Hahamongna is the rare spot in the Arroyo Seco at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains where the mountainous watershed meets the urban plain. Periodically floods roar into this basin. Bounded on the north by the mountains and Jet Propulsion Laboratory and on the south by Devil's Gate Dam, Hahamongna contains five unique habitat zones that only exist in alluvial canyons near the mountains. Most sites like this in Southern California have been destroyed.

Don't let Hahamongna go the way of other lost environmental treasures in Southern California.

The Meaning of Hahamongna

The original settlers of the region were sometimes called the Hahamongna Indians. The word means "Flowing Waters, Fruitful Valley" in the native Tongva language.

Basic Instructions for
Writing Your DEIR Comments

The current phase of the environmental process is intended to determine the adequacy of the County's Draft Environmental Impact Report, so link your comments to how the DEIR treats your issue. If you can, use specific language in the DEIR that shows the inadequacy.

  1. 1. State: "The Draft Environment Impact Report is inadequate because it does not adequately evaluate . . ." Use this phrase repeatedly with each of your concerns.

  2. 2. Key Topics to Cover:

    • * Recreational Impacts for young people, birdwatchers, disc golfers, equestrians, hikers, bicyclists and the public at large

    • * Air Pollution, dust and noise resulting from more than 200,000 diesel trucks

    • * The value of Hahamongna habitat and the permanent biological impacts

    • * The importance of Hahamongna for birds and wildlife

    • * Traffic impacts for surrounding neighborhoods and freeways

  3. 3. Use questions because County Flood will have to respond to direct questions.

  4. 4. Don't worry about writing a long statement or a comprehensive critique of the DEIR. Simple statements of concern and the DEIR's inadequacy can also be effective.

  5. 5. Encourge any organization you are part of to submit comments as well as your friends and contacts.

We encourage individuals and organizations to share their comments. Please send a copy to savehahamongna@arroyoseco.org

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS:

BY EMAIL - reservoircleanouts@dpw.lacounty.gov (Include "Devil's Gate Reservoir Sediment Removal and Management Project" in the subject title)

WRITE -
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
Attn: Water Resources Division - Reservoir Cleanouts
P.O. Box 1460
Alhambra, CA 91802-9974