This is a very exciting and dynamic time for the Arroyo Seco — that great canyon that flows through our communities to link the San Gabriel Mountains all the way to downtown Los Angeles.
We have scored a big victory, reducing the impacts of the County's massive sediment program in Hahamongna, thanks to our legal action, public support and Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek's call for a new Arroyo vision and the establishment of the Arroyo Advisory Group, on which I serve, has created a real focus on the state and future of our region's most precious environmental treasure.
So much needs to be done to manage and govern the Arroyo Seco in keeping with its natural splendor, and I have a sense that there is a powerful new focus and vitality.
The Hahamongna victory is such good news. Not only will the size of the sediment removal be reduced by 30%, but also the trucks, noise, traffic and habitat destruction. We are still working hard with Supervisor Barger and the County to protect the precious habitat and wildlife at Hahamongna and reduce the impacts on our neighborhoods.
The County Supervisors' November 7th motion also puts back on track the Army Corps of Engineers program to shape a dynamic ecosystem restoration program in the Arroyo, similar to the LA River restoration program.
The goal of the Arroyo Seco Foundation is to restore nature and a living river in as much of the most celebrated canyon in Southern California as is possible. Our Arroyo River Parks program is designed to integrate the thirty parks and open spaces along the Arroyo with the river and the river with the parks. It's a bold and dynamic vision that we hope will help shape the recommendations of the US Army Corps of Engineers ecosystem study of the Arroyo Seco and the vision of Mayor Tornek's Arroyo Advisory Group to advocate for preserving and restoring the rich natural values of the Arroyo.
All of this activity is only made possible by our cooperating partners and by the generous contributions of supporters like you. As you can see, the work we do touches the lives of thousands of local residents in unique ways and is so important to ensuring a lasting environmental legacy for future generations. We need your continuing support in order to succeed.
Please give generously so that we can continue and expand our work to protect and enhance the Arroyo!
Thank you very much,
Thomas D. Seifert
Chair, Board of Directors
"The ASF is the respected authority on and guardian of our treasured Arroyo Seco.
As the City moves ahead with devising and implementing our One Arroyo effort, we will continue to rely on the wisdom and energy of the ASF to help us make proposed improvements a reality."