current threats to the Corridor, stretching from the Cleveland National Forest to the Whittier Hills.
The first major threat to the Corridor comes from Aera Energy (a subsidiary of Shell and Exxon/Mobil), which has proposed 3,600 homes and a commercial center on its 3,000 acres in the hills above Brea. This land lies on both sides of the 57 freeway and in the heart of the Corridor. It provides the only remaining connection between the open space preserved on the west in the Puente Hills and east in the Chino Hills. Aera, turned down by LA County, took its project to the City of Diamond Bar, which is willing to agree to annex and develop the land. Fortunately, the community of Rowland Heights has launched an incorporation drive to annex the land themselves and stop the development. The slow-motion race is now on to determine who can control this vital piece of land. The Task Force will continue to work to keep this land open.
The second major threat comes from a plan by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) to build a secondary access road to the Diemer Water Plant through the Chino Hills State Park. Unfortunately, MWD has been able to get State Parks' support for this road by agreeing to financially support a new state park visitor center. MWD has approved the EIR for this foolhardy road. The Task force will continue to fight this threat to the State Park.
Contact Eric Johnson at ericsj@mindspring.com to get involved.
Saddleback Canyons Task Force (OC)
By Rich Gomez
The Saddleback Canyons Task Force was created to focus on environmental issues in the foothills of Orange County's Santa Ana Mountains. Originally formed to oppose expansion of a juvenile jail facility at the edge of the Cleveland National Forest and adjacent to Trabuco Creek, the Task Force has worked to slow urban sprawl and preserve open space in the canyon areas. Because of the proximity of the Cleveland National Forest to urban Orange County, a primary goal is to protect and preserve the canyon gateways to the Cleveland National Forest.
We are fortunate to have formal development guidelines for these canyon areas. The task force works to support and strengthen the existing Foothill/Trabuco and Silverado/Modjeska Specific Plans as implementation policies of the General Plan to preserve and protect the environmental treasures and rural character of the canyon communities.
The preservation of habitat, proper resource management, sensible development and recreational opportunities can come together when properly balanced against real environmental costs, but we need to speak with a common voice. We all have the same goal and the task force works very hard at expanding our network of partners. What we have found is that we share this view with all outdoor enthusiasts.
Join us at our regular monthly meeting the first Monday of every month at 7:00pm at the Silverado Community Center at 27641 Silverado Canyon Rd in Silverado Canyon.
Santa Ana Mountains Task Force (OC)
By David Perlman
The Santa Ana Mountains Task Force was formed to protect the Trabuco District of the Cleveland National Forest in response to increasing development pressure on the forest. SAMTF is composed of Club members from both the Angeles and San Gorgonio Chapters, since the District straddles the Orange/Riverside County border.
The activities of the SAMTF have become increasingly important in the face of increasing population and development pressure on the forest in Orange and Riverside Counties. To make matters worse, the current federal administration has replaced the U.S. Forest Service's traditional role of balancing the sustainable utilization of the National Forests' resources and conservation of wild areas with a policy of permitting destructive and unsustainable exploitation. Responding to this threat, SAMTF has worked closely with the Club's Southern California Forest Campaign in attempting to have roadless areas as designated as Wilderness.
Increased pressure to develop the Trabuco District has made SAMTF's role as a local advocate for the Forest critical. Recently, proposals for a Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) proposed by Nevada Hydro would create a large dam in Decker Canyon in the eastern escarpment of the District, pump water from Lake Elsinore into the dam at night when electrical rates are low and release it through turbine generators back to the lake during the day when rates are higher, selling the power at a profit. SAMTF has advocated against the proposal for years because of its destructiveness to both Forest and lake. After a cool reception by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at which members of SAMTF and residents from the community presented a united front against the project, it now appears to be dormant.
A proposal to bore a tunnel through the mountains for auto and railroad traffic has reappeared evidently under the impetus of traffic congestion on routes between Riverside and Orange Counties. The Sierra Club opposes the tunnel because of damage to the forest along its route, including air vents reaching to the surface, surface access roads and other problems. SAMTF has noted with alarm a current proposal for an east-west parkway in Riverside County by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), called the Mid-County Parkway (MCP) which joins the I-15 close to the proposed Riverside County end of the tunnel. The MCP seems to have little purpose except as an entry to a future tunnel. SAMTF will respond to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) which is expected sometime in the first half of this year. Added evidence for concern is a Special Use Permit obtained by the Orange County Transportation Authority and RCTC for exploratory bore holes in the forest. For information about SAMTF, Contact David Perlman dperlmansr@cox.net, (949)494-3268 or Jay Matchett sierra_jay@juno.com (714)730-7730.
Santa Clara River Campaign (LA)
By Lynne Plambeck
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Photo courtesy Lynne Plambeck Santa Clara River |
The Santa Clara River Greenway campaign, an initiative of the Santa Clarita Group, was formulated in 2002 to highlight our magnificent Santa Clara River, LA County's last wild river. Our goal is to promote preservation of the Santa Clara River and its floodplain. To that end, our group leads hikes, tables at City river events and has provided a Santa Clara River Tour for the past four years. Active participation in civic and landuse meetings is another tool we have used to educate the public.
This year our hike leaders hope to offer additional family 'teach-in' hikes along the Santa Clara River where we will take a 'river walk' to talk about the various conservation issues, including endangered species habitat, water quality, water supply and floodplain preservation. We will also participate in the numerous City and County planning issues and public hearings involving the river. This includes the first phase of the 21,000 unit Newhall Ranch project, a proposal that the Sierra Club has opposed for many years due to its proximity to and many negative impacts on the Santa Clara River. We hope that the current housing downturn may have a silver lining for the Santa Clara River. Perhaps some floodplain land will become available for purchase and all our hard work to educate the public and our elected officials will pay off in 2008.
Attend a Santa Clarita Group meeting for more information. See Las Lomas article for details.
Santa Monica Mountains Task Force (LA)
By Dave Brown
For the past 35 years the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force has been working to establish a system of state and federal parks in the Santa Monica Mountains and urging state and local agencies to enact land use plans that protect the Mountains from growth-inducing sprawl and mansionization.
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Photo courtesy Dave Brown King Gillette Ranch Park |
One of our goals for many years has been to save the 600 acre Soka (now King Gillette) property located in a scenic valley in the heart of the Mountains. After a 30-year struggle, state and federal agencies have finally assembled the funds to buy the property. Last year it was opened to the public and will soon become the main visitor center for the Mountains. Recently, it has also begun to fulfill its 'highest and best use' &mdash: as an overnight outdoor education center for schoolchildren from urban Los Angeles.
The Task Force leads hikes and walks into the Mountains and builds trails connecting our parks to each other and to the ocean. We also played a lead role in creation of the Backbone Trail, now just reaching completion.
The Task Force has been working to establish the long- planned Coastal Slope Trail, which would traverse the Mountains from Lower Topanga Canyon to Leo Carrillo State Park, providing spectacular views of the Malibu coastline, the Mountains, and the Los Angeles Basin. The first six miles of the trail are already in place. Currently the Task Force is urging the City of Malibu to require dedication of a two mile segment of the trail between Corral and Latigo canyons.
In recent years the Task Force has been supporting state and federal efforts to protect and restore spawning runs of the endangered southern steelhead in several Santa Monica Mountains canyons.
To get involved, contact Mary Ann Webster at mawebster1984@sbcglobal.net or 310-559-3126.
Santa Susana Mountains Task Force (LA)
By Teena Takata
We have seen public support recently for several environmental causes dear to our heart as conservationists. State Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, the 38th District representative, has recently proposed a new State Park including the Boeing (former Rocketdyne) property known as the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. His aide recently explained a majestic project, with a total acreage of 30,000 acres, even though the Boeing site only represents about 2850 acres. He has proposed calling this Santa Susana Park, and wants to create a joint powers authority of nearby Cities and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The size of the project is intended to enable protection and joining of public properties near the Boeing site, and would help preserve the wildlife corridor and portions of the Rim of the Valley trail along the west side of the San Fernando Valley. The illegal landfill near Sage Ranch and Boeing has been stopped by actions taken by Ventura County and the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Attempts at another site near the Michael D. Antonovich Park have been slowed by prompt action by Los Angeles County.
South Bay Open Space Task Force (LA)
By Joan Davidson
This task force was formed as a result of two Sierra Club activists in the PV/South Bay Group who have worked over the last 5+ years to restore blighted lands in their neighborhood for open space. The formation of the task force is in recognition of the needs for open space in what has become one of the most densely populated areas on the entire California coast, and also one of the most park poor. The two main projects that initiated the formation of the South Bay Open Spaces task force are Heart Park and the Palos Verdes Landfill.
The 'Heart Park' vision is to convert the aging AES power plant on the coast in Redondo Beach to a restored wetland and open space, with some commercial uses as necessary to provide ongoing funding for park maintenance. Like all the big projects such as Ballona Wetlands and Ahmanson Ranch, there is a long complicated history that has brought us to this stage of the struggle to restore this important piece of our coastline.
The second project that will greatly benefit from the formation of this new task force is the Palos Verdes Landfill. Situated in the city of Rolling Hills Estates, this 173-acre parcel was the site of a landfill for almost 30 years. Located in an historic agricultural area with dairy and strawberry farms, this was once rolling fields, known as the 'Ten Hills' with a lake noted on the USGS 1954 map. The formation of this new task will also bring a stronger focus on the need to re-size the energy recovery process, instead of the proposed flaring gases into the atmosphere. Priority is the restoration for a multi-use recreational site.
The South Bay Open Space task force also serves to strengthen our resolve to restore this whole area for passive and recreational purposes, permanently. To be involved contact Co-Chairs: Bill Brand (310) 809-4405 bbrand@earthlink.net and Joan Davidson (310) 897-9022 j135cooper@yahoo.com.
Tejon-Tehachapi Park Task Force (LA)
By Jennifer Robinson
Forty miles north of Los Angeles, Tejon Ranch, is a 270,750-acre working ranch nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains of Kern and Los Angeles Counties. One-third the size of the state of Rhode Island, the Ranch is the largest contiguous privately owned portion of land left in California. Its terrain is home to the endangered California condor and other imperiled species; its lands are rich cultural sites, native habitats, and a majestic landscape unparalleled in Southern California.
Although it has been left primarily as wilderness, the Tejon Ranch Corporation, which owns Tejon Ranch is currently proposing development in three areas of the property: Centennial, Tejon Mountain Village and Tejon Industrial Complex.
The Sierra Club Tejon-Tehachapi Park Task Force is working with an alliance of environmental organizations to protect the Ranch. Their vision promotes a park on 246,000 acres of the property and calls for protection of critical California condor habitat and preservation of wildlife corridors that provide important linkages for many species.
The Task Force has undertaken several outreach efforts to promote their vision. In November, leaders held a weekend camping trip near Tejon Ranch to promote the protection of the area. The tour visited viewpoints overlooking the proposed developments. Bolstering their efforts, members have collected petitions promoting the protection of Tejon Ranch.
To learn more and to become involved with our efforts, contact Katherine Squires at kms39005@csun.edu. Monthly meetings are held via conference call.
Transportation Committee
By Darrell Clarke and Michael Milroy
Concerned that Los Angeles and Orange Counties have transporation and global warming emissions problems? Want to do something about them? The Angeles Chapter Transportation Committee's goal is to expand Los Angeles' transit network, to reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, provide an attractive alternative to traffic, and create a backbone for more sustainable transit- and pedestrian-oriented communities.
We've long supported the Expo Line and Eastside Gold Line light rail projects. Now under construction, they'll open in 2010 (Expo's first half to Culver City) and 2009, respectively. Grass-roots activism had a lot to do with the fact they exist!
We're now providing input to Metro's plans to extend the Wilshire subway west, to connect the light rail lines across downtown (the 'Regional Connector'), and the Crenshaw line to LAX.
We're supporting proposals to increase train frequency in both directions on the Metrolink lines. And we seek to maintain the quality of the bus network.
We're following Metro's coming Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) update, the blueprint for LA County transportation for the next couple of decades. And we're participating in coalitions for sustainable transportation and seeking new funding for all that needs to be built in Los Angeles.
Join us the first Thursday each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapter office! April 3 will be important discussion on the LRTP.