SMMC-MRCA 9/18/2012 to10/29/2012

Park Island in Topanga finally to connect to rest of park system

and 98 acre purchase in West Malibu

from the agendas of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority

SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

Topanga Summit Valley – Mulholland Gateway Gap Closure Project [Staff Report] [Map] SMMC 10/29/2012
This will connect the Viewridge trail which runs through the Summit Valley park to the north and eventually reaching the much large Topanga State Park

To access this new link, drive east on Mulholland Highway until it turns into a dirt road, and follow it until it ends at a parking area where Mulholland intersects with Santa Maria Road. From here, hike west along the ridgeline to a large water tank. On the map below, the trail is yellow and the water tank is a pale green triangle between the large dark green parcels.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Escondido Canyon—West Malibu--entering into a Project Agreement with the Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District for the Escondido Creek small lots project adjacent to Latigo Canyon Road, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 10/29/2012

98 acre purchase in Escondido Canyon--acquisition of APNs 4461-001-011, 4461-035-003, 4461-035-005, 4461-036-032, 4461-036-033, 4461-036-031, 4461-036-034, 4461-036-044, 4461-036-030, 4461-036-035, 4461-036-029, 4461-036-036, 4461-036-028, 4461-036-037, 4461-036-027, 4461-036-038, 4461-036-026, 4461-036-039, 4461-036-040, 4461-036-025, 4461-036-041, 4461-036-024, 4461-036-042, 4461-036-023, 4461-036-043, 4461-036-022, 4461-034-001, 4461-036-021, 4461-036-020, 4461-036-019, and 4465-004-021, comprising 98 acres in Escondido Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. Negotiators: Rorie A. Skei and Norm Haynie. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code). [Staff Report] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Resolution] MRCA 10/29/2012

West Malibu--acquisition of Ramirez Canyon properties, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Staff Report] MRCA 10/3/2012

West Malibu--authorizing the use of Coastal Habitat Impact Mitigation Funds towards the acquisition of APNs 4465-004-045 and 4465-004-084 in the Ramirez Canyon watershed, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] MRCA 10/3/2012

Sherman Oaks--comment letter to the City of Los Angeles on the Curtis School Project at 15800 West Mulholland Drive and its Mitigated Negative Declaration (env-2012-836-mnd). [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] [Staff Report] Comment Letter] [Map 4] [Map 5] [Attachment 3] SMMC 10/29/2012

Hollywood--professional services contract with Mia Lehrer + Associates for the 0.83 acres Franklin/Ivar Park project. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] MRCA 9/18/2012

Bel Air--acceptance of a dedication of an approximately 25-acre conservation easement over portions of APN 4377-002-039 (1400 Linda Flora Drive), Hoag Canyon, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Attachment] [Map] MRCA 10/3/2012

Franklin Canyon--acceptance of fee title to, or a multi-use trail easement over, all or a portion of APN 4387-020-001, adjacent to Franklin Canyon Park, Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Map] MRCA 10/3/2012

multiple beach accessways in City of Malibu: thirteen sites located at Carbon Beach, La Costa Beach, Las Flores Beach, Las Tunas Beach, Escondido Beach, Lechuza Beach, and Malibu Cove Beach. [Staff Report] MRCA 10/3/2012

Laurel Canyon--entering into an option agreement on APNs 5565-003-036, 037, 039, 040, and 041 and making said option payments, Laurel Canyon, City of Los Angeles. Negotiators: Joseph T. Edmiston and Cheri Savage. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code.) [Map] [Staff Report] MRCA 10/3/2012

Sherman Oaks--entering into an option agreement on APN 2274-018-014 and making said option payments, Sherman Oaks, City of Los Angeles. Negotiators: Joseph T. Edmiston and Derek Wiseman. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code.) [Map] [Staff Report] MRCA 10/3/2012

Corral Canyon--authorizing realignment of a publicly owned easement for ingress and egress over a portion of APN 4457-013-073, Corral Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 10/29/2012

Malibu Creek--application to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for a grant of habitat restoration mitigation funds from Caltrans Basin Clearing Project, to restore 0.38 acres in the Malibu Creek watershed, and authorizing acceptance of said grant and funds. [Staff Report] MRCA 9/18/2012

Upper Malibu Canyon-Near Soka University--acceptance of the offer to dedicate trail easement associated with Coastal Development Permit No. 4-00-013 (Isbell), unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] MRCA 9/18/2012

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SIMI HILLS:

grant application to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the acquisition of Liberty Canyon wildlife corridor expansion parcels on the north and south side of the 101 Freeway, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Attachment ] [Map] [Attachment 2] SMMC 10/29/2012

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SAN RAFAEL HILLS:

grant to the City of La Cañada Flintridge for visitor-serving park improvements at the Ultimate Destination Park in Cherry Canyon, La Cañada Flintridge. [Staff Report] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] SMMC 9/24/2012

grant to the City of La Cañada Flintridge for Flint Wash Trail improvements. [Staff Report] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] SMMC 10/29/2012

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VENTURA COUNTY:

comment letter to the City of Camarillo on Conejo Creek Wildlife Corridor. [Attachment] [Map] [Map 2] [Attachment 2] [Comment Letter] SMMC 9/24/2012. [Staff Report] MRCA 9/18/2012

execution of grant agreement with, and acceptance of grant funds from, California Department of Fish and Game to conduct weed management at Tierra Rejada Vernal Pool Preserve, City of Moorpark, Ventura County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 10/29/2012

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SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS:

Millard Canyon--grant to the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy for acquisition of apns 5863-006-001, 5863-005-008,5863-007-003,5863-007-002, Millard Canyon, Altadena. [Staff Report] [Attachment] [Map] SMMC 9/24/2012

Big Tujunga Wash--grant of a conservation easement over APN 2552-002-900 in the Big Tujunga Wash to the Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority. [Staff Report] [Map] MRCA 10/3/2012

Big Tujunga Canyon--amendment to resolution No. 12-80 addressing the acquisition of APNs 2551-002-004 and 005 in the Big Tujunga Canyon watershed, Sunland. Negotiators: Joseph T. Edmiston and Cheri Savage. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code.) [Map 1] [Map 2] MRCA 10/3/2012

Pacoima Wash Mountain Bikeway Project. [Staff Report] SMMC 10/29/2012

-----------------------

SANTA CLARITA--NORTH L.A. COUNTY:

comment letter to the County of Los Angeles on the six proposed projects comprising the Silverado Power West Los Angeles County project, Antelope Valley, County of Los Angeles. [Maps] [Attachment] [Staff Report] [Map 2] [Comment Letter] SMMC 10/29/2012

application to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for a grant of habitat restoration mitigation funds from Caltrans Santa Clara River impacts, to restore 1.4 acres and authorizing acceptance of said grant and funds. [Staff Report] MRCA 9/18/2012

Towsley Canyon park--application to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for a grant of Proposition 40 funds for the purchase of remaining interest in Towsley Canyon parcels, and (b) authorizing purchase of remaining interest in APN’s 28260018-900 and 066; -901 and 067; -902 and 068; 2826-019-901 and 040, and -902 and 041. Negotiators: Rorie A. Skei and Malund E. Hale. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code). [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 10/29/2012

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CENTRAL & WEST L.A.

Ballona Creek--adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Milton Street Park project, Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Attachment] [Staff Report] [Attachment] MRCA 9/18/2012

L.A. River--adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Marsh Street Park project. [Staff Report] [Attachment 1A] [Attachment 1B] [Attachment 1C] [Attachment 1D] [Attachment 1E] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Staff Report] [Attachment] MRCA 9/18/2012

application to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for a grant of habitat restoration mitigation funds from Caltrans Wendy/Borchard Project, restoration of 0.4 acres in L.A. River watershed, and authorizing acceptance of said grant and funds. [Staff Report] MRCA 9/18/2012

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EAST L.A. HILLS:

acceptance of a public access easement over a portion of APN 5304-017-048, located in Montecito Heights, Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Map 1] [Map 2] MRCA 9/18/2012

SMMC-MRCA 2/15/2012 to 4/23/2012

Mountain Park Agency Seeks to Buy another 225 acres of the Topanga Summit to Summit trail---would virtually complete ring of parkland surrounding the iconic canyon on L.A.’s Wild Side

Topanga, Summit-to-Summit/Henry Ridge Motorway Parcel Acquisition to include APNs 2080-013-001, 003, 007 and 008; and 4436-023-002, unincorporated County of Los Angeles. [Map ] [Staff Report]   MRCA 3/14/2012

The Summit to Summit motorway is a wide dirt road with virtually no houses that separates Topanga canyon from the San Fernando Valley. Due to its width, the road is a favorite of mountain bikers.

OTHER ITEMS PULLED FROM THE PARK AGENCY MEETING AGENDAS FOR FEBRUARY TO APRIL OF 2012:

L.A CITY PORTION OF SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

comment letter to City of Los Angeles on Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills Master Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (sch No. 2008111048), Hollywood. [Resolution] [attachment 1] [map 1] [map 2] [map 3] [attachment 2] [attachment 3] [Staff Report] SMMC 2-27-2012

comment letter to the City of Los Angeles on the proposed project at 2775 Cahuenga Boulevard (apn 5549-003-004), Case No. Aa 2012-707-wtm, Mulholland Scenic Corridor, City of Los Angeles. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] [Map 2] SMMC 4-23-2012

Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Land Acquisition Project grant application. [Resolution] [Map] [Comment Letter] SMMC 4-23-2012

acquisition of conservation easements on portions of APNs 5565-003-036, 037, 039, 040 and 041, Laurel Canyon, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution]   MRCA 3/14/2012

application for grant funds for the Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Acquisition Project, Laurel Canyon, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment]   MRCA 3/14/2012

comment letter to the City of Los Angeles on the San Vicente Communications Tower project, San Vicente Mountain Park, 17500 Mulholland Drive. [attachment 1] [attachment 2] [attachment 3] [attachment 4] [attachment 5] [attachment 6] [Resolution ] [Comment Letter] SMMC 2-27-2012

comment letter to the City of Los Angeles regarding proposed residential development and subdivision on 20367 Delita Drive, Chalk Hills, Woodland Hills. [Resolution] [Map] [Photograph] [Comment Letter] SMMC 4-23-2012

sale of either a slope easement or a temporary construction easement on APN 2166-013-900 and entering into a maintenance agreement for said easement area with the owner of APN 2166-013-014, Woodland Hills. [Staff Report] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] MRCA 2-15-2012

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SIMI HILLS:

comment letter to California Department of Transportation on US 101/Palo Comado Interchange Project Final Draft IS/EA. [Resolution] [attachment 1] [attachment 2] [attachment 3] [attachment 4] [Comment Letter] SMMC 2-27-2012

comment letter to California Department of Transportation and the City of Calabasas on the Lost Hills Road/US-101 Overcrossing Replacement and Interchange Modification Project Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment. [Resolution] [attachment 1] [attachment 2] [attachment 3] [attachment 4] [Comment Letter] SMMC 2-27-2012

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SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS:

comment letter to the City of Los Angeles on proposed Mount Lukens Communications Tower, 5150 Mount Lukens Road, Tujunga and Verdugo Peak Communications Tower, 1658 Vista Drive, Glendale. [Comment Letter] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map ] [Resolution] SMMC 4-23-2012

management of the newly acquired Big Tujunga Canyon park property. [Staff Report] SMMC 4-23-2012

Lopez Canyon riparian habitat restoration and creation project, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] SMMC 4-23-2012

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L.A. RIVER:

grant of Proposition 84 funds to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for project planning and design of the Pacoima Wash Greenway-El Dorado Park, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [attachment] SMMC 2-27-2012

Albion Dairy Project grant application. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] SMMC 4-23-2012

acceptance of an easement over a portion of APN 5442-031-043 for ingress and egress and utilities, adjacent to Marsh Park, from LA River Lofts, LLC, a California limited liability company. [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 4-4-2012

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BALLONA CREEK:

adopting greenway Project Plan and a Youth Employment Plan for the Ballona Creek to Parks Connection Loop project funded by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2]   MRCA 3/14/2012

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ASSORTED MALIBU AND WESTERN SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

preparation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area trail management plan and joint eir/eis. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] SMMC 4-23-2012

[Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] MRCA 4-4-2012

Memorandum of Understanding with the Linkage Implementation Alliance (lia) addressing habitat connectivity between the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests and the Santa Monica Mountains. [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map] [Staff Report]  SMMC 4-23-2012

Lechuza Beach, acceptance of the following offer to dedicate a lateral access easement: 5-85-533 (Reiker), Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 3/14/2012

Lechuza Beach, transfer of an easement to the owners of 31820 Seafield Drive, Malibu on and over approximately 1200 sq. feet of a portion of Lot A, City of Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 3/14/2012 

Carbon Canyon, acceptance of a donation of APN 4453-016-008 and portions of 4453-020-008, totaling approximately 13 acres, unincorporated Malibu area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] MRCA 3/14/2012 

Las Tunas Beach--acceptance of a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to acquire APNs 4449-007-013 to and including 017. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]   MRCA 3/14/2012

[Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map ] MRCA 3/14/2012

SMMC-MRCA 12/5/2011 to 1/11/2012

L.A. mountain park news...Could a golf course be converted to clean-up urban runoff, rather than be converted into just another housing tract?

From the agendas of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in December 2011 and January 2012:

VERDUGO MOUNTAINS:

support letter for City of Los Angeles Proposition O application for Verdugo Hills Storm Water Project encompassing the Verdugo Hills Golf Course and Blanchard Creek Flood Control Channel. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] --SMMC 12/5/11

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MALIBU--SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

comment letter to Los Angeles County on Notice of Consultation for 1809 Tuna Canyon Road, adjacent to Rocky Ledge open space, unincorporated Topanga Canyon. [Comment Letter] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Resolution] --SMMC 12/5/11

comment letter to City of Malibu on Notice of Proposed Project for new single-family residence at 6050 Murphy Way (Coastal Development Permit No. 11-046), between Escondido and Ramirez canyons. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] --SMMC 12/5/11

Lechuza Beach Public Access Improvements Project, City of Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Map ] --SMMC 12/5/11

contract with Penfield & Smith Engineering for the Malibu Road Accessway. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] --MRCA 1/11/12

acceptance of an offer to dedicate a trail easement associated with Coastal Development Permit No. 5-90-327 (Javid) and all subsequent amendments, City of Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] --MRCA 1/11/12

access agreement for groundwater monitoring well replacement on the Conservancy Bluffs property, City of Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] --SMMC 12/5/11

sale of a slope easement on APN 2166-013-900 and the acceptance of conservation easement on APN 2166-013-014, Woodland Hills. [Staff Report] --MRCA 12/14/11
 [Staff Report] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] --MRCA 1/11/12

acceptance of a conservation easement over a portion of APN 2275-025-001 (14545 Mulholland Drive), for wildlife movement purposes, in Sherman Oaks, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] --MRCA 12/14/11

resolution opposing commercial signage within 500 feet of MRCA-managed parkland or visible from the Mulholland Scenic Parkway corridor. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] --MRCA 12/14/11

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SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS--WHITTIER/PUENTE HILLS:

comment letter to the National Park Service on the San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Draft Special Resource Study and Environmental Assessment. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Map] --SMMC 12/5/11

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L.A. RIVER:

grant of Proposition 84 funds to the Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation, a non-profit organization, for project planning and design of the Piggyback Yard site, Upper Los Angeles River Watershed. [Staff Report] [Resolution] --SMMC 12/5/11

Los Angeles River and Caballero Creek Confluence Park, Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] --MRCA 1/11/12

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SANTA CLARITA VALLEY:

acceptance of a donation of four parcels APNs 2813-023-044, 2813-023-045, 2813-023-046, 2813-023-047 totaling 3.96 acres in an unnamed Mint Canyon tributary of the Santa Clara River, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution] --MRCA 12/14/11

---------------------------------

ASSORTED:

comment letter to Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning on Preliminary Draft Significant Ecological Area and Hillside Management Area Conditional Use Permit Ordinance. [Staff Report] --SMMC 12/5/11

comment letter to Bureau of Land Management on Draft South Coast Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Map] [Attachment]--SMMC 12/5/11

Trails reopened in Angeles National Forest

Many are open, some still closed...

5/16/11
An update on Angeles Forest Re-opening :
According to the Forest Service map of the station fire closure area at http://maps.fs.fed.us/stationfire/ the list below shows the status, effective May 16 2011, of some of the more popular trails that were affected by the Station Fire. Keep in mind that even though these trails are in the newly opened areas of the forest, the individual trails may be signed closed. Please respect any trail closure signs and stay off those trails for your own safety and the recovery of the forest.

Many of the trails will not be in good shape, so be prepared for surprises like downed trees, slides, washouts, ruts, and other hazards.

Many trails have been drastically changed from before the Station Fire.

Many fire roads have not yet been graded and may be much narrower and in very poor condition with ruts and washouts. All the usual caveats about trail safety apply so use the trails safely and responsibly, and be especially careful the first time you travel on one of the newly opened trails.

Opened Trails (As of May 16, 2011)

* Brown Mountain (to the saddle)
* Gabrielino (JPL to Paul Little)
* Gabrielino (Switzers to Redbox to Chantry)
* Bear Canyon Trail
* Sam Merrill Trail
* Castle Canyon Trail
* Sunset Ridge Trail
* Mt. Lowe West Trail
* Idlehour Trail
* Kenyon Devore Trail
* Rim Trail
* Sturtevant Trail
* Santa Clara Divide Truck Trail (Dillon Divide to Mt. Gleason to Three Points)
* Chilao Loop/Mt. Hillyer
* Vetter Road
* Silver Mocassin
* Shortcut
* Valley forge
* Mt. Lukens road (once the highway opens)
* Earl Canyon
* Haines Canyon
* Doc Larsen

Keep in mind that even though these trails are in the opened area, the individual trails may be signed closed (And those signs should still be respected). Many of the trails will not be in good shape, so be prepared for surprises like downed trees, massive ruts or slides, washouts, and other hazards.


Closed Trails (Until Further Notice)
* Strawberry Peak,
* Tom Sloan
* Dawn Mine
* Upper Brown Mountain (Saddle to the Summit/Ken Burton)
* Ken Burton
* Gabrielino from Switzers to Paul Little
* Grizzly Flat
* Hoyt
* Stone Canyon
* Condor Peak Trail
* Trail Canyon
* Alder Creek
* Colby Canyon
* Josephine
* Mueller Tunnel

Lee Zebold, Los Angeles Hiking Meetup Group, http://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/
Forest Service Volunteer
--------------------

A SWITZER FALLS UPDATE

5/28/11,
Folks,

In case you were thinking of seeing Switzer falls soon, here is an update:

I have posted pictures from the Switzer trail to the upper and lower falls. Since the trails have been closed for 1 1/2 years, they need a lot of work, but I was able to get there. The trail to the top of the main falls is passable but littered with debris. The trail to the base of the falls has slid away in some places and has fallen trees blocking two sections. However, I was able to get around them.

I have posted pictures from today here: http://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/1658071/
and two videos of the upper and lower falls on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZXGVla2qmw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NZYMZSArgY

--Rex, hike organizer

SMMC-MRCA 9/27/2010 to 10/6/2010

A whole bunch of additions to L.A.'s ring of open space

HIGHLIGHTS:

Elsmere Canyon --842 acres
Rubio canyon--Altadena--2.8 acres
Mt. Washington--2.2 acres
Ramirez Canyon/Malibu--100 acres
12 acres in Sherman Oaks
20 acres in Liberty Canyon, in Agoura Hills


SMMC 9/27/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing amendment of smm-0809 for a scope change to include the acquisition of non-tax defaulted parcels in the Northeast Los Angeles Hilltop Areas including the perimeter of Elyria Canyon Park, Los Angeles [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 5]

SMMC 9/27/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant of Proposition 84 funds to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for the acquisition of approximately 2.8 acres, Rubio Canyon, Altadena. [Map 1] [Map 2] [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment]

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing the acquisition of an option to purchase approximately 2.8 acres, APN 5843-019-004, unincorporated Los Angeles County from the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2]

SMMC 9/27/2010--Consideration of resolution approving the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to use $400,000 in Coastal Habitat Impact Mitigation Funds to acquire properties in the Santa Monica Mountains Coastal zone at the Los Angeles County Tax Collector 2010A Public Auction. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] No specific parcels were listed

SMMC 9/27/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing a Proposition 84 matching grant to the City of Santa Clarita to purchase approximately 842 acres, Elsmere and Grapevine Canyons, unincorporated County of Los Angeles. [Attachment] [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] 

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing waiver of appraisal review based on current corresponding City of Los Angeles appraisal for acquisition of 29 acres of surplus City of Los Angeles properties in Beverly Glen and Benedict Canyons. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2]   

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution affirming Resolution 09-113 authorizing the acquisition of 77 surplus properties in Beverly Glen Canyon and amending said resolution to add said parcels to the Final Engineers Report for Santa Monica Mountains Open Space Preservation Assessment District No. 1, City of Los Angeles. [Attachment] [Attachment 2] [Staff Report] 

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of a 1/3rd acre land donation, APN 4461-013-008 in Latigo Canyon, Malibu area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] 

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a donation of approximately 2.5 acres of open space, APN 4461-004-008, Corral Canyon, Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]  

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of donation of a 20 acre portion of APN 2063-008-013, Liberty Canyon, Agoura Hills. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]  

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of donation of 2.24 acres, APN 4453-016-002, Carbon Canyon, unincorporated County of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2]  


MRCA 10/6/2010--6 acres at Laurel canyon/Mulholland Drive--Consideration of resolution authorizing conditional acceptance and repayment of private loans, for an option payment for APNs 5565-003-036, 037, 038, 039, 040 and 041, City of Los Angeles. [Map] [Map 2] [Staff Report] 

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution accepting dedication of 12 acre conservation and/or trail easement from The Buckley School, Sherman Oaks. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

MRCA 10/6/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing (a) acquisition of APNs 4448-018-023, 024, 025, 026 and 041, comprised of 20.66 acres; (b) acceptance of both public and private funding towards said acquisition; (c) the use of Coastal Habitat Impact Mitigation Fund for said acquisition, and (d) a down payment towards said acquisition with public and/or private funds, Topanga Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]  

MRCA 10/6/2010--100 acres in Ramirez canyon in Malibu--Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant application to the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program to acquire APN’s 4465-004-045, and 084, in Ramirez Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 2]  

    
NOTE: SOME OF THE MRCA LINKS DON'T WORK. THEY CAN BE FOUND HERE:

10/6/2010: https://web.archive.org/web/20110115052234/http://www.mrca.ca.gov:80/attachment.asp?agendaid=198

10/6/2010: https://web.archive.org/web/20110115052234/http://www.mrca.ca.gov:80/attachment.asp?agendaid=199

   

$6 Million saves 842 acre L.A. Eco-Gem...

Key Link in Circle of Parks around L.A. will be saved in October--for $6 million

Dear readers:

One of my favorite unknown hiking spots in L.A. is called Elsmere Canyon. This beautiful canyon has caves, a waterfall, cool rock formations and a stunning view of L.A. and Santa Clarita and almost no one knows about it.

However, this wildlife and trails connector leading from the Angeles Forest to Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains is about to become public property.

The two canyons that make up this purchase, Elsmere and Grapevine, were formerly owned by the landfill operator BFI, and in the early 1990's Elsemere was proposed as the site of a mega-trash dump. At that time, three canyons along this wildlife corridor pinch-point (Sunshine, Towsley and Elsmere) were threatened with becoming L.A.'s newest landfills. With the purchase of Elmere by the City of Santa Clarita, two of those three canyons will be saved. The other canyon, Towsley, was saved in the mid-1990's and is now known as Ed Davis park. (Sunshine canyon got picked as the sacrificial lamb.)

For details of the land sale:

Consideration of resolution authorizing a Proposition 84 matching grant to the City of Santa Clarita to purchase approximately 842 acres, Elsmere and Grapevine Canyons, unincorporated County of Los Angeles. [Attachment] [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] 

(CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE)

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To see photo tours of the new Elsmere Canyon Park, go here: 

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/ElsmereGrapevineCanyons#

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/GrapevineCanyonGatewayToFutureNewhallPassStatePark#

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/ElsmereCanyonDecember17And192009#

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For photos of the connection between Elsmere Canyon and Towsley Canyon:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/BealeSCutNewhallPass#

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For photos of Towsley Canyon Park:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/TowsleyCanyonSantaSusanaMountains#

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/NewhallPassEastCanyonLoopTrailConnectionOfSantaSusanaMtsToSanGabrielMts#

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/TowsleyCanyonWildflowerHikeSantaSusanaMountains#

SMMC-MRCA 8/23/2010 to 9/1/2010

Santa Monica Mountains Land Saved--for August 2010, plus some in the San Gabriel's

Highlights:

150 acres on west side of Pepperdine University in Malibu
Trancas Lagoon trail purchased--west Malibu
1.2 acres near Lake Hollywood
27 acres east side of Encino Reservoir
2.8 acres--Rubio Canyon in Altadena
13.5 acres in Thousand Oaks

June 2010

SM Bay Restoration Commission Approves Funding for the Acquisition and Restoration of Property at Trancas Creek and Lagoon in Malibu

A portion of Trancas Creek and Lagoon will be restored and provide a connection to other upland open space and beach areas thanks to a grant approved by the Bay Restoration Commission's Governing Board in June. Up to $1 million was awarded to the National Park Service and local restoration partners to purchase a seven-acre parcel just upstream of Pacific Coast Highway that contains portions of Trancas Creek and Lagoon. The grant will also support the initial phase of native plant restoration....
The project site is familiar to those who travel Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu , as it is adjacent to Howe's Trancas Market on the eastern side of the road. Governing Board member John Sibert, who is a Malibu City Council member, noted that the private seller has been cooperative with and helpful to the city and the project proponents.

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MRCA 8/23/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing entering into an option agreement to acquire APNs 5576-009-055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063, and 064, comprising 1.21 acres, acceptance of private funds, acceptance of private funds for a fuel modification fund, and acquisition of said parcels in Hollywood Knolls, south of Lake Hollywood. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] [Map 2] [Map 3] 

MRCA 8/23/2010--Consideration of resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report, adopting findings and mitigation monitoring and reporting program pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, Malibu Parks Public Access Enhancement Plan—Public Works Plan, SCH#2009091018, City of Malibu and surrounding unincorporated area. [Staff Report] [Exhibit A] [Exhibit B] [Exhibit C] [Exhibit D] [Exhibit E] [Exhibit F] [MMRP_Exhibit_B] [Resolution and Findings]  

SMMC 8-23-2010--Consideration of resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report, adopting findings and mitigation monitoring and reporting program pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, Malibu Parks Public Access Enhancement Plan—Public Works Plan, sch No. 2009091018, City of Malibu and surrounding unincorporated area. [Staff Report] [Exhibit A] [Exhibit B] [Exhibit C] [Exhibit D] [Exhibit E] [Exhibit F] [Resolution and Findings] [MMRP_Exhibit_B] 
 
MRCA 9/1/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of the offers to dedicate scenic easements and/or open space easements associated with Coastal Development Permit Nos. 5-89-925 (Roberts), 5-90-446 (Harges), 5-89-1062 (Cirlin), 5-84-810-A2 (Steinberg)--3.6 acre open space easement, 5-88-659 (Pepperdine University)--150 acre open space easement on west side of campus, 5-89-1022 (Williams), 5-90-158 (Abrishami), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] 

MRCA 9/1/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of seven conservation easements, approximating 13.5 acres, on portions of APNs 236-0-070-095, 236-0-090-025, 236-0-090-055, Lots 9 and 12 in Tract No. 4559-1, and Parcel A in Tract No. 4493-4, in the Calleguas Creek watershed, and acceptance of processing fees from applicant, Newbury Park, Ventura County. [Map 1] [Map 2] [Staff Report] [Resolution]  

MRCA 9/1/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing the use of Santa Monica Mountains Open Space Preservation Assessment District No. 2 (Area G) funds to acquire APN 2292-010-032, comprised of 27.05 acres in Encino, City of Los Angeles. Negotiators: Mitch Feinstein and Joseph T. Edmiston. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to the Government Code § 54956.8). [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 2] 


MRCA 9/1/2010--Consideration of resolution authorizing a loan to the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy for the acquisition of approximately 2.8 acres, Rubio Canyon, Altadena. Consideration of resolution requesting a Proposition 84 grant from the Santa Mountains Conservancy for the acquisition of approximately 2.8 acres, Rubio Canyon, Altadena.


FOR BROKEN MRCA LINKS:

8/23/2010: https://web.archive.org/web/20110115052234/http://www.mrca.ca.gov:80/attachment.asp?agendaid=195

9/1/2010: https://web.archive.org/web/20110115052234/http://www.mrca.ca.gov:80/attachment.asp?agendaid=196

  

Canyon north of the Rose Bowl is saved...

AFC has Acquired 20 Acres in Historic Rubio Canyon!

http://www.arroyosfoothills.org/

Thanks to you, in 2009, the Arroyos + Foothills Conservancy purchased 20 acres of prime habitat at the mouth of beautiful and rugged Rubio Canyon. This key parcel secures public trail access and ensures that Rubio Creek and surrounding chaparral and oak woodland right up to the Angeles National Forest will be preserved for all time. A portion of the historic Pacific Electric Railway bed, part of the famous Mt. Lowe Railway, lies on the property.

We were able to move quickly to buy this property because we had funds in the bank. Now, we need to raise additional money so AFC can be ready to move quickly the next time a conservation-minded landowner comes to us with an urgent land sale. Having money in the bank enables us to act fast when opportunities for land preservation occur. We also need to raise a modest endowment to pay for the cleanup and upkeep of the Rubio Canyon land.

You can make a secure on-line donation right now by going to http://www.arroyosfoothills.org/support.html.

Nail finally put in coffin of Newhall Pass development

State Supreme Court reaffirms Las Lomas defeat (on 12-17-09)

http://www.the-signal.com/archives/22410/

12/21/2009--The California Supreme Court denied the final appeal of the Las Lomas development on Dec. 17, 2009, upholding the lower court's ruling in favor of the city of Los Angeles.

This important ruling finally exhausts Las Lomas' ability to move forward with its mega-development project.

Las Lomas, proposed by developer Dan Palmer, sought to add 5,500 homes, two million square feet of commercial space, and a 300-room hotel in the Newhall Pass where the 5 and 14 freeways converge.

"The city of Santa Clarita has long opposed the Las Lomas project and worked successfully with the city of Los Angeles to stop it due to the magnitude of its potential impact and mountainous location in the Newhall Pass," said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste.

On Aug. 28, 2007, the Santa Clarita City Council unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the city of Los Angeles entering into a supplemental fee agreement with the developers of the large Las Lomas development project.

Though the project site abuts the city of Santa Clarita and is within Santa Clarita's adopted General Plan area, the developer attempted to annex to Los Angeles. A supplemental fee agreement would allow for the expedited review of the Las Lomas project by the city of Los Angeles.

The Santa Clarita City Council's concerns stemmed from the fact that the Las Lomas development would exceed the county's and Santa Clarita's adopted density for the site by more than 1,000 percent.

The proposal also conflicted with Santa Clarita's application with the Local Agency Formation Commission to amend its sphere of influence. Santa Clarita sent the resolution, along with a letter, to the mayor and City Council of Los Angeles.

Strip mine expansion in L.A.'s San Gabriel Mtns is rejected

Azusa City Council rejects plan to let company shift mining to area that borders Duarte

5/19/2010

Opponents say the rock quarry would scar a mountainside, affect air quality and cut off access to a popular trailhead to the Fish Canyon waterfall.

excerpted from
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hillside-mining-20100519,0,221946.story

After a six-hour meeting that ended Tuesday morning, the Azusa City Council voted 3 to 2 against the mining proposal.

Vulcan Materials submitted a request last year to shift its operations from Fish Canyon to an area that borders Duarte. Vulcan had originally planned to mine an eastern section of its 270 acres, but said the land near Duarte is less visible, which is in keeping with Azusa's general plan.

...Azusa Mayor Joe Rocha said the presence of Duarte residents did not influence his decision to vote against the proposal.
"I questioned from the beginning the success of the revegetation plan," Rocha said, referring to Vulcan's promise of concurrent reclamation of the hillsides.
The company planned to use a technique called micro-benching, leaving pyramid steps about 1 to 2 feet high and 1 to 2 feet deep. Rocha said he was wary of a revegetation plan that offered a 40% success rate.
Vulcan spokesman Todd Priest said Azusa failed to understand that although the vertical surface wouldn't see new growth, "90% of the benchtops would be revegetated and virtually eliminate the appearance of a previously mined area."...


http://www.saveourcanyon.com/ Citizens against the Vulcan Mine

photo of trail that would be wrecked:
http://www.saveourcanyon.com/falls-trail.html

Fish Canyon –waterfalls-near mouth of Azusa Canyon - a set on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25520425@N03/sets/72157624211883760/

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Superior Court Kills Las Lomas Development on L.A. Wildlife Pinchpoint

(click on map to enlarge)

Is the Las Lomas development 'finally dead'?
December 16, 2008, L.A. Times

By Jennifer Oldham
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-laslomas16-2008dec16,0,6500693.story

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has declined to order the city to reopen its environmental review of a controversial 5,553-home development proposed for steep hillsides near where Interstate 5 and the Antelope Valley Freeway intersect. Judge David P. Yaffe ruled that state law doesn’t require the City Council to finish preparing environmental studies before considering a proposal by developer Dan Palmer to build a mixed-use community known as Las Lomas. Yaffe’s ruling, issued Friday, led City Councilman Greig Smith — who headed an effort to dismiss the city’s review of the 555-acre project — to declare that “after six years of fighting this ill-conceived project, it appears to be finally dead.” The council voted 10 to 5 in March to instruct the Planning Department to stop processing the application to build the project, which would have included more than 2 million square feet in commercial space. Palmer sued the city last summer, claiming the decision violated state law and the developer’s constitutional right to due process. The complaint asked the court to order the city to finish complex environmental studies and to award it $100 million in damages. Council members feared that the development -- under which Palmer proposed that Los Angeles annex the 555-acre parcel so he could access the city’s water supply -- would tax already overburdened services and further snarl traffic.

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2 Court Victories Over Trails in the San Gabriel Mountains

Editorial, Pasadena Star News-5/14/2008

It's been a good couple of weeks for trail access in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains.
First, a judge ruled definitively against the long-running, enormously misguided attempt by a small cabal in Altadena's La Vina Homeowners Association to prevent hikers from strolling where they have been since the 19th century.

That victory in Millard Canyon was celebrated with glee by many people of goodwill throughout the region, not a few of whom live in La Vina itself and who are going to be stuck with paying attorneys' fees because a small minority of their neighbors went off the deep end.

Also this month a Monrovia trail to which the public has long had access - if not from the 19th century, at least from the 1950s - was ruled entirely public again by a Pasadena Superior Court judge.

It was another case of a homeowner misunderstanding what the public right of way means. The Sawpit Wash Trail runs alongside a county flood-control channel for about two miles, and is popular with hikers and runners. When one homeowner over 50 years ago refused to sell land for the channel, the county obtained a binding easement for the trail. The city of Monrovia had to sue to make a new homeowner at the property understand what an easement means; again, the city and the hikers won.

Good stuff. But what about the sad situation in which one of the most famous trails in Southern California has been blocked not by some ornery property owner but by a landslide, and the powers that be can't seem to clear a way through?

That's what readers keep asking us about the massive slide that covers the historic Mt. Wilson Toll Road just past the bridge over the Eaton Canyon stream below Pinecrest Road in Altadena.
The slide occurred during the El Nino-driven rains of the winter of 2004-`05, when 38 inches of rain fell on the city, and many inches more came down in the mountains.

A quick glance shows that clearing the road - widened 101 years ago to accommodate the 100-inch Mt. Wilson telescope and closed to motor vehicles other than government ones since 1936 - is not going to be an easy task.

There are thousands of tons of dirt and rocks to be moved.

But it's been years now, during which the steep but lovely hike to Henninger Flats and on to Mt. Wilson has been not available to thousands of hikers and bicyclists used to its rugged charms.
So we called the man in charge of solving the problem, Frank Vidilas, acting chief of the Forestry Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and asked him what gives.

The good news is that Vidilas sees an end in sight. The bad is that it likely won't be cleared until April 2009. That's because the complications, says Vidilas, are both natural and bureaucratic.
In the first place, there are six more landslides than the one visible from town farther up the road. In the second, a lot of agencies - including the city of Pasadena, which owns the land the first slide covers; the California Department of Fish & Game; the United States Forest Service - all have fingers in the pie. It's been decided that the county needs to take the lead in solving the problem, because its vehicles use the road most, to bring supplies to the firefighters in permanent residence in cabins at Henninger. (Now the supplies come in from the clear road down from Mt. Wilson, but that's a long way around.)

Vidilas is working to get yet another bureaucracy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to foot the estimated $1.4 million bill for a contractor to clear the landslides. He hopes to see work begin by this fall.

So do we. It's been too long a wait to see the important trail cleared.

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Completing the Picture:

Current Claremont Wildlands Conservancy Projects
By Suzanne Thompson, President, CWC-- Volume 8, Issue 1 June 2008

http://claremontwildlands.org/

It is a treat to hike through Johnson’s Pasture on a crisp morning and enjoy the clean air and a chance for a glance of a wild critter. But most mornings, my route starts to the east and south of the pasture in the flatlands where Pomello crosses the Thompson Creek flood channel.

I follow the road across the creek and look for the acorn woodpeckers who have appropriated a telephone pole as their communal acorn storage unit. It is spring so the flashy orange and black Bullocks’ orioles and their close cousins, the hooded orioles, have returned to hold raucous conversations in the treetops and set up nesting territories.

The road ends abruptly at a high cobbled-up gate and a no trespassing warning. House wrens, California quail, and common yellowthroats are singing beyond this point and I know from before the gate appeared that the road wanders into a fine little canyon lined with wildflowers and from there climbs to the west to Johnson’s Pasture.

Like me, many of you know this land and have walked it with your family or friends in the past, so you can appreciate the opportunities it offers for walking, biking, and exploring nature.

From a map of the Claremont hillsides, you get another perspective: The hillsides look like an almost-completed giant jigsaw puzzle. The property beyond the gate is one big missing piece that is needed to finish the southeast edge of the hillsides and give another route into Johnson’s Pasture.

CWC is working with the Trust for Public Land to buy the 158-acre piece and complete this part of the hillside picture. Like the quest for Johnson’s Pasture, it won’t be a quick or easy process. We’ll need a willing seller, an agreed-on purchase price, and the biggest challenge—the money to buy the land. We are currently exploring state, county, and federal sources, and hope to get parts of the funding from several agencies.

Just to the south of the land behind the gate is a much smaller puzzle piece, but one with historical significance for Claremont. The five acres with an existing building would make a fine educational and interpretive center for visitors to the Claremont Wilderness Park. We have started a conversation with the owners of this property with the hope of eventually getting the funding to purchase this piece as well. When we succeed in adding these two properties to the Claremont Wilderness Park, the gate will come down and we can enjoy walking in the canyon and accessing Johnson’s Pasture from the east. Even better, we will have saved more of a scarce commodity: rapidly vanishing native habitat in Southern California.

Your generous support and donations in the past made our work to acquire Johnson’s Pasture possible. With your further support, we will continue to have the community backing and financial resources to bring these two new projects to a successful conclusion.
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La Verne Expands Its Preserved Open Space in Foothills
By Georgeann Andrus

Our neighbors to our west, led by the La Verne Land Conservancy and Executive Director Kathy Winsor, have been working with the Trust for Public Land, the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles River and Mountains Conservancy and the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy to preserve open space in their foothills since 2002.
They have received $6.5 million dollars from the state’s Wildlife Conservation Board and additional money from LA County to purchase land, adding some 40 acres to the already established Marshall Canyon Regional Park and, more recently, significant new acreage that bridges between Webb Canyon to our northwest and Marshall Canyon.

These purchases help establish a contiguous corridor across our northern wilderness area from our Claremont Wilderness Park to the San Dimas Area and beyond.

The city of La Verne is currently developing a Management Plan for the land they have received in these acquisitions. The community has participated in the development of this plan through a series of three public meetings. By having the connections between the wilderness areas of our communities, opportunities are created which allow for regional trails to be developed, ultimately connecting into the National Forest north of our wilderness areas.

In developing their Management Plan and proposing new hiking trails, LaVerne has faced some of the same issues recently experienced in Claremont, where parking concerns have raised questions which could jeopardize access to the publicly owned wilderness areas.

Although from the air the acquired open space in our region may appear, as the Trust for Public Land described, as a “patch work quilt” of protected space, it represents a significant effort toward achieving the goal of a continuous wildlife corridor and watershed access for the hillsides from Claremont’s Wilderness Park on the eastern margin of the San Gabriel Mountains across those foothills to the west.