News of the Arroyo
Title: | City backs watershed study |
Subtitle: | City Council joins petition of federal lawmakers to restore funding for review of Arroyo Seco |
Date: | 2006-02-09 |
Summary: | February 9, 2006 - La Canada Flintridge wades in to support funding for the Corps of Engineers Arroyo Seco study. |
Author: | Tracey Laith |
Publication: | News-Pess and Leader |
Content: | LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- The city will petition Congressional representatives for more financing for an environmental study of the Arroyo Seco , hoping to revive an initiative that foundered last year because of a lack of federal funds. The City Council agreed Monday to endorse the petition after Tim Brick, managing director of the Arroyo Seco Foundation, pleaded for council support to get the environmental study off the ground. The $2.7-million study, a partnership between the county\'s Department of Public Works and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was officially launched in October but it suffered a major setback when Energy and Development Appropriations Act funding fell through. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was supposed to meet half of the cost with the cities of Los Angeles, Pasadena, South Pasadena and La Caņada Flintridge sharing the difference, Brick said. But in November of last year, the U.S. Army Corps was provided with only $100,000 -- pushing the study back many years. \"Federal appropriation fell short,\" said Brick, whose foundation was started 100 years ago with the aim of preserving the Arroyo Seco. \"We only received $100,000 and, at that rate, it would take us 15 years to complete the study.\" It was expected to take three years to complete under the original funding plan, Brick said. The study would look at ways to restore and manage the environment of the Arroyo Seco watershed, which stretches from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Los Angeles River and includes 70% of La Caņada Flintridge. The study will look at ways to restore ecosystems, reduce flood damage, improve water supplies, protect surface and groundwater quality and increase recreation and public education. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already identified Flint Canyon Wash, in La Caņada Flintridge, as a potential site to be considered by the study, a move La Caņada Flintridge Mayor Anthony Portantino welcomed. \"The study can bring in some resources in areas that we desperately need,\" he said. \"The Flint Canyon trail is a critical link between La Caņada and Pasadena but it is very expensive to maintain and it would be great to have some help on it.\" The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recommended clearing debris from the canyon, restoring its stream and plant life and finding ways to protect it from further erosion. |
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